Dawson Family Community Protection Act, H.R. 1599 -- a bill that would provide additional grants to High Intensity Drug Trafficking areas to protect informants and improved security in those neighborhoods -- adopted as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization, H.R. 2086, passed in the House on September 30, 2003. Senate companion legislation introduced subsequent by Senator Mikulski, S. 2081 in February 2004.
H.J.Res. 52 designating the Samuel D. Harris Dental Museum as the national dental museum signed into law on November 11, 2003, P.L. 108-122.
Supporting National Men’s Health Week, H.Con.Res. 208, which recognized that the Congress supports National Men's Health Week, passed the House on July 16, 2003. Referred to Senate.
Major items on the agenda of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources: reauthorization of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and reauthorization of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (deferred from this session).
H.R. 3267 – To eliminate certain inequities in the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees’ Retirement System with respect to the computation of benefits for law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, members of the Supreme Court and Capitol police, and their survivors, and for other purposes.
H.R. 3268 – To amend title 5, United States Code, to ensure that the health benefits program for Federal employee covers screening for glaucoma.
H.R. 3459 – The Healthcare Equality and Accountability Act to improve the health of minority individuals H.R. 2424 – To authorize assistance for National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and Justice Learning Center.
H.RES. 82 – Recognizing Nationally Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the importance and accomplishments of historically Black colleges and universities
H.CON.RES 140 – Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the awareness of and treatment for kidney disease.
H.R. 1599 – To amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act Reauthorization of 1998 to ensure that adequate funding is provided for certain high intensity drug trafficking areas.
H.CON.RES 187 – expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued by the United States Postal Service honoring Hattie McDaniel, and that the Committee should recommend to the postmaster General that such a stamp be issued.
ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR
H. Con. Res. 299 - Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service
to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and
for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of
the United States of America, and for other purposes.
H.R.3560 - Support Transitional Jobs Program - To amend the temporary assistance to needy families program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to provide grants for transitional jobs programs, and for other purposes.
STANDING BILLS
HR 3416 - Healthy Children Through Better Nutrition Act of 2003
To reauthorize and make improvements to child nutrition programs.
HR 1430 - Family and Medical Leave Inclusion Act
To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to permit leave to care for a
domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent if the
domestic partner, parent-in-law, adult child, sibling, or grandparent has a
serious health condition, and for other purposes.
HR 956 - Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act
To amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow employees to take, as
additional leave, parental invlovement leave to participate in or attend their
children's and grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities and to
clarify that leave may be taken for routine medical needs and to assist elderly
relatives, and for other purposes.
HR 3420 - Security and Financial Empowerment Act
To promote the economic security and safety of victims of domestic and sexual
violence, and for other purposes.
HR 1600
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reserve funds to
provide special training, technical assistance, and professional development to
eligible entities implementing Even Start programs and to the staff of such
programs, and for other purposes.
H Con. Res. 297
Expressing the sense of Congress that Romare Howard Bearden should be recognized
as one of the preeminent artists of the 20th century for his artistic genius and
visual creativity in the depiction of the complexity and richness of African
American life in the United States.
HR 333
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for institutions
of higher education serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
HR 1769 - Job Protection Act
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to comply with the World Trade
Organization rulings on the FSC/ETI benefit in a manner that preserves jobs and
production activities in the United States.
HR 1336
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for premiums on
mortgage insurance, and for other purposes.
HR 2705 - Providing Our Support to Troops Act of 2003
To amend title 39, United States Code, to provide for free mailing privileges
for personal correspondence and certain parcels sent from within the United
States to members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty abroad who are
engaged in military operations involving armed conflict against a hostile
foreign force, and for other purposes.
HR 3424 - Domestic Violence Courts Assistance Act
To authorize the establishment of domestic violence court systems from amounts
available for grants to combat violence against women.
HR 3425 - Domestic Violence Prevention, Education and Awareness Act
To provide grants for public information campaigns to educate racial and ethnic
minority communities and immigrant communities about domestic violence.
H Con Res 218
Expressing the sense of the Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should
be issued honoring Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, a great American hero.
