[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H11297-H11302]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONTROL ACT OF 2000
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
Senate bill (S. 2943) to authorize additional assistance for
international malaria control, and to provide for coordination and
consultation in providing assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 with respect to malaria, HIV and tuberculosis, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 2943
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONTROL
SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``International Malaria
Control Act of 2000''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The World Health Organization estimates that there are
300,000,000 to 500,000,000 cases of malaria each year.
(2) According to the World Health Organization, more than
1,000,000 persons are estimated to die due to malaria each
year.
(3) According to the National Institutes of Health, about
40 percent of the world's population is at risk of becoming
infected.
(4) About half of those who die each year from malaria are
children under 9 years of age.
(5) Malaria kills one child each 30 seconds.
(6) Although malaria is a public health problem in more
than 90 countries, more than 90 percent of all malaria cases
are in sub-Saharan Africa.
(7) In addition to Africa, large areas of Central and South
America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Indian
subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are high
risk malaria areas.
(8) These high risk areas represent many of the world's
poorest nations.
(9) Malaria is particularly dangerous during pregnancy. The
disease causes severe anemia and is a major factor
contributing to maternal deaths in malaria endemic regions.
(10) ``Airport malaria'', the importing of malaria by
international aircraft and other conveyances, is becoming
more common, and the United Kingdom reported 2,364 cases of
malaria in 1997, all of them imported by travelers.
(11) In the United States, of the 1,400 cases of malaria
reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in
1998, the vast majority were imported.
(12) Between 1970 and 1997, the malaria infection rate in
the United States increased by about 40 percent.
(13) Malaria is caused by a single-cell parasite that is
spread to humans by mosquitoes.
(14) No vaccine is available and treatment is hampered by
development of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-
resistant mosquitoes.
SEC. 103. ASSISTANCE FOR MALARIA PREVENTION, TREATMENT,
CONTROL, AND ELIMINATION.
(a) Assistance.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, in coordination with
the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies and
nongovernmental organizations, shall provide assistance for
the establishment and conduct of activities designed to
prevent, treat, control, and eliminate malaria in countries
with a high percentage of malaria cases.
(2) Consideration of interaction among epidemics.--In
providing assistance pursuant to paragraph (1), the
Administrator should consider the interaction among the
epidemics of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
(3) Dissemination of information requirement.--Activities
referred to in paragraph (1) shall include the dissemination
of information relating to the development of vaccines and
therapeutic agents for the prevention of malaria (including
information relating to participation in, and the results of,
clinical trials for such vaccines and agents conducted by
United States Government agencies) to appropriate officials
in such countries.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out subsection (a) $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2001 and 2002.
(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1) are
authorized to remain available until expended.
TITLE II--POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO MACAU
SECTION 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``United States-Macau Policy
Act of 2000''.
SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS; SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.
(a) Findings and Declarations.--The Congress makes the
following findings and declarations:
(1) The continued economic prosperity of Macau furthers
United States interests in the People's Republic of China and
Asia.
(2) Support for democratization is a fundamental principle
of United States foreign policy, and as such, that principle
naturally applies to United States policy toward Macau.
(3) The human rights of the people of Macau are of great
importance to the United States and are directly relevant to
United States interests in Macau.
[[Page H11298]]
(4) A fully successful transition in the exercise of
sovereignty over Macau must continue to safeguard human
rights in and of themselves.
(5) Human rights also serve as a basis for Macau's
continued economic prosperity, and the Congress takes note of
Macau's adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and the International Convention on
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
(b) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that--
(1) the United States should play an active role in
maintaining Macau's confidence and prosperity, Macau's unique
cultural heritage, and the mutually beneficial ties between
the people of the United States and the people of Macau;
(2) through its policies, the United States should
contribute to Macau's ability to maintain a high degree of
autonomy in matters other than defense and foreign affairs as
promised by the People's Republic of China and the Republic
of Portugal in the Joint Declaration, particularly with
respect to such matters as trade, commerce, law enforcement,
finance, monetary policy, aviation, shipping, communications,
tourism, cultural affairs, sports, and participation in
international organizations, consistent with the national
security and other interests of the United States; and
(3) the United States should actively seek to establish and
expand direct bilateral ties and agreements with Macau in
economic, trade, financial, monetary, mutual legal
assistance, law enforcement, communication, transportation,
and other appropriate areas.
