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Latest Action: 01/22/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 52.

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Paying tribute to Reverend Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp for their recognition by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority as Righteous Among the Nations for their heroic efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust. 1/22/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes the Reverend Waitstill Sharp and Martha Sharp as genuine American heroes, and pays tribute to them for having their names added to the Wall of Rescuers in the permanent exhibition of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on September 14, 2006. Commends the organization founded to support the Sharps' work, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, for its efforts to rescue Jews and opponents of the Nazi regime in Europe and for carrying on the Sharps' legacy by working to save the lives of the people of Darfur,[...]

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Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with an amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.

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A resolution condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights advocate Hrant Dink and urging the people of Turkey to honor his legacy of tolerance. 3/29/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Condemns the murder of Hrant Dink. Supports the government of Turkey's pledge to conduct an exhaustive investigation into Mr. Dink's assassination and acknowledges the prompt arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for the killing. Urges the government of Turkey to repeal Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and work to foster a more open intellectual environment. Recognizes the government of Turkey's decision to invite senior Armenian religious and political figures to participate in memorial services for Mr. Dink. Calls on the governments of Turkey and Armenia to reestablish full diplomatic, political, and economic relations. Supports Mr. Dink's wish that Turkey pursue further [...]

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Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

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Recognizing the public service of Archbishop Patrick Flores.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes Archbishop Patrick Flores for: (1) his leadership in improving the opportunities of Hispanics in the United States; (2) his 34 years serving the diverse and growing needs of the Archdiocese of San Antonio as bishop; and (3) a life of public service in the areas of civil rights, health, and education.

Latest Action: 09/05/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 34.

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A resolution recognizing the life and accomplishments of Desmond Mpilo Tutu, South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

9/5/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Honors the accomplishments of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, and congratulates his efforts to promote dialogue to peacefully resolve conflicts between people in Africa and around the world.

Extols Archbishop Tutu's contributions to South Africa, the United States, and the international community.

Latest Action: 02/01/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1540-1541 text as passed Senate: CR S1541 text of measure as introduced: CR S1538)

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A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and distinguished career of the Reverend Robert F. Drinan, S.J.

2/1/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

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

Declares that the Senate: (1) honors the life, achievements, and distinguished career of the Reverend Robert F. Drinan, S.J.; (2) offers its appreciation for Father Drinan's devoted work on behalf of the thousands of Massachusetts residents he represented in the House of Representatives and the millions of people worldwide who benefitted from his human rights initiatives; and (3) expresses its condolences to Father Drinan's family and friends.

Latest Action: 09/06/2007 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.

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Authorizing the use of the rotunda and grounds of the Capitol for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

9/5/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries)

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

Authorizes the use of the Capitol rotunda on October 17, 2007, for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, in accordance with Public Law 109-287.

Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4078-4079; text as passed Senate: CR S4078-4079; text of measure as introduced: CR S4062-4063)

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A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.

3/28/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

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

Expresses the condolences of the nation to the family of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, the Temple of Deliverance Congregation, and the Church of God in Christ.

Recognizes the life and accomplishments of Bishop Patterson.

Latest Action: 05/03/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Urging Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

5/3/2007--Introduced.

Calls on Turkey to: (1) eliminate all forms of discrimination, particularly those based on race or religion, and grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition and ecclesiastic succession; (2) safeguard religious and human rights; (3) continue the advancement of processes and programs to modernize and democratize its own society; (4) respect international law, European Union laws, and the basic tenets of human rights; and (5) prove that it is ready to meet the criteria set forth by the Copenhagen European Council prior to its accession into the European Union.

Latest Action: 11/06/2007 - Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14024; text as passed Senate: CR S14024; text of measure as introduced: CR S14000)

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A resolution designating November 25, 2007, as "Drive Safer Sunday".

11/6/2007--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

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

Encourages educational institutions, national trucking firms, clergy, law enforcement, and the general public to promote motor vehicle driving safety.

Designates November 25, 2007, as Drive Safer Sunday.

Latest Action: 10/09/2007 - DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 687.

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Resolution recognizing Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the United States, his tireless work to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict, and his efforts to secure the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.

10/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary)

Celebrates the 90th birthday of Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh.