HR 2442 - Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act
To amend the definition of a law enforcement officer under subchapter III of
chapter 83 and chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, respectively, to
ensure the inclusion of certain positions.
HR 2626 - Farm-To-Cafeteria Projects Act of 2003
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 to improve certain child nutrition programs, and for other
purposes.
HR 3352 - SAFE Act: Security and Freedom Ensured Act of 2003
To amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 and title 18, United
States Code, to strengthen protections of civil liberties in the exercise of the
foreign intelligence surveillance authorities under Federal law, and for other
purposes.
HR 3676 - National Security Language Act
To strengthen the national security through the expansion and improvement of
foreign language study, and for other purposes.
H Res 471
Congratulating the people of Haiti on the bicentennial of their independence.
HR 584 - Dave Thomas Adoption Act of 2003
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow penalty-free withdrawals
from individual retirement plans for adoption expenses.
HR 814 - Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2003
To provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by
States or their political subdivisions.
H Res 550
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives relating to the
extraordinary contributions resulting from the Hubble Space Telescope to
scientific research and education, and to the need to reconsider future service
missions to the Hubble Space Telescope.
FY 2004 Omnibus Earmarks:
LHHS Appropriation Requests:
Baltimore City Public School System
· $500,000 earmark request to update technology and programs in libraries,
which will come out of the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
· $1 million earmark request for professional development in the Baltimore
public schools, which will come out of the Innovation and Improvement: Fund for
the Improvement of Education (FIC).
· $500,000 earmark request to purchase computer equipment and technology for
Baltimore Schools (a one-time shot account), which will come out of the
Community Development Fund.
Baltimore School for the Arts
· $1 million earmark request to subsidize programming for their TWIGS program,
which will come out of the Innovation and Improvement: Fund for the Improvement
of Education (FIC).
Parents Anonymous, Inc. (Baltimore Location)
· $3 million program request for the establishment, operation, publicity,
and maintenance of the organization's national parent helpline set up so that
parents in crisis can call in for help.
KIPP: Ujima Village Academy (Baltimore Location)
· $1million earmark request for the operation of this high performing college
preparatory school, which will come out of the Innovation and Improvement: Fund
for the Improvement of Education (FIC). This will be a joint request in
conjunction with Rep. Cardin. After redistricting, the school is physically no
longer in the 7th district, but the majority of the students attending the
charter school are in the 7th Congressional District.
Dawson Family Anit-Drug Trafficking Initiative
The initiative added three heavily impacted Baltimore neighborhoods to the
Washington Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) from November
1, 2002 - October 31-2003. During the initiative, sixteen drug trafficking
organizations were identified, ten drug trafficking organization were dismantled
or distrupted, and 2200 individuals were arrested including 1584 street level
dealers. Drug-related violent crime within the three neighborhoods
declined significantly when compared with the prior year. Violent crime
was reduced by 19.9 pecent. Homides were reduced by 41.3 percent, shooting
were reduced by 33.6 percent, robberies were reduced by 23 percent and
aggravated assaults were reduced by 17.7 percent. All drug calls to the
police were reduced by 15.8 percent indicating measurable and significant
reduction in drug activity on the streets of the targeted neighborhoods.
Hosted four meetings to update minority entrepreneurs about the business
opportunities associated with the East Baltimore Development Initiative.
Hosted a Strategic Alliances seminar to inform minority-owned businesses about
opportunities in the areas of mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and
partnerships.
Participated in a forum at Johns Hopkins to inform minority-owned businesses
about procurement opportunities with Johns Hopkins.
Grants:
In the area of small business, Congressman Cummings has assisted in providing
the following grant dollars for specific businesses in the 7th Congressional
District between FY01, FY02, and FY03.
Woodland Service, LLC $866,000
All Sport $10,000
Wylie Funeral Home $929,000
Carnette Corporation $20,000
Community Dialysis Ctr. $250,000
Gematrias Cafe $100,000
Mary Rose Atlas $76,450
My Best Friends Closet $5,000
Retroblue Agency $5,000
Scriptur-Loon, Ltd. $5,000
Sheakspeare Pk. Ltd $5,000
WBJ Enterprises, Inc. $5,000
Contracts:
In the three most recently complete Fiscal Years, Congressman Cummings has
brought hundreds of millions of dollars back to the 7th Congressional
District. Those federal dollars can be broken down into the following
categories:
Small, Minority Owned Business = $21,638,000 for FY01; $18,675,000 for FY02;
$10,710,298 for FY03.
