[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 100 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H5040-H5048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     FREEDOM PROMOTION ACT OF 2002

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3969) to enhance United States public diplomacy, to reorganize 
United States international broadcasting, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3969

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Freedom Promotion Act of 
     2002''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

                TITLE I--UNITED STATES PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

Sec. 101. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 102. Public diplomacy responsibilities of the Department of State.
Sec. 103. Annual plan on public diplomacy strategy.
Sec. 104. Public diplomacy training.
Sec. 105. United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
Sec. 106. Library program.
Sec. 107. Sense of Congress concerning public diplomacy efforts in sub-
              Saharan Africa.
Sec. 108. Funding and authorization of appropriations.

   TITLE II--UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS OF THE 
                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Sec. 201. Establishment of initiatives for predominantly Muslim 
              countries.
Sec. 202. Database of alumni of American and foreign participants in 
              exchange programs.
Sec. 203. Report on inclusion of freedom and democracy advocates in 
              educational and cultural exchange programs.
Sec. 204. Fulbright-Hays authorities.
Sec. 205. Supplemental authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 206. Supplemental authorization of appropriations for the National 
              Endowment for Democracy.

 TITLE III--REORGANIZATION OF UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING

Sec. 301. Establishment of United States International Broadcasting 
              Agency.
Sec. 302. Authorities and functions of the agency.
Sec. 303. Role of the secretary of State.
Sec. 304. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 305. Broadcasting Board of Governors and International 
              Broadcasting Bureau.
Sec. 306. Transition.
Sec. 307. Conforming amendments.
Sec. 308. References.
Sec. 309. Broadcasting standards.
Sec. 310. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 311. Effective date.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:

[[Page H5041]]

       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on International Relations and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate.
       (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
     Department of State.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of State.

                TITLE I--UNITED STATES PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

     SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The United States possesses strong and deep connections 
     with the peoples of the world separate from its relations 
     with their governments. These connections can be a major 
     asset in the promotion of United States interests and foreign 
     policy.
       (2) Misinformation and hostile propaganda in these 
     countries regarding the United States and its foreign policy 
     endanger the interests of the United States. Existing efforts 
     to counter such misinformation and propaganda are inadequate 
     and must be greatly enhanced in both scope and substance.
       (3) United States foreign policy has been hampered by an 
     insufficient consideration of the importance of public 
     diplomacy in the formulation and implementation of that 
     policy and by the underuse of modern communication 
     techniques.
       (4) The United States should have an operational strategy 
     and a coordinated effort regarding the utilization of its 
     public diplomacy resources.
       (5) The development of an operational strategy and a 
     coordinated effort by United States agencies regarding public 
     diplomacy would greatly enhance United States foreign policy.
       (6) The Secretary of State has undertaken efforts to ensure 
     that of the new job positions established at the Department 
     of State after September 30, 2002, a significant proportion 
     of the positions is for public diplomacy.
       (b) Purposes.--It is the purpose of this Act to enhance in 
     scope and substance, redirect, redefine, and reorganize 
     United States public diplomacy.

     SEC. 102. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT 
                   OF STATE.

       (a) In General.--The State Department Basic Authorities Act 
     of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 265 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
     section 56 the following new section:

