109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1117
To deepen the peaceful business and cultural engagement of the United
States and the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 25, 2005
Mr. LIEBERMAN (for himself and Mr. ALEXANDER) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
A BILL
To deepen the peaceful business and cultural engagement of the United
States and the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `United States-People's Republic
of China Cultural Engagement Act'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings; purpose.
TITLE I--CHINESE LANGUAGE INFRASTRUCTURE
Sec. 102. Chinese language and cultural studies grants.
TITLE II--PUBLIC SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
Sec. 203. Elementary school and middle school Chinese language and cultural
studies instruction expansion.
Sec. 204. School language technology enhancement.
TITLE III--SECONDARY SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION EXPANSION
Sec. 302. Sense of Congress regarding benefit of exposure to Chinese language
and culture.
Sec. 303. Programs for Chinese language and cultural studies instruction.
TITLE IV--POSTSECONDARY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Sec. 402. United States-People's Republic of China international consortia
exchange program.
Sec. 403. Expansion of Asian international business education center programs.
Sec. 404. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE V--CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARENESS PROGRAMS
Sec. 502. Cultural and entertainment awareness programs.
TITLE VI--EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA
Subtitle A--Exchange Programs
Sec. 612. Physical and virtual exchanges.
Sec. 613. Assistance to nongovernmental organizations.
Sec. 614. Exchanges under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act
of 1961.
Sec. 615. Local government officials.
Sec. 616. Rulemaking authority.
Subtitle B--Report on United States-People's Republic of China Friendship
Volunteers
Sec. 621. Report on United States-People's Republic of China Friendship
Volunteers in the People's Republic of China.
TITLE VII--POLICIES FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Sec. 703. Sense of Congress regarding negotiating approved destination status.
Sec. 704. Consular services in the People's Republic of China.
Sec. 705. Information regarding visa procedures.
Sec. 706. Feasibility study programs.
Sec. 707. Visa requirements for secondary school exchanges.
TITLE VIII--UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE
PROGRAMS
Sec. 802. Commercial service staffing increase.
Sec. 803. Export assistance center.
Sec. 804. Trade outreach at Lead Small Business Development Centers.
TITLE IX--UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY COUNCIL
Sec. 901. United States-People's Republic of China Engagement Strategy Council.
Sec. 902. Duties of the Council.
Sec. 904. Council personnel matters.
Sec. 905. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The relationship between the United States and the People's Republic
of China will dominate worldwide economic and noneconomic policies in the
21st century.
(2) The People's Republic of China, having a vast consumer market and a
productive, entrepreneurial labor force, offers the United States a unique
investment opportunity to secure future economic growth and world security.
(3) It is in the best interests of the People's Republic of China and the
United States to increase the number of economic and cultural exchanges
between the countries for the purpose of maintaining a stable relationship
and providing a greater opportunity for economic growth for both nations.
(b) PURPOSE- The purpose of this Act is to expand academic, cultural, and
business outreach activities to increase the knowledge and expertise of Chinese
language and culture so as to create a reservoir of individuals with the cultural
erudition to constructively engage the People's Republic of China as it becomes
more influential in world affairs. The enactment of this Act will be the beginning
of a stronger and more enduring friendship between the United States and the
People's Republic of China.
(c) IMPLEMENTATION- This Act shall be administered under the framework agreed
to in the Joint Communique of the United States of America and the People's
Republic of China, issued at Shanghai February 28, 1972, the Joint Communique
on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the United States of
America and the People's Republic of China, issued January 1, 1979, and the
Joint Communique of the United States and the People's Republic of China,
issued August 17, 1982.
(d) BACKGROUND FOR INCLUDING THE NAMES OF FAMOUS CHINESE TRAILBLAZERS IN SHORT
TITLES- The purpose in providing the short titles used in this Act is to honor
famous Chinese and American individuals by naming the programs established
by this Act after those individuals. The choice of these individuals is based
on their importance to the history of the People's Republic of China and its
relationship with the United States. These individuals include the following:
(1) DU FU- Du Fu, who lived during the Tang Dynasty, is considered to be
one of the greatest Chinese poets. He was a keen observer of the political
and social scene, a chronicler of everyday life, a humanitarian and historian,
a man with infinite love for humanity who criticized injustice wherever
he found it. He wrote vivid and passionate portrayals of human suffering
and expressed bitterness in the face of corruption. He championed other
poverty-stricken scholars. He excelled in all verse forms, transcending
all rules and regulations in prosody while conforming to and exploiting
them.