Other Small Business = $30,679,000 for FY01; $39,775,08 for FY02; $32,438,198
for FY03.
Large Business = $28,285,00 for FY01; $28,433,750 for FY02; $17,844,651 for
FY03.
Nonprofit Agency = $62,925,00 for FY01; $41,082,521 for FY02; $35,502,300 for
FY03.
Nonprofit Educational Organization =$44,788,000 for FY01, $55,978,000 for FY02;
$26,332,973 for FY03
Nonprofit Hospital = $84,822,000 for FY01; $94,489,000 for FY02; $76,073,348 in
FY03.
Historically Black College/University = $212,000 for FY01; $316,000 for FY02;
$701,070 for FY03
NOTE: This list does not include contracts under $25,000.
Contractor dollar totals = $353,369,000 for FY01; $373,889,927 for FY02;
$269,484,873 for FY03.
NOTE: This does not include contracts under $25,000.
Hosted an educational forum in Howard County to address the Achievement Gap
issue with students, school administrators, parents and the community.
Hosted an educational forum at Maryland Public Television about the PBS series,
“The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow”..
Facilitated the enrollment of Baltimore County Schools into the Dell TechKnow
Computer Program, which led to the establishment of a summer computer training
camp in Baltimore County.
Facilitated the enrollment of the Sankofa Dance Theatre into the Kennedy Center
Capacity Building Program for Culturally Specific Arts Organizations.
Worked with Operation Hope to bring their Banking On Our Future program to
Baltimore. The program is in the process of being implemented in eight
City Schools and the ex-offenders program, Prisoners Aid of Maryland, Inc.
Held a press conference to inform parents, teachers, and students about proposed
changes to Head Start that could jeopardize the program.
Participated in a press conference to announce the groundbreaking of the Magna
Baltimore Technical Training Center, a multimillion-dollar Automotive Training
Center in Northwest Baltimore.
Helped to garner a $1000 grant from General Mills Foods for Booker T. Washington
Middle School to purchase physical fitness equipment.
Achievement Gap Forum (October 27, 2003, Wilde Lake High School, Columbia)
College Fair (November 10, 2003, Wilde Lake High School, Columbia)
H.R. 770 - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Bill
Morris K. Udall Arctic Wilderness Act - Designates specified lands within the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness and components of the National
Wilderness Preservation System. Referred to the House Committee on Resources on
2/13/2003.
H.R. 979 - Alaska Rainforest Conservation Act
Designates: (1) specified public lands in the Chugach National Forest, Alaska,
as National Wilderness Preservation System components; and (2) specified public
lands in the Tongass National Forest, Alaska, as wilderness areas or System
components. Referred to the House Committee on Resources Subcommittee on Forests
and Forest Health on 3/10/2003.
H.R. 1081 - Aquatic Invasive Species Research Act
Requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and the U.S. Geological Survey
(Administering Agencies) to: (1) enter into a memorandum of understanding
regarding the implementation of this Act; and (2) develop and conduct a marine
and fresh-water research program to support efforts to assess rates and patterns
of the introduction of invasive nonnative species into the Aquatic Ecosystem and
efforts to detect, prevent, and eradicate them. Referred to House Administration
on 3/5/2003.
H.R. 1105 - Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act
Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and
Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation
System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2)
Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater
Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6)
Blackfeet Wilderness. Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation,
Wildlife and Oceans on 3/12/2003.
H.R. 1472 - Don't Feed the Bears Act of 2003
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to enforce the National Parks System
regulatory prohibitions against the feeding and baiting of wildlife on National
Park System lands and in wildlife refuge areas, in particular the intentional
feeding of bears for the purpose of enticing them to a particular area to be
hunted (bear baiting). Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
3/31/2003.
