To provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship, and for other purposes.

Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows:

5421. A letter from the Secretary, Department of

Agriculture, transmitting the Department's draft bill

entitled, ``To make technical ammendments to the Commodity

Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996''; to the

Committee on Agriculture.

5422. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Tebufenozide; Extension of Tolerance for

Emergency Exemptions [OPP-2003-0329; FRL-7330-2] received

October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Agriculture.

5423. A letter from the Comptroller, Department of Defense,

transmitting a report of a violation of the Antideficiency

Act by the Department of the Air Force, Case Number 99-01,

pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1517(b); to the Committee on

Appropriations.

5424. A letter from the Acting, Under Secretary,

Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense,

transmitting four quarterly Selected Acquisition Reports

(SARs) for the quarter ending September 30, 2003, pursuant to

10 U.S.C. 2432; to the Committee on Armed Services.

5425. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and

Budget, transmitting appropriations reports containing OMB

cost estimates for P.L. 108-26 and P.L. 108-27, which became

law on May 28, 2003, P.L. 108-40, which became law on June

30, 2003, and P.L. 108-74, which became law on August 15,

2003; to the Committee on the Budget.

5426. A letter from the Chairperson, National Council on

Disability, transmitting the Council's report entitled

``Olmstead: Reclaiming Institutionalized Lives,'' pursuant to

29 U.S.C. 781(a)(8); to the Committee on Education and the

Workforce.

5427. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Revisions to the Regional Haze Rules to Correct

Mobile Source Provisions in Optional Program for Nine Western

States and Eligible Indian Tribes Within that Gegraphical

Area; Direct Final Rule, Removal of Amendments. [FRL-7579-6]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5428. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality

Implementation Plans; Delaware; Revisions to Stage I and

Stage II Vapor Recovery at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

[DE067-1041a; FRL-7586-2] received November 10, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy

and Commerce.

5429. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality

Implementation Plans; Kansas Update to Materials Incorporated

by Reference [KS-192-1192; FRL-7580-6] received November 10,

2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Energy and Commerce.

5430. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval And Promulgation of Implementation

Plans; Texas; Revisions to Regulations for Permits by Rule,

Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or

Modification, and Federal Operating Permits [TX-154-1-7590;

FRL-7585-8] received November 10, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5431. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Revisions to the California State

Implementation Plan, San Diego County Air Pollution Control

District; San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control

District [CA261-0420a; FRL-7582-2] received November 10,

2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Energy and Commerce.

5432. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Clean Air Act Final Approval Of Operating

Permit Program Revision; Michigan [MI 82-02; FRL-7585-3]

received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5433. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

and Non-attainment New Source Review (NSR): Reconsideration

[FRL-7583-7, E-Docket ID No. A-2001-0004 (Legacy Docket ID

No. A-90-37)] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5434. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Trade Secrecy Claims for Emergency Planning and

Community Right-to-Know Information; and Trade Secret

Disclosures to Health Professionals; Amendment [SFUND-1988-

0002; FRL-7584-8] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5

U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5435. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Department of

State, transmitting the annual report of the activities of

the United Nations and of the participation of the United

States therein during the calendar year 2002, pursuant to 22

U.S.C. 287b; to the Committee on International Relations.

5436. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State,

transmitting certification of a proposed license for the

export of major defense equipment and defense articles to

Japan (Transmittal No. DDTC 120-03), pursuant to 22 U.S.C.

2776(c); to the Committee on International Relations.

5437. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting certification of a

proposed license for the export of major defense equipment

and defense articles to the United Kingdom (Transmittal No.

DTC 112-03), pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee

on International Relations.

5438. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a copy of

Presidential Determination No. 2004-08 on Waiver of

Restrictions on Assistance to Russia under the Cooperative

Threat Reduction Act of 1993, as amended, and the Section 502

of the FREEDOM Support Act, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 5952 note;

to the Committee on International Relations.

5439. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting notification that

effective October 5, 2003, the 15% Danger Pay Allowance for

Saudi Arabia was terminated due to the ending of authorized

departure status, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5928; to the Committee

on International Relations.