(2) WANG XIZHI- Wang Xizhi is considered by many to be one of the greatest
calligraphers in Chinese history. Also known as the `Sage of Calligraphy',
Wang is remembered for revolutionizing the art form. Born in the Eastern
Jin Dynasty in 303, Wang started studying the most basic style of calligraphy,
zheng, at the age of seven. By the time he was 41, Wang had developed his
own style of writing called xing calligraphy, which is characterized by
its free-flowing and nontraditional nature. With his new style, Wang was
able to more easily express his own emotions and moods through his writing.
Wang is now considered a model of Chinese diligence and hard work. He is
famous for being so absorbed by his work that he would often go for days
without eating or sleeping.
(3) ZHENG HE- Zheng He lived during the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He sailed to
37 countries in the South Pacific, Indian Ocean, Taiwan, Persian Gulf, and
Africa in 7 epic voyages from 1405 to 1433, some 80 years before Columbus.
He sailed around the tip of Africa into the Atlantic with a fleet larger
than the combined fleets of all of Europe. He built more than 1,600 ships
and commanded a fleet of 300 ships with nearly 40,000 sailors. His `treasury
ship' was a 9-masted vessel 400 feet long, 6 times the size of Columbus'
largest ship. Zheng's journeys also stimulated a number of important maritime
inventions, including central rudders, watertight compartments and various
new types of sails.
(4) SUN YAT-SEN- Sun Yat-Sen is recognized as the founder of modern Chinese
culture. Sun Yat-Sen was a physician, revolutionary leader, and patriot.
Born to a peasant family in Southeast China in 1866, he lived in Hawaii,
earned his medical degree in Hong Kong, and was baptized as a Christian.
He fought the ruling Qing Dynasty, which failed to defend China against
foreign attack and occupation. He led several unsuccessful insurrections
against Qing's rule and lived in exile in Europe, the United States, Canada,
and Japan. When the Manchu Dynasty finally collapsed in 1911, ending 5,000
years of imperial rule, he was named the provisional President of the new
Chinese republic and established an elected National Assembly. Later he
was elected President of a national government in Guangdong province in
southern China. His 3 Principles of the People focus on peace, freedom,
and equality. He died in Beijing in 1925.
(5) ZHOU XINFANG- Zhou Xinfang was born in 1895. He was a Lao Sheng player
in the Beijing Opera and the founder of the Qi Style. His stage name, Unicorn
Boy Qiling Tong, which means 7-year-old, was given to him because he made
his first stage appearance at the age of 7. From then on he was the most
famous figure of the Beijing opera. He constantly upgraded his performances
by learning from other operas and developed a style all his own that eventually
won him a loyal following all over China.
(6) CAI LUN- Cai Lun lived around 105 A.D. and is regarded as the inventor
of paper. He was born in Guiyang during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and became
a paperwork secretary of Emperor Hedi. For papermaking, he tried materials
like bark, hemp, and even fishing net. His invention immediately became
widely used in China. In 751, some Chinese paper makers were captured by
Arabs after Tang troops were annihilated in the Battle of Talas River. The
techniques of paper making then finally spread to the West.
(7) IEOH MING PEI- Ieoh Ming Pei had a prestigious career as an architect,
built on the foundation of the beautiful, inspiring, and practical structures
he so effortlessly brought to us. Pei was born in China in 1917. Once 17,
he embarked on his educational journey in the United States, receiving his
bachelor's degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He received many awards and merits for his outstanding work. Years after
graduating from the Harvard Graduate School of Design he founded the I.
M. Pei & Associates partnership. Pei won the 1983 International Pritzker
Architecture Prize, one of the most prestigious individual awards for an
architect. Pei has lent his talents to many projects around the world including
the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., Le Grand
Louvre in Paris, France, the Bank of China in Hong Kong, the John Fitzgerald
Kennedy Library near Boston, and the West Wing of the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston.
(8) WANG WEI- Wang Wei is known for his delicate poems, calligraphy, and
paintings. Wang Wei used many forms of art to depict his views of nature
and the path to enlightenment. Wang, who lived from 699 to 759 during the
Tang era, was the first master and founder of Southern Chinese landscape
art, which is characterized by strong brushstrokes contrasted with light
ink washes. He typically did not include any human presence in his works,
which often take a Buddhist perspective. As he longed for inner-tranquility,
2 images found commonly in his works are water and mist. After his wife's
death in 730, Wang established a Buddhist monastery on his own lands.
TITLE I--CHINESE LANGUAGE INFRASTRUCTURE
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Du Fu Chinese Language Education Enhancement
Act'.