     ``SEC. 57. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of State shall make public 
     diplomacy an integral component in the planning and execution 
     of United States foreign policy. The Department of State, in 
     coordination with the United States International 
     Broadcasting Agency, shall develop a comprehensive strategy 
     for the use of public diplomacy resources and assume a 
     prominent role in coordinating the efforts of all Federal 
     agencies involved in public diplomacy. Public diplomacy 
     efforts shall be addressed to developed and developing 
     countries, to select and general audiences, and shall utilize 
     all available media to ensure that the foreign policy of the 
     United States is properly explained and understood not only 
     by the governments of countries but also by their peoples, 
     with the objective of enhancing support for United States 
     foreign policy. The Secretary shall ensure that the public 
     diplomacy strategy of the United States is cohesive and 
     coherent and shall aggressively and through the most 
     effective mechanisms counter misinformation and propaganda 
     concerning the United States. The Secretary shall endeavor to 
     articulate the importance in American foreign policy of the 
     guiding principles and doctrines of the United States, 
     particularly freedom and democracy. The Secretary, in 
     coordination with the Board of Governors of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency, shall develop and 
     articulate long-term measurable objectives for United States 
     public diplomacy. The Secretary is authorized to produce and 
     distribute public diplomacy programming for distribution 
     abroad in order to achieve public diplomacy objectives, 
     including through satellite communication, the Internet, and 
     other established and emerging communications technologies.
       ``(b) Information Concerning United States Assistance.--
       ``(1) Identification of assistance.--In cooperation with 
     the United States Agency for International Development 
     (USAID) and other public and private assistance organizations 
     and agencies, the Secretary shall ensure that information 
     concerning foreign assistance provided by the United States 
     Government, United States nongovernmental organizations and 
     private entities, and the American people is disseminated 
     widely and prominently, particularly, to the extent 
     practicable, within countries and regions that receive such 
     assistance. The Secretary shall ensure that, to the extent 
     practicable, projects funded by the United States Agency for 
     International Development (USAID) that do not involve 
     commodities, including projects implemented by private 
     voluntary organizations, are identified as being supported by 
     the United States of America, as American Aid or provided by 
     the American people.
       ``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit a 
     report to the Committee on International Relations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate on efforts to disseminate information 
     concerning assistance described in paragraph (1) during the 
     preceding fiscal year. Each such report shall include 
     specific information concerning all instances in which the 
     United States Agency for International Development has not 
     identified projects in the manner prescribed in paragraph (1) 
     because such indentification was not practicable. Any such 
     report shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may 
     include a classified appendix.
       ``(c) Authority.-- Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, the Secretary may contract with and 
     compensate government and private agencies or persons for 
     property and services to carry out this section.''.
       (b) Establishment of Public Diplomacy Reserve Corps.--
       (1) The Secretary of State shall establish a public 
     diplomacy reserve corps to augment the public diplomacy 
     capacity and capabilities of the Department in emergency and 
     critical circumstances worldwide. The Secretary shall develop 
     a detailed action plan for the temporary deployment and use 
     of the corps to bolster public diplomacy resources and 
     expertise. To the extent considered necessary and 
     appropriate, the Secretary may recruit experts in public 
     diplomacy and related fields from the private sector and 
     utilize the expertise of former employees of the Department 
     in implementing this subsection.
       (2) While actively serving with the reserve corps, 
     individuals are prohibited from engaging in activities 
     directly or indirectly intended to influence public opinion 
     within the United States to the same degree that employees of 
     the Department engaged in public diplomacy are so prohibited.
       (c) Technology and Equipment Upgrades.--
       (1) The Secretary shall establish a fully capable 
     multimedia programming and distribution capacity including 
     satellite, Internet, and other services, and also including 
     the capability to acquire and produce audio and video feeds 
     and Internet streaming to foreign news organizations. The 
     technology and equipment upgrades under the first sentence 
     shall be fully implemented within 2 years of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) To the extent practicable, activities under this 
     subsection shall utilize the facilities of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency established by title III 
     for the purpose of furthering the public diplomacy objectives 
     of the Department of state as enunciated in this section. The 
     Secretary shall reimburse the reasonable expenses of the 
     United States International Broadcasting Agency which are 
     incurred as a result of the Department's use of the Agency's 
     facilities.
       (d) Functions of the Under Secretary for Public 
     Diplomacy.--
       (1) Section 1(b)(3) of the State Department Basic 
     Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(b)(3)) is amended by 
     striking ``formation'' and all that follows through the 
     period at the end and inserting ``formation, supervision, and 
     implementation of United States public diplomacy policies, 
     programs, and activities, including the provision of guidance 
     to Department personnel in the United States and overseas who 
     conduct or implement such policies, programs, and activities. 
     The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy shall assist the 
     United States Agency for International Broadcasting in 
     presenting the policies of the United States clearly and 
     effectively, shall submit statements of United States policy 
     and editorial material to the Agency for broadcast 
     consideration in addition to material prepared by the Agency, 
     and shall ensure that editorial material created by the 
     Agency for broadcast is reviewed expeditiously by the 
     Department.''.
       (2) The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, in carrying 
     out the functions under the last sentence of section 1(b)(3) 
     of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (as 
     added by paragraph (1), shall consult public diplomacy 
     officers operating at United States overseas posts and in the 
     regional bureaus of the Department of State.

     SEC. 103. ANNUAL PLAN ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY STRATEGY.

       The Secretary of State, in coordination with all 
     appropriate Federal agencies, shall prepare an annual review 
     and analysis of the impact of public diplomacy efforts on 
     target audiences. Each review shall assess the United States 
     public diplomacy strategy worldwide and by region, including 
     the allocation of resources and an evaluation and assessment 
     of the progress in, and barriers to, achieving the goals set 
     forth under previous plans submitted under this section. On 
     the basis of such review, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with all appropriate Federal agencies shall 
     develop and submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees an annual plan for the implementation of a public 
     diplomacy strategy which specifies goals, agency 
     responsibilities, and necessary resources and mechanisms for 
     achieving such goals during the next fiscal year. The plan 
     may be submitted in classified form.

     SEC. 104. PUBLIC DIPLOMACY TRAINING.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Foreign Service should recruit individuals with 
     expertise and professional experience in public diplomacy.
       (2) Ambassadors should have a prominent role in the 
     formulation of public diplomacy

[[Page H5042]]

     strategies for the countries and regions to which they are 
     assigned and be accountable for the operation and success of 
     public diplomacy efforts at their posts.
       (3) Initial and subsequent training of Foreign Service 
     officers should be enhanced to include information and 
     training on public diplomacy and the tools and technology of 
     mass communication.
       (b) Personnel.--
       (1) In the recruitment, training, and assignment of members 
     of the Foreign Service, the Secretary shall emphasize the 
     importance of public diplomacy and of applicable skills and 
     techniques. The Secretary shall consider the priority 
     recruitment into the Foreign Service, at middle-level entry, 
     of individuals with expertise and professional experience in 
     public diplomacy or mass communications, especially 
     individuals with language facility and experience in 
     particular countries and regions.
       (2) The Secretary of State shall seek to increase the 
     number of Foreign Service officers proficient in languages 
     spoken in predominantly Muslim countries. Such increase shall 
     be accomplished through the recruitment of new officers and 
     incentives for officers in service.

     SEC. 105. UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PUBLIC 
                   DIPLOMACY.

