Legislation you may have missed...

From Insight magazine (their main web page is here): bq. Clean Diamond Trade Act (HR 1584): This law implements further measures to combat the trade in conflict diamonds, the proceeds of which often are used to finance and further military and rebel groups engaged in wars in sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that as many as 3.7 million people have died during these wars. bq. Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act of 2003 (HR 1770): provides benefits and other compensation to eligible individuals with injuries resulting from administration of smallpox countermeasures. bq. American Dream Downpayment Act (S 811): supports certain housing proposals in the fiscal 2003 budget for the federal government, including the downpayment-assistance initiative under the HOME Investment Partnership Act. As much as $200 million in grants would be provided to assist homebuyers with downpayment and closing costs. Some interesting and wonderful laws... A bunch more on the website.