Honors Reverend Hesburgh for a lifetime of selfless dedication to the Catholic Church, our Nation, and the University of Notre Dame.

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Latest Action: 09/17/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8960-8961)

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A resolution calling for greater dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Government of China regarding rights for the people of Tibet, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

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Honoring the life of the Reverend Billy Graham on the occasion of his 90th birthday and recognizing his decades of public service and his commitment to furthering the faith of Christians around the world.

7/21/2008--Introduced.

Honors the life of the Reverend Billy Graham on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Recognizes his decades of public service and commitment to furthering the faith of Christians around the world.

Latest Action: 07/17/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6944-6945)

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A resolution urging the Government of Turkey to respect the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Christian Church.
Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Mr. Payne moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

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Commending the efforts of those who sought to block an international arms transfer destined for Zimbabwe, where the government has unleashed a campaign of violence and intimidation against members of the political opposition, and for other purposes. 6/18/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes the efforts of: (1) southern African trade unions, religious leaders, and advocacy groups to raise awareness about a possible weapons transfer to Zimbabwe as part of a campaign to address Zimbabwe's worsening political, economic, and humanitarian crisis; and (2) southern African governments which denied access through their territories for a weapons shipment destined for a regime that continues to perpetuate gross human rights violations against its own citizens. Urges the United States to continue [...]

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Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 758.

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To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members of the Armed Forces deployed in support of a contingency operation, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 - Division A: Department of Defense Authorizations - Title I: Procurement - Subtitle A: Authorization of Appropriations - (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force for aircraft, missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition, shipbuilding and conversion, and other procurement. (Sec.[...]

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Latest Action: 04/09/2008 - Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Unanimous Consent Vote.

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A resolution condemning the violence in Tibet and calling for restraint by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Tibet. 4/9/2008--Passed Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Condemns the violence in Tibet and calls for restraint by the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the people of Tibet. Calls for: (1) a dialogue between the government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet within China; and (2) release of peaceful protesters. Calls on the PRC to: (1) respect the right of the people of Tibet to speak of the Dalai Lama and possess his photograph; (2) respect basic human rights; (3) allow international journalists free access to China; and (4) provide a full accounting of the March [...]

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Latest Action: 05/07/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Condemning the Burmese regime's undemocratic draft constitution and scheduled referendum. 5/6/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Denounces the undemocratic and illegitimate actions of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in Burma that seek to legitimize military rule through a flawed referendum process and an undemocratic constitution. Demands the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Buddhist monks, and all other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Denounces the SPDC for its failure to comply with U.N. recommendations and engage in tri-partite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1990 election winning parties, and representatives of ethnic nationalities. Urges the President to: (1) call for U.N. Security Council condemnation of the undemocratic referendum process and the SPDC's flawed constitution; (2) call for a Security Council resolution instructing the regime to comply with [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

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To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act with respect to the special immigrant nonminister religious worker program, and for other purposes. 4/15/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Religious Worker Visa Extension Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue final regulations to eliminate or reduce fraud in the special immigrant non-minister religious worker program by December 31, 2008. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) extend the special immigrant program for non-minister religious workers until January 1, 2010; and (2) extend the program until January 1, 2016, (to be effective March 1, 2009) if the Secretary issues such final regulations by December 31, 2008. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on such regulations' effectiveness by September 30, 2010. Requires that such report shall include an analysis of a random [...]

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Latest Action: 07/21/2008 - Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.

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To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building".

2/27/2008--Introduced.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 369 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the "Bishop Ralph E. Brower Post Office Building."

Latest Action: 02/08/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

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Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya. 2/7/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Commends the Kenyan people for their commitment to democracy and respect for the democratic process as evidenced by the high voter turnout and peaceful voting on election day. Condemns the ongoing violence in Kenya and urges all parties concerned to immediately end use of violence as a means to achieve their political objectives. Calls on the two leading presidential candidates to accept offers of external and internal assistance to help find a solution to the current crisis which has the support of the people of Kenya. Calls on Kenyan security forces to refrain from using excessive force and to respect the human rights of Kenyan citizens. Calls for an immediate end to the restrictions on the media, and on the rights of peaceful assembly and association. Condemns threats to civil society [...]

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