       (a) Study and Report by United States Advisory Commission 
     on Public Diplomacy.--Section 604(c)(2) of the United States 
     Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 
     1469(c)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(2)(A) Not less often than every two years, the 
     Commission shall undertake an indepth review of United Sttes 
     public diplomacy programs, policies, and activities. Each 
     study shall assess the effectiveness of the various 
     mechanisms of United States public diplomacy, in light of 
     factors including public and media attitudes around the world 
     toward the United States, Americans, and United States 
     foreign policy, and make appropriate recommendations.
       ``(B) A comprehensive report of each study under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be submitted to the Secretary of State 
     and the appropriate congressional committees. At the 
     discretion of the Commission, any report under this 
     subsection may be submitted in classified form or with a 
     classified appendix.
       (b) Information and Support From Other Agencies.--Upon 
     request of the United States Advisory Commission on Public 
     Diplomacy, the Secretary of State, the Director of the United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency, and the head of any 
     other Federal agency that conducts public diplomacy programs 
     and activities shall provide information to the Advisory 
     Commission to assist in carrying out the responsibilities 
     under section 604(c)(5) of the United States Information and 
     Educational Exchange Act of 1948 (as amended by subsection 
     (a)).
       (c) Enhancing the Expertise of United States Advisory 
     Commission on Public Diplomacy.--
       (1) Qualifications of members.--Section 604(a)(2) of the 
     United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 
     1948 (22 U.S.C. 1469(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following: ``At least 4 members shall have substantial 
     experience in the conduct of public diplomacy or comparable 
     activities in the private sector. No member shall be an 
     officer or employee of the United States.''.
       (2) Application of amendment.--The amendments made by 
     paragraph (1) shall not apply to individuals who are members 
     of the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 106. LIBRARY PROGRAM.

       The Secretary of State shall develop and implement a 
     demonstration program to assist foreign governments to 
     establish or upgrade their public library systems to improve 
     literacy and support public education. The program should 
     provide training in the library sciences. The purpose of the 
     program shall be to advance American values and society, 
     particularly the importance of freedom and democracy.

     SEC. 107. SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
                   EFFORTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) A significant number of sub-Saharan African countries 
     have predominantly Muslim populations, including such key 
     countries as Nigeria, Senegal, Djibouti, Mauritania, and 
     Guinea.
       (2) In several of these countries, groups with links to 
     militant religious organizations are active among the youth, 
     primarily young men, promoting a philosophy and practice of 
     intolerance and radical clerics are effectively mobilizing 
     public sentiment against the United States.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that the Secretary should include countries in sub-Saharan 
     Africa with predominantly Muslim populations in the public 
     diplomacy activities authorized by this Act and the 
     amendments made by this Act.

     SEC. 108. FUNDING AND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Limitation on Use of Funds.--Of the amounts authorized 
     to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003 
     for the Diplomatic and Consular Programs of the Department of 
     State, $297,759,000 for the fiscal year 2002 and $305,693,000 
     for the fiscal year 2003 shall be available only for public 
     diplomacy programs and activities as carried out prior to the 
     Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, other 
     than programs of educational and cultural exchange.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations for Improvements in 
     Public Diplomacy Programs.--
       (1) In addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be 
     appropriated, there are authorized to be appropriated 
     $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003 for 
     Diplomatic and Consular Programs of the Department of State 
     which shall be available only for improvements and 
     modernization of public diplomacy programs and activities of 
     the Department of State as carried out prior to the Foreign 
     Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, other than 
     programs of educational and cultural exchange.
       (2) Limitations.--
       (A) Translation services.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated by paragraph (1), $4,000,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is authorized to be appropriated 
     only for translation services available to public affairs 
     officers in overseas posts.
       (B) Broadcast services.--Of the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated by paragraph (1), $7,500,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is authorized to be appropriated 
     only for the Office of Broadcast Services to carry out 
     section 102(c).

   TITLE II--UNITED STATES EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS OF THE 
                          DEPARTMENT OF STATE

     SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF INITIATIVES FOR PREDOMINANTLY 
                   MUSLIM COUNTRIES.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) Surveys indicate that, in countries of predominantly 
     Muslim population, opinions of the United States and American 
     foreign policy among the general public and select audiences 
     are significantly distorted by highly negative and hostile 
     beliefs and images and that many of these beliefs and images 
     are the result of misinformation and propaganda by 
     individuals and organizations hostile to the United States.
       (2) These negative opinions and images are highly 
     prejudicial to the interests of the United States and to its 
     foreign policy.
       (3) As part of a broad and long-term effort to enhance a 
     positive image of the United States in the Muslim world, a 
     key element should be the establishment of programs to 
     promote a greater familiarity with American society and 
     values among the general public and select audiences in 
     countries of predominantly Muslim population.
       (b) Establishment of Initiatives.--The Secretary of State 
     shall establish the following programs with countries with 
     predominantly Muslim populations as part of the educational 
     and cultural exchange programs of the Department of State for 
     the fiscal years 2002 and 2003:
       (1) Journalism program.--A program for foreign journalists, 
     editors, and postsecondary students of journalism which, in 
     cooperation with private sector sponsors to include 
     universities, shall sponsor workshops and professional 
     training in techniques, standards, and practices in the field 
     of journalism to assist the participants to achieve the 
     highest standards of professionalism.
       (2) English language teaching.--The Secretary shall 
     establish a program to provide grants to United States 
     citizens to work in middle and secondary schools as English 
     language teaching assistants for not less than an academic 
     year. If feasible, the host government or local educational 
     agency shall share the salary costs of the assistants.
       (3) Sister city partnerships.--The Secretary shall expand 
     and enhance sister-city partnerships between United States 
     and international municipalities in an effort to increase 
     global cooperation at the community level. Such partnerships 
     shall encourage economic development, municipal cooperation, 
     health care initiatives, youth and educational programs, 
     disability advocacy, emergency preparedness, and humanitarian 
     assistance.
       (4) Youth ambassadors.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     program for visits by middle and secondary school students to 
     the United States during school holidays in their home 
     country for periods not to exceed 4 weeks. Participating 
     students shall reflect the economic and geographic diversity 
     of their countries. Activities shall include cultural and 
     educational activities designed to familiarize participating 
     students with American society and values. To the extent 
     practicable, such visits shall be coordinated with middle and 
     secondary schools in the United States to provide for school-
     based activities and interactions. The Secretary shall 
     encourage the establishment of direct school-to-school 
     linkages under the program.
       (5) Fulbright exchange program.--The Secretary shall seek 
     to substantially increase the number of awards under the J. 
     William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program to graduate 
     students, scholars, professionals, teachers, and 
     administrators from the United States who are applying for 
     such awards to study, teach, conduct research, or pursue 
     scholarship in predominantly Muslim countries. Part of such 
     increase shall include awards for scholars and teachers who 
     plan to teach subjects relating to American studies.
       (6) Hubert h. humphrey fellowships.--The Secretary shall 
     seek to substantially increase the number of Hubert H. 
     Humphrey Fellowships awarded to candidates from predominantly 
     Muslim countries.

[[Page H5043]]

       (7) Library training exchange program.--The Secretary shall 
     develop an exchange program for postgradute students seeking 
     additional training in the library sciences and related 
     fields.
       (c) General Provision.--Programs established under this 
     section shall be carried out under the provisions of the 
     United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 
     1948 and the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 
     1961.

     SEC. 202. DATABASE OF ALUMNI OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN 
                   PARTICIPANTS IN EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.

       To the extent practicable, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the heads of other agencies that conduct 
     international exchange and training programs, shall establish 
     and maintain a database listing all American and foreign 
     alumni of such programs in order to encourage networking, 
     interaction, and communication with alumni.

     SEC. 203. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY 
                   ADVOCATES IN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE 
                   PROGRAMS.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the Congress 
     a report concerning the implementation of section 102 of the 
     Human Rights, Refugee, and Other Foreign Relations Provisions 
     Act of 1996. The report shall include information concerning 
     the number of grants to conduct exchange programs to 
     countries described in such section that have been submitted 
     for competitive bidding, what measures have been taken to 
     ensure that willingness to include supporters of freedom and 
     democracy in such programs is given appropriate weight in the 
     selection of grantees, and an evaluation of whether United 
     States exchange programs in the countries described in such 
     section are fully open to supporters of freedom and 
     democracy, and, if not, what obstacles remain and what 
     measures are being taken to implement such policy.

     SEC. 204. FULBRIGHT-HAYS AUTHORITIES.

       Section 112(d) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural 
     Exchange Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2460) is amended by striking 
     ``operating under the authority of this Act and consistent 
     with'' and inserting ``which operate under the authority of 
     this Act or promote''.

     SEC. 205. SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       In addition to such amounts as are otherwise authorized to 
     be appropriated, for each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003 
     there are authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for 
     educational and cultural exchange programs of the Department 
     of State.

     SEC. 206. SUPPLEMENTAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR DEMOCRACY.

       In addition to amounts otherwise authorized to be 
     appropriated for the fiscal years 2002 and 2003, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the fiscal year 
     2002 and $5,000,000 for the fiscal year 2003 for the National 
     Endowment for Democracy to fund programs that promote 
     democracy, good governance, the rule of law, independent 
     media, religious tolerance, the rights of women, and 
     strengthening of civil society in countries of predominantly 
     Muslim population within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of 
     Near Eastern Affairs of the Department of State.

     SEC. 207. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL AND 
                   CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN 
                   JOURNALISTS.

       It is the sense of the Congress that the Secretary of State 
     should work toward the establishment of a program for foreign 
     journalists from regions of conflict that will provide 
     professional training in techniques, standards, and practices 
     in the field of journalism.

 TITLE III--REORGANIZATION OF UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING

     SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 
                   BROADCASTING AGENCY.