SEC. 203. CONTINUED APPLICATION OF UNITED STATES LAW.
(a) Continued Application.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any change in the exercise
of sovereignty over Macau, and subject to subsections (b) and
(c), the laws of the United States shall continue to apply
with respect to Macau in the same manner as the laws of the
United States were applied with respect to Macau before
December 20, 1999, unless otherwise expressly provided by law
or by Executive order issued pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) Exception.--Whenever the President determines that
Macau is not sufficiently autonomous to justify treatment
under a particular law of the United States, or any provision
thereof, different from that accorded the People's Republic
of China, the President may issue an Executive order
suspending the application of paragraph (1) to such law or
provision of law. The President shall promptly notify the
Committee on International Relations of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
Senate concerning any such determination and shall publish
the Executive order in the Federal Register.
(b) Export Controls.--
(1) In general.--The export control laws, regulations, and
practices of the United States shall apply to Macau in the
same manner and to the same extent that such laws,
regulations, and practices apply to the People's Republic of
China, and in no case shall such laws, regulations, and
practices be applied less restrictively to exports to Macau
than to exports to the People's Republic of China.
(2) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) shall not be
construed as prohibiting the provision of export control
assistance to Macau.
(c) International Agreements.--
(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (b) and paragraph
(2), for all purposes, including actions in any court of the
United States, the Congress approves of the continuation in
force after December 20, 1999, of all treaties and other
international agreements, including multilateral conventions,
entered into before such date between the United States and
Macau, or entered into force before such date between the
United States and the Republic of Portugal and applied to
Macau, unless or until terminated in accordance with law.
(2) Exception.--If, in carrying out this subsection, the
President determines that Macau is not legally competent to
carry out its obligations under any such treaty or other
international agreement, or that the continuation of Macau's
obligations or rights under any such treaty or other
international agreement is not appropriate under the
circumstances, the President shall take appropriate action to
modify or terminate such treaty or other international
agreement. The President shall promptly notify the Committee
on International Relations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate
concerning such determination.
SEC. 204 REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, and not later than March 31 of
each of the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Secretary of
State shall transmit to the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report on conditions in
Macau of interest to the United States. The report shall
describe--
(1) significant developments in United States relations
with Macau, including any determination made under section
203;
(2) significant developments related to the change in the
exercise of sovereignty over Macau affecting United States
interests in Macau or United States relations with Macau and
the People's Republic of China;
(3) the development of democratic institutions in Macau;
(4) compliance by the Government of the People's Republic
of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal with
their obligations under the Joint Declaration; and
(5) the nature and extent of Macau's participation in
multilateral forums.
(b) Separate Part of Country Reports.--Whenever a report is
transmitted to the Congress on a country-by-country basis,
there shall be included in such report, where applicable, a
separate subreport on Macau under the heading of the country
that exercises sovereignty over Macau.
SEC. 205. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Macau.--The term ``Macau'' means the territory that
prior to December 20, 1999, was the Portuguese Dependent
Territory of Macau and after December 20, 1999, became the
Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic
of China.
(2) Joint declaration.--The term ``Joint Declaration''
means the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's
Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of
Portugal on the Question of Macau, dated April 13, 1987.
TITLE III--UNITED STATES-CANADA ALASKA RAIL COMMISSION
SECTION 301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Rails to Resources Act of
2000''.
SEC. 302. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) rail transportation is an essential component of the
North American intermodal transportation system;
(2) the development of economically strong and socially
stable communities in the western United States and Canada
was encouraged significantly by government policies promoting
the development of integrated transcontinental, interstate
and interprovincial rail systems in the states, territories
and provinces of the two countries;
(3) United States and Canadian federal support for the
completion of new elements of the transcontinental,
interstate and interprovincial rail systems was halted before
rail connections were established to the State of Alaska and
the Yukon Territory;
(4) rail transportation in otherwise isolated areas
facilitates controlled access and may reduce overall impact
to environmentally sensitive areas;
(5) the extension of the continental rail system through
northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to the
current terminus of the Alaska Railroad would significantly
benefit the United States and Canadian visitor industries by
facilitating the comfortable movement of passengers over long
distances while minimizing effects on the surrounding areas;
and
(6) ongoing research and development efforts in the rail
industry continue to increase the efficiency of rail
transportation, ensure safety, and decrease the impact of
rail service on the environment.