H.R. 1796 - America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2003
Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the
National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin; (2) Zion and Mojave
Desert; (3) the Grand Staircase and the Escalante Canyons; (4) Moab-La Sal
Canyons; (5) Henry Mountains; (6) Glen Canyon; (7) San Juan-Anasazi; (8)
Canyonlands Basin; (9) San Rafael Swell; and (10) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands on
4/22/2003.
H.R. 2369 - National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act
National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act - Identifies roadless areas
within the National Forest System set forth in specified documents as National
Forest Inventoried Roadless Areas, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to
manage such Areas to maintain their roadless character. Referred to the
Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health on 6/10/2003.
Hosted Prescription Drug Town Hall, Harmony Hall, Columbia (July 19, 2003)
Hosted Prescription Drug Town Hall Meeting w/Rep. Cardin, Ellicott City Senior
Center (August 11, 2003)
Collaborated with MedBank of Maryland to host a joint town hall meeting to
discuss prescription drug coverage options for seniors.
H.R. 284 - Housing Bond and Credit Modernization and Fairness Act of 2003
Repeals the required use of certain principal repayments on mortgage subsidy
bond financings to redeem bonds; (2) modifies the purchase price limitation
under mortgage subsidy bond rules based on median family income; and (3) defines
the term "area median gross income" for low-income housing credit
projects. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on 1/8/2003.
H.R. 692 - Racial Equity and Fair Treatment Act of 2003
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to
States and county applicants to pay the Federal share of the costs of improving
the administration of support programs for low-income families with children.
Revises requirements for assessments and work activities for TANF recipients.
Modifies penalties against individuals for violating mandatory work
requirement. The legisation Requires: (1) interpretation and translation
services in certain cases for TANF recipients; (2) an expedited process for
discrimination complaints; (3) provision of notice of rights of TANF recipients;
(3) training of TANF program personnel in respecting such rights; (4)
standardized sanction process; and (5) opportunity for TANF applicants or
recipients to appeal adverse decisions. Prohibits States from diverting
potential TANF applicants. Bans States from penalizing the entire family for the
misconduct of one family member. It amends the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to repeal provisions for denial of
assistance and benefits for certain drug-related convictions. The Act
makes
various changes under the TANF program concerning: (1) the five-year time limit
on assistance; and (2) treatment of aliens. Permits participation in
English-as-a-second language programs as a work activity. Lastly, it
prescribes requirements encouraging racial equality. Referred to the House
Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Resources on 3/3/2003.
H.R. 839 - Renewing the Dream Tax Credit Act
Permits a community homeownership tax credit based upon an applicable percentage
of each qualified residence's eligible basis. Makes such credit available
to residences located: (1) in a census tract with a median gross income not
exceeding 80 percent of the greater area or statewide median gross income; (2)
in a rural area; (3) on an Indian reservation; or (4) in an area of chronic
economic distress. Prohibits a buyer's income from exceeding 80 percent (70
percent for families of less than three) of the area gross median income and
requires owner occupancy. Sets aside at up to 90 percent least ten percent
of a State's ceiling for certain housing projects in which a qualified nonprofit
organization owns an interest and materially participates in the given project's
development and operation throughout the credit period. Referred to the House
Committee on Ways and Means on 2/13/2003.
H.R. 1102 - National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2003
Establishes the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund in the Treasury to
promote the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable and safe
low-income housing through grants to States and local jurisdictions. Referred to
the House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity on 3/17/2003.
H.R. 1132 - Home At Last Tax Credit Act of 2003
Provides a credit to promote homeownership among low-income individuals
purchasing homes in a census tract targeted for reinvestment and redevelopment
by HUD. Provides that the dollar amount of home at last tax credits received by
each qualified State shall be equal to the population of the State multiplied by
40 cents, multiplied by 10, plus the unused home at last tax credit dollar
amount of the state for the preceding calendar year or years. Referred to the
House Committee on Ways and Means on 3/6/2003.