SEC. 102. CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL STUDIES GRANTS.
Part A of title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1121 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 602(a), by adding at the end the following:
`(5) AWARD FOR CHINESE CENTERS- From amounts appropriated under section
610A(b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award not less than 10 grants
to establish and maintain centers described in paragraph (1) that focus
on Chinese language instruction.';
(2) in section 603, by adding at the end the following:
`(d) AWARDS FOR CHINESE CENTER- From amounts appropriated under section 610A(b)
for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award 1 grant to establish and maintain
a center described in subsection (a) that focuses on Chinese language and
Chinese cultural studies.';
(3) by redesignating section 610 as section 610A;
(4) by inserting after section 609 the following:
`SEC. 610. CHINESE EDUCATION INSTRUCTION.
`(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED- From amounts appropriated under section 610A(b) for
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for the
purpose of enabling the eligible entities to assist elementary schools, secondary
schools, and institutions of higher education in the instruction of Chinese
language and cultural studies.
`(b) ALLOTMENTS- The Secretary shall allot an equal amount of the funds appropriated
under section 610A(b) for a fiscal year to each eligible entity that submits
an application, as required under subsection (c), that is approved by the
Secretary.
`(c) APPLICATION- Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this section
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such additional information as the Secretary may require.
`(d) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES- An eligible entity receiving a grant under this
section may use the grant funds to carry out the following activities:
`(1) Locating and acquiring instructors for Chinese language and cultural
studies.
`(2) Devising course curricula and daily lesson plans for studies in Chinese
language and culture.
`(3) Providing other Chinese language and cultural studies instructional
assistance, materials, and information as necessary.
`(e) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall promulgate regulations necessary to
carry out this section.
`(f) ELIGIBLE ENTITY- In this section, the term `eligible entity' means a
foreign language and area or international studies center supported under
section 602(a) or a national language resource and training center supported
under section 603.'; and
(5) in section 610A (as redesignated by paragraph (3))--
(A) by striking `There are' and inserting the following:
`(a) IN GENERAL- There are';
(B) by striking `this part' and inserting `this part (other than sections
602(a)(5), 603(d), and 610)'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS-
`(1) SECTION 602(a)(5)- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry
out section 602(a)(5) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $4,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such
sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
`(2) SECTION 603(d)- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
section 603(d) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $1,800,000 for fiscal year
2007, $1,600,000 for fiscal year 2008, $1,400,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$1,200,000 for fiscal year 2010, $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such
sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
`(3) SECTION 610- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section
610 $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $3,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, and such sums as are necessary
for each succeeding fiscal year.
`(4) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.'.
TITLE II--PUBLIC SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Wang Xizhi Public School Chinese Language
Instruction Improvement Act'.
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The terms `elementary school', `local educational agency',
`secondary school', and `State educational agency' have the meanings given
such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) PHYSICAL EXCHANGE- The term `physical exchange' means an academic, professional,
or cultural exchange between the United States and the People's Republic
of China that involves international travel.
(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.
(4) VIRTUAL EXCHANGE- The term `virtual exchange' means an academic, professional,
or cultural exchange between the United States and the People's Republic
of China that does not involve international travel.
SEC. 203. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL
STUDIES INSTRUCTION EXPANSION.
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED- From amounts appropriated under subsection (e) for
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to
State educational agencies and local educational agencies to offer Chinese
language and cultural studies for elementary school and middle school students
in the schools served by the State educational agencies and local educational
agencies.
(b) APPLICATION- Each State educational agency or local educational agency
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information
as the Secretary may require.
(c) USE OF FUNDS- A State educational agency or local educational agency receiving
a grant under this section shall use the funds to provide Chinese language
and cultural studies for elementary school and middle school students in the
schools served by the State educational agency or local educational agency.
(d) REGULATIONS- The Secretary shall promulgate regulations necessary to carry
out this section.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, and such sums
as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 204. SCHOOL LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT.
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED- From amounts appropriated under subsection (f) for
a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants to eligible educational agencies
to acquire communication technology or equipment to improve Chinese language
instruction in middle schools or secondary schools through computer-assisted
instruction, distance learning, and virtual exchanges.
(b) DEFINITION- In this section, the term `eligible educational agency' means
a State educational agency or local educational agency that has been awarded,
for the same fiscal year, a grant under section 203 enabling the State educational
agency or local educational agency to offer middle school Chinese language
and cultural studies.
(c) APPLICATION- Each eligible educational agency desiring a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and accompanied by such additional information as the Secretary may
require.
