[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2542 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2542

 To establish additional international exchange and training programs 
 with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic 
                                states.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 28, 1993

  Mr. Leach introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To establish additional international exchange and training programs 
 with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic 
                                states.

    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 ``Freedom Exchange and Training Act''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is--
            (1) to bring young people, teachers, and education 
        administrators of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states 
        to the United States so that they might experience first-hand 
        how a free market democracy functions;
            (2) to assist the skill-building process necessary for both 
        institution-building and nation-building; and
            (3) to provide leadership training and technical assistance 
        to officials and others from the former Soviet Union and Baltic 
        states.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act--
            (1) the term ``Baltic states'' means Latvia, Lithuania, and 
        Estonia;
            (2) the term ``eligible organization'' means, during fiscal 
        year 1994, any private nonprofit organization which has 
        experience in exchange programs and demonstrates a capacity to 
        carry out such programs in the independent states of the former 
        Soviet Union or in the Baltic states; and
            (3) the term ``independent states of the former Soviet 
        Union'' includes the following states that formerly were part 
        of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, 
        Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, 
        Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

                 TITLE I--EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

SEC. 101. AUTHORITIES FOR AWARDING EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE GRANTS.

    (a) General Authority.--The Director shall establish and carry out 
an exchange program with the independent states of the former Soviet 
Union and the Baltic states in accordance with this title. In carrying 
out such a program, the Director shall award, on a competitive basis, 
grants to eligible organizations to enable such organizations to 
finance--
            (1) the exchange of secondary school students in accordance 
        with section 102;
            (2) the exchange of secondary school teachers and 
        administrators in accordance with section 103;
            (3) the exchange of postsecondary students in accordance 
        with section 104; and
            (4) exchanges of college and university educators in 
        accordance with section 105.
    (b) Administrative Expenses.--The Director may use up to 5 percent 
of the funds appropriated under this title for administrative expenses.
    (c) Application.--(1) Each eligible organization seeking a grant 
under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such 
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
Director may reasonably require.
    (2) Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall--
            (A) describe the activities for which assistance under this 
        section is sought; and
            (B) provide such additional assurances as the Director 
        determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the 
        requirements of this title.
    (d) Eligibility for Grants.--Grants may be made to eligible 
organizations only if such organizations agree to comply with the 
requirements specified in this title.
    (e) Implementation.--In carrying out this title, the Director 
shall--
            (1) encourage colleges and universities receiving students 
        to supplement public grants with their own resources, to the 
        extent possible; and
            (2) allow for a wide range of United States institutions to 
        participate in programs under this title.
    (f) Compliance With Budget Act.--The authority to make grants under 
this title shall be effective only to such extent or in such amount as 
are provided in appropriations Acts.
    (g) Definitions.--For purposes of this title--
            (1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the United 
        States Information Agency;
            (2) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the 
        same meaning as is given to such term by section 1201(a) of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965; and
            (3) the term ``secondary school'' has the same meaning 
        given to such term by section 1471(21) of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965.

SEC. 102. SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

    (a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 101(a)(1) shall 
be used to finance--
            (A) visits of short duration by eligible secondary school 
        students, to the United States, to any of the independent 
        states of the former Soviet Union, or to any Baltic state; or
            (B) studies, instruction, and other educational exchange 
        activities in the United States, in any of the independent 
        states of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state, each 
        educational exchange activity lasting not less than one 
        semester or more than one year, for eligible secondary school 
        students.
    (2) Of the amount of grants awarded under section 101(a)(1), not 
more than 35 percent in fiscal year 1994 may be used for the purpose of 
paragraph (1)(A).
    (b) Conditions.--(1) The Director may require that a portion of a 
grant awarded under section 101(a)(1) be used only for educational 
activities that are conditioned on the reciprocal exchange of American 
students.
    (2) Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of grant funds 
awarded under section 101(a)(1) may be used to finance educational 
exchanges of American students under this section.
    (c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``eligible 
secondary school student'' means a secondary school student from the 
United States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet 
Union, or any Baltic state who--
            (1) is at least 15 years of age;
            (2) is attending school at a grade level equivalent to any 
        of the grade levels 10 through 12 in United States secondary 
        schools or has just completed secondary school in any of the 
        independent states of the former Soviet Union or any Baltic 
        state; and
            (3) has a minimum level of proficiency in English, as 
        determined by testing.
    (d) Administration.--(1) To the maximum extent practicable, a grant 
under this section shall be used to support the activities described in 
subsection (a) for secondary school students of widely divergent 
backgrounds.
    (2) The recruitment of foreign students under this section shall be 
carried out in an efficient, uniform manner, preferably under direction 
of a United States-based group or organization under guidelines 
established by the Director.
    (3) The selection and examination of students from the former 
Soviet Union and Baltic states under this section should be a 
cooperative effort with input from organizations involved in the 
placement of the exchange students.
    (4) The specific structure for this cooperative effort should be 
approved by the Director as part of the granting of funds for selection 
and examination of students.
    (5) The selection process under this section should be designed to 
ensure selection of a representative group of students from the former 
Soviet Union and the Baltic states.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds 
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to be 
appropriated $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this 
section.

