Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 36 · Passed House amended · May 4, 1999

Declares that the House of Representatives: (1) commends the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., for securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales and Staff Sergeants Andrew Ramirez and Christopher Stone from captivity in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; and (2) joins with the people of the United States in celebrating their return to freedom.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Meek, Carrie P. [D-FL-17] · D–FL

Committees

Foreign Affairs Committee

36 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 4, 1999
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
May 4, 1999
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 4, 1999
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
May 4, 1999
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
May 4, 1999
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 156.
May 4, 1999
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2601-2608)
May 4, 1999
Mr. Gilman moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
May 3, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
May 3, 1999
Introduced in House
May 3, 1999
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Engrossed in House · May 4, 1999 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in House · May 3, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.Res.156 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.156, 106th Congress: Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/156

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 1999-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hres156/BILLS-106hres156eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:46:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.Res.156 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.Res.156 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.156, 106th Congress: Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/156

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 1999-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hres156/BILLS-106hres156eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:46:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.156 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.Res.156 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.156, 106th Congress: Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/156

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 1999-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hres156/BILLS-106hres156eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:46:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.156 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.Res.156 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.Res.156, 106th Congress: Commending the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. on securing the release of Specialist Steven Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher Stone of Smiths Creek, Michigan, from captivity in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-resolution/156

Text version to examine: Engrossed in House · 1999-05-04.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/hres156/BILLS-106hres156eh.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T13:46:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.Res.156 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.