(d) PRIORITY- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give
priority to eligible educational agencies that will use grant funds to acquire
communication technology or equipment for the purpose of conducting virtual
exchanges involving secondary school students served by the eligible educational
agencies.
(e) USE OF FUNDS- An eligible educational agency receiving a grant under this
section shall use grant funds to acquire communication technology or equipment
that shall be used primarily--
(1) for collaborative ventures and to communicate with--
(A) foreign language and area or international studies centers supported
under section 602(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1122(a));
or
(B) national language resource and training centers supported under section
603 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1123); or
(2) to conduct virtual exchanges with schools or other educational institutions
in the People's Republic of China.
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2007 through 2010, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such sums
as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
TITLE III--SECONDARY SCHOOL CHINESE LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION EXPANSION
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Zheng He Chinese Language Instruction Act'.
SEC. 302. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING BENEFIT OF EXPOSURE TO CHINESE LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE.
It is the sense of Congress that an increase in the number of students who
received substantial exposure to Chinese language and culture instruction
before graduating from secondary school would be a great potential benefit
to the United States.
SEC. 303. PROGRAMS FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL STUDIES INSTRUCTION.
(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section:
(1) IN GENERAL- The terms `elementary school', `local educational agency',
`professional development', `secondary school', and `State educational agency'
have the meanings given such terms in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) PHYSICAL EXCHANGE- The term `physical exchange' means an academic, professional,
or cultural exchange between the United States and the People's Republic
of China that involves international travel.
(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Education.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary is authorized to make grants, on a competitive
basis, to State educational agencies or local educational agencies to carry
out innovative model programs providing for the establishment, improvement,
or expansion of Chinese language and cultural studies instruction for elementary
school and secondary school students.
(2) DURATION- Each grant under paragraph (1) shall be awarded for a period
of 3 years.
(1) GRANTS TO STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- In awarding a grant under subsection
(b) to a State educational agency, the Secretary shall support programs
that promote systemic approaches to improving Chinese language learning
in the State.
(2) GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES- In awarding a grant under subsection
(b) to a local educational agency, the Secretary shall support programs
that--
(A) demonstrate approaches that can be disseminated and duplicated in
other local educational agencies; and
(B) may include a professional development component.
(d) RESERVATION- The Secretary may reserve not more than .05 percent of funds
made available under subsection (f) to evaluate the efficacy of the programs
funded under this section.
(1) IN GENERAL- Any State educational agency or local educational agency
desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information
as the Secretary may require.
(2) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give special consideration to applications describing programs that--
(A) include intensive summer Chinese language programs for professional
development, especially such programs that include physical exchanges;
(B) link speakers in the community who are bilingual in English and Chinese
with the schools in order to promote 2-way language learning;
(C) promote the sequential study of Chinese language for students, beginning
in elementary schools;
(D) make effective use of technology, such as computer-assisted instruction,
language laboratories, or distance learning, to promote Chinese language
study;
(E) promote innovative activities, such as Chinese language immersion,
partial Chinese language immersion, or content-based instruction; and
(F) are carried out through a consortium comprised of the agency receiving
the grant and an elementary school or secondary school.
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007,
$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, and such sums
as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
TITLE IV--POSTSECONDARY EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Sun Yat-Sen Postsecondary Exchange Act'.
SEC. 402. UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIA
EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
Part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1138 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 745 as section 746;
(2) by inserting after section 744 the following:
`SEC. 745. UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIA
EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
`(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED- From amounts appropriated under section 746(b) for
a fiscal year, the Director shall make grants to institutions of higher education,
or consortia of institutions of higher education, to establish and maintain
international consortia exchange programs between postsecondary educational
institutions in the People's Republic of China and the United States.
`(b) APPLICATION- Each institution of higher education or consortium desiring
a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Director at
such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information
as the Director may require.
`(c) USE OF FUNDS- An institution of higher education or consortium receiving
a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to foster exchanges with
the People's Republic of China within the context of multilateral curricular
development and training in a wide range of instructional disciplines.
`(d) APPLICABILITY OF REGULATIONS- An institution of higher education or consortium
receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall be subject to the same requirements
and regulations that apply to recipients of grants under section 744 who carry
out student exchange programs.
`(e) GOAL- The Director shall administer this section with the goal of having
as many students enrolled in the exchange program under this section as the
total number of students in all of the student exchange programs authorized
under section 744.'; and
(3) in section 746 (as redesignated by paragraph (1))--
(A) by striking `There are' and inserting the following:
`(a) IN GENERAL- There are';
(B) by inserting `(other than section 745)' after `this part'; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
`(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section
745 $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, and such sums as are necessary
for each succeeding fiscal year.
