Law and Government Legislation regarding 'Humanities' in Federal Government

(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.

Honors the life, achievements, and contributions of Charlton Heston.

Extends the deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives to the family of Charlton Heston for his loss.

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.

Designates July 26, 2008, as National Day of the American Cowboy.

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

Honors the life of William F. Buckley, Jr. (founder of the National Review magazine) and expresses condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

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

Designates March 3, 2008, as Read Across America Day.

Honors Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) for his success in encouraging children to discover the joy of reading.

Honors the 11th anniversary of Read Across America Day.

Encourages parents to read with their children for at least 30 minutes on Read Across America Day.

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

Recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival.

Wishes Chinese-Americans and all those who observe this holiday a happy and prosperous new year.

Designates July 26, 2008, as National Day of the Cowboy.

Expresses support for the designation of July 26, 2008, as National Day of the Cowboy.

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.

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

Honors the life and contributions of Diane Wolf (a member of the Senate Preservation Board of Trustees and a former member of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts).

Conveys the sorrow and deepest condolences of the Senate to the family of Diane Wolf on her untimely death.

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

Congratulates The Recording Academy during its 50th GRAMMY celebration for its important work in improving the environment for music and music makers.

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.

Prescribe A Book Act - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a Pediatric Early Literacy program under which the Secretary of Education awards matching grants to nonprofit organizations for the implementation of three-part models through which: (1) health care providers encourage parents to read aloud to their children and offer them recommendations and strategies for doing so; (2) health care providers give each visiting child between the ages of six months and five-years a new, developmentally appropriate children's book to take home and keep; and (3) volunteers reading to children in health care facility waiting areas show parents the techniques and pleasures of reading aloud to children.

Requires that the books provided to children under the program be obtained at a discount.

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

Provides for the appointment of John W. McCarter as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude participations and residuals from the dollar limitation on the taxpayer election to expense qualified film and television production costs; (2) allow amortization of costs ineligible for expensing; and (3) make such expensing election permanent.

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

Congratulates Hostelling International USA on its 75 years of service.

Commends Hostelling International USA for its contributions to intercultural exchange and leadership in the field of youth travel.

Congratulates Hostelling International USA for its 75 years of service.

Commends Hostelling International USA for its contributions to intercultural exchange and leadership in the field of youth travel.

Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Act of 2007 - Establishes the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. Designates the Mississippi Hills Heritage Area Alliance as the coordinating entity for the Area. Prohibits the Alliance from using federal funds received under this Act to acquire real property or any interest in real property. Requires the Alliance to develop and submit a management plan for the Area.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude participations and residuals from the dollar limitation on the taxpayer election to expense qualified film and television production costs; (2) allow amortization of costs ineligible for expensing; and (3) make such expensing election permanent.

Recognizes the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, as the official national museum of Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units, and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.

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

Amends P.L. 109-116 (relating to obtaining a statue of Rosa Parks and placing it in the U.S. Capitol in National Statuary Hall) to extend the time period that the Joint Committee on the Library has to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks. Allows the Joint Committee to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to enter into the agreement and related contracts required under such law on its behalf, under such terms and conditions as it may require.

Makes such amendments effective as if included in the enactment of P.L. 109-116.

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the partnership between the United States and Mongolia should be acknowledged and celebrated; (2) the United States should encourage economic cooperation with Mongolia; (3) the United States should work with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank to improve Mongolia's economic system; (4) the United States should provide Mongolia assistance under the Millennium Challenge Compact and work to finalize the Compact in a timely fashion; and (5) the United States should encourage academic and cultural exchanges with Mongolia.

Arts Require Timely Service Act or ARTS Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for expedited adjudication of an employer petition for a nonimmigrant alien with extraordinary ability in the arts (O-visa), or for a nonimmigrant alien who seeks to enter the United States as an artist or entertainer, or athlete (P-visa).

National Forests, Parks, Public Land, and Reclamation Projects Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, land conveyances, boundary adjustments, studies, memorials, commissions, and museums, national park natural resource protection, national trails and rivers, national heritage areas, and advanced energy technology transfer centers.

Makes amendments to various public laws, including the National Trails System Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988.

Calls on the U.S. Postal Service to create a special exterior light display on March 4, 2008, at all postal facilities that were created by or are decorated with New Deal public art or interior fixtures to reignite public awareness and appreciation of the accomplishments of the New Deal, the men and women who participated in New Deal public works programs, and the legacy of those programs.

Qualified Personal Service Corporations Clarification Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the criteria for determining whether a corporation is a qualified personal service corporation. Includes within the definition of qualified personal service corporation a qualifying corporation substantially all of whose stock is held by certain former employees (thus permitting such corporation to use the cash method of accounting).