[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1143 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]
In the Senate of the United States,
October 3 (legislative day, September 22), 2000.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R.
1143) entitled ``An Act to establish a program to provide assistance
for programs of credit and other financial services for
microenterprises in developing countries, and for other purposes.'', do
pass with the following
AMENDMENT:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Microenterprise for Self-Reliance
and International Anti-Corruption Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--MICROENTERPRISE FOR SELF-RELIANCE ACT OF 2000
Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Findings and declarations of policy.
Sec. 103. Purposes.
Sec. 104. Definitions.
Sec. 105. Microenterprise development grant assistance.
Sec. 106. Micro- and small enterprise development credits.
Sec. 107. United States Microfinance Loan Facility.
Sec. 108. Report relating to future development of microenterprise
institutions.
Sec. 109. United States Agency for International Development as global
leader and coordinator of bilateral and
multilateral microenterprise assistance
activities.
Sec. 110. Sense of Congress on consideration of Mexico as a key
priority in microenterprise funding
allocations.
TITLE II--INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ACT OF 2000
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 203. Development assistance policy.
Sec. 204. Department of the Treasury technical assistance program for
developing countries.
Sec. 205. Authorization of good governance programs.
TITLE III--INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2000
Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Statement of purpose.
Sec. 303. Establishment of grant program for foreign study by American
college students of limited financial
means.
Sec. 304. Report to Congress.
Sec. 305. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 306. Effective date.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. Support for Overseas Cooperative Development Act.
Sec. 402. Funding of certain environmental assistance activities of
USAID.
Sec. 403. Processing of applications for transportation of humanitarian
assistance abroad by the Department of
Defense.
Sec. 404. Working capital fund.
Sec. 405. Increase in authorized number of employees and
representatives of the United States
mission to the United Nations provided
living quarters in New York.
Sec. 406. Availability of VOA and Radio Marti multilingual computer
readable text and voice recordings.
Sec. 407. Availability of certain materials of the Voice of America.
Sec. 408. Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program Act of 2000.
TITLE I--MICROENTERPRISE FOR SELF-RELIANCE ACT OF 2000
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Microenterprise for Self-Reliance
Act of 2000''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.
Congress makes the following findings and declarations:
(1) According to the World Bank, more than 1,200,000,000
people in the developing world, or one-fifth of the world's
population, subsist on less than $1 a day.
(2) Over 32,000 of their children die each day from largely
preventable malnutrition and disease.
(3)(A) Women in poverty generally have larger work loads
and less access to educational and economic opportunities than
their male counterparts.
(B) Directly aiding the poorest of the poor, especially
women, in the developing world has a positive effect not only
on family incomes, but also on child nutrition, health and
education, as women in particular reinvest income in their
families.
(4)(A) The poor in the developing world, particularly
women, generally lack stable employment and social safety nets.
(B) Many turn to self-employment to generate a substantial
portion of their livelihood. In Africa, over 80 percent of
employment is generated in the informal sector of the self-
employed poor.
(C) These poor entrepreneurs are often trapped in poverty
because they cannot obtain credit at reasonable rates to build
their asset base or expand their otherwise viable self-
employment activities.
(D) Many of the poor are forced to pay interest rates as
high as 10 percent per day to money lenders.
(5)(A) The poor are able to expand their incomes and their
businesses dramatically when they can access loans at
reasonable interest rates.
(B) Through the development of self-sustaining microfinance
programs, poor people themselves can lead the fight against
hunger and poverty.
(6)(A) On February 2-4, 1997, a global Microcredit Summit
was held in Washington, District of Columbia, to launch a plan
to expand access to credit for self-employment and other
financial and business services to 100,000,000 of the world's
poorest families, especially the women of those families, by
2005. While this scale of outreach may not be achievable in
this short time-period, the realization of this goal could
dramatically alter the face of global poverty.
(B) With an average family size of five, achieving this
goal will mean that the benefits of microfinance will thereby
reach nearly half of the world's more than 1,000,000,000
absolute poor people.
(7)(A) Nongovernmental organizations, such as those that
comprise the Microenterprise Coalition (such as the Grameen
Bank (Bangladesh,) K-REP (Kenya), and networks such as Accion
International, the Foundation for International Community
Assistance (FINCA), and the credit union movement) are
successful in lending directly to the very poor.
(B) Microfinance institutions such as BRAC (Bangladesh),
BancoSol (Bolivia), SEWA Bank (India), and ACEP (Senegal) are
regulated financial institutions that can raise funds directly
from the local and international capital markets.
(8)(A) Microenterprise institutions not only reduce
poverty, but also reduce the dependency on foreign assistance.
(B) Interest income on the credit portfolio is used to pay
recurring institutional costs, assuring the long-term
sustainability of development assistance.
(9) Microfinance institutions leverage foreign assistance
resources because loans are recycled, generating new benefits
to program participants.
(10)(A) The development of sustainable microfinance
institutions that provide credit and training, and mobilize
domestic savings, is a critical component to a global strategy
of poverty reduction and broad-based economic development.
(B) In the efforts of the United States to lead the
development of a new global financial architecture,
microenterprise should play a vital role. The recent shocks to
international financial markets demonstrate how the financial
sector can shape the destiny of nations. Microfinance can serve
as a powerful tool for building a more inclusive financial
sector which serves the broad majority of the world's
population including the very poor and women and thus generate
more social stability and prosperity.
(C) Over the last two decades, the United States has been a
global leader in promoting the global microenterprise sector,
primarily through its development assistance programs at the
United States Agency for International Development.
Additionally, the Department of the Treasury and the Department
of State have used their authority to promote microenterprise
in the development programs of international financial
institutions and the United Nations.
