Tuesday, January 4, 2005 [[Page D2]] Daily Digest HIGHLIGHTS First Session of the One Hundred Ninth Congress convened. The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert of the State of Illinois was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. Senate Chamber Action Routine Proceedings, pages S1-S34 Measures Submitted: Six resolutions were submitted, as follows: S. Res. 1-4, and S. Con. Res. 1-2. Pages S28-29 Administration of Oath of Office: The Senators-elect were administered the oath of office by the Vice President of the United States. Page S4 Measures Passed: Notification to the President: Senate agreed to S. Res. 1, informing the President of the United States that a quorum of each House is assembled. Page S6 Notification to the House of Representatives: Senate agreed to S. Res. 2, informing the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is assembled. Page S6 Fixing the Hour of Daily Meeting: Senate agreed to S. Res. 3, fixing the hour of daily meeting of the Senate. Page S6 Counting of Electoral Votes: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 1, to provide for the counting on January 6, 2005, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. Pages S6-7 Subsequently, the Chair appointed Senators Lott and Dodd as tellers on the part of the Senate to count electoral votes. Pages S6-7 Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: Senate agreed to S. Con. Res. 2, to extend the life of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and the provisions of S. Con. Res. 93 and S. Con. Res. 94 of the One Hundred Eighth Congress. Page S7 Expressing Sympathy For Tsunami Victims: Senate agreed to S. Res. 4, expressing the sympathy and pledging the support of the United States Senate and the people of the United States for the victims of the powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami that struck Bangladesh, Burma, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and other areas of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, on December 26, 2004. Pages S7-11 Unanimous Consent Agreements: Authority for Select Committee on Ethics: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, the Ethics Committee be authorized to meet during the session of the Senate. Page S7 Time for Roll Call Votes: Senate agreed that, during the 109th Congress, there be a limitation of 15 minutes each upon any roll call vote, with the warning signal to be sounded at the midway point, beginning at the last 7\1/2\ minutes, and when roll call votes are of 10-minute duration, the warning signal be sounded at the beginning of the last 7\1/2\ minutes. Page S7 Authority to Receive Reports: Senate agreed that, during the 109th Congress, it be in order for the Secretary of the Senate to receive reports at the desk when presented by a Senator at any time during the day of the session of the Senate. Page S7 Recognition of Leadership: Senate agreed that, the Majority and Minority Leaders may daily have up to 10 minutes each on each calendar day following the prayer, and disposition of the reading of, or the approval of, the Journal. Page S7 House Parliamentarian Floor Privileges: Senate agreed that, the Parliamentarian of the House of Representatives and his five assistants be given the privileges of the floor during the 109th Congress. Page S7 Printing of Conference Reports: Senate agreed that, notwithstanding the provisions of Rule [[Page D3]] XXVIII, conference reports and statements accompanying them not be printed as Senate reports when such conference reports and statements have been printed as a House report unless specific request is made in the Senate in each instance to have such a report printed. Page S7 Authority for Appropriations Committee: Senate agreed that, the Committee on Appropriations be authorized during the 109th Congress to file reports during adjournments or recesses of the Senate on appropriations bills, including joint resolutions, together with any accompanying notices of motions to suspend Rule XVI, pursuant to Rule V, for the purpose of offering certain amendments to such bills or joint resolutions, which proposed amendments shall be printed. Page S7 Authority for Corrections in Engrossment: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, the Secretary of the Senate be authorized to make technical and clerical corrections in the engrossments of all Senate-passed bills and resolutions, Senate amendments to House bills and resolutions, Senate amendments to House amendments to Senate bills and resolutions, and Senate amendments to House amendments to House bills or resolutions. Page S7 Authority to Receive Messages and Sign Enrolled Measures: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, when the Senate is in recess or adjournment, the Secretary of the Senate is authorized to receive messages from the President of the United States, and--with the exception of House bills, joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions--messages from the House of Representatives; and that they be appropriately referred; and that the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the Acting President pro tempore be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills and joint resolutions. Page S7 Privileges of the Floor: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, Senators be allowed to leave at the desk with the Journal Clerk the names of two staff members who will be granted the privilege of the floor during the consideration of the specific matter noted, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms be instructed to rotate such staff members as space allows. Page S7 Referral of Treaties and Nominations: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, it be in order to refer treaties and nominations on the day when they are received from