[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E729-E730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HIGHER EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 6) to extend 
     the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act 
     of 1965, and for other purposes:


[[Page E730]]


  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank both the Chairman and 
the Ranking Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, along 
with both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on 
Postsecondary Education for including many of the provisions in a bill 
I introduced, H.R. 3311, to improve International Education pro rams in 
H.R. 6. As a member of the International Relations Committee and the 
Education and Workforce Committee, I am well aware that if we are to be 
competitive in this global economy then we must continue to encourage 
and support programs designed to educate our students in foreign 
languages, diplomacy and international affairs. Throughout the years, 
Title VI has been extremely effective in helping colleges and 
universities reach that goal. In order to encourage higher education 
institutions to give greater support to undergraduate international 
relations and foreign language programs, a provision from my bill was 
included in H.R. 6 to give the Secretary the authority to fund 
Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs up to 
10% of all Part B funds. Also included was an optional, non-federal 
match of one-third cash from the private sector to encourage more 
applicants to leverage funding from private sector corporations or 
foundations. The inclusion of Technological Innovation and Cooperation 
for Foreign Information Access grants in H.R. 6 enables institutions 
and libraries to engage in collaborative international education 
projects utilizing innovative technology. This kind of program is 
timely as universities and libraries are faced with the escalating 
costs of access to international resources. In light of the enormous 
need to expand leadership in international affairs and language study 
at minority institutions, the new Institutional Development grant 
program was created to strengthen international affairs programs and 
curricula by providing sub-grants to Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled 
Community Colleges. Also included in H.R. 6 are changes that were in my 
bill to the Institution for International Public Policy to expand the 
current junior year abroad program to permit summer abroad experiences. 
H.R. 6 also specifically provides for post baccalaureate internships to 
provide Institute fellows with quality work experience prior to 
pursuing Masters degree study. To assist in the coordination of Federal 
support for the Institute/minority international affairs programs, H.R. 
6 also created a seven member Interagency Committee on Minority Careers 
in International Affairs. I would finally like to urge the Committee to 
consider separating the International Education programs and Graduate 
School programs in to separate titles as the Senate bill does. The 
inclusion of both programs in one title is unnecessary and causes 
difficulty in ensuring that both programs are funded properly. Thank 
you again for your work on this important title.

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