(11)(A) In 1994, the United States Agency for International
Development launched the ``Microenterprise Initiative'' in
partnership with the Congress.
(B) The initiative committed to expanding funding for the
microenterprise programs of the Agency, and set a goal that, by
the end of fiscal year 1996, one-half of all microenterprise
resources would support programs and institutions that provide
credit to the poorest, with loans under $300.
(C) In order to achieve the goal of the microcredit summit,
increased investment in microfinance institutions serving the
poorest will be critical.
(12) Providing the United States share of the global
investment needed to achieve the goal of the microcredit summit
will require only a small increase in United States funding for
international microcredit programs, with an increased focus on
institutions serving the poorest.
(13)(A) In order to reach tens of millions of the poorest
with microcredit, it is crucial to expand and replicate
successful microfinance institutions.
(B) These institutions need assistance in developing their
institutional capacity to expand their services and tap
commercial sources of capital.
(14) Nongovernmental organizations have demonstrated
competence in developing networks of local microfinance
institutions and other assistance delivery mechanisms so that
they reach large numbers of the very poor, and achieve
financial sustainability.
(15) Recognizing that the United States Agency for
International Development has developed very effective
partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, and that the
Agency will have fewer missions overseas to carry out its work,
the Agency should place priority on investing in those
nongovernmental network institutions that meet performance
criteria through the central funding mechanisms of the Agency.
(16) By expanding and replicating successful microfinance
institutions, it should be possible to create a global
infrastructure to provide financial services to the world's
poorest families.
(17)(A) The United States can provide leadership to other
bilateral and multilateral development agencies as such
agencies expand their support to the microenterprise sector.
(B) The United States should seek to improve coordination
among G-7 countries in the support of the microenterprise
sector in order to leverage the investment of the United States
with that of other donor nations.
(18) Through increased support for microenterprise,
especially credit for the poorest, the United States can
continue to play a leadership role in the global effort to
expand financial services and opportunity to 100,000,000 of the
poorest families on the planet.
SEC. 103. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this title are--
(1) to make microenterprise development an important
element of United States foreign economic policy and
assistance;
(2) to provide for the continuation and expansion of the
commitment of the United States Agency for International
Development to the development of microenterprise institutions
as outlined in its 1994 Microenterprise Initiative;
(3) to support and develop the capacity of United States
and indigenous nongovernmental organization intermediaries to
provide credit, savings, training, technical assistance, and
business development services to microentrepreneurs;
(4) to emphasize financial services and substantially
increase the amount of assistance devoted to both financial
services and complementary business development services
designed to reach the poorest people in developing countries,
particularly women; and
(5) to encourage the United States Agency for International
Development to coordinate microfinance policy, in consultation
with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of
State, and to provide global leadership among bilateral and
multilateral donors in promoting microenterprise for the
poorest of the poor.
SEC. 104. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Business development services.--The term ``business
development services'' means support for the growth of
microenterprises through training, technical assistance,
marketing assistance, improved production technologies, and
other services.
(2) Microenterprise institution.--The term
``microenterprise institution'' means an institution that
provides services, including microfinance, training, or
business development services, for microentrepreneurs.
(3) Microfinance institution.--The term ``microfinance
institution'' means an institution that directly provides, or
works to expand, the availability of credit, savings, and other
financial services to microentrepreneurs.
(4) Practitioner institution.--The term ``practitioner
institution'' means any institution that provides services,
including microfinance, training, or business development
services, for microentrepreneurs, or provides assistance to
microenterprise institutions.
SEC. 105. MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GRANT ASSISTANCE.
Chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 131. MICROENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT GRANT ASSISTANCE.
``(a) Findings and Policy.--Congress finds and declares that--
``(1) the development of microenterprise is a vital factor
in the stable growth of developing countries and in the
development of free, open, and equitable international economic
systems;
``(2) it is therefore in the best interest of the United
States to assist the development of microenterprises in
developing countries; and
``(3) the support of microenterprise can be served by
programs providing credit, savings, training, technical
assistance, and business development services.
``(b) Authorization.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out this part, the President
is authorized to provide grant assistance for programs to
increase the availability of credit and other services to
microenterprises lacking full access to capital training,
technical assistance, and business development services,
through--
``(A) grants to microfinance institutions for the
purpose of expanding the availability of credit,
savings, and other financial services to
microentrepreneurs;
``(B) grants to microenterprise institutions for
the purpose of training, technical assistance, and
business development services for microenterprises to
enable them to make better use of credit, to better
manage their enterprises, and to increase their income
and build their assets;
``(C) capacity-building for microenterprise
institutions in order to enable them to better meet the
credit and training needs of microentrepreneurs; and
``(D) policy and regulatory programs at the country
level that improve the environment for
microentrepreneurs and microenterprise institutions
that serve the poor and very poor.
``(2) Implementation.--Assistance authorized under
paragraph (1) (A) and (B) shall be provided through
organizations that have a capacity to develop and implement
microenterprise programs, including particularly--
``(A) United States and indigenous private and
voluntary organizations;
``(B) United States and indigenous credit unions
and cooperative organizations; or
``(C) other indigenous governmental and
nongovernmental organizations.
``(3) Targeted assistance.--In carrying out sustainable
poverty-focused programs under paragraph (1), 50 percent of all
microenterprise resources shall be targeted to very poor
entrepreneurs, defined as those living in the bottom 50 percent
below the poverty line as established by the national
government of the country. Specifically, such resources shall
be used for--
``(A) direct support of programs under this
subsection through practitioner institutions that--
``(i) provide credit and other financial
services to entrepreneurs who are very poor,
with loans in 1995 United States dollars of--
``(I) $1,000 or less in the Europe
and Eurasia region;
``(II) $400 or less in the Latin
America region; and
``(III) $300 or less in the rest of
the world; and
``(ii) can cover their costs in a
reasonable time period; or
``(B) demand-driven business development programs
that achieve reasonable cost recovery that are provided
to clients holding poverty loans (as defined by the
regional poverty loan limitations in subparagraph
(A)(i)), whether they are provided by microfinance
institutions or by specialized business development
services providers.