the President, even when the Senate has no executive session that day. Page S7 Authority to Introduce Measures: Senate agreed that, for the duration of the 109th Congress, Senators may be allowed to bring to the desk bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions, for referral to appropriate committees. Page S7 Authority to Introduce Measures: Senate agreed that, it not be in order to introduce bills or resolutions, until January 24, 2005. Page S7 Nominations Received: Senate received the following nominations: Mike Johanns, of Nebraska, to be Secretary of Agriculture. Carlos M. Gutierrez, of Michigan, to be Secretary of Commerce. Samuel W. Bodman, of Massachusetts, to be Secretary of Energy. Albert Henry Konetzni, Jr., of New York, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2009. Gregory B. Jaczko, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the term of five years expiring June 30, 2008. Michael O. Leavitt, of Utah, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jeffrey Robert Brown, of Illinois, to be a Member of Social Security Advisory Board for a term expiring September 30, 2008. Condoleezza Rice, of California, to be Secretary of State. Adolfo A. Franco, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2008. Roger Francisco Noriega, of Kansas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2006. Margaret Spellings, of Texas, to be Secretary of Education. Alberto R. Gonzales, of Texas, to be Attorney General. Jim Nicholson, of Colorado, to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Page S34 Executive Communications: Page S28 Statements on Introduced Bills/Resolutions: Pages S29-30 Additional Statements: Page S28 Privilege of the Floor: Page S30 Quorum Calls: One quorum call was taken today. (Total--1) Page S5 Adjournment: Senate met at 12:01 p.m. for the convening of the First Session of the 109th Congress, and adjourned at 5:53 p.m., until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, January 6, 2005. (For Senate's program, see the remarks of the Majority Leader in today's Record on page S34.) [[Page D4]] Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. House of Representatives Chamber Action Measures Introduced:204 public bills, H.R. 11-18, 20-43, 45-49, 51-57, 59-87, 89-90, 92-100, 108-129, 131-152, 155-162, 164-172, 174-188, 190- 225, 229-231, 233-237; and; 49 resolutions, H. J. Res. 1-7, 9; H. Con. Res. 1-6, 8-12, and H. Res. 1-18, 20-31 were introduced. Pages H71-80 Additional Cosponsors: Reports Filed: Reports were filed today as follows: Filed on December 27, 2004: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Summary of Legislative and Oversight Activities of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-799); Filed on December 29, 2004: Committee on Small Business. Summary of Activities of the Committee on Small Business for the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-800); Filed on January 3: Committee on Appropriations. Report on Activities of the Committee on Appropriations, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-801); Filed on January 3: Committee on Financial Services. Report on the Activity of the Committee on Financial Services for the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-802); Filed on January 3: Committee on Energy and Commerce. Report on the Activity of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-803); Filed on January 3: Committee on Agriculture. Report of the Committee on Agriculture on Activities During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108- 804); Filed on January 3: Committee on the Judiciary. Report of the Activities of the Committee on the Judiciary During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-805); Filed on January 3: Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Summary of Activities of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct for the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-806); Filed on January 3: Committee on Armed Services. Report of the Activities of the Committee on Armed Services, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-807); Filed on January 3: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Activities Report of the Comittee on Veterans' Affairs, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108- 808); Filed on January 3: Committee on International Relations. Legislative Review Activities of the Committee on International Relations, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-809); Filed on January 3: Committee on Ways and Means. Report on the Legislative and Oversight Activities of the Committee on Ways and Means During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-810); Filed on January 3: Committee on Resources. Report on Legislative and Oversight Activities of the Committee on Resources During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-811); Filed on January 3: Select Committee on Homeland Security. Report on Legislative and Oversight Activities of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-812); Filed on January 3: Committee on Education and the Workforce. Report on the Activities of the Committee on Education and the Workforce During the 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-813); and Filed on January 3: Committee on Rules. Survey of Activities of the House Committee on Rules, 108th Congress (H. Rept. 108-814). Page H71 Election of Speaker: The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives and received 226 votes. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi of California received 199 votes, the Honorable John Murtha of Pennsylvania received one vote, and four members-elect voted ``present''. Earlier, the Clerk appointed Rerpresentatives-elect Ney, Larson of Connecticut, Johnson of Connecticut, and Kaptur to act as Tellers. Pages H2-6 Escort Committee: The Clerk appointed the following committee to escort the Speaker-elect to the Chair: Representatives-elect Pelosi, DeLay, Blunt, Hoyer, Pryce of Ohio, Menendez, Hyde, Evans, Costello, Gutierrez, Manzullo, Rush, LaHood, Weller, Jackson of Illinois, Davis of Illinois, Shimkus, Biggert, Schakowsky, Johnson of Illinois, Kirk, Emanuel, Bean, and Lipinski. Page H3 Administration of the Oath of Office to Members of the 109th Congress: The Dean of the [[Page D5]] House, the Honorable John D. Dingell administered the oath of office to the Speaker. The Speaker then administered the oath to the Members, Resident Commissioner, and Delegates. Page H6 Election of Majority and Minority Leaders: The Chairman of the Republican Conference, Representative Pryce of Ohio, announced the election of Representative DeLay as the Majority Leader. The Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Representative Menendez, announced the election of Representative Pelosi as the Minority Leader. Page H6 Election of Majority and Minority Whips: The Chairman of the Republican Conference, Representative Pryce of Ohio, announced the election of Representative Roy Blunt as the Majority Whip. The Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, Representative Menendez, announced the election of Representative Hoyer as the Minority Whip. Page H6 Electing Officers of the House of Representatives: The House agreed to H. Res. 1, choosing the following officers for the House of Representatives: Jeffrey J. Trandahl, Clerk; Wilson S. Livingood, Sergeant at Arms; James M. Eagen III, Chief Administrative Officer; and Father Daniel P. Coughlin, Chaplain. Page H6 On a division of the question, rejected the Menendez amendment that sought to choose Jerry Hartz as Clerk; Dean Aguillen as Sergeant at Arms; and Terri McCullough as Chief Administrative Officer. Page H7 Notify the Senate that a Quorum has Assembled: The House agreed to H. Res. 2, to inform the Senate that a quorum of the House has assembled and of the election of the Speaker and Clerk. Page H7 Notify the President of the Assembly of the 109th Congress: The House agreed to H. Res. 3, authorizing the Speaker to appoint members of the House to a joint committee to notify the President of the assembly of the Congress. Subsequently, the Speaker appointed Representatives DeLay and Pelosi to the committee. Later Representative DeLay announced that the Committee to notify the President that a quorum of each House had assembled and was ready to receive any communication that he may be pleased to make. Page H7 Notify the President of the Election of the Speaker and the Clerk: The House agreed to H. Res. 4, authorizing the Clerk to inform the President of the election of the Speaker and the Clerk. Page H7 Adopting Rules for the One Hundred Ninth Congress: The House agreed to H. Res. 5, adopting rules for the One Hundred Ninth Congress by a yea and nay vote of 220 yeas to 195 nays, Roll No. 6, after agreeing to order the previous question by a yea and nay vote of 222 yeas to 196 nays, Roll No. 4. Page H7 Earlier it was agreed to consider the resolution by a yea and nay vote of 224 yeas to 192 nays and one voting ``present'', Roll No. 3. Page H11 A point of order offered by Representative Baird on the content of the measure was ruled not recognizable. Pages H9-11 Rejected the Slaughter motion to commit the resolution to a select committee composed of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader with instructions to report it back to the House forthwith with amendments, by a yea and nay vote of 196 yeas to 219 nays, Roll No. 5. Pages H30-31 Rules Committee Membership: The House agreed to H. Res. 6, electing Representatives Dreier (Chairman), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL), Hastings (WA), Sessions, Putnam, Capito, Cole and Bishop (UT) to the Committee on Rules. Pages H31-32 Designation of Minority Employees: The House agreed to H. Res. 7, designating minority employees pursuant to the Legislative Pay Act of 1929, as amended. Page H32 Daily Hour of Meeting: The House agreed to H. Res. 8, fixing the daily hour of meeting of the first session of the One Hundred Ninth Congress. Page H32 Assembly outside of the District of Columbia: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 1, regarding consent to assemble outside of the District of Columbia. Page H32 Counting of Electoral Votes: The House agreed to S. Con. Res. 1, providing for the counting on January 6, 2005, of the electoral votes for President and Vice President of the United States. Page H32 Joint Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: The House agreed to S. Con. Res. 2, extending the power and authority of the joint committee created pursuant to S. Con. Res. 94, and also to extend the provisions of S. Con. Res. 93 regarding the use of the Rotunda for the inaugural ceremonies. Subsequently, the Chair announced the Speaker's reappointment of the following members of the House to the Joint Inaugural Committee: Speaker Hastert, and Representatives DeLay and Pelosi. Page H32 Attendance at the Inauguration of the President and Vice President: The House agreed to H. Res. 9, providing for the attendance of the House at the Inaugural Ceremonies of the President and Vice President on Thursday, January 20, 2005. Pages H32-33 [[Page D6]] Conditional Adjournment of Both Houses: The House agreed to H. Con. Res. 2, providing for the conditional recess or adjournment of the House of Representatives and Senate. Page H33 Meeting Hour: Agreed that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2005. Page H33 Appointment Authority: Agreed that during the First Session of the One Hundred Ninth Congress, the Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader be authorized to accept resignations and to make