       (a) In General.--Section 304 of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6203) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 304. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 
                   BROADCASTING AGENCY.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established as an 
     independent agency in the executive branch the United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency (hereinafter in this Act 
     referred to as the `Agency').
       ``(b) Board of Governors of the Agency.--
       ``(1) Head of agency.--The Agency shall be headed by the 
     Board of Governors of the United States International 
     Broadcasting Agency (hereinafter in this Act referred to as 
     the `Board of Governors').
       ``(2) Authorities and functions.--The Board of Goverors 
     shall--
       ``(A) carry out the authorities and functions of the Agency 
     under section 305; and
       ``(B) be responsible for the exercise of all authorities 
     and powers and the discharge of all duties and functions of 
     the Agency.
       ``(3) Composition of the board of governors.--
       ``(A) The Board of Governors shall consist of 9 members, as 
     follows:
       ``(i) Eight voting members who shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       ``(ii) The Secretary of State who shall also be a voting 
     member.
       ``(B) The President shall appoint one member (other than 
     the Secretary of State) as Chair of the Board of Governors, 
     subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
       ``(C) Exclusive of the Secretary of State, not more than 4 
     of the members of the Board of Governors appointed by the 
     President shall be of the same political party.
       ``(4) Term of office.--The term of office of each member of 
     the Board of Governors shall be three years, except that the 
     Secretary of State shall remain a member of the Board of 
     Governors during the Secretary's term of service. The 
     President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent 
     of the Senate, board members to fill vacancies occurring 
     prior to the expiration of a term, in which case the members 
     so appointed shall serve for the remainder of such term. Any 
     member whose term has expired may serve until a successor has 
     been appointed and qualified. When there is no Secretary of 
     State, the Acting Secretary of State shall serve as a member 
     of the board until a Secretary is appointed.
       ``(5) Selection of board of governors.--Members of the 
     Board of Governors appointed by the President shall be 
     citizens of the United States who are not regular full-time 
     employees of the United States Government. Such members shall 
     be selected by the President from among Americans 
     distinguished in the fields of mass communications, print, 
     broadcast media, or foreign affairs.
       ``(6) Compensation.--Members of the Board of Governors, 
     while attending meetings of the board or while engaged in 
     duties relating to such meetings or in other activities of 
     the board pursuant to this section (including travel time) 
     shall be entitled to receive compensation equal to the daily 
     equivalent of the compensation prescribed for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code. While away from their homes or regular places of 
     business, members of the board may be allowed travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
     authorized by law for persons in the Government service 
     employed intermittently. The Secretary of State shall not be 
     entitled to any compensation under this title, but may be 
     allowed travel expenses as provided under this subsection.
       ``(7) Decisions.--Decisions of the Board of Governors shall 
     be made by majority vote, a quorum being present. A quorum 
     shall consist of 5 members.
       ``(8) Immunity From civil liability.--Notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, any and all limitations on liability 
     that apply to the members of the Board of Governors also 
     shall apply to such members when acting in their capacities 
     as members of the boards of directors of RFE/RL, Incorporated 
     and Radio Free Asia.
       ``(c) Director.--
       ``(1) Appointment.--The Board of Governors shall appoint a 
     Director of the Agency. The Director shall receive basic pay 
     at the rate payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code. The 
     Director may be removed through a majority vote of the Board.
       ``(2) Functions and duties.--The Director shall have the 
     following functions and duties:
       ``(A) To exercise the authorities delegated by the Board of 
     Governors pursuant to section 305(b).
       ``(B) To carry out all broadcasting activities conducted 
     pursuant to this title, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act, 
     and the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act.
       ``(C) To examine and make recommendations to the Board of 
     Governors on long-term strategies for the future of 
     international broadcasting, including the use of new 
     technologies.
       ``(D) To review engineering activities to ensure that all 
     broadcasting elements receive the highest quality and cost-
     effective delivery services.
       ``(E) To procure supplies, services, and other personal 
     property to carry out the functions of the Agency.
       ``(F) To obligate and expend, for official reception and 
     representation expenses, such amounts as may be made 
     available through appropriations.
       ``(G) To provide for the use of United States Government 
     transmitter capacity for relay of broadcasting by grantees.
       ``(H) To procure temporary and intermittent personal 
     services to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109 
     of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the 
     daily equivalent of the rate provided for positions 
     classified above grade GS-15 of the General Schedule under 
     section 5108 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(I) To procure for the Agency, pursuant to section 1535 
     of title 31, United States Code goods and services from other 
     departments or agencies.
       ``(J) To the extent funds are available, to lease space and 
     acquire personal property for the Agency.
       ``(d) Inspector General Authorities.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department 
     of State shall exercise the same authorities with respect to 
     the Agency as the Inspector General exercises under the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 and section 209 of the Foreign 
     Service Act of 1980 with respect to the Department of State.
       ``(2) Respect for journalistic integrity of broadcasters.--
     The Inspector General of the Department of State and the 
     Foreign Service shall respect the journalistic integrity of 
     all the broadcasters covered by this

[[Page H5044]]

     title and may not evaluate the philosophical or political 
     perspectives reflected in the content of broadcasts.''.
       (b) Retention of Existing Board Members.--The members of 
     the Broadcasting Board of Governors appointed by the 
     President pursuant to section 304 of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Act of 1994 on the day before the 
     effective date of this title and holding office as of that 
     date may serve the remainder of their terms of office as 
     members of the Board of Governors established under 
     subsection (b) without reappointment, or if their term has 
     expired may serve until a successor is appointed and 
     qualified.

     SEC. 302. AUTHORITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AGENCY.

       Section 305 of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6204) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 305. AUTHORITIES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AGENCY.