SEC. 303. AGREEMENT FOR A UNITED STATES-CANADA BILATERAL
COMMISSION.
The President is authorized and urged to enter into an
agreement with the Government of Canada to establish an
independent joint commission to study the feasibility and
advisability of linking the rail system in Alaska to the
nearest appropriate point on the North American continental
rail system.
SEC. 304. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.
(a) Membership.--
(1) Total membership.--The Agreement should provide for the
Commission to be composed of 24 members, of which 12 members
are appointed by the President and 12 members are appointed
by the Government of Canada.
(2) General qualifications.--The Agreement should provide
for the membership of the Commission, to the maximum extent
practicable, to be representative of--
(A) the interests of the local communities (including the
governments of the communities), aboriginal peoples, and
businesses that would be affected by the connection of the
rail system in Alaska to the North American continental rail
system; and
(B) a broad range of expertise in areas of knowledge that
are relevant to the significant issues to be considered by
the Commission, including economics, engineering, management
of resources, social sciences, fish and game management,
environmental sciences, and transportation.
(b) United States Membership.--If the United States and
Canada enter into an agreement providing for the
establishment of the Commission, the President shall appoint
the United States members of the Commission as follows:
(1) Two members from among persons who are qualified to
represent the interests of communities and local governments
of Alaska.
(2) One member representing the State of Alaska, to be
nominated by the Governor of Alaska.
(3) One member from among persons who are qualified to
represent the interests of Native Alaskans residing in the
area of Alaska that would be affected by the extension of
rail service.
(4) Three members from among persons involved in commercial
activities in Alaska who are qualified to represent
commercial interests in Alaska, of which one shall be a
representative of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.
(5) One member representing United States Class I rail
carriers and one member representing United States rail
labor.
[[Page H11299]]
(6) Three members with relevant expertise, at least one of
whom shall be an engineer with expertise in subarctic
transportation and at least one of whom shall have expertise
on the environmental impact of such transportation.
(c) Canadian Membership.--The Agreement should provide for
the Canadian membership of the Commission to be
representative of broad categories of interests of Canada as
the Government of Canada determines appropriate, consistent
with subsection (a)(2).
SEC. 305. GOVERNANCE AND STAFFING OF COMMISSION.
(a) Chairman.--The Agreement should provide for the
Chairman of the Commission to be elected from among the
members of the Commission by a majority vote of the members.
(b) Compensation and Expenses of United States Members.--
(1) Compensation.--Each member of the Commission appointed
by the President who is not an officer or employee of the
Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to
the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day
(including travel time) during which such member is engaged
in the performance of the duties of the Commission. Each such
member who is an officer or employee of the United States
shall serve without compensation in addition to that received
for services as an officer or employee of the United States.
(2) Travel expenses.--The members of the Commission
appointed by the President shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates
authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from
their homes or regular places of business in the performance
of services for the Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Agreement should provide for the
appointment of a staff and an executive director to be the
head of the staff.
(2) Compensation.--Funds made available for the Commission
by the United States may be used to pay the compensation of
the executive director and other personnel at rates fixed by
the Commission that are not in excess of the rate payable for
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title
5, United States Code.
(d) Office.--The Agreement should provide for the office of
the Commission to be located in a mutually agreed location
within the impacted areas of Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and
northern British Columbia.
(e) Meetings.--The Agreement should provide for the
Commission to meet at least biannually to review progress and
to provide guidance to staff and others, and to hold, in
locations within the affected areas of Alaska, the Yukon
Territory and northern British Columbia, such additional
informational or public meetings as the Commission deems
necessary to the conduct of its business.
(f) Procurement of Services.--The Agreement should
authorize and encourage the Commission to procure by
contract, to the maximum extent practicable, the services
(including any temporary and intermittent services) that the
Commission determines necessary for carrying out the duties
of the Commission. In the case of any contract for the
services of an individual, funds made available for the
Commission by the United States may not be used to pay for
the services of the individual at a rate that exceeds the
daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 306. DUTIES.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Agreement should provide for the
Commission to study and assess, on the basis of all available
relevant information, the feasibility and advisability of
linking the rail system in Alaska to the North American
continental rail system through the continuation of the rail
system in Alaska from its northeastern terminus to a
connection with the continental rail system in Canada.