``(4) Support for central mechanisms.--The President should
continue support for central mechanisms and missions, as
appropriate, that--
``(A) provide technical support for field missions;
``(B) strengthen the institutional development of
the intermediary organizations described in paragraph
(2);
``(C) share information relating to the provision
of assistance authorized under paragraph (1) between
such field missions and intermediary organizations; and
``(D) support the development of nonprofit global
microfinance networks, including credit union systems,
that--
``(i) are able to deliver very small loans
through a significant grassroots infrastructure
based on market principles; and
``(ii) act as wholesale intermediaries
providing a range of services to microfinance
retail institutions, including financing,
technical assistance, capacity-building, and
safety and soundness accreditation.
``(5) Limitation.--Assistance provided under this
subsection may only be used to support microenterprise programs
and may not be used to support programs not directly related to
the purposes described in paragraph (1).
``(c) Monitoring System.--In order to maximize the sustainable
development impact of the assistance authorized under subsection
(b)(1), the Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for
administering this part shall establish a monitoring system that--
``(1) establishes performance goals for such assistance and
expresses such goals in an objective and quantifiable form, to
the extent feasible;
``(2) establishes performance indicators to be used in
measuring or assessing the achievement of the goals and
objectives of such assistance;
``(3) provides a basis for recommendations for adjustments
to such assistance to enhance the sustainable development
impact of such assistance, particularly the impact of such
assistance on the very poor, particularly poor women; and
``(4) provides a basis for recommendations for adjustments
to measures for reaching the poorest of the poor, including
proposed legislation containing amendments to enhance the
sustainable development impact of such assistance, as described
in paragraph (3).
``(d) Level of Assistance.--Of the funds made available under this
part, the FREEDOM Support Act, and the Support for East European
Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989, including local currencies derived from
such funds, there are authorized to be available $155,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2001 and 2002, to carry out this section.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Business development services.--The term `business
development services' means support for the growth of
microenterprises through training, technical assistance,
marketing assistance, improved production technologies, and
other services.
``(2) Microenterprise institution.--The term
`microenterprise institution' means an institution that
provides services, including microfinance, training, or
business development services, for microentrepreneurs.
``(3) Microfinance institution.--The term `microfinance
institution' means an institution that directly provides, or
works to expand, the availability of credit, savings, and other
financial services to microentrepreneurs.
``(4) Practitioner institution.--The term `practitioner
institution' means any institution that provides services,
including microfinance, training, or business development
services, for microentrepreneurs, or provides assistance to
microenterprise institutions.''.
SEC. 106. MICRO- AND SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CREDITS.
Section 108 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151f)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 108. MICRO- AND SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CREDITS.
``(a) Findings and Policy.--Congress finds and declares that--
``(1) the development of micro- and small enterprises is a
vital factor in the stable growth of developing countries and
in the development and stability of a free, open, and equitable
international economic system; and
``(2) it is, therefore, in the best interests of the United
States to assist the development of the enterprises of the poor
in developing countries and to engage the United States private
sector in that process.
``(b) Program.--To carry out the policy set forth in subsection
(a), the President is authorized to provide assistance to increase the
availability of credit to micro- and small enterprises lacking full
access to credit, including through--
``(1) loans and guarantees to credit institutions for the
purpose of expanding the availability of credit to micro- and
small enterprises;
``(2) training programs for lenders in order to enable them
to better meet the credit needs of microentrepreneurs; and
``(3) training programs for microentrepreneurs in order to
enable them to make better use of credit and to better manage
their enterprises.
``(c) Eligibility Criteria.--The Administrator of the agency
primarily responsible for administering this part shall establish
criteria for determining which credit institutions described in
subsection (b)(1) are eligible to carry out activities, with respect to
micro- and small enterprises, assisted under this section. Such
criteria may include the following:
``(1) The extent to which the recipients of credit from the
entity do not have access to the local formal financial sector.
``(2) The extent to which the recipients of credit from the
entity are among the poorest people in the country.
``(3) The extent to which the entity is oriented toward
working directly with poor women.
``(4) The extent to which the entity recovers its cost of
lending.
``(5) The extent to which the entity implements a plan to
become financially sustainable.
``(d) Additional Requirement.--Assistance provided under this
section may only be used to support micro- and small enterprise
programs and may not be used to support programs not directly related
to the purposes described in subsection (b).
``(e) Procurement provision.--Assistance may be provided under this
section without regard to section 604(a).
``(f) Availability of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Of the amounts authorized to be
available to carry out section 131, there are authorized to be
available $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002 to
carry out this section.
``(2) Coverage of subsidy costs.--Amounts authorized to be
available under paragraph (1) shall be made available to cover
the subsidy cost, as defined in section 502(5) of the Federal
Credit Reform Act of 1990, for activities under this
section.''.
SEC. 107. UNITED STATES MICROFINANCE LOAN FACILITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), as amended by section 105 of this
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 132. UNITED STATES MICROFINANCE LOAN FACILITY.
``(a) Establishment.--The Administrator is authorized to establish
a United States Microfinance Loan Facility (in this section referred to
as the `Facility') to pool and manage the risk from natural disasters,
war or civil conflict, national financial crisis, or short-term
financial movements that threaten the long-term development of United
States-supported microfinance institutions.
