[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 132 (Monday, September 29, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H8062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    PROVIDING PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF AU PAIR 
                                PROGRAMS

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate bill (S. 1211) to provide permanent authority for the 
administration of au pair programs.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                S. 1211

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

     SECTION 1. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR AU PAIR PROGRAMS.

       Section 1(b) of the Act entitled ``An Act to extend au pair 
     programs'', approved December 23, 1995 (Public Law 104-72; 
     109 Stat. 776) is amended by striking ``, through fiscal year 
     1997''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Campbell] and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr. Campbell].
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today we bring to the floor the Senate bill, S. 1211, a permanent 
extension of the au pair program. The date of the present program's 
expiration is approaching, and so it is imperative to continue the 
program through this legislation.
  The au pair program gives young people from many different countries 
a chance to visit the United States and to live with an American family 
for up to a year, assisting with child care and other needs around the 
home. It is a way for providing for round-trip travel, tuition fees, 
and weekly stipend. It is of assistance both to our country and to the 
individual visitor who learns more about the United States.
  This is a bipartisan, noncontroversial measure. It has already passed 
the other body, and I hope that my colleagues in the House will support 
this bill in passage and promptly send it to the President for 
signature.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I commend the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] and my friend and 
colleague, the gentleman from California [Mr. Campbell], for bringing 
before the House this bill to permanently extend the authority of USIA 
to run the au pair program. I have had my doubts about whether the 
program should be run by USIA. I understand the program brings many 
positive experiences, both to the au pairs as well as to the host 
families.
  The 1995 lapse in authorization was very disruptive to the program 
and its participants, and to the U.S. host families. Another such 
interruption will be avoided by passing this bill before authorization 
would expire on September 30. Given its long history and the favorable 
October 1996 report to Congress by USIA, the au pair program should no 
longer be subject to uncertainty and short-term authorizations.
  I urge the adoption of the measure. I commend again the chief 
sponsors of it, including the gentleman from California [Mr. Campbell].
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to simply add that it is always a pleasure to be on the floor with my 
colleague and good friend, the distinguished gentleman from Indiana 
[Mr. Hamilton].


                             General Leave

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on S. 1211, the Senate bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Campbell] that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1211.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I, and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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