(2) Specific issues.--The Agreement should provide for the
study and assessment to include the consideration of the
following issues:
(A) Railroad engineering.
(B) Land ownership.
(C) Geology.
(D) Proximity to mineral, timber, tourist, and other
resources.
(E) Market outlook.
(F) Environmental considerations.
(G) Social effects, including changes in the use or
availability of natural resources.
(H) Potential financing mechanisms.
(3) Route.--The Agreement should provide for the
Commission, upon finding that it is feasible and advisable to
link the rail system in Alaska as described in paragraph (1),
to determine one or more recommended routes for the rail
segment that establishes the linkage, taking into
consideration cost, distance, access to potential freight
markets, environmental matters, existing corridors that are
already used for ground transportation, the route surveyed by
the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II and such
other factors as the Commission determines relevant.
(4) Combined corridor evaluation.--The Agreement should
also provide for the Commission to consider whether it would
be feasible and advisable to combine the power transmission
infrastructure and petroleum product pipelines of other
utilities into one corridor with a rail extension of the rail
system of Alaska.
(b) Report.--The Agreement should require the Commission to
submit to Congress and the Secretary of Transportation and to
the Minister of Transport of the Government of Canada, not
later than 3 years after the Commission commencement date, a
report on the results of the study, including the
Commission's findings regarding the feasibility and
advisability of linking the rail system in Alaska as
described in subsection (a)(1) and the Commission's
recommendations regarding the preferred route and any
alternative routes for the rail segment establishing the
linkage.
SEC. 307. COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
(a) Commencement.--The Agreement should provide for the
Commission to begin to function on the date on which all
members are appointed to the Commission as provided for in
the Agreement.
(b) Termination.--The Commission should be terminated 90
days after the date on which the Commission submits its
report under section 306.
SEC. 308. FUNDING.
(a) Rails to Resources Fund.--The Agreement should provide
for the following:
(1) Establishment.--The establishment of an interest-
bearing account to be known as the ``Rails to Resources
Fund''.
(2) Contributions.--The contribution by the United States
and the Government of Canada to the Fund of amounts that are
sufficient for the Commission to carry out its duties.
(3) Availability.--The availability of amounts in the Fund
to pay the costs of Commission activities.
(4) Dissolution.--Dissolution of the Fund upon the
termination of the Commission and distribution of the amounts
remaining in the Fund between the United States and the
Government of Canada.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to any fund established for use by the
Commission as described in subsection (a)(1) $6,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
SEC. 309. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Agreement.--The term ``Agreement'' means an agreement
described in section 303.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means a commission
established pursuant to any Agreement.
TITLE IV--PACIFIC CHARTER COMMISSION ACT OF 2000
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Pacific Charter Commission
Act of 2000''.
SEC. 402. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this title are--
(1) to promote a consistent and coordinated foreign policy
of the United States to ensure economic and military security
in the Asia-Pacific region;
(2) to support democratization, the rule of law, and human
rights in the Asia-Pacific region;
(3) to promote United States exports to the Asia-Pacific
region by advancing economic cooperation;
(4) to combat terrorism and the spread of illicit narcotics
in the Asia-Pacific region; and
(5) to advocate an active role for the United States
Government in diplomacy, security, and the furtherance of
good governance and the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific
region.
SEC. 403. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established a commission to be known as the
Pacific Charter Commission (hereafter in this title referred
to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 404. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) Duties.--The Commission shall establish and carry out,
either directly or through nongovernmental organizations,
programs, projects, and activities to achieve the purposes
described in section 402, including research and educational
or legislative exchanges between the United States and
countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
(b) Monitoring of Developments.--The Commission shall
monitor developments in countries of the Asia-Pacific region
with respect to United States foreign policy toward such
countries, the status of democratization, the rule of law and
human rights in the region, economic relations among the
United States and such countries, and activities related to
terrorism and the illicit narcotics trade.
(c) Policy Review and Recommendations.--In carrying out
this section, the Commission shall evaluate United States
Government policies toward countries of the Asia-Pacific
region and recommend options for policies of the United
States Government with respect to such countries, with a
particular emphasis on countries that are of importance to
the foreign policy, economic, and military interests of the
United States.