       ``(a) The Agency shall have the following authorities and 
     functions:
       ``(1) To supervise all broadcasting activities conducted 
     pursuant to this title, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act, 
     and the Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act.
       ``(2) To review and evaluate the mission and operation of, 
     and to assess the quality, effectiveness, and professional 
     integrity of, all such activities within the context of the 
     broad foreign policy objectives of the United States and the 
     guiding principles and doctrines of the United States, 
     particularly freedom and democracy.
       ``(3) To develop strategic goals after reviewing human 
     rights reporting and other reliable assessments to assist in 
     determining programming and resource allocation.
       ``(4) To ensure that United States international 
     broadcasting is conducted in accordance with the standards 
     and principles contained in section 303.
       ``(5) To review, evaluate, and determine, at least 
     annually, after consultation with the Secretary of State, the 
     addition or deletion of language services.
       ``(6) To make and supervise grants for broadcasting and 
     related activities in accordance with sections 308 and 309.
       ``(7) To allocate funds appropriated for international 
     broadcasting activities among the various elements of the 
     Agency and grantees, subject to the limitations in sections 
     308 and 309 and subject to reprogramming notification 
     requirements in law for the reallocation of funds.
       ``(8) To undertake such studies as may be necessary to 
     identify areas in which broadcasting activities under its 
     authority could be made more efficient and economical.
       ``(9) To submit to the President and the Congress an annual 
     report which summarizes and evaluates activities under this 
     title, the Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act, and the Television 
     Broadcasting to Cuba Act, placing special emphasis on the 
     assessment described in paragraph (2).
       ``(10) To make available in the annual report required by 
     paragraph (9) information on funds expended on administrative 
     and managerial services by the Agency and by grantees and the 
     steps the Agency has taken to reduce unnecessary overhead 
     costs for each of the broadcasting services.
       ``(11) To utilize the provisions of titles III, IV, V, VII, 
     VIII, IX, and X of the United States Information and 
     Educational Exchange Act of 1948, and section 6 of 
     Reorganization Plan Number 2 of 1977, as in effect on the day 
     before the effective date of title XIII of the Foreign 
     Affairs Agencies Consolidation Act of 1998, to the extent the 
     Director considers necessary in carrying out the provisions 
     and purposes of this title.
       ``(12) To utilize the authorities of any other statute, 
     reorganization plan, Executive order, regulation, agreement, 
     determination, or other official document or proceeding that 
     had been available to the Director of the United States 
     Information Agency, the Bureau, or the Board before the 
     effective date of title XIII of the Foreign Affairs 
     Consolidation Act of 1998 for carrying out the broadcasting 
     activities covered by this title.
       ``(b) Delegation of Authority.--The Board of Governors may 
     delegate to the Director of the Agency, or any other officer 
     or employee of the United States, the authorities provided in 
     this section, except those authorities provided in paragraph 
     (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (9) of subsection (a).
       ``(c) Broadcasting Budgets.--Director and the grantees 
     identified in sections 308 and 309 shall submit proposed 
     budgets to the Board. The Board shall forward its 
     recommendations concerning the proposed budget for the Board 
     and broadcasting activities under this title, the Radio 
     Broadcasting to Cuba Act, and the Television Broadcasting to 
     Cuba Act to the Office of Management and Budget.''.

     SEC. 303. ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

       Section 306 of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6205) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 306. ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

       ``To assist the Agency in carrying out its functions, the 
     Secretary of State shall provide such information and 
     guidance on foreign policy and public diplomacy issues to the 
     Agency as the Secretary considers appropriate.''.

     SEC. 304. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 is 
     amended by striking section 307 and inserting the following 
     new section:

     ``SEC. 307. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       ``(a) Officers and Employees.--The Board of Governors may 
     appoint and fix the compensation of such officers and 
     employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of 
     the Agency. Except as otherwise provided by law, such 
     officers and employees shall be appointed in accordance with 
     the civil service laws and their compensation shall be fixed 
     in accordance with title 5, United States Code.
       ``(b) Experts and Consultants.--The Board of Governors, as 
     may be provided in appropriation Acts, may obtain the 
     services of experts and consultants in accordance with 
     section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, and may 
     compensate such experts and consultants at rates not to 
     exceed the daily rate prescribed for level IV of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(c) Acceptance of Voluntary Services.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 
     31, United States Code, the Board of Governors may accept, 
     subject to regulations issued by the Office of Personnel 
     Management, voluntary services if such services--
       ``(A) are to be uncompensated; and
       ``(B) are not used to displace any employee.
       ``(2) Treatment.--Any individual who provides voluntary 
     services under this section shall not be considered a Federal 
     employee for any purpose other than for purposes of chapter 
     81 of title 5, United States Code (relating to compensation 
     for injury) and sections 2671 through 2680 of title 28, 
     United States Code (relating to tort claims).
       ``(d) Delegation.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     Act, the Board of Governors may delegate any function to the 
     Director and such other officers and employees of the Agency 
     as the Board of Governors may designate, and may authorize 
     such successive redelegations of such functions within the 
     Agency as may be necessary or appropriate.
       ``(e) Contracts.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 and other applicable 
     Federal law, the Board of Governors may make, enter into, and 
     perform such contracts, grants, leases, cooperative 
     agreements, and other similar transactions with Federal or 
     other public agencies (including State and local governments) 
     and private organizations and persons, and to make such 
     payments, by way of advance or reimbursement, as the Board of 
     Governors may determine necessary or appropriate to carry out 
     functions of the Board of Governors or the Agency.
       ``(2) Appropriation authority required.--No authority to 
     enter into contracts or to make payments under this title 
     shall be effective except to such extent or in such amounts 
     as are provided in advance under appropriation Acts.
       ``(f) Regulations.--The Director may prescribe such rules 
     and regulations as the Board of Governors considers necessary 
     or appropriate to administer and manage the functions of the 
     Agency, in accordance with chapter 5 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       ``(g) Seal.--The Director shall cause a seal of office to 
     be made for the Agency of such design as the Board of 
     Governors shall approve. Judicial notice shall be taken of 
     such seal.''.

