Zoe Fisher
H.RES.43 : Recognizing the efforts of those who serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day and promoting the holiday as a day of national service.




Background (What circumstances necessitate Congressional action?/What happened to the Bill in Congress? Did it pass, or die in committee?):

1/9/2009:

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

3/6/2009:

Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

1/13/2009 2:43pm:

Mr. Hinojosa moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.

1/13/2009 2:43pm:

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H176-179)

1/13/2009 2:43pm:

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 43.

1/13/2009 3:00pm:

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

1/13/2009 7:11pm:

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H183-184)

1/13/2009 7:19pm:

On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 415 - 0 (Roll no. 13). (text: CR H176)

1/13/2009 7:19pm:

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

as you can see it's still undecided and has been postponed.




Goal of Action:

To have everyone commit to some kind of service on Martin Luther King Day in memory of him. To do some service that's not violent and that really shows whats trying to be encouraged to others: to stay away from violent acitivities, like MLK did, and instead help out the community.



Specifics/Means of Goal:

that by doing this one...
"Acknowledges that by serving one's country, one's community, and one's neighbor our nation makes progress in civility, equality, and unity consistent with the values and life's work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."






Type of Power (Is Congress acting according to an expressed or implied power? If it is implied, what expressed power grants it? - Check the Constitution to figure this out!):

This is an implied power because back then, no one really knew about volunteering, they just helped people to be nice like helping your old grannie neighbor bring in her groceries. Its also implied because they can make laws based on each problem at hand about community service acts.


Analysis (Do you think Congress should do this according to its Constitutional powers?)

i believe congress should have the power, no effence to the president, but congressmen know certain areas better than the president, and know what places may need help by (willing) volunteers to help out. It is also not that major of a deal in the states today, so im sure congress can handle it.

Fashion Rebeccs Hill

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 803

Background: The Congress decied to take action and implement Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) to help combat the amount of pollution and toxic wastes that the textile industry causes.

Goal of Action: The ESP is a voluntary program that aims to encourage textile and laundry industries to reduce the amount of pollutiona and toxic wastes they emit into the environment.

Specifics/Means of the goal: The program is voluntary but can help companies reach their EPA standards for emissions more efficiantly. The program suggests using safer chemicals, promotes recycling, and the conservation of water and energy.

Type of Power: The powers that Congress are using are in the Commerce Clause, they are regulating an industry which is trade. The power could also be considered covered by the Elastic Clause, whihc gives them the ability to do things that are neccessary and proper, and the management of the environmental crisis going on in the U.S regarding pollution and waste could be considered something thats neccessary for the government to control and regulate.

Analysis: I think the government should promote the usage of greener technologies, and reward companies that ecceed the EPA's standards because the business world is all about making money, so companies uaually aren't willing to cut back on profits to save some trees.