(d) Contacts With Other Entities.--In performing the
functions described in subsections (a) through (c), the
Commission shall, as appropriate, seek out and maintain
contacts with nongovernmental organizations, international
organizations, and representatives of industry, including
receiving reports and updates from such organizations and
evaluating such reports.
[[Page H11300]]
(e) Annual Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the end of
each 12-month period thereafter, the Commission shall prepare
and submit to the President and the Congress a report that
contains the findings of the Commission during the preceding
12-month period. Each such report shall contain--
(1) recommendations for legislative, executive, or other
actions resulting from the evaluation of policies described
in subsection (c);
(2) a description of programs, projects, and activities of
the Commission for the prior year; and
(3) a complete accounting of the expenditures made by the
Commission during the prior year.
(f) Congressional Hearings on Annual Report.--The Committee
on International Relations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, shall,
not later than 45 days after the receipt by the Congress of
the report referred to in subsection (c), hold hearings on
the report, including any recommendations contained therein.
(g) Advisory Committees.--The Commission may establish such
advisory committees as the Commission determines to be
necessary to advise the Commission on policy matters relating
to the Asia-Pacific region and to otherwise carry out this
title.
SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.
(a) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of seven
members all of whom--
(1) shall be citizens of the United States who are not
officers or employees of any government, except to the extent
they are considered such officers or employees by virtue of
their membership on the Commission; and
(2) shall have interest and expertise in issues relating to
the Asia-Pacific region.
(b) Appointment.--
(1) In general.--The individuals referred to in subsection
(a) shall be appointed--
(A) by the President, after consultation with the Speaker
and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the
Chairman and ranking member of the Committee on International
Relations of the House of Representatives, the Majority
Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Chairman
and ranking member of the Committee on Foreign Relations of
the Senate; and
(B) by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Political affiliation.--Not more than four of the
individuals appointed under paragraph (1) may be affiliated
with the same political party.
(c) Term.--Each member of the Commission shall be appointed
for a term of 6 years.
(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the same manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(e) Chairperson; Vice Chairperson.--The President shall
designate a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the
Commission from among the members of the Commission.
(f) Compensation.--
(1) Rates of pay.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
(2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Commission may
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of
title 5, United States Code.
(g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson.
(h) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
(i) Affirmative Determinations.--An affirmative vote by a
majority of the members of the Commission shall be required
for any affirmative determination by the Commission under
section 404.
SEC. 406. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings and Investigations.--The Commission may hold
such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take
such testimony and receive such evidence, and conduct such
investigations as the Commission considers advisable to carry
out this title.
(b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may
secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
information as the Commission considers necessary to carry
out this title. Upon request of the Chairperson of the
Commission, the head of any such department agency shall
furnish such information to the Commission as expeditiously
as possible.
(c) Contributions.--The Commission may accept, use, and
dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or
property, both real and personal, for the purpose of
assisting or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts,
bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of
other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall
be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for
disbursement upon order of the Commission.
(d) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails
in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the United States.
SEC. 407. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES OF COMMISSION.
(a) Executive Director.--The Commission shall have an
executive director appointed by the Commission after
consultation with the Speaker and Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives and the Majority Leader and Minority
Leader of the Senate. The executive director shall serve the
Commission under such terms and conditions as the Commission
determines to be appropriate.
(b) Staff.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of
such additional personnel, not to exceed 10 individuals, as
it considers appropriate.
(c) Staff of Federal Agencies.--Upon request of the
chairperson of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency
may detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel
of the agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in
carrying out its duties under this title.
(d) Experts and Consultants.--The chairperson of the
Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 409. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate not later than 5 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 410. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this title $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal years
2001 and 2002.
(b) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are
authorized to remain available until expended.
SEC. 411. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title shall take effect on February 1, 2001.
TITLE V--PAUL D. COVERDELL WORLD WISE SCHOOLS ACT OF 2000
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Paul D. Coverdell World
Wise Schools Act of 2000''.
SEC. 502. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Paul D. Coverdell was elected to the Georgia State
Senate in 1970 and later became Minority Leader of the
Georgia State Senate, a post he held for 15 years.
(2) As the 11th Director of the Peace Corps from 1989 to
1991, Paul Coverdell's dedication to the ideals of peace and
understanding helped to shape today's Peace Corps.
