Agricultural Trade Issues in the 107th Congress (open access)

Agricultural Trade Issues in the 107th Congress

The 107th Congress is considering trade issues with implications for the U.S. agricultural sector. Trade in agricultural commodities and food products affects farm income and rural employment, and it also generates economic activity beyond the farm gate. With agricultural export sales the equivalent of one-quarter of farm income, some policymakers view U.S. efforts to develop market opportunities overseas as vital to the sector’s financial health. Decisions taken by the Bush Administration, and actions taken by Congress, thus will affect the outlook for agricultural trade.
Date: May 3, 2002
Creator: Hanrahan, Charles E.; Becker, Geoffrey S. & Jurenas, Remy
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The 2002 Farm Bill: Overview and Status (open access)

The 2002 Farm Bill: Overview and Status

The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform, or FAIR, Act of 1996 (commonly known as the "farm bill"), which was due to expire in 2002, is expected to be extended for another six years when President Bush signs the bill into law. This report discusses the provisions of the new "farm bill," including the federal spending involved.
Date: May 3, 2002
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S. & Womach, Jasper
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Global Climate Change: The Role for Energy Efficiency (open access)

Global Climate Change: The Role for Energy Efficiency

This report reviews the role of energy efficiency in federal policies to curb CO2 emissions. In particular, it discusses targets for CO2 reductions, projected energy efficiency impacts, strategies for measuring impacts, and legislative proposals that would affect support for energy efficiency programs.
Date: February 3, 2000
Creator: Sissine, Fred
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals (open access)

Item Veto and Expanded Impoundment Proposals

In recent years conflicting budget priorities and divided political control have accentuated the institutional tensions between the executive and legislative branches inherent in the federal budget process. President Clinton, like his two predecessors, called for an item veto, or possibly expanded impoundment authority, to provide him with greater control over federal spending. This report provides a brief history of impoundment and discusses the debate surrounding the line item veto.
Date: September 3, 2003
Creator: McMurtry, Virginia A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Possible Voucher Issues (open access)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Possible Voucher Issues

Congress is considering reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program (the main federal program providing special education and related services to children with disabilities). Among the options being discussed is increasing parental choice under IDEA. This report provides background on current federal choice programs and on the Florida McKay Scholarship program, which provides scholarships for children with disabilities enrolled in the state’s public schools to attend other public schools or to attend participating private schools. The report concludes with a discussion of possible issues that a federal special education voucher program might raise.
Date: July 3, 2002
Creator: Apling, Richard N.; Jones, Nancy L. & Smole, David P.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, December 3, 2001 (open access)

Industrial Competitiveness and Technological Advancement: Debate Over Government Policy, December 3, 2001

This report discusses contribution of technological advancement to economic growth and productivity increases. Because technology can contribute to economic growth and productivity increases, congressional interest has focused on how to augment private-sector technological development.
Date: December 3, 2001
Creator: Schacht, Wendy H.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medical Records Privacy: Questions and Answers on the HIPAA Final Rule (open access)

Medical Records Privacy: Questions and Answers on the HIPAA Final Rule

This report discusses the issue facing Congress on whether to continue to support the executive branch’s prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their providers, in accordance with marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, or whether to relax federal marijuana prohibition enough to permit the medical use of botanical cannabis products by seriously ill persons, especially in states that have created medical marijuana programs under state law.
Date: October 3, 2002
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Medical Records Privacy: Questions and Answers on the HIPAA Final Rule (open access)

Medical Records Privacy: Questions and Answers on the HIPAA Final Rule

This report discusses the issue facing Congress on whether to continue to support the executive branch’s prosecution of medical marijuana patients and their providers, in accordance with marijuana’s status as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, or whether to relax federal marijuana prohibition enough to permit the medical use of botanical cannabis products by seriously ill persons, especially in states that have created medical marijuana programs under state law.
Date: January 3, 2003
Creator: Redhead, C. Stephen
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Naming Post Offices Through Legislation (open access)

