[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, as Co-chairman of the House Congressional 
Native American Caucus, it is an honor for me to introduce a bill 
creating an American Indian Education Foundation. I especially want to 
thank the original cosponsors of this bill; they include: 
Representatives Patrick Kennedy, George Miller, Tom Udall, J.D. 
Hayworth, Earl Pomeroy and Jim Kolbe.
  As a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce 
Committee, I have enjoyed the opportunity of developing proposals 
designed to support Indian education. Up for reauthorization this 
Congress is the Elementary and Secondary Education Assistance Act that 
includes a section devoted to Indian education. This act supports the 
educational, cultural and academic needs of American Indian, Alaska 
Native and Native Hawaiian children.
  It is estimated that the BIA educates approximately 12 percent of the 
Native American K-12 population. This means that 88 percent of our 
American Indian and Alaska Native youth rely on supplemental 
educational programs like Johnson O'Malley. This program provides 
services to more than 200,000 Indian students. However, these programs 
are drastically underfunded.
  A critical need for an increase in funding for school construction 
exists in Indian country. When I came to Congress 23 years ago, I was 
appointed chairman of the Indian Education Task Force. I will never 
forget visiting schools that were in such poor condition that the 
children of these schools could barely keep warm let alone have a 
chance at getting a decent education. I know that the judges in my 
hometown in Michigan shutdown prisons that were in better condition 
than many schools I visited.
  Our Native American students deserve a decent education. It is our 
responsibility to ensure that our children are studying in environments 
conducive to learning. I support the creation of an American Indian 
Education Foundation because I believe Congress must find a new way to 
supplement current funding for BIA Indian education programs. The 
Foundation would encourage gifts of real and personal property and 
income for support of the education goals of the BIA's Office of Indian 
Education Programs and to further the educational opportunities of 
American Indian and Alaska Native students.
  The governing body of the Foundation would consist of nine board of 
directors who are appointed by the Secretary of Interior for an initial 
period. The secretary of Interior and the Assistant Secretary of 
Interior for Indian Affairs would serve as ex officio nonvoting 
members.
  Members of the board have to be ``knowledgeable or experienced in 
American Indian education and . . . represent diverse points of view 
relating to the education of American Indians.'' Election, terms of 
office, and duties of members would be provided in the constitution and 
bylaws of the Foundation. Administering the funds would be the 
responsibility of the Foundation.
  This bill would allow the Secretary of Interior to transfer certain 
funds to the Foundation. It is my understanding that the initial 
funding for the Foundation would come from existing donations or 
bequests made to the BIA. Funds prohibited by the terms of the 
donations would not be used for the Foundation.
  The Foundation is not a new idea to Congress. Congress has, from time 
to time, created federally chartered corporations. In 1967, Congress 
established the National Park Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation 
is to raise funds for the benefit of the National Park Service. Funds 
received from individuals, corporations, and foundations are 
distributed to individual parks through competitive grants. My bill is 
modeled after the 1967 Act.
  I believe that an American Indian Education Foundation could be just 
as successful as the National Park Foundation. I want to emphasize that 
I believe that Congress has a Federal trust responsibility to ensure 
that every Native American receives a decent education. This Foundation 
would not replace that responsibility, but would supplement it through 
grants designed to support educational, cultural and academic programs.
  Mr. Speaker, this concludes my remarks on creating an American Indian 
Education Foundation.

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