(3) Paul D. Coverdell believed that Peace Corps volunteers
could not only make a difference in the countries where they
served but that the greatest benefit could be felt at home.
(4) In 1989, Paul D. Coverdell founded the Peace Corps
World Wise Schools Program to help fulfill the Third Goal of
the Peace Corps, ``to promote a better understanding of the
people served among people of the United States''.
(5) The World Wise Schools Program is an innovative
education program that seeks to engage learners in an inquiry
about the world, themselves, and others in order to broaden
perspectives; promote cultural awareness; appreciate global
connections; and encourage service.
(6) In a world that is increasingly interdependent and ever
changing, the World Wise Schools Program pays tribute to Paul
D. Coverdell's foresight and leadership. In the words of one
World Wise Schools teacher, ``It's a teacher's job to touch
the future of a child; it's the Peace Corps' job to touch the
future of the world. What more perfect partnership.''.
(7) Paul D. Coverdell served in the United States Senate
from the State of Georgia from 1993 until his sudden death on
July 18, 2000.
(8) Senator Paul D. Coverdell was beloved by his colleagues
for his civility, bipartisan efforts, and his dedication to
public service.
SEC. 503. DESIGNATION OF PAUL D. COVERDELL WORLD WISE SCHOOLS
PROGRAM.
(a) 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 ``World Wise
Schools Program'' is redesignated as the ``Paul D. Coverdell
World Wise Schools Program''.
(b) 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 World
Wise Schools Program shall, on and after such date, be
considered to refer to the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise
Schools Program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
General Leave
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on S. 2943, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. Gilman asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2943, a bill
that authorizes the appropriation of $50 million for each of fiscal
years 2000 and 2002 to combat malaria in the developing world.
[[Page H11301]]
The International Malaria Control of 2000 would establish a program
to combat the spread of malaria in the developing world and to
encourage other governments and nongovernmental organizations to join
our Nation in that effort.
This initiative to save millions of poor people would be administered
by the Agency for International Development in conjunction with other
appropriate Federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations, both in
our Nation and overseas.
{time} 1945
I commend Senator Hatch, the Senate sponsor of this legislation, for
his efforts to stem the spread of malaria and to eradicate this disease
that kills over 1 million people annually. As in the case of other
deadly infectious diseases, our Nation must and can do more, and I am
proud to be able to join in that effort.
This bill also contains a title, H.R. 825, sponsored by the gentleman
from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), our distinguished chairman of the
Subcommittee on Asia and Pacific Affairs of the Committee on
International Relations, which provides for the continued application
of U.S. laws and treaties to Macau in the same manner as prior to
December 20, 1999, when Macau was a Portuguese dependency. This title
would also apply U.S. export controls and practices with regard to
Macau in the same manner as the People's Republic of China. It would
also require periodic reports from the Secretary of State on
developments relating to Macau.
The title contains no authorization of appropriation, but it is an
important policy statement on the relationship of our Nation with
regard to Macau.
Title III of the bill contains the ``Rails to Resources Act of
2000,'' S. 2253, a bill introduced by Senator Murkowski, which
authorizes to be appropriated $6 million for the establishment of the
Rails to Resources Fund and urges the President to enter into an
agreement with the Government of Canada to establish a joint commission
of 20 members to study the technological and economic feasibility of
linking the rail system in Alaska to the nearest appropriate point on
the North American continental rail system. In recognition of the merit
of that initiative, the Transportation Appropriations Conference Report
provided $2 million for that purpose.
Mr. Speaker, title IV of the bill authorizes to be appropriated $2.5
million for each of the fiscal years 2001 and 2002 for the
establishment of a Pacific Charter Commission to carry out and monitor
projects in the Pacific region of Asia with regard to human rights, the
rule of law, and for security issues and to advise the Congress of the
United States on significant foreign policy issues of interest to our
Nation. The Pacific Charter Commission will provide independent policy
analysis with regard to the manner in which the foreign policy of our
Nation is carried out and will be of great service to the Congress and
the American people.
Finally, Mr. Speaker, title V of the bill would redesignate the Peace
Corps World Wise Schools Program, and the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise
Schools Program. Title V incorporates H.R. 5357, a bill introduced by
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), and it is a fitting tribute to
our late colleague, the distinguished senior citizen from Georgia, Paul
D. Coverdell, who also served as Peace Corps Director with great
distinction.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the
adoption of S. 2943.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I
rise in support of S. 2943, the International Malaria Control Act of
2000.