5440. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report entitled

``Report of U.S. Citizen Expropriation Claims and Certain

Other Commercial and Investment Disputes,'' pursuant to

Public Law 103--236, section 527(f); to the Committee on

International Relations.

5441. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting certification that

the Ukraine is committed to the courses of action described

in section 1203 (d) of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act

of 1993 (Title XII of Public Law 103-160) as amended, and

Section 502 of the FREEDOM Support Act (Public Law 102-511);

to the Committee on International Relations.

5442. A letter from the Chairman, Consumer Product Safety

Commission, transmitting the Commission's new Strategic Plan,

prepared in response to the Government Performance and

Results Act of 1993 (Results Act); to the Committee on

Government Reform.

5443. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and

Budget, transmitting the Office of Management and Budget's

Fiscal Year 2003 Inventory of Commercial Activities, pursuant

to Public Law 105--270; to the Committee on Government

Reform.

5444. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and

Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, transmitting

the Department's draft bill entitled, ``To adjust the

boundary of John Muir National Historic Site, and for other

purposes''; to the Committee on Resources.

5445. A letter from the Clerk, United States Court of

Appeals for the District of Columbia, transmitting an opinion

of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of

Columbia Circuit (02-5056--The Williams Companies and Dynegy

Midstream Services, Limited Partnership v. Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission (October 10, 2003)); to the Committee

on Resources.

5446. A letter from the Assisatnt Secretary of the Army for

Civil Works, Department of Defense, transmitting A report on

Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project, Miami-Dade County,

Florida, pursuant to Public Law 106--541, section 601 (m)

(114 Stat. 2692); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5447. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Hameland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Security Zone;

Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Port Manatee, Rattlesnake, Old Port

Tampa and Crystal River, Florida [COTP Tampa 03-006] (RIN:

2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5448. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Hatteras Island, NC [CGD05-03-166] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received

October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5449. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Drawbridge

Operation Regulation; Mississippi River, Iowa and Illinois

[CGD08-03-035] (RIN: 1625-AA09) received October 24, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure.

5450. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Drawbridge

Operation Regulations; Mianus River, CT. [CGD01-03-101]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5451. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Sacramento River, Sacramento, CA [COTP San Francisco Bay 02-

018] (RIN: 2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to

5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5452. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Brunswick River, Brunswick, GA [COTP Savannah-03-111] (RIN:

1625-AA00) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5453. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Savannah River, International Trade and Convention Center,

Savannah, GA [COTP Savannah 02-110] (RIN: 2115-AA97) received

November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5454. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Savannah River, Savannah, GA [COTP Savannah 02-090] (RIN:

2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5455. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures;

Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 30390 ; Amdt. No. 3077]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5456. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP

and 747SR; 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400,and -

400D; and 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes [Docket No. 2002-

NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-13326; AD 2003-20-08] (RIN: 2120-

AA64) received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5457. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Airwothiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas

Model DC-9-31 and DC-9-32 Airplanes [Docket No. 2003-NM-61-

AD; Amendment 39-13324; AD 2003-20-06] (RIN: 2120-AA64)

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5458. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures;

Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 30391 ; Amdt. No. 3078]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5459. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel, FHA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Advance Construction of Federal-aid Projects

[FWHA Docket No. FHWA-1997-2262; Formerly FHWA 95-10] (RIN:

2125-AD59) received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5460. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines

for States and Territories -- received October 24, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure.

5461. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Water Quality Standards; Withdrawal of Federal

Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Copper and Nickel

Applicable to South San Francisco Bay, California [FRL-7583-

9] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5462. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Water Quality Standards; Withdrawal of Federal

Nutrient Standards for the State of Arizona [FRL-7584-1]

received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5463. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a Determination

pursuant to Section 344(b) of the Trade Act of 2002; to the

Committee on Ways and Means.

5464. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting a letter correcting the legal citation

of a letter dated May 23, 2003; to the Committee on Homeland

Security (Select).

5465. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting notification of the establisment of an

organizational unit within the Department of Homeland

Security and the reallocation of functions among officers at

the Department, pursuant to Public Law 107--296, section 874;

to the Committee on Homeland Security (Select).

