My Legislation
111th Congress
H.R. 5122, Housing Assistance Council Program Reauthorization Act of 2010
provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the ability and capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas.
H.R. 4181, Graduation Promise Act
Provides grants to states and, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve high systems with low student achievement and graduation rates after such schools fail for two consecutive years to make adequate yearly progress (AYP) pursuant to state academic performance standards. The grant formula favors states with low graduation rates and a high percentage of students attending low-income LEAs.
Requires state grantees to establish comprehensive school performance indicators and minimum annual improvement benchmarks. Directs LEA subgrantees to conduct a school needs assessment and develop a multiyear school improvement plan tailored to the school's need categorization.
Authorizes the Secretary to award competitive grants to LEAs, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education to develop and implement, or replicate, effective secondary school models for struggling students and dropouts.
HR 3252, North American Development Bank Expansion Act
Would authorize the President to agree to an amendment to the agreement between the United States and the Government of Mexico concerning the expansion of the role of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission and the North American Development Bank.
H.R. 3210 - Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2009
Implements an assistance program to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas by: (1) Indian tribes; (2) state housing finance agencies; (3) state community or economic development agencies; (4) local nonprofit organizations; and (5) community development corporations.
H.R. 2946 - Health Care Professional Pipeline Act of 2009
Make a grant to a qualified youth serving organization to establish and expand emergency preparedness pipelines consisting of: (1) health science curricula in secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and continuing education programs that prepare students for careers as future health care professionals; and (2) school-based emergency preparedness chapters to recruit and prepare students for public health emergencies.
H.R. 2776, Living Organ Donor Job Security Act
Allow individuals who provide living organ donations to qualify for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act.
» H.R. 1393, Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2009
Amends the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to authorize specified additional projects, including projects for water conservation and improvement in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Hudspeth, and El Paso counties, Texas.
Permits each project that the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, conducts or participates in to include: (1) the replacement of irrigation canals and lateral canals with buried pipelines; (2) the impervious lining of irrigation canals and lateral canals; (3) the installation of water level, flow measurement, pump control, and telemetry systems; (4) the renovation and replacement of pumping plants; and (5) other activities that will result in water conservation or an improved water supply.
» H.R. 647, International Boundary and Water Commission Reimbursement Authorization
To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to reimburse State and local governments of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas for expenses incurred by such a government in designing, constructing, and rehabilitating water projects under the jurisdiction of such Commission bill
H.Res. 1257 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month 2010
H.Res. 1144 - Expressing condolences to the families of the victims of the February 27, 2010 earthquake in Chile as well as solidarity with and support for the people of Chile as they plan for recovery and reconstruction
H.Res. 357 - Supporting the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month of 2009
H.Res. 180 - Supporting the goals and ideals of America Saves Week
H.Res. 179 - Supporting the goals and ideals of the 11th National Consumer Protection Week
110th Congress
» HR 5143, Securing Success for Veterans on Campus Act of 2008
To encourage model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students.
» HR 4504, International Boundary and Water Commission Reiumbursement Authorization
To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to reimburse State and local governments of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas for expenses incurred by such a government in designing, constructing, and rehabilitating water projects under the jurisdiction of such Commission.
» HR. 3618, , Safe Schools and Health Care Professional Pipeline Act of 2007
Would authorize a grant to a qualified youth-serving organization for recruiting and preparing students for careers and volunteer opportunities as health care professionals
» H.R. 3409, A Place to Call Home Act
To create the conditions, structures, and supports needed to ensure permanency for the Nation's unaccompanied youth.
» H.R. 2928, the Graduation Promise Act
Would set aside $2.5 billion each year to reform America's "dropout factories" – an estimated 2,000 high schools where at least 40 percent of students never finish. It aims to reverse that trend by authorizing a $2.4 billion High School Improvement and Dropout Reduction Fund to support states' efforts to identify and reform high schools with low graduation rates.
The legislation also authorizes $60 million in competitive grants for the development and implementation of effective models to help struggling students and dropouts. Another $40 million in competitive grants will go toward supporting states' efforts to achieve the goal of college and career-ready graduation for all students.