SEC. 103. SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS.

    (a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 101(a)(2) shall 
be used to finance visits of at least four weeks duration for eligible 
secondary school teachers and administrators to the United States, to 
any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union, or to any 
Baltic state.
    (2) Visits financed under this section--
            (A) shall focus on a particular area of study or project 
        and may involve seminars, with special emphasis on classroom 
        practicums; and
            (B) should, where possible, be developed and coordinated 
        with programs established under section 102.
    (b) Priority Exchanges.--Preference under this section is to be 
given to foreign teachers and administrators interested in the social 
sciences, the humanities, teaching English, and acquiring knowledge or 
skills applicable to building democratic institutions.
    (c) Restriction.--Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of 
funds awarded under this section may be used to finance educational 
exchanges of American secondary teachers and administrators.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this section.

SEC. 104. POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS.

    (a) College Students.--
            (1)  Grant uses.--Grants awarded under section 101(a)(3) 
        shall be used to finance studies, research, instruction, and 
        other educational exchange activities for eligible college 
        students in institutions of higher education in the United 
        States, in any of the independent states of the former Soviet 
        Union, or in any Baltic state, each educational exchange 
        activity lasting not less than one semester or more than one 
        year, with special emphasis on--
                    (A) those foreign students who are interested in 
                studying the social sciences and humanities;
                    (B) those foreign students who are studying to 
                become English teachers; and
                    (C) those foreign students who are seeking to 
                acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring 
                the economy or building democratic institutions.
            (2) Condition.--(A) The Director may require that an 
        eligible organization, in order to receive a grant under 
        section 101(a)(3), agree to use a portion of such grant for 
        educational activities that are conditioned on the institution 
        of higher education providing an eligible college student with 
        some financial resources, either in the form of room and board 
        or as a waiver of tuition.
            (B) Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of grant 
        funds awarded under this subsection may be used to finance 
        educational exchanges of American students under this section.
            (3) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term 
        ``eligible college student'' means a student enrolled in four-
        year programs of study at a college or university in the United 
        States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet 
        Union, or any Baltic state, including any American-founded 
        school in the former Soviet Union, and who--
                    (A) has completed at least one year of study and is 
                not in the last year of such study; and
                    (B) in the case of a foreign student, is 
                sufficiently proficient in English to undertake the 
                course of study proposed, as determined by testing.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to funds 
        otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to 
        be appropriated $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out 
        this subsection.
    (b) Graduate Students.--
            (1) Grants uses.--Grants awarded under section 101(a)(3) 
        shall be used to finance studies, research, instruction, and 
        other educational exchange activities for eligible graduate 
        students in the United States, in any of the independent states 
        of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state, each 
        educational exchange activity lasting not less than one 
        semester or more than one year, with special emphasis on--
                    (A) those foreign students who are interested in 
                studying the social sciences and humanities;
                    (B) those foreign students who are studying to 
                become English teachers; and
                    (C) those foreign students who are seeking to 
                acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring 
                the economy or building democratic institutions.
            (2) Condition.--Not more than 25 percent of the total 
        amount of grant funds awarded under this subsection may be used 
        to finance educational exchanges of American students under 
        this section.
            (3) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
        ``eligible graduate student'' means a student from the United 
        States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet 
        Union, or any Baltic state, including any student attending an 
        American-founded university in the former Soviet Union, who--
                    (A) is enrolled in a graduate course of study at a 
                college or university;
                    (B) has completed one year of such study; and
                    (C) in the case of a foreign student, is 
                sufficiently proficient in English to undertake the 
                course of study proposed, as determined by testing.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to funds 
        otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to 
        be appropriated $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out 
        this subsection.
    (c) Community Colleges.--(1) Grants awarded under this subsection 
shall be used to finance--
            (A) studies and research in any of the independent states 
        of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state;
            (B) vocational retraining of foreign students from the 
        former Soviet Union or Baltic states; and
            (C) faculty and student exchange activity lasting not less 
        than one semester or more than one year,
with special emphasis on--
                    (i) those foreign students who are interested in 
                studying the social sciences and humanities;
                    (ii) those foreign students who are studying to 
                become English teachers; and
                    (iii) those foreign students who are seeking to 
                acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring 
                the economy or building democratic institutions.
    (2) An individual is eligible for a grant under this section who--
            (A) is least 18 years of age;
            (B) has completed secondary school in the United States, 
        any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union, or 
        any Baltic states;
            (C) if an American, is enrolled in a community college and 
        has completed at least one year of study; and
            (D) in the case of foreign students, is sufficiently 
        proficient in English to undertake the course of study 
        proposed, as determined by testing.
    (3) In addition to funds otherwise available for such purpose, 
there are authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 
to carry out this subsection.