``(b) Disbursements.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall make
disbursements from the Facility to United States-supported
microfinance institutions to prevent the bankruptcy of such
institutions caused by--
``(A) natural disasters;
``(B) national wars or civil conflict; or
``(C) national financial crisis or other short-term
financial movements that threaten the long-term
development of United States-supported microfinance
institutions.
``(2) Form of assistance.--Assistance under this section
shall be in the form of loans or loan guarantees for
microfinance institutions that demonstrate the capacity to
resume self-sustained operations within a reasonable time
period.
``(3) Congressional notification procedures.--During each
of the fiscal years 2001 and 2002, funds may not be made
available from the Facility until 15 days after notification of
the proposed availability of the funds has been provided to the
congressional committees specified in section 634A in
accordance with the procedures applicable to reprogramming
notifications under that section.
``(c) General Provisions.--
``(1) Policy provisions.--In providing the credit
assistance authorized by this section, the Administrator should
apply, as appropriate, the policy provisions in this part that
are applicable to development assistance activities.
``(2) Default and procurement provisions.--
``(A) Default provision.--The provisions of section
620(q), or any comparable provision of law, shall not
be construed to prohibit assistance to a country in the
event that a private sector recipient of assistance
furnished under this section is in default in its
payment to the United States for the period specified
in such section.
``(B) Procurement provision.--Assistance may be
provided under this section without regard to section
604(a).
``(3) Terms and conditions of credit assistance.--
``(A) In general.--Credit assistance provided under
this section shall be offered on such terms and
conditions, including fees charged, as the
Administrator may determine.
``(B) Limitation on principal amount of
financing.--The principal amount of loans made or
guaranteed under this section in any fiscal year, with
respect to any single event, may not exceed
$30,000,000.
``(C) Exception.--No payment may be made under any
guarantee issued under this section for any loss
arising out of fraud or misrepresentation for which the
party seeking payment is responsible.
``(4) Full faith and credit.--All guarantees issued under
this section shall constitute obligations, in accordance with
the terms of such guarantees, of the United States of America,
and the full faith and credit of the United States of America
is hereby pledged for the full payment and performance of such
obligations to the extent of the guarantee.
``(d) Funding.--
``(1) Allocation of funds.--Of the amounts made available
to carry out this part for the fiscal year 2001, up to
$5,000,000 may be made available for--
``(A) the subsidy cost, as defined in section
502(5) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, to
carry out this section; and
``(B) the administrative costs to carry out this
section.
``(2) Relation to other funding.--Amounts made available
under paragraph (1) are in addition to amounts available under
any other provision of law to carry out this section.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of the agency primarily responsible for
administering this part.
``(2) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
`appropriate congressional committees' means the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on
International Relations of the House of Representatives.
``(3) United states-supported microfinance institution.--
The term `United States-supported microfinance institution'
means a financial intermediary that has received funds made
available under part I of this Act for fiscal year 1980 or any
subsequent fiscal year.''.
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development shall submit to the Committee on Foreign
Relations of the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of
the House of Representatives a report on the policies, rules, and
regulations of the United States Microfinance Loan Facility established
under section 132 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as added by
subsection (a).
SEC. 108. REPORT RELATING TO FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF MICROENTERPRISE
INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the most cost-effective methods
and measurements for increasing the access of poor people overseas to
credit, other financial services, and related training.
(b) Contents.--The report described in subsection (a)--
(1) shall include how the President, in consultation with
the Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of the
Treasury, will develop a comprehensive strategy for advancing
the global microenterprise sector in a way that maintains
market principles while ensuring that the very poor overseas,
particularly women, obtain access to financial services
overseas;
(2) shall provide guidelines and recommendations for--
(A) instruments to assist microenterprise networks
to develop multi-country and regional microlending
programs;
(B) technical assistance to foreign governments,
foreign central banks, and regulatory entities to
improve the policy environment for microfinance
institutions, and to strengthen the capacity of
supervisory bodies to supervise microfinance
institutions;
(C) the potential for Federal chartering of United
States-based international microfinance network
institutions, including proposed legislation;
(D) instruments to increase investor confidence in
microfinance institutions which would strengthen the
long-term financial position of the microfinance
institutions and attract capital from private sector
entities and individuals, such as a rating system for
microfinance institutions and local credit bureaus;
(E) an agenda for integrating microfinance into
United States foreign policy initiatives seeking to
develop and strengthen the global finance sector; and
(F) innovative instruments to attract funds from
the capital markets, such as instruments for leveraging
funds from the local commercial banking sector, and the
securitization of microloan portfolios; and
(3) shall include a section that assesses the need for a
microenterprise accelerated growth fund and that includes--
(A) a description of the benefits of such a fund;
(B) an identification of which microenterprise
institutions might become eligible for assistance from
such fund;
(C) a description of how such a fund could be
administered;
(D) a recommendation on which agency or agencies of
the United States Government should administer the fund
and within which such agency the fund should be
located; and
(E) a recommendation on how soon it might be
necessary to establish such a fund in order to provide
the support necessary for microenterprise institutions
involved in microenterprise development.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee
on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.
SEC. 109. UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AS GLOBAL
LEADER AND COORDINATOR OF BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL
MICROENTERPRISE ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES.
