This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcoma is a cancer of connective tissues, such as nerves, muscles, joints, fat, bones, and blood vessels.
SRES 686 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating July 23, 2022, as "National Day of the American Cowboy." It recognizes the cultural significance of cowboys and cowgirls in American history, highlighting their contributions to Western heritage, ranching economies, and community values. The resolution encourages all U.S. citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities but does not create new laws, funding, or obligations. This is a symbolic gesture with no direct impact on specific individuals or policies.
This resolution condemns the use of hunger, including the starvation of civilians, as a weapon of warfare. It also calls on the U.S. government to prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food is being utilized as a weapon of war, including through efforts to ensure that security operations minimize civilian harm and do not undermine livelihoods of civilian populations.
The National Park Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2022 extends and increases funding for the National Park Foundation. It amends federal law to authorize $15 million annually (up from $5 million) for the Foundation through 2030 (extending from 2023). This bill directly affects the National Park Foundation by providing a longer-term, higher level of federal appropriations for its operations. The key change is a specific funding authorization adjustment in Title 54 of the U.S. Code, with no new program requirements or policy changes.
Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022 This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to take actions to ensure that the international financial assistance it provides does not go to any foreign security force unit (e.g., a military or paramilitary unit) where there is a reasonable belief that the unit has committed a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights. The USFWS must conduct risk analysis to ensure that a recipient (or subrecipient) of a grant does not fund or support any such unit. The prohibition against providing funding to such a unit shall not apply if the applicable government is taking effective steps to (1) bring the responsible members of the unit to justice, and (2) prevent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights by the unit in the future. The USFWS must take other actions to prevent funding such a unit, such as (1) coordinating with the Department of State on procedures for vetting potential assistance recipients, (2) publicly identifying units that are barred from receiving assistance, (3) requiring assistance recipients to provide certain information and to implement a safeguards plan, and (4) requiring periodic financial and programmatic audits of assistance recipients. The bill also requires (1) a grant recipient to report credible information about possible human rights violations involving a grant to the USFWS and the relevant diplomatic or consular post, (2) the program awarding the grant to investigate such allegations, and (3) the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior to investigate certain cases referred by the USFWS.
Gateway Solidarity Act This bill authorizes the illumination of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, by blue and yellow lights to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people in 2022, within 15 days following enactment of this bill, for no fewer than 5 consecutive days; and annually on August 24, in recognition of Ukrainian Independence Day, until the President reports to Congress that the Russian government has ceased its destabilizing activities with respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act This bill establishes requirements related to long-distance bike trails. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall identify not fewer than 10 long-distance bike trails that make use of existing trails and roads, and not fewer than 10 areas in which there is an opportunity to develop or complete a trail that would qualify as a long-distance bike trail. Interior and USDA shall develop a process to allow members of the public to comment regarding the identification of trails and areas; and consider the identification, development, and completion of long-distance bike trails in a geographically equitable manner. The Department concerned shall ensure that each identified long-distance bike trail or area does not conflict with the uses of any trail or road that is part of that long-distance bike trail; multiple-use areas where biking, hiking, horseback riding, or use by pack and saddle stock are existing uses; the purposes for which any trail was or is established under the National Trails System Act; and any area managed under the Wilderness Act. The Department concerned shall also ensure that each identified long-distance trail or area complies with land use and management plans of the federal recreational lands that are part of that long-distance bike trail.
Urban Indian Health Confer Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to confer with urban Indian organizations regarding health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. Currently, only the Indian Health Service (IHS) is required to confer with urban Indian organizations on matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The bill requires HHS to ensure that the IHS and other agencies and offices within HHS confer with urban Indian organizations on (1) matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and (2) other provisions of law relating to health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Kissimmee River Wild and Scenic River Act This bill designates for study a restored segment of the Kissimmee River in Florida as a potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Not later than three years after funds are made available to carry out this bill, the Department of the Interior shall (1) complete the study of the restored Kissimmee river segment, and (2) submit a report on the results of the study to Congress.
Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area in Alabama, consisting of land in Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox Counties. The Center for the Study of the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama shall prepare and submit a management plan for the heritage area.
Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Act This bill establishes the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area in Maryland. The heritage area shall consist of land in St. Mary's, Calvert, Charles, and Prince George's Counties in Maryland. The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland shall serve as the local coordinating entity for the heritage area. The council shall submit a management plan for the heritage area.
Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Corridor Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Southern Campaign of the Revolution National Heritage Corridor in North Carolina and South Carolina. The University of South Carolina, as the local coordinating entity for the corridor, shall submit a management plan for the corridor.