SEC. 105. ``SISTER'' UNIVERSITY PROGRAM.

    (a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 101(a)(4) shall 
be used to finance exchanges of college and university educators of 
eligible paired institutions for the purpose of developing curriculum 
and otherwise strengthening ties between the independent states of the 
former Soviet Union and the Baltic states and the United States at the 
institutional level.
    (2) Each grant awarded under this subsection shall not exceed 
$100,000.
    (3) Each grant awarded under this subsection to eligible paired 
institutions may be disbursed during a period of two fiscal years.
    (b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``eligible 
paired institutions'' means, in fiscal year 1994, a pairing by the 
Director of one United States institution of higher education with a 
college or university in any of the independent states of the former 
Soviet Union or any Baltic state wherever such pairing is likely to 
promote a continuing relationship between the institutions after the 
termination of assistance under this title.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds 
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to be 
appropriated $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this section.

             TITLE II--OTHER TRAINING AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. PROGRAMS OF THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) General Authority.--The President shall establish and carry out 
technical assistance and exchange programs with the independent states 
of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states in accordance with 
this title. Such programs may be implemented by grants to eligible 
organizations or otherwise. Programs funded by this title are as 
follows:
            (1) Public administration and governance.--Funds made 
        available under this paragraph shall be used for programs of up 
        to 8 weeks duration for--
                    (A) exchanges and training of local and regional 
                government officials, practitioners, and experts in 
                public administration to assist the former Soviet Union 
                and Baltic states in establishing and sustaining 
                democratic institutions;
                    (B) exchanges and training that will assist the 
                former Soviet Union and Baltic states in the 
                establishment of social services programs; and
                    (C) exchanges and training in the area of political 
                science.
        It is the sense of the Congress that technical assistance and 
        training of public officials under this paragraph should be 
        conducted by American organizations that are representative of 
        elected officials.
            (2) Rule of law.--Funds made available under this paragraph 
        shall be used for legal initiatives to assist the former Soviet 
        Union and Baltic states in modifying or restructuring their 
        laws and legal systems to reflect democratic principles and be 
        compatible with a democratic society and free market 
        principles.
            (3) Agriculture and agribusiness.--Funds made available 
        under this paragraph shall be used for--
                    (A) technical assistance and training for the 
                development of market-oriented policies, agricultural 
                financial institutions and marketing systems, 
                agribusiness organization, and privatization of state 
                agricultural organizations; and
                    (B) agricultural exchanges that will allow foreign 
                farmers to come to the United States to acquire 
                agriculture skills.
            (4) Energy and environment.--Funds made available under 
        this paragraph shall be used for a comprehensive exchange and 
        training program for enhancing environmental management and 
        sustainable economic development, emphasizing the active 
        participation of local scientific expertise, nongovernmental 
        organizations, and the public, and including--
                    (A) environmental monitoring and protection,
                    (B) establishment of appropriate environmental 
                institutions and infrastructure,
                    (C) programs to enhance energy conservation and 
                efficiency, and
                    (D) nuclear safety and other appropriate 
                initiatives consistent with this paragraph.
            (5) Health and medicine.--Funds made available under this 
        paragraph shall be used for exchange and training programs that 
        will enhance medical delivery systems, assist in establishment 
        of pharmaceutical industry, and provide general medical 
        training and education.
            (6) Trade and investment.--Funds made available under this 
        paragraph shall be used to assist in the development of 
        American business centers and the expansion of the Special 
        American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program of the 
        Department of Commerce.
            (7) Leaders training.--Funds made available under this 
        paragraph shall be used for training by United States business, 
        universities, and others to build a cadre of young technocrats 
        with strong grounding in market economics principles who are 
        likely to rise to positions of responsibility in the public and 
        private sectors and influence future national development. 
        Training under this paragraph shall be targeted on the priority 
        sectoral areas of the United States technical assistance 
        program, including health, energy, environment, banking, and 
        agriculture, and educational training shall be combined with 
        on-the-job training experiences and practical internships.
    (b) Degree of English Language Proficiency.--Foreign participants 
in the programs under this section shall be sufficiently proficient in 
English to fulfill the purposes of this section.
    (c) Administrative Expenses.--The President may use up to 5 percent 
of the funds appropriated under this title for administrative expenses.
    (d) General Authority for Awarding Grants.--Training and other 
exchange programs carried out under this section shall be administered 
by the Agency for International Development or such other Government 
agency as has experience and expertise in carrying out such programs.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this 
section.

                                 <all>

HR 2542 IH----2