[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.

                          ____________________