(a) Findings and Policy.--Congress finds and declares that--
(1) the United States can provide leadership to other
bilateral and multilateral development agencies as such
agencies expand their support to the microenterprise sector;
and
(2) the United States should seek to improve coordination
among G-7 countries in the support of the microenterprise
sector in order to leverage the investment of the United States
with that of other donor nations.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development and the Secretary of State should
seek to support and strengthen the effectiveness of
microfinance activities in United Nations agencies, such as the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which have provided
key leadership in developing the microenterprise sector; and
(2) the Secretary of the Treasury should instruct each
United States Executive Director of the multilateral
development banks (MDBs) to advocate the development of a
coherent and coordinated strategy to support the
microenterprise sector and an increase of multilateral resource
flows for the purposes of building microenterprise retail and
wholesale intermediaries.
SEC. 110. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CONSIDERATION OF MEXICO AS A KEY
PRIORITY IN MICROENTERPRISE FUNDING ALLOCATIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) An estimated 45,000,000 of Mexico's 100,000,000
population currently lives below the poverty line, accounting
for 20 percent of all poor in Latin America.
(2) Mexico cannot create enough salaried jobs to absorb new
workers entering the labor force.
(3) While many poor families depend on microenterprise
initiatives to generate a livelihood, the United States Agency
for International Development currently has 2 microcredit
projects in Mexico, receiving less than one percent of overall
microenterprise funding in Latin America and the Caribbean
during the last decade.
(4) Mexico's microenterprise activity has been constrained
because its financial institutions cannot expand financial
services to a larger clientele due to a lack of capital,
inefficient financial and administrative management, and a lack
of institutional support for microfinance institutions'
particular needs.
(5) Mexican nongovernmental organizations, such as
Compartamos, have demonstrated competence in developing local
microfinance programs.
(6) On July 2, 2000, Vicente Fox Quesada of the Alliance
for Change was elected President of the United Mexican States.
(7) The President-elect of Mexico has identified
entrepreneurship and the start-up of new microcredit
institutions as key economic priorities.
(8) Microenterprise and entrepreneurial initiatives have
proven to be successful components of free market development
and economic stability.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) providing Mexico's poor with economic opportunity and
microfinance services is fundamental to Mexico's economic
development;
(2) microenterprise can have a positive impact on Mexico's
free market development; and
(3) the United States Agency for International Development
should consider Mexico as a key priority in its microenterprise
funding allocations.
TITLE II--INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE ACT OF 2000
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``International Anti-Corruption and
Good Governance Act of 2000''.
SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Widespread corruption endangers the stability and
security of societies, undermines democracy, and jeopardizes
the social, political, and economic development of a society.
(2) Corruption facilitates criminal activities, such as
money laundering, hinders economic development, inflates the
costs of doing business, and undermines the legitimacy of the
government and public trust.
(3) In January 1997 the United Nations General Assembly
adopted a resolution urging member states to carefully consider
the problems posed by the international aspects of corrupt
practices and to study appropriate legislative and regulatory
measures to ensure the transparency and integrity of financial
systems.
(4) The United States was the first country to criminalize
international bribery through the enactment of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and United States leadership was
instrumental in the passage of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) Convention on Combatting
Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business
Transactions.
(5) The Vice President, at the Global Forum on Fighting
Corruption in 1999, declared corruption to be a direct threat
to the rule of law and the Secretary of State declared
corruption to be a matter of profound political and social
consequence for our efforts to strengthen democratic
governments.
(6) The Secretary of State, at the Inter-American
Development Bank's annual meeting in March 2000, declared that
despite certain economic achievements, democracy is being
threatened as citizens grow weary of the corruption and
favoritism of their official institutions and that efforts must
be made to improve governance if respect for democratic
institutions is to be regained.
(7) In May 1996 the Organization of American States (OAS)
adopted the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption
requiring countries to provide various forms of international
cooperation and assistance to facilitate the prevention,
investigation, and prosecution of acts of corruption.
(8) Independent media, committed to fighting corruption and
trained in investigative journalism techniques, can both
educate the public on the costs of corruption and act as a
deterrent against corrupt officials.
(9) Competent and independent judiciary, founded on a
merit-based selection process and trained to enforce contracts
and protect property rights, is critical for creating a
predictable and consistent environment for transparency in
legal procedures.
(10) Independent and accountable legislatures, responsive
political parties, and transparent electoral processes, in
conjunction with professional, accountable, and transparent
financial management and procurement policies and procedures,
are essential to the promotion of good governance and to the
combat of corruption.
(11) Transparent business frameworks, including modern
commercial codes and intellectual property rights, are vital to
enhancing economic growth and decreasing corruption at all
levels of society.
(12) The United States should attempt to improve
accountability in foreign countries, including by--
(A) promoting transparency and accountability
through support for independent media, promoting
financial disclosure by public officials, political
parties, and candidates for public office, open
budgeting processes, adequate and effective internal
control systems, suitable financial management systems,
and financial and compliance reporting;
(B) supporting the establishment of audit offices,
inspectors general offices, third party monitoring of
government procurement processes, and anti-corruption
agencies;
(C) promoting responsive, transparent, and
accountable legislatures that ensure legislative
oversight and whistle-blower protection;
(D) promoting judicial reforms that criminalize
corruption and promoting law enforcement that
prosecutes corruption;
(E) fostering business practices that promote
transparent, ethical, and competitive behavior in the
private sector through the development of an effective
legal framework for commerce, including anti-bribery
laws, commercial codes that incorporate international
standards for business practices, and protection of
intellectual property rights; and
(F) promoting free and fair national, state, and
local elections.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this title is to ensure that United
States assistance programs promote good governance by assisting other
countries to combat corruption throughout society and to improve
transparency and accountability at all levels of government and
throughout the private sector.
SEC. 203. DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE POLICY.
(a) General Policy.--Section 101(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151(a)) is amended in the fifth sentence--
(1) by striking ``four'' and inserting ``five'';
(2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) the promotion of good governance through combating
corruption and improving transparency and accountability.''.