     SEC. 305. BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS AND INTERNATIONAL 
                   BROADCASTING BUREAU.

       The Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau are abolished.

     SEC. 306. TRANSITION.

       (a) Transfer of Functions.--Except as otherwise provided in 
     this title or an amendment made by this title, all functions 
     that on the day before the effective date specified in 
     section 311 are authorized to be performed by the 
     Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau and any officer, employee, or component 
     of such entities, under any statute, reorganization plan, 
     Executive order, or other provision of law, are transferred 
     to the Agency established under this title effective on that 
     date.
       (b) Determination of Certain Functions.--If necessary, the 
     Office of Management and Budget shall make any determination 
     of the functions that are transferred under this title.
       (c) Transition Provisions.--
       (1) Exercise of authorities.--Except as otherwise provided 
     by law, the Board of Governors may, for purposes of 
     performing a function that is transferred to the Agency by 
     this title, exercise all authorities under any other 
     provision of law that were available with respect to the 
     performance of that function to the official responsible for 
     the performance of that function on the day before the 
     effective date specified in section 310.
       (2) Authorities to wind up affairs.--
       (A) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget may 
     take such actions as the Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget considers necessary to wind up any outstanding 
     affairs of the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the 
     International Broadcasting Bureau associated with the 
     functions that are transferred pursuant to subsection (a).
       (B) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget may 
     take such actions as the Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget considers necessary to wind up any outstanding 
     affairs of the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the 
     International Broadcasting Bureau associated with the 
     functions that are transferred pursuant to subsection (a).

[[Page H5045]]

       (3) Transfer of assets.--Any property, records, unexpended 
     balances of appropriations, allocations, and other funds 
     employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in 
     connection with a function transferred to the Agency by this 
     Act are transferred on the effective date specified in 
     section 310.

     SEC. 307. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994.--
     The United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 is 
     amended as follows:
       (1) Section 308 (22 U.S.C. 6207) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking ``The Board'' and inserting ``The Agency''; 
     and
       (ii) in paragraph (1) by striking ``Broadcasting Board of 
     Governors'' and inserting ``Board Governors of the 
     International Broadcasting Agency'';
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (2);
       (ii) by striking ``(1)''; and
       (iii) by striking ``Board'' both places it appears and 
     inserting ``Agency'';
       (C) in subsections (c), (d), (g), (h), and (i) by striking 
     ``Board'' each place it appears and inserting ``Agency'';
       (D) in subsection (g)(4) by striking ``International 
     Broadcasting Bureau'' and inserting ``Agency''; and
       (E) in subsections (i) and (j) by striking ``and the 
     Foreign Service'' each place it appears.
       (2) Section 309 (22 U.S.C. 6208) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (c)(1) by striking ``Board'' both places 
     it appears and inserting ``Agency'';
       (B) by striking subsection (e);
       (C) in subsections (f) and (g) by striking ``Board'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``Agency''; and
       (D) in subsection (g) by striking ``Chairman of the Board'' 
     and inserting ``Agency''.
       (3) By striking section 311 (22 U.S.C. 6210).
       (4) In section 313 (22 U.S.C. 6212) by striking ``Board'' 
     and inserting ``Agency''.
       (5) In section 314 (22 U.S.C. 6213) by striking paragraph 
     (2).
       (6) By striking section 315.
       (b) Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act 
     of 1996.--Section 107 of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic 
     Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (22 U.S.C. 6037) is amended 
     in subsections (a) and (b) by striking ``International 
     Broadcasting Bureau'' each place it appears and inserting 
     ``United States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (c) Radio Broadcasting to Cuba Act.--The Radio Broadcasting 
     to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465 et seq.) is amended as follows:
       (1) In section 3 (22 U.S.C. 1465a) as follows:
       (A) In the section heading by striking ``BROADCASTING BOARD 
     OF GOVERNORS'' and inserting ``UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL 
     BROADCASTING AGENCY''.
       (B) In subsection (a) by striking ``the `Board')'' and 
     inserting ``the `Agency')''.
       (C) In subsections (a), (d), and (f) by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (3) In section 4 (22 U.S.C. 1465b) as follows:
       (A) In the first sentence by striking ``The'' and all that 
     follows through ``Bureau'' and inserting: ``The Board of 
     Governors of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency shall establish within the Agency''.
       (B) In the third sentence by striking ``Broadcasting Board 
     of Governors'' and inserting ``Board of Governors of the 
     United States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (C) In the fourth sentence by striking ``Board of the 
     International Broadcasting Bureau'' and inserting ``Board of 
     Governors of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency''.
       (4) In section 5 (22 U.S.C. 1465c) as follows:
       (A) In subsection (b) by striking ``Broadcasting Board of 
     Governors'' and inserting ``Board of Governors of the United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (B) By striking ``Board'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``Advisory Board''.
       (5) In section 6 (22 U.S.C. 1465d) as follows:
       (A) In subsection (a) by striking ``Broadcasting Board of 
     Governors'' and inserting ``United States International 
     Broadcasting Agency'' and by striking ``Board'' and inserting 
     ``Board of Directors of the United States International 
     Broadcasting Agency''.
       (B) In subsection (b) by striking ``Board'' and inserting 
     ``United States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (6) In section 7 (22 U.S.C. 1465e) by striking ``Board'' in 
     subsections (b) and (d) and inserting ``United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (7) In section 8(a) (22 U.S.C. 1465f(a)), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (d) Television Broadcasting to Cuba Act.--The Television 
     Broadcasting to Cuba Act (22 U.S.C. 1465aa note) is amended 
     as follows:
       (1) Section 243(a) (22 U.S.C. 1465bb) is amended by 
     striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting 
     ``United States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (2) Section 244 (22 U.S.C. 1465cc) is amended as follows:
       (A) In subsection (a) by amending the third sentence to 
     read as follows: ``The Board of Governors of the United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency shall appoint a head 
     of the Service who shall report directly to the Board of 
     Governors.''.
       (B) In subsection (b) by striking ``Board'' and inserting 
     ``United States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (C) In subsection (c) by striking ``The Board'' and 
     inserting ``The Agency'' and by striking ``Board determines'' 
     and inserting ``Board of Governors of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency determines''.
       (3) In section 246 (22 U.S.C. 1465dd) by striking ``United 
     States Information Agency'' and inserting ``United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency'' and by striking ``Board'' 
     and inserting ``Board of Governors of the United States 
     International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (e) United States Information and Educational Exchange Act 
     of 1948.--The United States Information and Educational 
     Exchange Act of 1948 (22 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 505 (22 U.S.C. 1464a), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency''; and
       (2) in section 506(c) (22 U.S.C. 1464b(c))--
       (A) by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and 
     inserting ``United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency''; and
       (B) by striking ``Board'' and inserting ``Agency''.
       (e) Foreign Service Act of 1980.--The Foreign Service Act 
     of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 202(a)(1) (22 U.S.C. 3922(a)(1)), by 
     striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting 
     ``United States International Broadcasting Agency'';
       (2) in section 210 (22 U.S.C. 3930), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency'';
       (3) in section 1003(a) (22 U.S.C. 4103(a)), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency''; and
       (4) in section 1101(c) (22 U.S.C. 4131(c)), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors,'' and inserting ``the 
     United States International Broadcasting Agency,''.
       (f) State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956.--The 
     State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 
     2651a et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 23(a) (22 U.S.C. 2695(a)), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors,'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency,'';
       (2) in section 25(f) (22 U.S.C. 2697(f)--
       (A) by striking ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and 
     inserting ``United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency''; and
       (B) by striking ``the Board and the Agency'' and inserting 
     ``their respective agencies'';
       (3) in section 26(b) (22 U.S.C. 2698(b))--
       (A) by striking `Broadcasting Board of Governors,'' and 
     inserting ``United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency''; and
       (B) by striking ``the Board and the Agency'' and inserting 
     ``their respective agencies''; and
       (4) in section 32 (22 U.S.C. 2704), by striking 
     ``Broadcasting Board of Governors'' and inserting ``United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency''.
       (g) Title 5, United States Code.--Section 5315 of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Director of the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau.''.
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``Director, United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency.''.