Mr. Speaker, we are considering a number of bills here today, or this
evening, really, as part of a package. Mr. Speaker, S. 2943 addresses
some important issues facing the United States; and I want to commend
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of the
committee, for ensuring that the actual text of the bill that is
included in this package accommodated certain concerns on this side of
the aisle.
For example, the underlying bill being considered today is an effort
to control the spread of malaria abroad. Malaria has recently been
making a resurgence around the world with more and more people being
affected by this scourge and more and more people dying from it.
According to the World Health Organization, more than one million
persons, one million, one million persons die from malaria each year,
and more than 90 percent of all malaria cases are in sub-Saharan
Africa.
According to the Director General of the World Health Organization,
malaria is taking a big bite out of Africa's economic growth. If we can
control malaria, we will see an acceleration of Africa's development;
and family incomes, of course, will rise.
We have even seen treatment-resistance strains of malaria emerging in
our own country here in the United States. Between 1970 and 1997, the
malaria infection rate in the United States increased by about 40
percent. That is staggering.
As we know from our experience with the West Nile virus, if we do not
act quickly to break the back of a disease abroad, the inevitable
result is outbreaks of the disease here in the United States.
So I commend the chairman for working with us to focus this bill on
malaria specifically.
The bill also addresses the United States relationship with the
former Portuguese colony of Macau. While Macau reverted to Chinese
control last year, the United States must help the people of Macau to
retain their basic freedoms to further develop economically and to deal
with international crime and narcotics problems. This legislation
ensures that the United States will continue to treat Macau under U.S.
law the same way it was treated prior to its reversion to Chinese
control and signal to the Chinese that we will closely watch how Macau
and its people are being treated.
This approach is really identical to the approach that we took with
Hong Kong prior to its reversion to Chinese control and is long overdue
in Macau's case. This is simply good government and ensures that Hong
Kong and Macau are treated in a similar manner.
The bill also contains text identical to H.R. 5357, a bill sponsored
by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), which actually does the
renaming of the Peace Corps World Wise program after the late great
Senator Coverdell. This legislation also includes an authority to enter
into an agreement with Canada to establish a commission to study the
advisability and the feasibility of establishing a rail link between
Alaska and the North American Rail Net. It also includes legislation
that the House passed earlier this year establishing a commission to
study United States policy in the Asia Pacific region.
Mr. Speaker, we have worked to ensure that these bills address our
concerns. We have no objection to them being included in the package. I
want to once again thank our chairman for working with us.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee) for her supporting comments with regard to this
measure.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the distinguished chairman of
our Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
I rise in support of the legislation, particularly title II of S.
2943, which encompasses the Macau Policy Act. We have heard the
chairman and the gentlewoman from California refer to it already.
The Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific first considered similar
legislation introduced by this Member at the beginning of the 106th
Congress in anticipation of Macau's reversion to the People's Republic
of China.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation, among other things, recognizes that
Macau is not Hong Kong, especially when it comes to export control
policy. Therefore, the Macau Policy Act ensures that the export control
laws of the United States shall apply to Macau in
[[Page H11302]]
the same manner and to the same extent that such laws apply to the
People's Republic of China. This provision ensures that Macau will not
be used by entities in China to circumvent export control laws.
Mr. Speaker, the Macau title of this legislation also clarifies and
strengthens U.S. relations with the special administrative region of
Macau. It is tailored to address Macau's unique status and individual
challenges. It certainly supports both short-term and long-term
American national interests. Therefore, as chairman of the Subcommittee
on Asia and the Pacific, this Member supports the passage of the
legislation; and I urge my colleagues to support the Macau Policy Act,
which is title II of this legislation.
Macau was the last of the Portuguese overseas territories. It has an
area of 16 square kilometers (about one-tenth the size of the District
of Columbia) and a population of less than 500,000 Macanese, 95 percent
of whom are of Chinese ethnic background. On April 13, 1987, Portugal
and China issued a ``Joint Declaration of the Government of the
People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of
Portugal on the question of Macau''--an international agreement similar
to the 1984 United Kingdom--PRC Joint Declaration on the Question of
Hong Kong. The Joint Declaration specified that Macau revert to Chinese
sovereignty on December 20, 1999--which it did.
The United States has no diplomatic or consular presence in Macau.
U.S. interests in Macau are monitored by the U.S. Consulate General in
Hong Kong. Unlike Hong Kong, Macau is only a minor U.S. trading
partner. The U.S. provides no economic or military assistance to Macau,
and has no military personnel or installations there. Macau's principal
industries are clothing, textiles, plastic products, furniture, and
gambling and tourism.
On March 31, 1993, China's National People's Congress adopted a
``Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the (PRC),''
which is similar to the 1990 Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region. In effect, the Basic Law constitutes Macau's
post-reversion constitution. And, as with Hong Kong, the governing
concept is ``one country--two systems.''
At present, Macau is treated the same as China, despite its ``one
country-two systems'' status because its status has not been addressed
through specific legislation like the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1994
addressed Hong Kong-American relations. In other words, U.S. laws that
apply to China, including post-Tiananmen sanctions, apply automatically
to the Special Administrative Region of Macau. As a result, at this
time, before the passage of this legislation, Macau's legal status for
purposes of U.S. domestic law is ambiguous and problematic.
The legislation before the House today would permit the U.S. to honor
Macau's post reversion rights under the concept of ``one country-two
systems.'' For example, it will allow the US to treat Macau as a
separate member of the WTO, apart from China, as well as for other
commercial purposes. By enacting the Macau Policy Act, we are, in
effect, trying to support the ``one country-two systems'' policy in
Macau that has worked so well in Hong Kong.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Brown), who is a very strong leader and advocate on the
Subcommittee on Health and the Environment of our Committee on
Commerce, and also our ranking member.
Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from
California for her leadership and I thank the chairman for his
leadership and I thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for
his leadership on this issue.
In a Congress that has done so little on health care, has fallen so
far short in passing prescription drug legislation, so far short on
enacting a patients' bill of rights, which clearly overwhelming numbers
of the public support, this Congress has done a good job in fighting
international infectious diseases. The Committee on Appropriations has
passed and sent to the President $60 million for tuberculosis control
internationally, five times what this Congress spent only 3 years ago
to combat a disease that is absolutely curable. This Congress also has
played a major role in malaria control around the world.
Gro Brundtland, who was quoted earlier by the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Lee). Gro Brundtland, the General Director of the World
Health Organization, has said about tuberculosis, and she could also
say it about malaria, that tuberculosis is a political problem, not a
medical problem. We in this world know how to combat tuberculosis; we
in this world know how to combat malaria. We can do better than we have
done with the political will. This effort by the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) has
actually made that major step in doing that.
I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate the folks
at Walter Reed. In part of the Defense budget, when we passed money for
the Defense budget, some of that money, not nearly enough, only a few
million dollars, goes to Walter Reed to do malaria research. Most of
the best malaria research in history in this country has come out of
Walter Reed, not out of private drug companies, not out of investor-
owned corporations which do not have a real economic interest in
combating malaria, but from tax dollars. That is what has brought us as
far as we have come in malaria control, and that can take us even
further. That is why it is so important to fund Walter Reed and do
better with malaria control that way.
To get an understanding, Mr. Speaker, to get a good understanding of
what we can do, and Gro Brundtland said, these infectious diseases are
political problems, not medical problems. To get an understanding of
what we can do, look at what the government of India did in 1999. In
one day, in the Republic of India, the government and public health
organizations around the world, including the Centers for Disease
Control, woefully underfunded in this country, but involved
internationally in so many good things; NGOs, the Centers for Disease
Control, public health authorities and the government of India worked
together and in one day in December of 1999, vaccinated, immunized 134
million Indian children in one day. If we can do that, we can come up
with a malarial vaccine through the Walter Reed research within the
Department of Defense in Bethesda, Maryland, then we can come up with
much better action in combating tuberculosis, combating malaria around
the world, which stunts economic growth, which kills children, which
breaks up families. These are diseases that are caused by poverty, they
are bred in poverty, and these are diseases that cause additional
poverty. We have an obligation for humanitarian reasons and for
pragmatic reasons to do something about it.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr.
Brown) for his eloquent remarks in support of this measure.
Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 2943, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Ms. LEE. 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 8, rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________