(b) Development Assistance Policy.--Section 102(b) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151-1(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(E);
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) progress in combating corruption and
improving transparency and accountability in the public
and private sector.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(17) Economic reform and development of effective
institutions of democratic governance are mutually reinforcing.
The successful transition of a developing country is dependent
upon the quality of its economic and governance institutions.
Rule of law, mechanisms of accountability and transparency,
security of person, property, and investments, are but a few of
the critical governance and economic reforms that underpin the
sustainability of broad-based economic growth. Programs in
support of such reforms strengthen the capacity of people to
hold their governments accountable and to create economic
opportunity.''.
SEC. 204. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
Section 129(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
2151aa(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Emphasis on anti-corruption.--Such technical
assistance shall include elements designed to combat anti-
competitive, unethical, and corrupt activities, including
protection against actions that may distort or inhibit
transparency in market mechanisms and, to the extent
applicable, privatization procedures.''.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF GOOD GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.), as amended by sections 105 and 107,
is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 133. PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE GOOD GOVERNANCE.
``(a) Establishment of Programs.--
``(1) In general.--The President is authorized to establish
programs that combat corruption, improve transparency and
accountability, and promote other forms of good governance in
countries described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Countries described.--A country described in this
paragraph is a country that is eligible to receive assistance
under this part (including chapter 4 of part II of this Act) or
the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989.
``(3) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
President shall give priority to establishing programs in
countries that received a significant amount of United States
foreign assistance for the prior fiscal year, or in which the
United States has a significant economic interest, and that
continue to have the most persistent problems with public and
private corruption. In determining which countries have the
most persistent problems with public and private corruption
under the preceding sentence, the President shall take into
account criteria such as the Transparency International Annual
Corruption Perceptions Index, standards and codes set forth by
the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and
the International Monetary Fund, and other relevant criteria.
``(4) Relation to other laws.--
``(A) In general.--Assistance provided for
countries under programs established pursuant to
paragraph (1) may be made available notwithstanding any
other provision of law that restricts assistance to
foreign countries. Assistance provided under a program
established pursuant to paragraph (1) for a country
that would otherwise be restricted from receiving such
assistance but for the preceding sentence may not be
provided directly to the government of the country.
``(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) does not apply
with respect to--
``(i) section 620A of this Act or any
comparable provision of law prohibiting
assistance to countries that support
international terrorism; or
``(ii) section 907 of the Freedom for
Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and
Open Markets Support Act of 1992.
``(b) Specific Projects and Activities.--The programs established
pursuant to subsection (a) shall include, to the extent appropriate,
projects and activities that--
``(1) support responsible independent media to promote
oversight of public and private institutions;
``(2) implement financial disclosure among public
officials, political parties, and candidates for public office,
open budgeting processes, and transparent financial management
systems;
``(3) support the establishment of audit offices,
inspectors general offices, third party monitoring of
government procurement processes, and anti-corruption agencies;
``(4) promote responsive, transparent, and accountable
legislatures and local governments that ensure legislative and
local oversight and whistle-blower protection;
``(5) promote legal and judicial reforms that criminalize
corruption and law enforcement reforms and development that
encourage prosecutions of criminal corruption;
``(6) assist in the development of a legal framework for
commercial transactions that fosters business practices that
promote transparent, ethical, and competitive behavior in the
economic sector, such as commercial codes that incorporate
international standards and protection of intellectual property
rights;
``(7) promote free and fair national, state, and local
elections;
``(8) foster public participation in the legislative
process and public access to government information; and
``(9) engage civil society in the fight against corruption.
``(c) Conduct of Projects and Activities.--Projects and activities
under the programs established pursuant to subsection (a) may include,
among other things, training and technical assistance (including
drafting of anti-corruption, privatization, and competitive statutory
and administrative codes), drafting of anti-corruption, privatization,
and competitive statutory and administrative codes, support for
independent media and publications, financing of the program and
operating costs of nongovernmental organizations that carry out such
projects or activities, and assistance for travel of individuals to the
United States and other countries for such projects and activities.
``(d) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce and the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, shall
prepare and transmit to the Committee on International
Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate an annual report on--
``(A) projects and activities carried out under
programs established under subsection (a) for the prior
year in priority countries identified pursuant to
subsection (a)(3); and
``(B) projects and activities carried out under
programs to combat corruption, improve transparency and
accountability, and promote other forms of good
governance established under other provisions of law
for the prior year in such countries.
``(2) Required contents.--The report required by paragraph
(1) shall contain the following information with respect to
each country described in paragraph (1):
``(A) A description of all United States
Government-funded programs and initiatives to combat
corruption and improve transparency and accountability
in the country.
``(B) A description of United States diplomatic
efforts to combat corruption and improve transparency
and accountability in the country.
``(C) An analysis of major actions taken by the
government of the country to combat corruption and
improve transparency and accountability in the country.
``(e) Funding.--Amounts made available to carry out the other
provisions of this part (including chapter 4 of part II of this Act)
and the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989 shall be
made available to carry out this section.''.
(b) Deadline for Initial Report.--The initial annual report
required by section 133(d)(1) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as
added by subsection (a), shall be transmitted not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2000
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``International Academic Opportunity
Act of 2000''.
SEC. 302. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this title to establish an undergraduate grant
program for students of limited financial means from the United States
to enable such students to study abroad. Such foreign study is intended
to broaden the outlook and better prepare such students of demonstrated
financial need to assume significant roles in the increasingly global
economy.
SEC. 303. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN STUDY BY AMERICAN
COLLEGE STUDENTS OF LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS.