`(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.'.
SEC. 403. EXPANSION OF ASIAN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATION CENTER PROGRAMS.
Section 612(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1130-1(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
`(3) CENTERS FOR ASIAN BUSINESS EDUCATION- Subject to funds being made available
through appropriation Acts, the Secretary shall award grants under paragraph
(1) to establish and maintain not less than 100 centers, including 72 centers
for international business education that focus on commercial connections
with Asia.'.
SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 614(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1130b(a)) is
amended--
(1) by striking `EDUCATION- There are' and inserting `EDUCATION-
`(1) IN GENERAL- There are';
(2) by striking `612.' and inserting `612 (other than subsection (a)(3)).';
and
(3) by inserting at the end the following:
`(2) CENTERS FOR ASIAN BUSINESS EDUCATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
the grants for centers for Asian business education described in section
612(a)(3) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year
2007, $7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011, and such
sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
`(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriation in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.'.
TITLE V--CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARENESS PROGRAMS
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Zhou Xinfang Artists Awareness Act'.
SEC. 502. CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARENESS PROGRAMS.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of State is authorized to establish, through
the office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
and within the CultureConnect program, a program to allow individuals or organizations,
from the United States or the People's Republic of China, to travel to the
People's Republic of China or the United States (as the case may be) to study
the culture of the country or to perform for entertainment purposes.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of State to carry out this section $4,000,000 for fiscal
year 2006, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008,
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $14,000,000
for fiscal year 2011, and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal
year. Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization of appropriation
in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
TITLE VI--EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
OF CHINA
SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Cai Lun Exchange Program Act'.
Subtitle A--Exchange Programs
SEC. 611. DEFINITIONS.
(1) SECONDARY SCHOOL- The term `secondary school' has the meaning given
that term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) SECRETARY- Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the term `Secretary'
means the Secretary of State.
SEC. 612. PHYSICAL AND VIRTUAL EXCHANGES.
(1) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized to award grants through the Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs to eligible students for physical student
exchanges between the United States and the People's Republic of China.
Such exchanges that permit a student in the United States to visit the People's
Republic of China shall be known as the S. Welles Williams Exchange and
such exchanges that permit a student in the People's Republic of China to
visit the United States shall be known as the Xu Jiyu Exchange. Such exchanges
shall--
(A) in the case of the S. Welles Williams Exchange, be for a period not
to exceed 1 year; and
(B) in the case of the Xu Jiyu Exchange, be for a period not to exceed
90 days.
(2) ELIGIBLE STUDENT- A student is eligible to receive a grant under paragraph
(1) if the student--
(A) is a secondary school student; and
(i) the United States; or
(ii) the People's Republic of China.
(3) COORDINATION- The Secretary shall carry out the student exchanges authorized
by paragraph (1) in coordination with an international exchange facilitation
organization or a State educational agency.
(4) USE OF FUNDS- A grant awarded under paragraph (1) shall be used to pay
for the travel and educational expenses of a student participating in a
physical student exchange under this section. The Secretary is authorized
to limit the amount of such grant that may be used to pay for the visa fees
of a student.
(5) AWARD OF GRANTS- The Secretary shall award grants under paragraph (1)
in a manner so that the number of students in the United States who participate
in a physical student exchange is approximately equal to the number of students
in the People's Republic of China who participate in such an exchange.
(6) PREFERENCE FOR COST SHARING- The Secretary shall give priority to awarding
grants to individuals who have contributions of non-Federal funds to use
for the cost of such individual's participation in the physical student
exchange under this section.
(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $20,000,000
for fiscal year 2007, $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through
2011, and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
(1) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized to award grants to organizations
that facilitate virtual exchange programs.
(2) PURPOSE- The purpose of grants authorized in paragraph (1) is to build
relationships between students enrolled in secondary schools in the United
States or in the People's Republic of China through academic or cultural
exchanges that do not involve international travel.
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $20,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and such sums as are necessary
for each succeeding fiscal year.
(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 613. ASSISTANCE TO NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized to provide, through the Office
of Citizen Exchanges, assistance to nongovernmental organizations that facilitate
academic, professional, or cultural exchanges between--
(1) the United States and the People's Republic of China; and
(2) the People's Republic of China and organizations that publish studies
or reports on the national and international political strategy of the People's
Republic of China.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- The are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to
carry out this section $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 2007, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $8,000,000 for fiscal
year 2009, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011,
and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 614. EXCHANGES UNDER THE MUTUAL EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1961.