Naming Post Offices Through Legislation

This report describes how the practice of naming post offices through public law originated and how it is commonly done today. House and Senate practices for approving such legislation, and procedures followed by the U.S. Postal Service in organizing a dedication ceremony, are also described.
Date: July 3, 2003
Creator: Stevens, Nye
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Services Block Grant (Title XX of the Social Security Act) (open access)

Social Services Block Grant (Title XX of the Social Security Act)

The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is a flexible source of funds that states may use to support a wide variety of social services activities. States have broad discretion over the use of these funds. This short report provides background information on the SSBG and tracks relevant legislation and appropriations measures.
Date: July 3, 2002
Creator: Gish, Melinda
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library

Johnson Space Center, NASA. Building 32

Photograph of Building 32 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. A parking lot and walkway are visible in front of the building.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

NASA Plaque at Johnson Space Center

Photograph of a plaque mounted on a stone pillar outside the Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas. Text: "NASA - Johnson Space Center, National Historic Landmark, designated by United States Dept. of the Interior." The building is visible in the background.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

Hangar X at NASA

Photograph of the "Hangar X" sign on the side of the Hangar X building at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

Johnson Space Center, NASA. Caution: Liquid Nitrogen

Photograph of a tank at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. A part of the tank is visible, including a yellow sign that says "Caution. Liquid Nitrogen, Temperature Minus 320°F." A building is visible in the background.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

Banner: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S.A.

Photograph of a banner hung on the beams of Hanger X at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The banner contains dark background with a circular seal in the center depicting planets and stars, surrounded by the words "National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S.A."
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

X-38 Crew Return Vehicle at Hanger X

Photograph of the front portion of the X-38 crew return vehicle housed in Hanger X at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There is a picture of the U.S. flag and "United States" written on the side of the vehicle near the nose. It is surrounded by a short glass fence and part of the hangar is visible in the background.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

X-38 Crew Return Vehicle

Photograph of the crew return vehicle located in Hanger X at Johnson Space Center, NASA in Houston, Texas. The spacecraft is propped up on blocks and there is a sign at one side that says "X-38 Crew Return Vehicle." The walls of the hangar are visible in the background, covered in foil insulation.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

Alamo Centotaph, "The Spirit of Sacrifice," side view with sculpture of Defenders

Photograph of the monument in front of the Alamo, the Alamo Cenotaph, also known as "The Spirit of Sacrifice." It shows a carving of the Defenders of the Alamo on the side of the cenotaph. Buildings and a school bus are visible in the background.
Date: May 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Social Security: Brief Facts and Statistics (open access)

Social Security: Brief Facts and Statistics

This report provides brief facts and statistics about Social Security that are frequently requested by Members of Congress and their staffs. It includes information about Social Security taxes and benefits, the program’s impact on recipients’ incomes, federal tax receipts, federal spending and the economy, and administrative information.
Date: March 3, 2005
Creator: Sidor, Gary
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Maine Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized (open access)

Maine Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. This report focuses on the state of Maine.
Date: September 3, 2004
Creator: Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl & Warnock, Kae M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Wyoming Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized (open access)

Wyoming Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. This report focuses on the state of Wyoming.
Date: September 3, 2004
Creator: Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl & Warnock, Kae M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Maryland Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized (open access)

Maryland Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. This report focuses on the state of Maryland.
Date: September 3, 2004
Creator: Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl & Warnock, Kae M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
West Virginia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized (open access)

West Virginia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Statutory Authorities Summarized

This report is one of a series that profiles the emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and three territories (American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. This report focuses on the state of West Virginia.
Date: September 3, 2004
Creator: Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl & Warnock, Kae M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library

Irion County Courthouse, Mertzon

Photograph of the Irion County Courthouse in Mertzon, Texas. It is a four-story building with a monument in front.
Date: August 3, 2005
Creator: Belden, Dreanna L.
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History