H.R. 1429 - One Strike and You're Out! Act of 2003
One Strike and You're Out Act of 2003 - Amends the United States Housing Act
of 1937, with respect to public housing and section 8 assisted housing, to
provide for: (1) criminal activity eviction protections for victims of domestic
or date violence; and (2) public housing agency reporting of evictions for
domestic and dating violence. Referred to the House Committee on Financial
Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity on 4/10/2003.
H.R. 1663 - Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction Act
Protects home buyers from predatory lending practices. Referred to the House
Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and
Consumer Credit on 4/29/2003
H.R.1704 - To amend the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to provide for transitional housing assistance grants for child victims of domestic violence on 4/9/03. Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
H.R.1865 - Prevention of Predatory Lending Through Education Act
To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to
States, units of general local government, and nonprofit organizations for
counseling and education programs for the prevention of predatory lending and to
establish a toll-free telephone number for complaints regarding predatory
lending on 9/3/03. Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community
Opportunity on 5/12/2003
.
H.R.1981- Public Housing Drug Elimination Program Reauthorization Act of 2003
Reauthorizes the public and assisted housing drug elimination program of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development on 5/06/03. Referred to the
Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity 5/23/2003.
H.R.2166 - Public Safety Ex-Offender Self-Sufficiency Act of 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a temporary
ex-offender low-income housing credit to encourage the provision of housing, job
training, and other essential services to ex-offenders through a structured
living environment designed to assist the ex-offenders in becoming
self-sufficient on 5/20/03. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on
5/20/2003.
H.R. 2897 – To end homelessness in the United States
Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish
the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which shall be used to fund
specified housing and related programs. Authorizes appropriations for specified
housing and related programs on 7/25/03. Referred to House Ways and Means on
7/25/03.
H.R.3107 - Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act of 2003
Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit for
property owners who remove lead-based paint hazards on 9/17/03. Referred to the
House Committee on Ways and Means on 9/17/2003.
Collaborated with the Baltimore City Fire Department to inform the public about the importance of fire safety procedures in their homes.
H.R. 1315 - Community Streetcar Development and Revitalization Act
Establishes a five-year pilot grant program to provide Federal assistance to
States and local governmental authorities for the capital and startup costs of
development and expansion of streetcar transportation, including: (1)
streetscaping; (2) signalization modifications, and other modifications to the
road system or other public rights-of-way on which the project is to be carried
out; and (3) acquisition of streetcars and project construction, design, and
engineering. Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines on 3/19/2003.
H.R. 1491 - Securing Transportation Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow Act of
2003
Authorizes programs and activities to improve energy use related to
transportation and infrastructure facilities. Referred to the Subcommittee on
Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology on 4/10/2003.
H.R. 1617 - National Rail Infrastructure Program Act
Establishes and provides for funding for a National Rail Infrastructure
Program. Referred to House Ways and Means on 4/3/2003.
H.R. 2615 - Rebuild America Act of 2003
Provides funding for infrastructure investment to restore the United States
economy and to enhance the security of transportation and environmental
facilities throughout the United States. Referred to House Agriculture,
House Transportation and Infrastructure, House Ways and Means, House Energy and
Commerce, Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, House
Financial Services on 6/26/2003.
H.R.3088 - Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2003
Provides an extension of highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit,
and other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund pending enactment of a
law reauthorizing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century on 9/16/03.
H.R. 3550 - Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
Authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit
programs, and for other purposes. Referred to Subcommittee on Highways,
Transit and Pipelines on 1/21/2003.
Requested GAO study on rail security – “Rail Safety and Security: some Actions Already Taken to Enhance Rail Security, but Risk-based Plan Needed”, GAO-03-435
Held Congressional Black Caucus Braintrust – “Minority Recruitment and Workforce Diversity in Transportation”
Held Congressional Black Caucus Hearing - How are Communities of Color Impacted by the Reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
Requested funding in the “Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users” for:
Announced a $436,950 federal grant received by the West Arlington
Improvement Association to rebuild the West Arlington Water Tower and develop a
community center.
Announced a $100,000 federal grant received by the Fayette Street Outreach
organization to establish a community center for children and the elderly.
Received press coverage.
Worked to ensure that Baltimore City and the Eubie Blake Center would host the
traveling photographic exhibit “A Day in the Life of Africa”.