(a) INCREASE IN EXISTING EXCHANGE PROGRAMS-
(A) REQUIREMENT- Subject to funds being made available through appropriations
Acts, the Secretary shall provide assistance to students under the Mutual
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.)
for the purpose described in paragraph (2).
(i) NUMERICAL REQUIREMENT- The Secretary shall provide the assistance
described in subparagraph (A) to a number of students that is not less
than 110 percent of the number of student that received assistance from
the Secretary under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act
of 1961 to participate in educational activities in the People's Republic
of China during fiscal year 2004.
(ii) CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT- The Secretary shall provide the assistance
described in subparagraph (A) to students who are United States citizens.
(2) PURPOSE- The purpose of the assistance provided under paragraph (1)
is to assist students in participating in educational activities in the
People's Republic of China, with a priority of providing such assistance
to students who will participate in educational activities related to the
following areas:
(A) Rule of law, including civil rights, tort, and contract law.
(B) Extraction and utilization of energy resources.
(C) Environmental protection and hazardous waste management.
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(A) IN GENERAL- In addition to any amounts otherwise appropriated, there
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection
$7,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $8,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $10,000,000 for
fiscal year 2010, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such sums as are
necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this paragraph shall remain available until expended.
(b) CHINESE DOCTORAL RESEARCH ABROAD GRANT PROGRAM-
(1) AUTHORITY- Section 102(b) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2452(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(13) visits to, and study in, the People's Republic of China by postgraduate
students of a wide range of disciplines, including journalism, law, hospital
administration, health care, medicine, environmental studies, political
science, education, art, science, farming, ranching, energy, banking, finance,
and intellectual property, from United States schools, colleges, and universities.'.
(2) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Such section 102(b), as amended
by paragraph (1), is further amended--
(A) in paragraph (11), by striking `and' after the semicolon; and
(B) in paragraph (12), by striking the period and inserting `; and'.
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Section 105 of such Act (22 U.S.C.
2455) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(h)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, there are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 102(b)(13) $2,000,000 for fiscal year
2006, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years
2008 through 2011, and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal
year.
`(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.'.
SEC. 615. LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
(a) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized to award grants for cultural exchange
partnerships between local or provincial government officials of the United
States and of the People's Republic of China.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
to carry out this section $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $3,000,000 for
fiscal year 2007, $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011,
and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 616. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
The Secretary may prescribe such regulations as the Secretary determines are
necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle.
Subtitle B--Report on United States-People's Republic of China Friendship
Volunteers
SEC. 621. REPORT ON UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FRIENDSHIP
VOLUNTEERS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director
of the Peace Corps shall submit to Congress a report on increasing the number
of United States-People's Republic of China Friendship Volunteers serving
in the People's Republic of China.
TITLE VII--POLICIES FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE PEOPLE'S
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `I. M. Pei Travel Policy Act'.
SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.
(1) COMMERCIAL SERVICE- The term `Commercial Service' has the meaning given
that term under section 2301(j)(2) of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988
(15 U.S.C. 4721(j)(2)).
(2) CONSULAR OFFICER- The term `consular officer' has the meaning given
that term in section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)).
(3) SECRETARY- Except as otherwise provided in this title, the term `Secretary'
means the Secretary of State.
SEC. 703. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING NEGOTIATING APPROVED DESTINATION STATUS.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate with the appropriate
officials of the Government of the People's Republic of China to encourage
such officials to award approved destination status to the United States in
a manner that is consistent with the laws of the United States.
SEC. 704. CONSULAR SERVICES IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
(a) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized--
(1) to establish facilities, that meet the requirements for personal safety
and security, for an additional 2 United States Consulates in locations
in the People's Republic of China where no consulates are located on the
date of enactment of this Act;
(2) to negotiate with the appropriate officials of the Government of the
People's Republic of China for the establishment of such facilities; and
(3) to hire additional consular officers to staff the new consulates.
(b) APPROPRIATIONS- Of the amounts appropriated to the Secretary for the administration
of foreign affairs account, the following amounts may be made available to
carry out the provisions of this section:
(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(3) $30,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.
(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
(5) Such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
SEC. 705. INFORMATION REGARDING VISA PROCEDURES.
(a) INFORMATION REGARDING VISA PROCEDURES-
(1) AUTHORITY- The Secretary is authorized to increase the number of individuals
who respond to inquiries from individuals in the People's Republic of China
regarding the process for obtaining a visa to enter the United States and
is authorized to charge a fee to persons making such visa inquiries.