5466. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a copy of

Presidential Determination No. 2004-04 on Waiving and

Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine

Liberation Organization; jointly to the Committees on

International Relations and Appropriations.

5467. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting notification of the transfer of a

function

within the Department of Homeland Security, pursuant to

Public Law 107--296, section 872; jointly to the Committees

on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security

(Select).

Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows:

Mr. POMBO: Committee on Resources. H.R. 2584. A bill to

provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local

government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration ship (Rept. 108-378). Referred to

the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Mr. POMBO: Committee on Resources. H.R. 2907. A bill to

provide for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between

the Secretary of Agriculture and Yavapai Ranch Limited

Partnership; with an amendment (Rept. 108-379). Referred to

the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Under clause 8 of rule XII, executive communications were taken from the Speaker's table and referred as follows:

5421. A letter from the Secretary, Department of

Agriculture, transmitting the Department's draft bill

entitled, ``To make technical ammendments to the Commodity

Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996''; to the

Committee on Agriculture.

5422. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Tebufenozide; Extension of Tolerance for

Emergency Exemptions [OPP-2003-0329; FRL-7330-2] received

October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Agriculture.

5423. A letter from the Comptroller, Department of Defense,

transmitting a report of a violation of the Antideficiency

Act by the Department of the Air Force, Case Number 99-01,

pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 1517(b); to the Committee on

Appropriations.

5424. A letter from the Acting, Under Secretary,

Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Department of Defense,

transmitting four quarterly Selected Acquisition Reports

(SARs) for the quarter ending September 30, 2003, pursuant to

10 U.S.C. 2432; to the Committee on Armed Services.

5425. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and

Budget, transmitting appropriations reports containing OMB

cost estimates for P.L. 108-26 and P.L. 108-27, which became

law on May 28, 2003, P.L. 108-40, which became law on June

30, 2003, and P.L. 108-74, which became law on August 15,

2003; to the Committee on the Budget.

5426. A letter from the Chairperson, National Council on

Disability, transmitting the Council's report entitled

``Olmstead: Reclaiming Institutionalized Lives,'' pursuant to

29 U.S.C. 781(a)(8); to the Committee on Education and the

Workforce.

5427. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Revisions to the Regional Haze Rules to Correct

Mobile Source Provisions in Optional Program for Nine Western

States and Eligible Indian Tribes Within that Gegraphical

Area; Direct Final Rule, Removal of Amendments. [FRL-7579-6]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5428. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality

Implementation Plans; Delaware; Revisions to Stage I and

Stage II Vapor Recovery at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities

[DE067-1041a; FRL-7586-2] received November 10, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy

and Commerce.

5429. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality

Implementation Plans; Kansas Update to Materials Incorporated

by Reference [KS-192-1192; FRL-7580-6] received November 10,

2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Energy and Commerce.

5430. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Approval And Promulgation of Implementation

Plans; Texas; Revisions to Regulations for Permits by Rule,

Control of Air Pollution by Permits for New Construction or

Modification, and Federal Operating Permits [TX-154-1-7590;

FRL-7585-8] received November 10, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5431. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Revisions to the California State

Implementation Plan, San Diego County Air Pollution Control

District; San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control

District [CA261-0420a; FRL-7582-2] received November 10,

2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Energy and Commerce.

5432. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Clean Air Act Final Approval Of Operating

Permit Program Revision; Michigan [MI 82-02; FRL-7585-3]

received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5433. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)

and Non-attainment New Source Review (NSR): Reconsideration

[FRL-7583-7, E-Docket ID No. A-2001-0004 (Legacy Docket ID

No. A-90-37)] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5434. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Trade Secrecy Claims for Emergency Planning and

Community Right-to-Know Information; and Trade Secret

Disclosures to Health Professionals; Amendment [SFUND-1988-

0002; FRL-7584-8] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5

U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

5435. A letter from the Deputy Secretary, Department of

State, transmitting the annual report of the activities of

the United Nations and of the participation of the United

States therein during the calendar year 2002, pursuant to 22

U.S.C. 287b; to the Committee on International Relations.

5436. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting certification of a

proposed license for the export of major defense equipment

and defense articles to Japan (Transmittal No. DDTC 120-03),

pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee on

International Relations.

5437. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting certification of a

proposed license for the export of major defense equipment

and defense articles to the United Kingdom (Transmittal No.

DTC 112-03), pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2776(c); to the Committee

on International Relations.

5438. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a copy of

Presidential Determination No. 2004-08 on Waiver of

Restrictions on Assistance to Russia under the Cooperative

Threat Reduction Act of 1993, as amended, and the Section 502

of the FREEDOM Support Act, pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 5952 note;

to the Committee on International Relations.

5439. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting notification that

effective October 5, 2003, the 15% Danger Pay Allowance for

Saudi Arabia was terminated due to the ending of authorized

departure status, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5928; to the Committee

on International Relations.

5440. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a report entitled

``Report of U.S. Citizen Expropriation Claims and Certain

Other Commercial and Investment Disputes,'' pursuant to

Public Law 103--236, section 527(f); to the Committee on

International Relations.

5441. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting certification that

the Ukraine is committed to the courses of action described

in section 1203 (d) of the Cooperative Threat Reduction Act

of 1993 (Title XII of Public Law 103-160) as amended, and

Section 502 of the FREEDOM Support Act (Public Law 102-511);

to the Committee on International Relations.

5442. A letter from the Chairman, Consumer Product Safety

Commission, transmitting the Commission's new Strategic Plan,

prepared in response to the Government Performance and

Results Act of 1993 (Results Act); to the Committee on

Government Reform.

5443. A letter from the Director, Office of Management and

Budget, transmitting the Office of Management and Budget's

Fiscal Year 2003 Inventory of Commercial Activities, pursuant

to Public Law 105--270; to the Committee on Government

Reform.

5444. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Fish and

Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, transmitting

the Department's draft bill entitled, ``To adjust the

boundary of John Muir National Historic Site, and for other

purposes''; to the Committee on Resources.

5445. A letter from the Clerk, United States Court of

Appeals for the District of Columbia, transmitting an opinion

of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of

Columbia Circuit (02-5056--The Williams Companies and Dynegy

Midstream Services, Limited Partnership v. Federal Energy

Regulatory Commission (October 10, 2003)); to the Committee

on Resources.

5446. A letter from the Assisatnt Secretary of the Army for

Civil Works, Department of Defense, transmitting A report on

Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project, Miami-Dade County,

Florida, pursuant to Public Law 106--541, section 601 (m)

(114 Stat. 2692); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5447. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Hameland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Security Zone;

Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Port Manatee, Rattlesnake, Old Port

Tampa and Crystal River, Florida [COTP Tampa 03-006] (RIN:

2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5448. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Hatteras Island, NC [CGD05-03-166] (RIN: 1625-AA00) received

October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5449. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Drawbridge

Operation Regulation; Mississippi River, Iowa and Illinois

[CGD08-03-035] (RIN: 1625-AA09) received October 24, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure.

5450. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Drawbridge

Operation Regulations; Mianus River, CT. [CGD01-03-101]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5451. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Sacramento River, Sacramento, CA [COTP San Francisco Bay 02-

018] (RIN: 2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to

5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5452. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Brunswick River, Brunswick, GA [COTP Savannah-03-111] (RIN:

1625-AA00) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5453. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Savannah River, International Trade and Convention Center,

Savannah, GA [COTP Savannah 02-110] (RIN: 2115-AA97) received

November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5454. A letter from the Chief, Regulations and

Administrative Law, USCG, Department of Homeland Security,

transmitting the Department's final rule -- Safety Zone;

Savannah River, Savannah, GA [COTP Savannah 02-090] (RIN:

2115-AA97) received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5455. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures;

Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 30390 ; Amdt. No. 3077]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5456. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747SP

and 747SR; 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400,and -

400D; and 767-200 and -300 Series Airplanes [Docket No. 2002-

NM-106-AD; Amendment 39-13326; AD 2003-20-08] (RIN: 2120-

AA64) received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5457. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Airwothiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas

Model DC-9-31 and DC-9-32 Airplanes [Docket

No. 2003-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-13324; AD 2003-20-06] (RIN:

2120-AA64) received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5458. A letter from the Paralegal Specialist, FAA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Standard Instrument Approach Procedures;

Miscellaneous Amendments [Docket No. 30391 ; Amdt. No. 3078]

received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5459. A letter from the Assistant Chief Counsel, FHA,

Department of Transportation, transmitting the Department's

final rule -- Advance Construction of Federal-aid Projects

[FWHA Docket No. FHWA-1997-2262; Formerly FHWA 95-10] (RIN:

2125-AD59) received October 24, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5460. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Nonpoint Source Program and Grants Guidelines

for States and Territories -- received October 24, 2003,

pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure.

5461. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Water Quality Standards; Withdrawal of Federal

Aquatic Life Water Quality Criteria for Copper and Nickel

Applicable to South San Francisco Bay, California [FRL-7583-

9] received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C.

801(a)(1)(A); to the Committee on Transportation and

Infrastructure.

5462. A letter from the Deputy Associate Administrator,

Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting the Agency's

final rule -- Water Quality Standards; Withdrawal of Federal

Nutrient Standards for the State of Arizona [FRL-7584-1]

received November 5, 2003, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A);

to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

5463. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a Determination

pursuant to Section 344(b) of the Trade Act of 2002; to the

Committee on Ways and Means.

5464. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting a letter correcting the legal citation

of a letter dated May 23, 2003; to the Committee on Homeland

Security (Select).

5465. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting notification of the establisment of an

organizational unit within the Department of Homeland

Security and the reallocation of functions among officers at

the Department, pursuant to Public Law 107--296, section 874;

to the Committee on Homeland Security (Select).

5466. A letter from the Assistant Secretary for Legislative

Affairs, Department of State, transmitting a copy of

Presidential Determination No. 2004-04 on Waiving and

Certification of Statutory Provisions Regarding the Palestine

Liberation Organization; jointly to the Committees on

International Relations and Appropriations.

5467. A letter from the Secretary, Department of Homeland

Security, transmitting notification of the transfer of a

function within the Department of Homeland Security, pursuant

to Public Law 107--296, section 872; jointly to the

Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland

Security (Select).

Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of committees were delivered to the Clerk for printing and reference to the proper calendar, as follows:

Mr. POMBO: Committee on Resources. H.R. 2584. A bill to

provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local

government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration ship (Rept. 108-378). Referred to

the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Mr. POMBO: Committee on Resources. H.R. 2907. A bill to

provide for a land exchange in the State of Arizona between

the Secretary of Agriculture and Yavapai Ranch Limited

Partnership; with an amendment (Rept. 108-379). Referred to

the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union.

Mr. Speaker, again, I rise in support of H.R. 2584, a bill I introduced to assist our friends from Utrok Atoll as they continue efforts to resettle and rehabilitate their islands as a result of the effects of the United States nuclear testing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI).

At this time, I would like to thank Chairman Richard Pombo and Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Resources Committee for their continued support of Pacific Island issues. I would also like to thank my distinguished colleagues and co-sponsors--Congressmen Anibal Acevedo-Vila, Dan Burton, John Doolittle, Elton Gallegly, Jeff Flake, and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.

I would also like to thank members of the Senate for voting in favor of this legislation. The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey a decommissioned, operable NOAA vessel to the Government of Utrok. The vessel will be used to provide support for radiological monitoring, rehabilitation and resettlement of Utrok, an atoll that is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

During the 1940s and 50s, many of the Marshall Island atolls were devastated by the effects of U.S. nuclear testing activities. From 1946 to 1958, the United States detonated 67 nuclear weapons in the Marshall Islands, representing nearly 80 percent of all atmospheric tests ever conducted by the United States. If one were to calculate the net yield of these tests, it would be equivalent to the detonation of 1.7 Hiroshima bombs every day for 12 years.

