[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4175 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4175

To require the Secretary of Education to investigate the feasibility of 
   establishing a National Environmental Science and Policy Academy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 25, 1996

Mr. Lazio of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred 
   to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on 
Economic and Educational Opportunities, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require the Secretary of Education to investigate the feasibility of 
   establishing a National Environmental Science and Policy Academy.

    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 ``Environmental Defense Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that the Federal Government should make a 
commitment to battle the Nation's environmental problems and ensure 
that the country's leadership needs are met in the fields of 
environmental science and policy.

SEC. 3. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT.

    (a) Investigation.--The Secretary of Education shall conduct an 
investigation of the feasibility of establishment by the Federal 
Government of a National Environmental Science and Policy Academy that 
would fulfill the purposes described in subsection (c). In conducting 
such investigation, the Secretary shall--
            (1) consider the feasibility of establishing a national 
        academy for undergraduate and graduate programs in a broad 
        spectrum of environmental fields;
            (2) consider academy management, funding, and location, the 
        selection process for academy students, curriculum requirements 
        for graduation, and service requirements for academy graduates; 
        and
            (3) consult with other appropriate Federal agencies and 
        with existing national nonprofit organizations that have 
        generally recognized ethical or techinical standards (or both) 
        for environmental professionals.
    (b) Report to Congress.--Within 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit to the 
Congress a report on the results of the investigation conducted 
pursuant to subsection (a). Such report shall include--
            (1) a recommendation on the feasibility of establishing a 
        National Environmental Science and Policy Academy and the most 
        appropriate operating and management policy for that academy;
            (2) a recommendation on fields of study and degrees;
            (3) a determination of the most appropriate funding 
        mechanism for the academy, such as operational grants, private 
        endowments, or requirements for matching funds;
            (4) a recommendation on academy location, such as single 
        site, use of existing campuses, or establishment of national-
        level programs at the ``land grant'' colleges;
            (5) a recommendation on service requirements of academy 
        graduates, at Federal, State, or local levels; and
            (6) the Secretary's recommendations for legislative or 
        administrative action to achieve the establishment of a 
        National Environmental Science and Policy Academy.
    (c) Purposes of Academy.--The establishment of a National 
Environmental Science and Policy Academy should be directed at 
achieving the following purposes:
            (1) to serve as a national symbol of commitment to the 
        environment, much as West Point and other service academies 
        have done for defense; and
            (2) to provide common points of reference for environmental 
        issues.
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