(a) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of appropriations
and under the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural
Exchange Act of 1961, the Secretary of State shall establish and carry
out a program in each fiscal year to award grants of up to $5,000, to
individuals who meet the requirements of subsection (b), toward the
cost of up to one academic year of undergraduate study abroad. Grants
under this Act shall be known as the ``Benjamin A. Gilman International
Scholarships''.
(b) Eligibility.--An individual referred to in subsection (a) is an
individual who--
(1) is a student in good standing at an institution of
higher education in the United States (as defined in section
101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965);
(2) has been accepted for up to one academic year of study
on a program of study abroad approved for credit by the
student's home institution;
(3) is receiving any need-based student assistance under
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965; and
(4) is a citizen or national of the United States.
(c) Application and Selection.--
(1) Grant application and selection shall be carried out
through accredited institutions of higher education in the
United States or a combination of such institutions under such
procedures as are established by the Secretary of State.
(2) In considering applications for grants under this
section--
(A) consideration of financial need shall include
the increased costs of study abroad; and
(B) priority consideration shall be given to
applicants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants under
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
SEC. 304. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
The Secretary of State shall report annually to the Congress
concerning the grant program established under this title. Each such
report shall include the following information for the preceding year:
(1) The number of participants.
(2) The institutions of higher education in the United
States that participants attended.
(3) The institutions of higher education outside the United
States participants attended during their study abroad.
(4) The areas of study of participants.
SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 for each fiscal
year to carry out this title.
SEC. 306. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title shall take effect October 1, 2000.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 401. SUPPORT FOR OVERSEAS COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT ACT.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Support for
Overseas Cooperative Development Act''.
(b) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) It is in the mutual economic interest of the United
States and peoples in developing and transitional countries to
promote cooperatives and credit unions.
(2) Self-help institutions, including cooperatives and
credit unions, provide enhanced opportunities for people to
participate directly in democratic decision-making for their
economic and social benefit through ownership and control of
business enterprises and through the mobilization of local
capital and savings and such organizations should be fully
utilized in fostering free market principles and the adoption
of self-help approaches to development.
(3) The United States seeks to encourage broad-based
economic and social development by creating and supporting--
(A) agricultural cooperatives that provide a means
to lift low income farmers and rural people out of
poverty and to better integrate them into national
economies;
(B) credit union networks that serve people of
limited means through safe savings and by extending
credit to families and microenterprises;
(C) electric and telephone cooperatives that
provide rural customers with power and
telecommunications services essential to economic
development;
(D) housing and community-based cooperatives that
provide low income shelter and work opportunities for
the urban poor; and
(E) mutual and cooperative insurance companies that
provide risk protection for life and property to under-
served populations often through group policies.
(c) General Provisions.--
(1) Declarations of policy.--The Congress supports the
development and expansion of economic assistance programs that
fully utilize cooperatives and credit unions, particularly
those programs committed to--
(A) international cooperative principles,
democratic governance and involvement of women and
ethnic minorities for economic and social development;
(B) self-help mobilization of member savings and
equity and retention of profits in the community,
except for those programs that are dependent on donor
financing;
(C) market-oriented and value-added activities with
the potential to reach large numbers of low income
people and help them enter into the mainstream economy;
(D) strengthening the participation of rural and
urban poor to contribute to their country's economic
development; and
(E) utilization of technical assistance and
training to better serve the member-owners.
(2) Development priorities.--Section 111 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151i) is amended by adding
at the end the following: ``In meeting the requirement of the
preceding sentence, specific priority shall be given to the
following:
``(1) Agriculture.--Technical assistance to low income
farmers who form and develop member-owned cooperatives for farm
supplies, marketing and value-added processing.
``(2) Financial systems.--The promotion of national credit
union systems through credit union-to-credit union technical
assistance that strengthens the ability of low income people
and micro-entrepreneurs to save and to have access to credit
for their own economic advancement.
``(3) Infrastructure.--The support of rural electric and
telecommunication cooperatives for access for rural people and
villages that lack reliable electric and telecommunications
services.
``(4) Housing and community services.--The promotion of
community-based cooperatives which provide employment
opportunities and important services such as health clinics,
self-help shelter, environmental improvements, group-owned
businesses, and other activities.''.
(d) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, in consultation with the heads of other
appropriate agencies, shall prepare and submit to Congress a report on
the implementation of section 111 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2151i), as amended by subsection (c).
SEC. 402. FUNDING OF CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES OF
USAID.
(a) Allocation of Funds for Certain Environmental Activities.--Of
the amounts authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year 2001 to
carry out chapter 1 of part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2151 et seq.; relating to development assistance), there is
authorized to be available at least $60,200,000 to carry out activities
of the type carried out by the Global Environment Center of the United
States Agency for International Development during fiscal year 2000.
(b) Allocation for Water and Coastal Resources.--Of the amounts
made available under subsection (a), at least $2,500,000 shall be
available for water and coastal resources activities under the natural
resources management function specified in that subsection.
SEC. 403. PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE ABROAD BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.
(a) Priority for Disaster Relief Assistance.--In processing
applications for the transportation of humanitarian assistance abroad
under section 402 of title 10, United States Code, the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development shall afford a
priority to applications for the transportation of disaster relief
assistance.
(b) Modification of Applications.--The Administrator of the United
States Agency for International Development shall take all possible
actions to assist applicants for the transportation of humanitarian
assistance abroad under such section 402 in modifying or completing
applications submitted under such section in order to meet applicable
requirements under such section. The actions shall include efforts to
contact such applicants for purposes of the modification or completion
of such applications.
SEC. 404. WORKING CAPITAL FUND.