appointments authorized by law or by the House. Page H33 Extension of Remarks: Agreed that during the First Session of the One Hundred Ninth Congress, all Members be permitted to extend their remarks and to include extraneous material within the permitted limit in that section of the Record entitled ``Extensions of Remarks''. Page H33 Policies of the Chair: The Chair announced his policies with respect to particular aspects of the legislative process dealing with (1) privileges of the floor; (2) introduction of bills and resolutions; (3) unanimous-consent agreements; (4) recognition for one-minute speeches, morning-hour debate, and special orders; (5) decorum in debate; (6) conduct of votes by electronic device; (7) distribution of written material on the House floor; (8) use of wireless telephones or personal computers on the House floor; and (9) jurisdictional issues. Without objection the announcements will be printed in the Record. Pages H33-35 Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Appointment: The Chair announced the Speaker's appointment of Representative Hoekstra as Chairman of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Page H35 House Office Buildings Commission: The Chair announced that Representatives DeLay and Pelosi will serve as members of the House Office Building Commission with Speaker Hastert. Page H35 Clerk Designations: Read a letter from the Clerk wherein he designated Mr. Gerasimos C. Vans, Deputy Clerk; Ms. Marjorie C. Kelaher, Assistant to the Clerk; or Mr. Daniel J. Strodel, Assistant to the Clerk, to sign any and all papers and do all other acts in case of his temporary absence or disability. Page H35 Homeland Security Committee: The House agreed to H. Res. 10, providing for the interim expenses of the Committee on Homeland Security in the first session of the One Hundred Ninth Congress. Pages H35-37 Morning Hour Debate: During the first session of the 109th Congress, agreed that on the legislative days of Monday and Tuesday before May 16, 2005, the House shall convene 90 minutes earlier than otherwise established for the purpose of morning-hour debate. Agreed that on the legislative day of Tuesday after May 16, 2005, the House shall convene for morning-hour debate one hour earlier than the time otherwise established. Page H37 Expressing condolences and support for the victims of the tsunami in South and Southeast Asia: The House agreed to H. Res. 12, expressing condolences and support for assistance to the victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that occurred on December 26, 2004, in South and Southeast Asia. Pages H37-47 In Memory of the late Honorable Robert T. Matsui of California: The House agreed to H. Res. 11, expressing the condolences of the House on the death of the Honorable Robert T. Matsui, a Representative from the State of California. Pages H47-63 Senate Message: Message received from the Senate appears on page H32. Quorum Calls--Votes: 5 yea and nay votes developed during the proceedings today and appear on pages H3, H11, H29-30, H30-31, H31. There was one quorum call, Roll No. 1, which appears on page H1-2. Adjournment: The House met at 12 noon and at 9:25 p.m. pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 11, it stands adjourned in memory of the late Honorable Robert T. Matsui. Committee Meetings No committee meetings were held. NEW PUBLIC LAWS (For last listing of Public Laws, see Daily Digest, p. D1134) H.R. 480, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 747 Broadway in Albany, New York, as the ``United States Postal Service Henry Johnson Annex''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-459). H.R. 2119, to provide for the conveyance of Federal lands, improvements, equipment, and resource materials at the Oxford Research Station in Granville County, North Carolina, to the State of North Carolina. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-460). H.R. 2523, to designate the United States courthouse located at 125 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, as the ``Tomochichi United States Courthouse''. [[Page D7]] Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-461). H.R. 3124, to designate the facility of the United States Geological Survey and the United States Bureau of Reclamation located at 230 Collins Road, Boise, Idaho, as the ``F.H. Newell Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-462). H.R. 3147, to designate the Federal building located at 324 Twenty- Fifth Street in Ogden, Utah, as the ``James V. Hansen Federal Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-463). H.R. 3204, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the tercentenary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-464). H.R. 3242, to ensure an abundant and affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops for American consumers and international markets by enhancing the competitiveness of United States-grown specialty crops. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-465). H.R. 3734, to designate the Federal building located at Fifth and Richardson Avenues in Roswell, New Mexico, as the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-466). H.R. 3884, to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 615 East Houston Street in San Antonio, Texas, as the ``Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building and United States Courthouse''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-467). H.R. 4232, to redesignate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4025 Feather Lakes Way in Kingwood, Texas, as the ``Congressman Jack Fields Post Office''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-468). H.R. 4324, to amend chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for Federal employees to make elections to make, modify, and terminate contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund at any time. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-469). H.R. 4620, to confirm the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to collect approved State commodity assessments on behalf of the State from the proceeds of marketing assistance loans. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-470). H.R. 4807, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 140 Sacramento Street in Rio Vista, California, as the ``Adam G. Kinser Post Office Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-471). H.R. 4847, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 560 Bay Isles Road in Longboat Key, Florida, as the ``Lieutenant General James V. Edmundson Post Office Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-472). H.R. 4968, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 25 McHenry Street in Rosine, Kentucky, as the ``Bill Monroe Post Office''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108- 473). H.R. 5360, to authorize grants to establish academies for teachers and students of American history and civics. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-474). H.R. 5364, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5505 Stevens Way in San Diego, California, as the ``Earl B. Gilliam/Imperial Avenue Post Office Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-475). H.R. 5365, to treat certain arrangements maintained by the YMCA Retirement Fund as church plans for the purposes of certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-476). H.R. 5370, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 4985 Moorhead Avenue in Boulder, Colorado, as the ``Donald G. Brotzman Post Office Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-477). H.R. 4829, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 103 East Kleberg in Kingsville, Texas, as the ``Irma Rangel Post Office Building''. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-478). H.J. Res. 102, recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu and the end of Imperial Japanese control of Palau during World War II and urging the Secretary of the Interior to work to protect the historic sites of the Peleliu Battlefield National Historic Landmark and to establish commemorative programs honoring the Americans who fought there. Signed on December 21, 2004. (Public Law 108-479). H.R. 2457, to authorize funds for an educational center for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-480). H.R. 2619, to provide for the expansion of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-481). H.R. 3632, to prevent and punish counterfeiting of copyrighted copies and phonorecords. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-482). H.R. 3785, to authorize the exchange of certain land in Everglades National Park. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-483). H.R. 3818, to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to improve the results and accountability of microenterprise development assistance programs. [[Page D8]] Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-484). H.R. 4027, to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make available to the University of Miami property under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Virginia Key, Florida, for use by the University for a Marine Life Science Center. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-485). H.R. 4116, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins celebrating the recovery and restoration of the American bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States, to America's lands, waterways, and skies and the great importance of the designation of the American bald eagle as an ``endangered'' species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-486). H.R. 4548, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2005 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-487). H.R. 4569, to provide for the development of a national plan for the control and management of Sudden Oak Death, a tree disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-488). H.R. 4657, to amend the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to improve the administration of Federal pension benefit payments for District of Columbia teachers, police officers, and fire fighters. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-489). H.R. 5204, to amend section 340E of the Public Health Service Act (relating to children's hospitals) to modify provisions regarding the determination of the amount of payments for indirect expenses associated with operating approved graduate medical residency training programs. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-490). H.R. 5363, to authorize salary adjustments for Justices and judges of the United States for fiscal year 2005. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-491). H.R. 5382, to promote the development of the emerging commercial human space flight industry. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-492). H.R. 5394, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the taxation of arrow components. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-493). H.R. 5419, To amend the National Telecommunications and Information Adminstration Organization Act to facilitate the reallocation of spectrum from governmental to commercial users; to improve, enhance, and promote the Nation's homeland security, public safety, and citizen activated emergency response capabilities through the use of enhanced 911 services, to further upgrade Public Safety Answering Point capabilities and related functions in receiving E-911 calls, and to support in the construction and operation of a ubiquitous and reliable citizen activated system; and to provide that funds received as universal service contributions under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 and the universal service support programs established pursuant thereto are not subject to certain provisions of title 31, United States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act, for a period of time. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-494). S. 1301, to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit video voyeurism in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-495). S. 2657, to amend part III of title 5, United States Code, to provide for the establishment of programs under which supplemental dental and vision benefits are made available to Federal employees, retirees, and their dependents, to expand the contracting authority of the Office of Personnel Management. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108- 496). S. 2781, to express the sense of Congress regarding the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, to provide assistance for the crisis in Darfur and for comprehensive peace in Sudan. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-497). S. 2856, to limit the transfer of certain Commodity Credit Corporation funds between conservation programs for technical assistance for the programs. Signed on December 23, 2004. (Public Law 108-498). CONGRESSIONAL PROGRAM AHEAD Week of January 5 through January 8, 2005 Senate Chamber On Wednesday, Senate will not be in session. On Thursday, at 12:50 p.m., Senate will proceed to the House of Representatives for a joint session for the counting of the electoral votes of the several States cast in the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. On Friday, Senate will not be in session. [[Page D9]] Senate Committees (Committee meetings are open unless otherwise indicated) Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: January 6, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Michael Owen Johanns, to be Secretary of Agriculture, 10 a.m., SD-106. Committee on Armed Services: January 5, closed briefing on U.S. Government tsunami relief efforts in the Indian Ocean region, on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and on other significant military issues around the world, 3:45 p.m., SR-222. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: January 5, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Carlos Gutierrez, to be Secretary of Commerce; to be followed by a business meeting to consider the nomination, 4 p.m., SR-253. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: January 6, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Margaret Spellings, to be Secretary of Education, 10 a.m., SD-430. Committee on the Judiciary: January 6, to hold hearings to examine the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, to be Attorney General of the United States, 10 a.m., SH-216. House Chamber Program to be announced. House Committees No committee meetings are scheduled. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD (USPS 087ÿ09390). 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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Superintendent of Documents, Congressional Record, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402,   Along with the entire Mailing label from the last issue received. ``Periodicals'' postage is paid at Washington, D.C. [[Page D10]] _______________________________________________________________________ Next Meeting of the SENATE 9:30 a.m., Thursday, January 6 Senate Chamber Program for Thursday: Senate will be in a period of morning business. At 12:50 p.m., Senate will proceed to the House of Representatives for a joint session for the counting of the electoral votes of the several States cast in the election of the President and Vice President of the United States. Next Meeting of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 11 a.m., Thursday, January 6 House Chamber Program for Thursday: Joint session for the certification of electoral ballots. _______________________________________________________________________ Extensions of Remarks, as inserted in this issue HOUSE Thompson, Mike, Calif., E24 Herger, Wally, Calif., E20 Lantos, Tom, Calif., E24 Stark, Fortney Pete, Calif., E8 Farr, Sam, Calif., E13 Capps, Lois, Calif., E8 Dreier, David, Calif., E14 Sherman, Brad, Calif., E12 Solis, Hilda L., Calif., E13, E14, E16, E17, E23 Millender-McDonald, Juanita, Calif., E27, E27 Baca, Joe, Calif., E10 Filner, Bob, Calif., E7 Tancredo, Thomas G., Colo., E19 Larson, John B., Conn., E2, E4, E23 Stearns, Cliff, Fla., E18 Bilirakis, Michael, Fla., E21, E22 Davis, Jim, Fla., E21 Meek, Kendrick B., Fla., E13, E14, E16, E17 Linder, John, Ga., E11 Emanuel, Rahm, Ill., E22, E23 Davis, Danny K., Ill., E26 Biggert, Judy, Ill., E26 Visclosky, Peter J., Ind., E8 Northup, Anne M., Ky., E12 Lynch, Stephen F., Mass., E10 Ehlers, Vernon J., Mich., E11 Knollenberg, Joe, Mich., E19 McCotter, Thaddeus G., Mich., E12 Conyers, John, Jr., Mich., E1, E4, E5, E23 Kennedy, Mark R., Minn., E18 Porter, Jon C., Nev., E10 Holt, Rush D., N.J., E13, E14, E15, E17 Menendez, Robert, N.J., E21, E22, E23 Weiner, Anthony D., N.Y., E25 Towns, Edolphus, N.Y., E25, E28 Velazquez, Nydia M., N.Y., E20 Rangel, Charles B., N.Y., E28 Serrano, Jose E., N.Y., E11 Engel, Eliot L., N.Y., E29 Slaughter, Louise McIntosh, N.Y., E28 Portman, Rob, Ohio, E9 Gillmor, Paul E., Ohio, E9 Tiberi, Patrick J., Ohio, E18 Holden, Tim, Pa., E8 Platts, Todd Russell, Pa., E15 Herseth, Stephanie, S.C., E10 Ford, Harold E., Jr., Tenn., E25 Paul, Ron, Tex., E1, E3, E5, E6 Smith, Lamar S., Tex., E18 Burgess, Michael C., Tex., E1, E2, E4, E5, E6, E7 Johnson, Eddie Bernice, Tex., E20 Sanders, Bernard, Vt., E1, E2, E4, E5, E7 Goodlatte, Bob, Va., E17 Davis, Tom, Va., E9 Hastings, Doc, Wash., E7 Green, Mark, Wisc., E16