On March 1, 1954, at 6:45 a.m. at the Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the United States detonated the Bravo shot, a 15 megaton hydrogen bomb 1,000 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Acknowledged as the greatest nuclear explosion ever detonated, the Bravo test vaporized 6 islands and created a mushroom cloud 25 miles in diameter.

Residents of Utrok atoll were forced to evacuate 72 hours after the miscalculated Bravo shot. Two months later, the U.S. assured the people of Utrok that it was safe to return home. The U.S. now acknowledges that it was a grave mistake to return the people to Utrok only 2 months after the detonation of Bravo.

Utrok residents have since suffered severe health problems and genetic anomalies. Today, the people of Utrok are seeking to rehabilitate their home island so that it is a safe place to live. Last year, a comprehensive scientific report recommended a potassium fertilizer treatment to accompany the ongoing resettlement process on Utrok, a treatment which would suppress the remaining radioactive Cesium-137 in the soil and prevent its further uptake in the food supply.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Utrok that committed the DOE to build a Whole Body Counting (WBC) facility in order to monitor radioactivity levels in the people of Utrok. This new facility is located about 265 miles away in Majuro and will be used to ensure that the potassium fertilizer regime is effective and the administration of the fertilizer treatment is done properly.

However, Utrok residents are responsible for their own transportation to Majuro. Transportation by plane is expensive and available only once per week. Air service is also unreliable as the Utrok runway is in disrepair and the airline often declines to land. Travel by commercial ships, although less expensive, is infrequent.

One solution to help facilitate transport between Utrok and Majuro is to transfer a decommissioned NOAA vessel to the Utrok Atoll Local Government. In addition to transport of Utrok residents to the WBC facility, the vessel will be used for moving several tons of potassium fertilizer, transporting equipment and materials for radiological remediation, and transporting USDA food supplies. Because of the Cesium-137 contamination in locally grown food, at least 50 percent of the diet of Utrok residents must be imported to limit the risk of radiological poisoning.

The Utrok Atoll Local Government fully supports this measure and adopted a resolution (022-03) on July 4th 2003 stating that the NOAA vessel transfer would be ``one of the crucial needs that will fully support our future goals to develop, rehabilitate and resettle the atoll after the aftermath of the Bravo fallout.'' The Utrok Government also expects the ship to be available for use by other atolls for their respective communities, who will help pay for the ongoing maintenance of the vessel.

As the Ranking Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I am hopeful that this bill will remind Congress of our ongoing responsibility to the people of RMI for the mistakes the United States made regarding its nuclear testing activities in the Asia Pacific region. Once again, I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support and I urge final passage of this important legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2584, a bill I introduced to assist our friends from Utrok Atoll as they continue efforts to resettle and rehabilitate their islands as a result of the effects of the United States nuclear testing in the Marshal Islands. I would like to express my gratitude to Chairman Richard Pombo and Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Resources Committee for their continued support of Pacific Island issues. I would also like to thank my distinguished colleagues and co-sonsors--Congressmen Anibal Acevedo- Vila (PR), Dan Burton (IN), John Doolittle (CA), Elton Gallegly (CA), Jeff Flake (AZ) and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (Guam).

The purpose of this proposed legislation is simply to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey a decommissioned, operable NOAA vessel to the Government of Utrok. The vessel would be used to provide support for radiological monitoring, rehabilitation and resettlement of Utrok, an atoll that is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

As you know, many of the Marshall Islands atolls were devastated by the effects of the U.S. Nuclear Testing activities during the 1940's and 50's. Utrok was one of four atolls acknowledged by the U.S. Government and suffering unsafe radiologicval exposure and its residents were forced to evacuate 72 hours after the miscalculated Bravo shot. Two months later, the people of Utrok were assured it was safe to return home. We know now that this was a grave mistake because Utrok residents have since suffered increased radiological illnesses and birth defects. Today, the people of Utrok are seeking to rehabilitate their home island so that it is a safe place to live.

