The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S3901-S3902 on May 6, 2002.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mrs. HUTCHISON:
S. 2458. A bill to enhance United States diplomacy, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mrs. HUTCHISON. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 2458
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF INITIATIVES FOR PREDOMINANTLY
MUSLIM COUNTRIES.
(a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Surveys indicate that, in countries of predominantly Muslim population, opinions of the United States and American foreign policy among the general public and select audiences are significantly distorted by highly negative and hostile beliefs and images and that many of these beliefs and images are the result of misinformation and propaganda by individuals and organizations hostile to the United States.
(2) These negative opinions and images are highly prejudicial to the interests of the United States and to its foreign policy.
(3) As part of a broad and long-term effort to enhance a positive image of the United States in the Muslim world, a key element should be the establishment of programs to promote a greater familiarity with American society and values among the general public and select audiences in countries of predominantly Muslim population.
(b) Establishment of Initiatives.--The Secretary of State shall establish the following programs with countries with predominantly Muslim populations as part of the educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State:
(1) Journalism program.--A program for foreign journalists and postsecondary students of journalism which, in cooperation with private sector sponsors to include universities, shall sponsor workshops and professional training in techniques, standards, and practices in the field of journalism to assist the participants to achieve the highest standards of professionalism.
(2) Libraries.--The Secretary of State shall develop and implement a demonstration program to assist foreign governments to establish or upgrade their public library systems to improve literacy, support public education, and provide youth recreation centers. The program shall provide training in the library sciences, including exchange opportunities for postsecondary study in the United States. The purpose of the program shall be to advance American values and society, particularly the importance of freedom and democracy.
(3) English language teaching.--The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to United States citizens to work in middle and secondary schools as English language teaching assistants for not less than an academic year. If feasible, the host government or local educational agency shall share the salary costs of the assistants.
(4) Sister city partnerships.--The Secretary shall expand and enhance sister-city partnerships between United States and foreign municipalities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the community level. Such partnerships shall encourage economic development, municipal cooperation, health care initiatives, youth and educational programs, disability advocacy, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian assistance.
(5) Youth ambassadors.--The Secretary shall establish a program for visits by middle and secondary school students to the United States during school holidays in their home country for periods not to exceed 4 weeks. Participating students shall reflect the economic and geographic diversity of their countries. Activities shall include cultural and educational activities designed to familiarize participating students with American society and values. To the extent practicable, such visits shall be coordinated with middle and secondary schools in the United States to provide for school-based activities and interactions. The Secretary shall encourage the establishment of direct school-to-school linkages under the program.
(6) Fulbright exchange program.--The Secretary shall seek to substantially increase the number of awards under the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program to graduate students, scholars, professionals, teachers, and administrators from the United States who are applying for such awards to study, teach, conduct research, or pursue scholarship in predominantly Muslim countries. Part of such increase shall include awards for scholars and teachers who plan to teach subjects relating to American studies.
(7) Hubert h. humphrey fellowships.--The Secretary shall seek to substantially increase the number of Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships awarded to candidates from predominantly Muslim countries.
(c) General Provision.--Programs established under this section shall be carried out under the provisions of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.
SEC. 2. DATABASE OF ALUMNI OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
PARTICIPANTS IN EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.
The Secretary, in coordination with the heads of other agencies that conduct international exchange and training programs, shall establish and maintain a database listing all American and foreign alumni of such programs in order to encourage networking, interaction, and communication with alumni.
SEC. 3. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY
ADVOCATES IN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
PROGRAMS.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Congress a report concerning the implementation of section 102 of the Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 2452 note). The report shall include information concerning the number of grants to conduct exchange programs to countries described in such section that have been submitted for competitive bidding, what measures have been taken to ensure that willingness to include supporters of freedom and democracy in such programs is given appropriate weight in the selection of grantees, and an evaluation of whether United States exchange programs in the countries described in such section are fully open to supporters of freedom and democracy, and, if not, what obstacles remain and what measures are being taken to implement such policy.
SEC. 4. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act may be construed to authorize the issuance of any visa to, or the admission to the United States of, any alien who is inadmissible to the United States.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of State $35,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to carry out this Act.
SEC. 6. SECRETARY DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of State.
____________________
