Law and Government Legislation regarding 'International affairs' in Federal Government

Reaffirms support for the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Calls on all States Parties to: (1) continue their compliance; (2) allow verification of industrial chemical declarations and monitoring of the non-diversion of chemicals for prohibited activities; and (3) adopt necessary laws and enforcement practices to ban chemical weapons activities and afford appropriate legal and regulatory assistance to other countries so as to achieve full implementation of the Convention.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Supports the declaration of the Bucharest Summit which stated that Ukraine and Georgia will become members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Reiterates support for NATO's further enlargement to include democratic governments that are able and willing to meet membership responsibilities.

Urges NATO member states at their December 2008 meeting to consider favorably Ukraine's and Georgia's applications for Membership Action Plans.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the historic significance of the 60th anniversary of the reestablishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people.

Reaffirms the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Israel.

Commends the people of Israel for their achievements in building a new state and a pluralistic democratic society.

Reaffirms support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats to its security and existence.

Extends congratulations and best wishes to Israel and the Israeli people for a peaceful and successful future.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

States that the Senate, on the 25th anniversary of the April 18, 1983, bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon: (1) remembers the victims of the bombing and joins family and friends in mourning the American and Lebanese victims; (2) condemns all terrorist acts that deliberately target the innocent; and (3) reiterates its support for the people of Lebanon and their government as they seek to build a future free from the threat of terrorist violence.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) Dith Pran is a modern day hero and an exemplar of what it means to be a citizen of the United States and a citizen of the world; (2) the United States owes a debt of gratitude to Dith Pran for his tireless work to prevent genocide and violations of fundamental human rights; and (3) teachers throughout the United States should spread Dith Pran's message by educating their students about his life, the genocide in Cambodia, and the collective responsibility of all people to prevent modern-day atrocities and human rights abuses.

Honors the life and legacy of Dith Pran: (1) for his commitment to raising awareness about the atrocities that took place under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; and (2) by remembering his life's work and continuing to acknowledge and remember the victims of genocides that have taken place around the world.

Urges President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority (PA), who is also head of the Fatah Party, to officially abrogate the 10 articles from the Fatah Constitution that call for the destruction of Israel and terrorism against Israel, oppose any political solution, and label Zionism as racism.

States that for purposes of U.S. entry, present and former members of the African National Congress (ANC) shall not be inadmissible based upon: (1) ANC membership or affiliation; or (2) anti-apartheid activities undertaken during the 1948-1990 period of apartheid rule in South Africa.

Exempts the ANC from treatment as a terrorist organization for acts or events occurring on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary of State to take all necessary steps to ensure that databases used to determine U.S. admissibility conform to the provisions of this Act.

Expresses the need for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, the Republic of Iraq, and the international community to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq.

Expresses condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded.

Expresses gratitude to the coalition forces and other international supporters for their contribution and sacrifice in the efforts to bring peace to Iraq.

Recognizes that the U.S. government owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and assistance.

Recognizes and honors the sacrifice of the members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families on the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war.

Urges President George W. Bush: (1) not to enter into any long-term United States-Iraq strategic agreement without the approval of Congress; (2) to begin an immediate and safe redeployment of forces from Iraq; and (3) to live up to his responsibilities and adequately provide health care assistance to U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Recognizes the strategic importance of the African continent and welcomes the establishment of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

Encourages African nations to take advantage of the opportunity which AFRICOM represents to collaborate in promoting peace and stability on the continent.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Designates March 25, 2008, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Honors those who promote international understanding and good will in the world.

Designates March 1, 2008, as World Friendship Day.

Honors those who promote international understanding and good will in the world.

Designates March 1, 2008, as World Friendship Day.

Expresses the the sense of the Senate that: (1) the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) contributes to NATO's continued effectiveness and relevance; and (2) the United States should take the lead in supporting the awarding of invitations to Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join NATO at the April 2008 NATO Summit at Bucharest, Romania.

Recovery and Stability of Iraq Act of 2008 - Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the position of Iraqi Displacement Coordinator who shall identify programs that address the humanitarian needs of displaced Iraqis and who shall review, advise, support, and coordinate with the heads of appropriate U.S. departments and agencies, the government of Iraq, countries hosting displaced Iraqis in the region, the United Nations, and other involved nongovernmental and international organizations.

Directs the Coordinator to: (1) design a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of displaced Iraqis; and (2) encourage the government of Iraq to develop a long-term plan for the voluntary and safe return of displaced Iraqis to their homes.

Declares that the United States should: (1) undertake bilateral discussions with Canada to negotiate an agreement for the conservation and protection of migratory or transboundary populations of large whales at risk of extinction in the northwest Atlantic Ocean, including mechanisms for reducing incidents of endangered large whales becoming entangled in fishing gear, being struck by ships, or otherwise adversely impacted by human activity; and (2) until that agreement becomes operational, continue to reduce such human activity impacts while taking steps to minimize the economic impact of such efforts on affected industries.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Iraqi refugee crisis must be addressed before it becomes a major factor in the destabilization of Iraq and an increasing threat to U.S. security; and (2) the United States should support the Iraqi Red Crescent Organization in their work to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Iraq.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Recognizes the 69th Infantry Regiment, or the Fighting 69th, as one of the great regiments in American military history that has continually participated in the Global War on Terror since the attack on September 11, 2001, as it deploys to Afghanistan.

Directs the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security to jointly submit to Congress a report setting forth U.S. global strategy to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates.

Directs the President to transition the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq to the following purposes: (1) conducting limited scope and duration operations against al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations; (2) providing security for U.S. infrastructure and personnel; (3) training and equipping Iraqi security services and U.S. forces; and (4) redeploying U.S. forces from Iraq. Exempts such activities from the funding and redeployment provisions of this Act.

Directs the President to begin the phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq.

Prohibits funds from being obligated or expended to continue the U.S. Armed Forces deployment in Iraq as of 120 days after the enactment of this Act.

Condemns President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's hateful and anti-Semitic statements regarding Israel and the Holocaust.

Calls on all member states of the United Nations to publicly condemn President Ahmadinejad's statements as a violation of the principles of both the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Honors Friendship Force International for promoting international understanding and good will in the world.

Recognizes the celebration of World Friendship Day on March 1, 2008.

Expresses the need for a comprehensive diplomatic initiative led by the United States, the Republic of Iraq, and the international community to ensure the establishment of a cohesive government in Iraq.

Expresses condolences to the number of Iraqis who have been killed, displaced, or wounded.

Recognizes that the U.S. government owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in Iraq and who now deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and assistance.

International Education Leadership Act of 2008 - Amends the Department of Education Organization Act to establish, in the Department of Education, an Office of International and Foreign Language Education, headed by an Assistant Secretary for International and Foreign Language Education with extensive experience in international and foreign language instruction.

Makes the Assistant Secretary responsible for: (1) promoting the study of foreign languages and cultures at the elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels; (2) administering the Department's programs on international and foreign language education and research, and its activities in international affairs; and (3) coordinating such programs with other related federal programs.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Resolves that the Senate desires the return of the USS Pueblo to the United States Navy and would welcome its return as a goodwill gesture from the North Korean people.