» H.R. 2808, Living Organ Donor Job Security Act
Ensures that living organ donors are able to keep their employment. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to entitle employees covered by FMLA to leave to provide a living organ donation, including for time spent for: (1) tests to determine medical suitability of the employee for donation; (2) physical, psychological, and social evaluations of the donor; (3) pre-transplant outpatient services; (4) postoperative inpatient and outpatient transplantation services; (5) travel in connection with such tests, evaluations, and services; and (6) recuperation.
» H.R. 361, Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation Act
Authorizes water conservation projects in Texas. Amends the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to authorize specified additional projects, including projects for water conservation and improvement in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Hudspeth, and El Paso counties, Texas.
Permits each project that the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, conducts or participates in to include: (1) the replacement of irrigation canals and lateral canals with buried pipelines; (2) the impervious lining of irrigation canals and lateral canals; (3) the installation of water level, flow measurement, pump control, and telemetry systems; (4) the renovation and replacement of pumping plants; and (5) other activities that will result in water conservation or an improved water supply.
» H.R. 2214, Adults Achieving the American Dream Act
will greatly enhance adult education and English as a Second Language services for the millions in America currently pursuing English language literacy and civics classes.
» H.R. 1999, Hope Fund Act of 2007
Provides assistance to non-profit organizations to develop affordable housing projects in low-income, Hispanic communities. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make a grant to the National Council of La Raza to provide technical and financial assistance to local non-profit organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs serving low- and moderate-income households, particularly through organizations located in neighborhoods with substantial populations of income-disadvantaged households of Hispanic origin. Authorizes the National Council of La Raza, or the Raza Development Fund, to use such funds to: (1) provide technical and financial assistance for site acquisition and development, construction financing, and short- and long-term financing for housing, community facilities, and economic development; (2) leverage capital from private entities, including private financial institutions, insurance companies, and private philanthropic organizations; and (3) provide technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the management, financial, and administrative capabilities of housing development organizations serving low-income households, including Hispanic households
» H.R. 1982, Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act
Improves housing and economic development activities in rural communities. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, through the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development, to implement an assistance program to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas by: (1) Indian tribes; (2) state housing finance agencies; (3) state community or economic development agencies; (4) local nonprofit organizations; and (5) community development corporations.
» H.R. 1980, the Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act
provides assistance to community-based housing development organizations to build affordable housing in rural areas. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas.
Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop business and administrative capabilities; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.
» H.R. 273, Financial Literacy Month
Supports the goals and ideals of Financial Literacy Month, including raising public awareness about the importance of financial education in the United States and the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances.
109th Congress
» H.R. 1623, Graduation for All Act
Provides grants to states to improve reading and writing skills in middle and high school students. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to establish a program that will provide grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish reading and writing programs to improve overall reading and writing performance among middle and high school students.
Limits eligibility for subgrants to LEAs in a state that are among those that have the lowest graduation rates for public secondary school students. Includes among required uses of LEA subgrant funds: (1) hiring and inservice training of literacy coaches; (2) counseling for at-risk students; and (3) professional development for educators that addresses literacy needs of certain student groups.
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include public secondary school graduation rates for all students under requirements for: (1) accountability for adequate yearly progress (AYP); and (2) annual state report cards. Amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act to require annual reports on the number participants who are 16, 17, or 18 years old in certain programs and services, disaggregated by certain attributes
» H.Res. 94, National Consumer Protection Week
Supports the goals and ideals of the Ninth Annual National Consumer Protection Week. Requests that the President issue a proclamation calling upon various individuals and organizations to provide citizens with the information necessary to effectively protect themselves against consumer fraud. Encourages all citizens to take an active role in protecting their personal information and to take advantage of consumer protection information
» H.R. 524, the Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science Act
Creates a federal, state and private partnership to improve high school laboratories in high-need schools. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a pilot program designated as "Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science" to award grants to partnerships to improve laboratories and to provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level.
Requires grants awarded under this Act to be made to a partnership that: (1) includes an institution of higher education or a community college; (2) includes a high-need local educational agency; (3) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; and (5) may include a state educational agency, other public agency, national laboratory, or community-based organization.
» H.R. 451, Next Generation Hispanic Serving Institutions
Helps Hispanic Serving Institutions recruit more Hispanic students into graduate and professional degree programs. Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants). Limits a part B grant award's duration to not more than five years. Prohibits the Secretary of Education from awarding more than one part B grant to an HSI in any one fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees
