To authorize a Native American language demonstration program at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans.

July 8, 2003

Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. DOMENICI) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs

To authorize a Native American language demonstration program at the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Southwest Native American Language Revitalization Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) NATIVE AMERICAN- The term `Native American' has the meaning given the term `Indian' in section 7151 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7491).

(2) NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE- The term `Native American language' means a historical, traditional language spoken by Native Americans.

(3) PROGRAM- The term `program' means the demonstration program carried out under section 3.

(4) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.

SEC. 3. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall make grants, or enter into contracts, to establish a demonstration program that will provide assistance to Native American language survival schools and Native American language nests.

(b) LOCATION AND PURPOSES- The demonstration program shall be established at the Native American Studies Department of the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque, in consortium with the Linguistic Institute for Native Americans and other entities as determined to be appropriate by the consortium, to--

(1) assist in establishing, conducting, and administering community-based Native American language nests or Native American language survival schools by--

(A) developing community leadership for Native American language programs;

(B) training Native American language mentors; and

(C) conducting community education and outreach on Native American language issues;

(2) assist in developing training programs for Native American language speakers and teachers through--

(A) onsite training and university or college courses;

(B) summer training institutes;

(C) materials-development workshops; and

(D) regional seminars on Native American language issues;

(3) examine the effects of Federal, State, and local education policies on the long-term survival of Native American languages; and

(4) assess the impact of culturally-responsive curricula on Native American languages.

(c) ENDOWMENTS AND FACILITIES- This demonstration program may--

(1) establish endowments to further the activities of the demonstration program relating to the study and preservation of Native American languages; and

(2) use funds to provide for the rental, lease, purchase, construction, maintenance, and repair of facilities.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2009.

END