Section 635 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2395)
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(m)(1) There is established a working capital fund (in this
subsection referred to as the `fund') for the United States Agency for
International Development (in this subsection referred to as the
`Agency') which shall be available without fiscal year limitation for
the expenses of personal and nonpersonal services, equipment, and
supplies for--
``(A) International Cooperative Administrative Support
Services; and
``(B) rebates from the use of United States Government
credit cards.
``(2) The capital of the fund shall consist of--
``(A) the fair and reasonable value of such supplies,
equipment, and other assets pertaining to the functions of the
fund as the Administrator determines,
``(B) rebates from the use of United States Government
credit cards, and
``(C) any appropriations made available for the purpose of
providing capital,
minus related liabilities.
``(3) The fund shall be reimbursed or credited with advance
payments for services, equipment, or supplies provided from the fund
from applicable appropriations and funds of the Agency, other Federal
agencies and other sources authorized by section 607 at rates that will
recover total expenses of operation, including accrual of annual leave
and depreciation. Receipts from the disposal of, or payments for the
loss or damage to, property held in the fund, rebates, reimbursements,
refunds and other credits applicable to the operation of the fund may
be deposited in the fund.
``(4) At the close of each fiscal year the Administrator of the
Agency shall transfer out of the fund to the miscellaneous receipts
account of the Treasury of the United States such amounts as the
Administrator determines to be in excess of the needs of the fund.
``(5) The fund may be charged with the current value of supplies
and equipment returned to the working capital of the fund by a post,
activity, or agency, and the proceeds shall he credited to current
applicable appropriations.''.
SEC. 405. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE
UNITED NATIONS PROVIDED LIVING QUARTERS IN NEW YORK.
Section 9(2) of the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (22
U.S.C. 287e-1(2)) is amended by striking ``18'' and inserting ``30''.
SEC. 406. AVAILABILITY OF VOA AND RADIO MARTI MULTILINGUAL COMPUTER
READABLE TEXT AND VOICE RECORDINGS.
Section 1(b) of Public Law 104-269 (110 Stat. 3300) is amended by
striking ``5 years'' and inserting ``10 years''.
SEC. 407. AVAILABILITY OF CERTAIN MATERIALS OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA.
(a) Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the provisions of this section,
the Broadcasting Board of Governors (in this section referred
to as the ``Board'') is authorized to make available to the
Institute for Media Development (in this section referred to as
the ``Institute''), at the request of the Institute, previously
broadcast audio and video materials produced by the Africa
Division of the Voice of America.
(2) Deposit of materials.--Upon the request of the
Institute and the approval of the Board, materials made
available under paragraph (1) may be deposited with the
University of California, Los Angeles, or such other
appropriate institution of higher education (as defined in
section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001(a)) that is approved by the Board for such purpose.
(3) Supersedes existing law.--Materials made available
under paragraph (1) may be provided notwithstanding section 501
of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act
of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1461) and section 208 of the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1986 and 1987 (22
U.S.C. 1461-1a).
(b) Limitations.--
(1) Authorized purposes.--Materials made available under
this section shall be used only for academic and research
purposes and may not be used for public or commercial broadcast
purposes.
(2) Prior agreement required.--Before making available
materials under subsection (a)(1), the Board shall enter into
an agreement with the Institute providing for--
(A) reimbursement of the Board for any expenses
involved in making such materials available;
(B) the establishment of guidelines by the
Institute for the archiving and use of the materials to
ensure that copyrighted works contained in those
materials will not be used in a manner that would
violate the copyright laws of the United States
(including international copyright conventions to which
the United States is a party);
(C) the indemnification of the United States by the
Institute in the event that any use of the materials
results in violation of the copyright laws of the
United States (including international copyright
conventions to which the United States is a party);
(D) the authority of the Board to terminate the
agreement if the provisions of paragraph (1) are
violated; and
(E) any other terms and conditions relating to the
materials that the Board considers appropriate.
(c) Crediting of Reimbursements to Board Appropriations Account.--
Any reimbursement of the Board under subsection (b) shall be deposited
as an offsetting collection to the currently applicable appropriation
account of the Board.
(d) Termination of Authority.--The authority provided under this
section shall cease to have effect on the date that is 5 years after
the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 408. PAUL D. COVERDELL FELLOWS PROGRAM ACT OF 2000.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Paul D.
Coverdell Fellows Program Act of 2000''.
(b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Paul D. Coverdell was elected to the George State
Senate in 1970 and later became Minority Leader of the Georgia
State Senate, a post he held for 15 years.
(2) Paul D. Coverdell served with distinction as the 11th
Director of the Peace Corps from 1989 to 1991, where he
promoted a fellowship program that was composed of returning
Peace Corps volunteers who agreed to work in underserved
American communities while they pursued educational degrees.
(3) Paul D. Coverdell served in the United States Senate
from the State of Georgia from 1993 until his sudden death on
July 18, 2000.
(4) Senator Paul D. Coverdell was beloved by his colleagues
for his civility, bipartisan efforts, and his dedication to
public service.
(c) Designation of Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program.--
(1) In general.--Effective on the date of enactment of this
Act, the program under section 18 of the Peace Corps Act (22
U.S.C. 2517) referred to before such date as the ``Peace Corps
Fellows/USA Program'' is redesignated as the ``Paul D.
Coverdell Fellows Program''.
(2) References.--Any reference before the date of enactment
of this Act in any law, regulation, order, document, record, or
other paper of the United States to the Peace Corps Fellows/USA
Program shall, on and after such date, be considered to refer
to the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program.
Attest:
Secretary.
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1143
_______________________________________________________________________
AMENDMENT
HR 1143 EAS----2
HR 1143 EAS----3
HR 1143 EAS----4
HR 1143 EAS----5