[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3251 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3251

To authorize the Secretary of State to provide for the establishment of 
  nonprofit entities for the Department's international educational, 
                      cultural and arts programs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            October 26 (legislative day, September 22), 2000

   Mr. Biden introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To authorize the Secretary of State to provide for the establishment of 
  nonprofit entities for the Department's international educational, 
                      cultural and arts programs.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) It is in the national interest of the United Staes to 
        promote mutual understanding between the people of the United 
        States and other nations.
            (2) Among the means to be used in achieving this objective 
        are a wide range of international educational and cultural 
        exchange programs, including the J. William Fulbright 
        Educational Exchange Program and the International Visitors 
        Program.
            (3) Cultural diplomacy, especially the presentation abroad 
        of the finest of America's creative, visual and performing 
        arts, is an especially affective means of advancing the United 
        States national interest.
            (4) The financial support available for international 
        cultural and scholarly exchanges has declined by approximately 
        10 percent in recent years.
            (5) Funds appropriated for the purpose of ensuring that the 
        excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts in the United 
        States are presented to foreign audiences by and in cooperation 
        with our diplomatic and consular representatives have declined 
        dramatically.
            (6) One of the ways to deepen and expand cultural and 
        educational exchange programs is through the establishment of 
        nonprofit entities to encourage the participation and financial 
        support of multinational companies and other private sector 
        contributors.
            (7) The United States private sector should be encouraged 
        to cooperate closely with the Secretary of State and her 
        representatives to expand and spread appreciation of United 
        States cultural and artistic accomplishments.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH NONPROFIT ENTITIES.

    Section 105(f) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act 
of 1961, as amended, (22 U.S.C. 2255(f)) is further amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(f)''; and by adding at 
        the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(2) The Secretary of State is authorized to provide for 
        the establishment of private, nonprofit entities to assist in 
        carrying out the purposes of the Act. Any such entity shall not 
        be considered an agency or instrumentality of the United States 
        government, nor shall its employees be considered employees of 
        the United States government for any purposes.
            ``(3) The entities may, among other functions,
                    ``(A) encourage participation and support by United 
                States multinational companies and other elements of 
                the private sector for cultural, arts and educational 
                exchange programs, including those programs that will 
                enhance international appreciation of America's 
                cultural and artistic accomplishments;
                    ``(B) solicit and receive contributions from the 
                private sector to support these cultural arts and 
                educational exchange programs; and
                    ``(C) provide grants and other assistance for these 
                programs.
            ``(4) The Secretary of State is authorized to make such 
        arrangements as are necessary to carry out the purposes of 
        these entities, including the solicitation and receipt of funds 
        for the entity; designation of a program in recognition of such 
        contributions; and designation of members, including employees 
        of the United States government, on any board or other body 
        established to administer the entity.
            ``(5) Any funds available to the Department of State may be 
        made available to such entities to cover administrative and 
        other costs for their establishment. Any such entity is 
        authorized to invest any amounts provided to it by the 
        Department of State, and such amounts, as well as any interest 
        or earnings on such amounts, may be used by the entity to carry 
        out its purposes.''.
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