(2) EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS- The Secretary may utilize employees of the
Department of State or individuals providing services on a contract basis
to carry out the authority described in paragraph (1).
(b) AUTHORIZATION TO CHARGE VISA FEES- Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary is authorized to use the fees, paid to the United States
by individuals in the People's Republic of China for making visa inquiries
and to pay any salaries or related expenses necessary to carry out the authority
described in subsection (a)(1).
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- In addition to any amounts made available under subsection
(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
this section $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011,
and such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriation in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 706. FEASIBILITY STUDY PROGRAMS.
(a) FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR EXPEDITED VISA PROCESSING-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall undertake a study as to the feasibility
of establishing a program in which an eligible individual in the People's
Republic of China seeking admission to the United States--
(A) shall be presumed to be seeking admission to the United States on
a temporary basis; and
(B) may be interviewed by an employee of the United States who is not
a member of the Foreign Service, if an interview is required for such
individual to enter the United States.
(2) ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUAL- An individual is eligible to participate in the
program described in paragraph (1) if the individual--
(A) is a citizen of the People's Republic of China; and
(3) SCHEDULE- The feasibility study described in paragraph (1) shall be
completed not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Feasibility Study To Exempt Nationals of the People's Republic of China
From H1B Limitations-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall undertake a study as to the feasibility
of establishing a program in which the numerical limitations contained in
section 214(g)(1)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(A)) shall not apply
to an alien who is a national of the People's Republic of China and who
is seeking a visa or otherwise seeking status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)
of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)).
(2) SCHEDULE- The feasibility study described in paragraph (1) shall be
implemented not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the date on which the feasibility
studies established under subsections (a) and (b) are concluded, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the studies.
SEC. 707. VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EXCHANGES.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)) is amended to read as follows:
`(J) an alien having a residence in a foreign country which the alien has
no intention of abandoning who is a bona fide student, scholar, trainee,
teacher, professor, research assistant, specialist, or leader in a field
of specialized knowledge or skill, or other person of similar description,
who is coming temporarily to the United States as a participant--
`(i) in a program designated by the Secretary of State, for the purpose
of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting
research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training
and who, if the alien is coming to the United States to participate in
a program under which the alien will receive graduate medical education
or training, also meets the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 212(j), and the alien spouse and minor children of the alien if
accompanying or following to join the alien; or
`(ii) in a secondary school exchange program between the United States
and the People's Republic of China and who also meets the requirements
of paragraph (4) of section 212(j);'.
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EXCHANGES-
(1) IN GENERAL- Section 212(j) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1182(j)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(4) The additional requirements referred to in section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii)
for an alien who is coming to the United States under a secondary school exchange
program are as follows:
`(A) The alien is enrolled in a school that is the academic equivalent of
a secondary school (as that term in defined in section 9101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).
`(B) The alien is a dependent minor under the age of 20.
`(C) The alien may not seek or acquire employment in the United States while
admitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii).
`(D) The alien may not apply for any other visa classification, immigration
status, or extension while admitted to the United States under such section.
`(E) The alien may not remain in the United States for a secondary school
exchange program for a period of more than 90 days.'.
(2) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT- Section 212(j)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(j)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A) by striking `101(a)(15)(J)' and inserting `101(a)(15)(J)(i)'.
(c) EXPEDITED PROCEDURE AND REPORT TO CONGRESS- The Secretary of State is
authorized to establish such procedures as are necessary to expedite approval
of visas of students applying for visas pursuant to section 212(j)(4) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(j)(4)), as added by subsection
(b), and shall submit a report to Congress, not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, on the procedures the Secretary has implemented
to expedite approval of those visas.
TITLE VIII--UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE
PROGRAMS
SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `Wang Wei Commercial Exchange Improvement Act'.
SEC. 802. COMMERCIAL SERVICE STAFFING INCREASE.
(a) INCREASE IN COMMERCIAL SERVICE OFFICERS- Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, in addition to the full-time employees assigned to the Commercial
Service on the date of enactment of this Act at the locations listed in paragraphs
(1) and (2), the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to assign an additional
35 full-time employees to the Commercial Service. Each additional employee
shall be assigned to 1 of the following:
(1) The United States Embassy in the People's Republic of China.
(2) A United States Consulate in the People's Republic of China that is
in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) A consular facility established pursuant to section 704(a)(1).
