[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REQUIRE A REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 5, 2001

  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce legislation that will 
require the Attorney General to submit a report to the House and Senate 
Committees on the Judiciary regarding the effectiveness of the State 
Justice Institute (SJI or ``the Institute''). The report would be due 
by October 1, 2002.
  Congress established SJI as a private nonprofit corporation in 1984. 
Its stated purpose is to further the development and adoption of 
improved judicial administration in state courts. SJI is to accomplish 
this goal by providing funds to state courts and other national 
organizations or nonprofits which support state courts. SJI also 
fosters coordination and cooperation with the federal judiciary in 
areas of mutual concern. The Institute may not duplicate the work or 
functions of existing nonprofit organizations. Since becoming 
operational in 1987, the Institute has awarded more than $125 million 
in grants to support over 1,000 projects. Another $40 million in 
matching requirements has been generated from other public and private 
funding sources.
  Section 213 of the original authorizing legislation, now codified at 
42 U.S.C. Sec. 10712, required the Attorney General to submit a report 
governing the effectiveness of SJI operations by October 1, 1987, to 
the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary. Since SJI did not 
become operational until fiscal year 1987, however, the report 
submitted by former Attorney General Meese is of limited value in 
assessing the operations of the Institute.
  Still, the report praised SJI start-up activities in the following 
summation: ``Although the Institute has only recently begun 
implementation of its program, much has been accomplished since it 
began operation. The Institute has made diligent efforts to develop and 
implement effective policies, procedures, and guidelines. . . .'' With 
regard to oversight, the report also noted that the Institute had 
established ``. . . an effective system of internal control by 
developing procedures and guidelines for its staff and grantees that 
ensure its resources are protected against fraud, waste, abuse, and 
mismanagement.'' The report concluded by noting that a full assessment 
of SJI activities could not be made until grants had been awarded and 
other program activities implemented.
  As noted, the purpose of the bill I am introducing is to authorize 
the Attorney General, in consultation with the Institute, to submit a 
report to the House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary regarding 
the effectiveness of SJI in fulfilling its missions. The report would 
be done in consultation with SJI, and would be due not later than 
October 1, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a noncontroversial bill that promotes good 
government. While I am impressed with SJI operations to date, all 
federal entities should be accountable to the taxpayers. I therefore 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________