Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate recognizing February 1, 2011, as Texas Tech University System Day.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate commemorating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate recognizing January 31, 2011, as Bosque County Day at the State Capitol.

This report discusses the Trump Administration's infrastructure plan and specifically the newly proposed Infrastructure Incentives Program. The report focuses on the potential of the program for projects submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOT), one of the agencies that would be charged with administering the program in addition to the Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. The proposal does not break out the funds that would be directed to specific agencies or types of infrastructure.

This report discusses pending U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama. The bills to implement these agreements will now be debated under trade promotion authority, or fast-track rules, designed to expedite congressional consideration. The report includes an overview of agricultural issues regarding FTAs and pending FTA partners, as well as a closer breakdown of the specific issues for each of the countries.

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO identified three basic alternative methods to the current airline ticket-based method for PFC collections. These methods are not mutually exclusive and could be used by either individual airports or a group or airports:"

The U.S. steel industry has faced increasing difficulties since the late 1990s. More than 30 U.S. steel producers have gone into bankruptcy. While different companies and parts of the industry have been affected to different degrees, the two types of domestic producers of raw steel, integrated mills and minimills, have both supported restrictions on imports, which they say have undermined the ability of the U.S. industry to produce steel economically. This report reviews industry developments and the economic situation of the steel industry, including legacy cost aspects of its problems.

This report discusses the firefighting activities that are traditionally the responsibility of states and local communities. The report also talks about the funding for firefighters, which is provided mostly by state and local governments. However, during the 106th Congress, many in the fire community asserted that local fire departments require and deserve greater support from the federal government.

Background of the Fire Grants Authorization Act of 2011, including its purpose and uses of funding resulting from the act.

A letter report issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The increasing numbers of regional jets (RJ) in operation have provided U.S. air carriers with opportunities to serve new and existing markets. With predominantly 50-seat aircraft, the carriers have initiated service to many large and medium-large communities but have provided less service to smaller communities. Service to small communities--to which the airlines now mostly operate turboprop aircraft--continues to be an important concern, because of the uncertainty about whether those markets may generate enough passenger traffic and revenue to be financially viable to sustain RJ operations. Eventually, smaller RJs may let carriers serve those smaller communities economically. Other questions also emerge about the impact of how the carriers will use their RJs. For example, the airlines could restrict capacity in a market by reducing service with larger mainline jets but increasing the number of RJ flights in a way that may inhibit entry by new competitors, allowing the airlines to charge fares higher than might exist in a more competitive market. Additionally, the growth in RJs has clearly contributed to an increasing problem with congestion, particularly in some locations like New York's LaGuardia Airport. But how the …

Patent for "a double-acting [screw] baling press...capable of exerting pressure from two directions and operated by two independent mechanisms" (lines 15-18).

Patent for a top loading Bailing Press with feed openings and removable sides.

Report describing the results of a transportation study in Bexar County, including "overall goals and objectives for bicycle mobility planning" (abstract) as well as an overview of existing conditions at the time of the study, recommendations and outlined steps for improvement, funding sources, and additional areas of consideration.

Patent for a new and improved brace for bed frames. This design consists in "[t]he combination, with the bedstead having bolts at the corners, the hooks at the centers of the end rails, and the hooks at the centers of the side rails, of the two wires on each side having their ends secured to the bolts, engaging the hooks and passing to the side of the bed and engaging the hooks, the rings strung on and embracing the adjoining wires between the hooks . . . so as to cause the wires to be brought together, and the cord or strap connecting the said rings so as to slide the rings upon the wires" (lines 20-31).

Patent for an improvement in a device to hold brooms and items with handles by simplifying the design and making it more resistant to strain.

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO's recent work has identified key practices that would enhance the Department of Defense's (DOD) management of building partner capacity efforts. Such efforts include a range of security cooperation activities such as military exercises with partner nations and counternarcotics activities. In GAO's reviews of these activities, GAO found that DOD has demonstrated some of these key practices, but opportunities for improvement remain."

Patent for a can opener which cuts cleanly and rapidly around the outside wall of the can, so as to avoid jagged edges.

Patent for a railroad car ventilating system that does require opening the windows.

Patent for a casing mechanism for placing in oil wells to block water flow.

This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress and refers readers to more in-depth CRS reports on specific relevant topics.

Patent for a chemical fire engine that does not require refilling after the first charge is emptied.

Patent for an improved and simple churn that works easily and quickly. It "is adapted to permit of the simultaneous securing and retention of the cream vessel or receptacle in position in its journaling or carrying frame, as well as the cover upon said vessel, and to provide for the ready removal of said vessel or receptacle and its said cover preparatory to removing the contents of the vessel or the cleaning thereof" (lines 18-25).

Patent for a churn operating mechanism, which can be attached to a wall.

Patent for "devices for conducting exhaust steam, gases and cinders to the fire place of a boiler and is primarily intended for use in locomotive boilers, and its object is to increase the efficiency of such apparatus" (lines 11-16).