Last year a comprehensive scientific report recommended a potassium fertilizer treatment to accompany the ongoing resettlement process on Utrok, a treatment which would suppress the remaining radioactive Cesium-137 in the soil and prevent its further uptake in the food supply. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy concluded a MOU with Utrok that committed the DOE to build a Whole body Counting (WBC) facility in order to monitor radioactivity levels in the people of Utrok. This new facility is located about 265 miles away in Majuro and will be used to ensure that the potassium fertilizer regime is effective and the administration of the fertilizer treatment is done properly. However, Utrok residents are responsible for their own transportation to Majuro. Transportation by plane is expensive and available only once per week, and is unreliable, as the Utrok runway is in disrepair and the airline often declines to land. Travel by commercial ships, although less expensive, is infrequent and unfeasible.

One solution to help facilitate transportation between Utrok and Majuro is to transfer a decommissioned NOAA vessel to the Utrok Atoll Local Government. In addition to transport of Utrok residents to the WBC facility, the vessel will be used for moving several tons of potassium fertilizer, transporting equipment and materials for radiological remediation, and transporting USDA food supplies. Because of the Cesium-137 contamination is locally grown food, at least 50% of the diet of Utrok residents must be imported to limit the risk of radiological poisoning.

The Utrok Atoll Local Government also fully supports this measure and adopted are solution (022-03) on July 4th 2003 stating that the NOAA vessel transfer would be ``one of the crucial needs that will fully support our future goals to develop, rehabilitate and resettle the atoll after the aftermath of the `Bravo' fallout''. The Utrok Government also expects the ship to be available for use by other atolls for their respective communities, who will help pay for the ongoing maintenance of the vessel.

Mr. Speaker, I am hopeful that this bill will remind the Congress of our ongoing responsibility to the people of RMI for the mistakes the United States made regarding its nuclear testing activities in the Asia Pacific region. Once again, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and I thank my colleagues for their support.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 2584) to provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2584 passed the House on November 11, 2003, by voice vote. The bill, as passed by the House, included a number of important provisions including the transfer of a decommissioned NOAA vessel to the local government of the Utrok Atoll, the reauthorization of the Yukon River Salmon Act of 2000, the reauthorization of the Fishermen's Protective Act of 1967, and a provision to correct and ratify certain promotions within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps.

The Senate has made several additions to the legislation which make it a stronger conservation measure. These additions include language to implement the Pacific Albacore Tuna Treaty, a measure which will help ensure the sustainable conservation and management of the albacore tuna fishery shared by the United States and Canada; and language to allow certain U.S. fishing vessels access to South Pacific tuna stocks consistent with revisions to the 1988 South Pacific Tuna

Treaty. The bill was further amended to strike a provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, which would have delayed the implementation of important conservation and management measures in the Northeast multispecies fishery management plan. This provision is important to the continued rebuilding process for New England groundfish stocks and to meet court-ordered timetables.

Finally, the amendments include a requirement that a plan for the use of the decommissioned vessel be submitted to Congress by the local government of the Utrok Atoll in consultation with the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

I urge Members to support these important provisions by voting ``aye'' on the legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall), and the staff on both sides of the aisle for helping to bring this measure to the floor. I hope for a unanimous vote later on this afternoon.

Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of letters between the chairman of the Committee on Science and the chairman of the Committee on Resources regarding this legislation.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Science,

Washington, DC, March 26, 2004.

Hon. Richard W. Pombo,

Chairman, Committee on Resources, House of Representatives,

Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Mr. Chairman: I understand that the House plans to

take up H.R. 2584 as amended by the Senate. Thank you for

your support in having the Committee on Science added to the

list of Committees to which the Utrok Atoll local government

must report after receipt and use of the decommissioned

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship.

The Committee on Science supports passage of this bill as

amended, but wishes to clarify the Committee's jurisdiction

over the NOAA Corps. Based on conversations with the Office

of the Parliamentarian, the Committee on Science understands

it would receive a sequential referral of legislation

involving the NOAA Corps.

Recognizing your wish that the House of Representatives

consider this bill as soon as possible, I will not exercise

the Committee's right to a sequential referral of H.R. 2584

based on the Committee's jurisdiction over the NOAA Corps.

This decision to forgo a sequential referral does not waive

the Committee's future jurisdiction over the NOAA Corps.

I ask that you include our exchange of letters on this

matter in Congressional Record during floor consideration of

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.