(b) COMMERCIAL SERVICE- In this section, the term `Commercial Service' has
the meaning given that term under section 2301(j)(2) of the Export Enhancement
Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 4721(j)(2)).
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Commerce to carry out this section including to hire support staff, and
to procure materials, the following sums:
(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(B) $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
(C) Such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriations in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 803. EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE EXPORT CENTER- There is established within the
Department of Commerce a State Foreign Export Center Grant Program (in this
section referred to as the `Program'). The Program shall be administered by
the Secretary of Commerce through the United States and Foreign Commercial
Service. The purpose of the Program shall be to provide grants to States in
an amount that does not exceed 33 percent of the start-up costs for constructing,
operating, and maintaining State offices that can provide export assistance
and outreach to United States businesses in the People's Republic of China.
(b) REGULATIONS- Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary
to carry out the Program.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Department
of Commerce to carry out this section the following sums:
(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(B) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(D) $10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2011.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriations in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 804. TRADE OUTREACH AT LEAD SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.
(a) INCREASE IN SMALL BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL TRADE STAFF- The Administrator
of the Small Business Administration is authorized to facilitate the hiring
of 1 additional full-time export development specialist in each of the 63
Lead Small Business Development Centers of the Small Business Administration
to--
(1) help carry out the export promotion efforts described in section 22
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649); and
(2) perform outreach services and help provide strategic guidance to each
Small Business Development Center with respect to exporting services and
products to the People's Republic of China.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Small Business
Administration to carry out this section the following sums:
(A) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(B) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
(C) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
(D) $4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2011.
(E) Such sums as are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriations in this subsection shall remain available until expended.
TITLE IX--UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY COUNCIL
SEC. 901. UNITED STATES-PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY COUNCIL.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established the United States-People's Republic
of China Engagement Strategy Council (referred to in this title as the `Council').
(b) MEMBERSHIP- The Council shall be composed of the following members:
(1) The Secretary of State, or the designee of the Secretary of State.
(2) The Secretary of Education, or the designee of the Secretary of Education.
(3) The Secretary of Commerce, or the designee of the Secretary of Commerce.
(1) INITIAL CHAIRPERSON- The Secretary of State or the Secretary of State's
designee on the Council (as the case may be) shall serve as the chairperson
of the Council for the 1 year period following the date of enactment of
this Act.
(2) ROTATING BASIS- After the period described in paragraph (1), each of
the individuals described in subsection (b) shall serve as chairperson of
the Council on a rotating basis for a period not to exceed 1 year.
(1) FREQUENCY- The Council shall meet--
(A) not less than 6 times during the first year after the date of enactment
of this Act;
(B) not less than 4 times during the subsequent 2 year period; and
(C) not less than 1 time during each subsequent year.
(2) DATE AND AGENDA- The Secretary of State or the designee of the Secretary
of State (as the case may be) shall, with input from the other members of
the Council, establish the date of, and agenda for, each meeting of the
Council.
SEC. 902. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Council shall--
(1) formulate a strategy for the coordination and implementation of the
programs and grants authorized pursuant to this Act; and
(2) oversee the implementation of such strategy.
(1) ANNUAL REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Council shall report to Congress
on the strategy of the Council to implement this Act and the amendments
made by this Act, and the progress of the Council to implement such strategy.
(2) ONE-TIME REPORT- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Council shall submit to the President and Congress a report
that contains--
(A) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Council;
and
(B) the recommendations of the Council for such legislation and administrative
actions as the Council considers appropriate.
SEC. 903. POWERS.
(a) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Council may secure directly from a Federal agency such
information as the Council considers necessary to carry out this Act.
(2) PROVISION OF INFORMATION- On request of the Council, the head of the
agency shall provide the information to the Council.
(b) POSTAL SERVICES- The Council may use the United States mails in the same
manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Government.
(c) GIFTS- The Council may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations
of services or property.
SEC. 904. COUNCIL PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS- All members of the Council shall serve without
compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or
employees of the United States.
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES- A member of the Council shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee
of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code,
while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the
performance of the duties of the Council.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Council may, without regard to the civil service laws
and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Council to perform
its duties. The employment of an executive director shall be subject to
confirmation by the Council.
(2) COMPENSATION- The Council may fix the compensation of the executive
director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter
III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification
of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay
for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(d) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES- Any Federal Government employee may be
detailed to the Council without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without
interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(e) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERVICES- The Council may procure
temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code, at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 905. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
$4,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2011 and such sums as
are necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts made available pursuant to an authorization
of appropriations in this section shall remain available until expended.
END
