Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Perchlorate has been used for decades by the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the defense industry in manufacturing, testing, and firing missiles and rockets. Other uses include fireworks, fertilizers, and explosives. Perchlorate is readily dissolved and transported in water and has been found in groundwater, surface water, and soil across the country. Perchlorate emerged as a contaminant of concern because health studies have shown that it can affect the thyroid gland, which helps regulate the body's metabolism, and may cause developmental impairment in fetuses of pregnant women. In 2005, EPA set a reference dose of 24.5 parts per billion (ppb)--the exposure level not expected to cause adverse effect in humans. Today's testimony updates GAO's May 2005 report, Perchlorate: A System to Track Sampling and Cleanup Results is Needed, GAO-05-462. It summarizes GAO's (1) compilation of the extent of perchlorate contamination in the U.S. and (2) review of peer-reviewed studies about perchlorate's health risks. GAO's 2005 report recommended that EPA work to track and monitor perchlorate detections and cleanup efforts. In December 2006, EPA reiterated its disagreement with this recommendation. GAO continues to believe …

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Hospitals submit data in electronic form on a series of quality measures to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and receive scores on their performance. Increasingly, the clinical information from which hospitals derive the quality data for CMS is stored in information technology (IT) systems. GAO was asked to examine (1) hospital processes to collect and submit quality data, (2) the extent to which IT facilitates hospitals' collection and submission of quality data, and (3) whether CMS has taken steps to promote the use of IT systems to facilitate the collection and submission of hospital quality data. GAO addressed these issues by conducting case studies of eight hospitals with varying levels of IT development and interviewing relevant officials at CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)."

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The alleged August 2006 terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives onboard multiple commercial aircraft bound for the United States from the United Kingdom has highlighted both the continued importance of securing the civil aviation system and the potential that improvised explosive devices (IED) may be smuggled onboard passenger aircraft. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has primary responsibility for ensuring the security of civil aviation, which includes the safety of passengers and flight crew. One measure TSA uses to protect the aviation system is prohibiting individuals from carrying items that it determines to be a threat to the aircraft and its passengers into an airport sterile area or onboard an aircraft either in their carry-on bag or on their person. To implement this measure, TSA maintains a prohibited items list that informs both the Transportation Security Officers (TSO) who conduct passenger screening and the traveling public of items that will not be allowed into an airport sterile area or onboard an aircraft. In December 2005, TSA revised its prohibited items list to allow passengers to carry: (1) metal scissors with pointed tips and a blade 4 inches or less …

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Because of concerns about changes in Earth's climate due to greenhouse gas emissions and the potential economic and environmental consequences of these changes, GAO (1) inventoried greenhouse gas emissions generated by legislative branch operations in fiscal year 2006, as well as identified trends in emissions starting from a base year of the average annual amount emitted in fiscal years 1998 through 2001, and (2) identified a strategy for reducing emissions. To perform this work, GAO followed the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and additional guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency, using data provided by officials responsible for legislative branch operations and the General Services Administration."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Congress established two key programs to help support air service to small communities--the Essential Air Service (EAS) providing about $100 million in subsidies per year and the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) that provides about $20 million per year in grants. As part of its reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Congress is examining the status and outcomes of these programs. This testimony discusses (1) the history and challenges of the EAS program, (2) the implementation and outcomes of the SCASDP and (3) options for reforming EAS and SCASDP. The testimony is based on previous GAO reports, interviews with Department of Transportation officials and industry representatives as well as program updates."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "In testimony before this committee and the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security in February 2007, GAO stated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not made its management or operational decisions transparent enough to allow Congress to be sure that the Department is effectively, efficiently, and economically using its billions of dollars of annual funding. GAO also noted that its work for Congress to assess DHS's operations has, at times, been significantly hampered by long delays in obtaining access to program documents. Following the aforementioned testimonies, GAO was asked to testify about its access issues. This testimony provides information on (1) the scope of GAO's work, (2) GAO protocols for accessing agency information, (3) DHS processes for working with GAO, (4) access issues GAO has encountered, and (5) steps GAO has taken to address these issues."

Free weekly newspaper that includes business and classified advertising.

Weekly newspaper from Rusk, Texas that includes local, state and national news along with extensive advertising.

Daily student newspaper from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas that includes local, state and campus news along with advertising.

Weekly student newspaper from the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas that includes campus news and commentaries along with advertising.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives congratulating Vincent Paul Young, Jr., for his selection as Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives in memory of Stephen Robert Sandler.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives recognizing United Parcel Service of America, Incorporated, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Senate and House of Representatives recognizing April 17, 2007, as Texas Retired Educators Day.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring Deetrice Wallace for being named the 2007 Harris County Teacher of the Year.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Assistance League of Austin.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to welcoming Lieutenant General Ricardo S. Sanchez home to Texas following his retirement from the U.S. Army.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring Charles "Tex" Harrison of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to designating September 2007 as Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to in memory of Donna Annita High of Paris.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to in memory of Commissioner Micheal Roger Blackburn of Lamar County.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to celebrating the 60th anniversary of LeTourneau University.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to honoring Dr. Alvin O. Austin on his retirement as president of LeTourneau University.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate relating to recognizing April 3, 2007, as Texas Medal of Arts Awards Day.