Rep. Ed Royce's Email
Update
www.royce.house.gov
March 5,
2004
MESSAGE
FROM ROYCE:
"This week marks the one year anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security. It was created after 9-11 to better focus the Federal government's efforts to protect our people, territory, critical infrastructure and way of life. In this past year, the Department has been brining together all the agencies responsible for securing our homeland and protecting us from terrorist attacks. Only by sharing information among all agencies and departments responsible for keeping us safe can we hope to protect our communities. Because of the Department of Homeland Security, we are much safer than we were two years ago"
THIS WEEK
IN WASHINGTON:
The following is a list of legislation that the House voted on this week. Visit www.congress.gov to look-up complete legislative information and to learn more about the bills listed below.
H.Res.
530 Urging
the Appropriate Representative of the United States to the 60th Session of the
United Nations Commission on Human Rights to Introduce a Resolution Calling Upon
the Government of The People's Republic of China to End Its Human Rights
Violations In China
This resolution resolves
that it is the sense of Congress that the U.S. should continue to insist that
the People's Republic of China adhere to fundamental human rights principles and
allow its citizens the full enjoyment of those rights. At the 60th Session
of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, the
appropriate representative of the U.S. should introduce a resolution calling
upon the People's Republic of China to end its human rights violations in China
and meet internationally recognized standards for human
rights.
H.Res.
526
Expressing the Sympathy of the House of Representatives for the Victims
of the Devastating Earthquake that Occurred on December 26, 2003, In Bam,
Iran
Approximately 40,000 people
perished in an earthquake that occurred on December 26, 2003, in Bam, Iran. This
resolution expresses the House's sympathy for the victims of the earthquake,
expresses its gratitude and appreciation for the courageous work of the U.S. and
international aid personnel saving lives in Iran, and it welcomes the
President's decision to issue a general license for donations to nongovernmental
entities engaged in humanitarian relief activities in response to the earthquake
in Iran.
H.R.
912
Charles "Pete" Conrad Astronomy Awards Act
This bill
authorizes the NASA Administrator to establish the Charles "Pete" Conrad
Astronomy Awards program and to contract with the Minor Planet Center of the
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to administer the program. The bill
awards outstanding amateur astronomers who discover the largest new asteroid
having a near-Earth orbit and asteroids using information derived from
professional sources and locating newly discovered asteroids.
H.R.
3389
Amending the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to Permit
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards to be made to Nonprofit
Organizations
This bill amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. The Act was amended in 1987 to establish the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, to be made in three categories: companies or their subsidiaries, small businesses, and companies that provide services. Education and health care were added in 1998 and the first awards in those categories were made in 1999. This bill adds nonprofit organizations to the list of eligible applicants.
H.R.
1417
Copyright Royalty and Distribution Reform Act of
2003
This bill will replace the
existing administrative construct within the U.S. Copyright Office that
determines copyright royalty rates and the distribution of related royalties
under various compulsory licenses
H.Res.
412 Honoring
the Men and Women of the Drug Enforcement Administration on the Occasion of its
30th Anniversary
This resolution
congratulates the Drug Enforcement Agency on the occasion of its 30th
Anniversary and honors the heroic sacrifice of its employees who have given
their lives or been wounded or injured in the service of our nation, and thanks
all the men and women of the DEA for their past and continued efforts to defend
the American people from the scourge of illegal
drugs.
H.Res.
56
Supporting the Goals of the Japanese American, German American, and
Italian American Communities in Recognizing a National Day of Remembrance to
Increase Public Awareness of the Events Surrounding the Restriction, Exclusion,
and Internment of Individuals and Families During World War
II
This resolution recognizes
the historical significance of February 19, 1942, the date Executive Order 9066
was signed by President Roosevelt. Executive Order 9066 restricted the
freedom of Japanese Americans, German Americans, and Italian Americans, and
legal resident aliens. It supports the goals of the Japanese American, German
American, and Italian American communities in recognizing a National Day of
Remembrance to increase public awareness of these
events.
H.R. 1561 U.S.
Patent & Trademark Fee Modernization Act of
2003
This bill begins the
implementation of the revised Strategic Business Plan to transform the Patent
and Trademark Office's operations. It incorporates a revised fee schedule that
would generate an additional $191 million in revenue and is the first step
toward improving patent and trademark quality while reducing application
backlogs and pendency at the agency.
H.R. 3752
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of
2004
This is designed to promote
the development of the emerging commercial human space flight industry by
putting in place a clear, balanced regulatory regime. The bill is drafted as an
amendment to the existing Commercial Space Launch Act to minimize disruption and
confusion.
IN THE
WEEK AHEAD:
Next week the House is
expected to consider the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (H.R.
339).
CURRENT
NEWS:
Ø
SPOTLIGHT on the Department of
Homeland Security's One Year
Anniversary
America is safer today...The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created one year ago this week, represents the Federal government's most extensive reorganization in the last 50 years. Combining 22 agencies and over 180,000 employees, the DHS consolidated formerly scattered intelligence and security-oriented organizations of the government into one efficient department, whose success in protecting the American homeland since its inception is undisputed.
Enhanced protection means peace of
mind for Americans:
· Border and Transportation Security - DHS has unified the agencies responsible for securing our borders to keep out terrorists, criminals and dangerous materials. The DHS has implemented a layered security strategy, including an increased presence at key foreign ports, improved visa and inspection processes, strengthened seaport security, and improved security technology at airports and border crossings. They are also performing background checks on 100% of applications for U.S. citizenship, registering over 1.5 million travelers in the U.S. VISIT program.
· Critical Infrastructure - DHS has worked to better protect our communications systems, power grids, and transportation networks.
· Chemical and Biological Threats - DHS has established the BioWatch program, which protects many large U.S. cities by monitoring their air for biological agents that could be released by terrorists. DHS also established the BioShield program to develop and acquire more advanced vaccines and treatments for biological agents.
· Helping First Responders - Congress has provided more than $13 billion to equip and train local officials such as firefighters, police officers and EMS workers to respond to terrorism and other emergencies, and created a National Incident Management system.
To find out more about what the Department of Homeland Security is doing to keep America safe, visit their website at www.dhs.gov. To learn about what you can do to keep you and your family safe, visit the DHS's site at www.ready.gov and download a copy of their brochure "Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now."
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Ø
Attention Students and Parents: Paying For College Workshop
Learn More About
the Affordability of Higher Education... On Saturday, March 20, 2004 from 1:00 to 2:30
pm, Congressman Royce is scheduled to host a
"Paying For College Workshop." All
parents and students should mark their calendars and plan on attending this
important discussion about various ways to fund a
college education. It will be held in Cal State Fullerton's
Titan Theater. Read more: http://www.royce.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=725.
CONTACT
INFO:
As always, Congressman Royce wants to hear from
you. Please feel free to contact
him anytime with any thoughts or concerns.
Call (714) 992-8081 or (562) 220-2411, or visit Royce's contact page at
http://www.royce.house.gov/Contact/
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