     SEC. 308. REFERENCES.

       Except as otherwise provided in this title or an amendment 
     made by this title, any reference in any statute, 
     reorganization plan, Executive order, regulation, agreement, 
     determination, or other official document or proceeding to 
     the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau or any other officer or employee of the 
     Broadcasting Board of Governors or the International 
     Broadcasting Bureau shall be deemed to refer to the United 
     States International Broadcasting Agency or the Board of 
     Governors of the United States International Broadcasting 
     Agency established under this title.

     SEC. 309. BROADCASTING STANDARDS.

       Section 303(a) of the United States International 
     Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6202(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (6) by striking ``and'';
       (2) in paragraph (8) by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding after paragraph (8) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(9) seek to ensure that resources are allocated to 
     broadcasts directed at people whose governments deny freedom 
     of expression or who are otherwise in special need of honest 
     and professional broadcasting, commensurate with the need for 
     such broadcasts.''.

     SEC. 310. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to such 
     amounts as are otherwise authorized to be appropriated for 
     the fiscal year 2003, there are authorized to be appropriated 
     $135,000,000 for the fiscal year 2003 for the Broadcasting 
     Board of Governors to expand television and radio 
     broadcasting to countries with predominantly Muslim 
     populations and to support audience development.
       (b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 311. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       Except as otherwise provided, this title and the amendments 
     made by this title shall

[[Page H5046]]

     take effect on the last day of the 6-month period beginning 
     on the date of the enactment of this Act.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Hyde) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3969, the Freedom Promotion 
Act of 2002. As Americans, we are justly proud of our country. If any 
Nation has been a greater force for good in the long and tormented 
history of this world, I am unaware of it. We have guarded whole 
continents from conquests, showered aid on distant lands, sent 
thousands of youthful idealists to remote and often inhospitable areas 
to help the world's forgotten.
  Why then when we read or listen to descriptions of Americans in 
foreign press, do we so often seem to be entering a fantasyland of 
hatred?

                              {time}  1915

  Much of the popular press overseas, often including the government-
owned media, daily depict the United States as a force for evil, 
accusing this country of an endless number of malevolent plots against 
the world. As we battle the terrorists who masterminded the murder of 
thousands of Americans, our actions are widely depicted in the Muslim 
world as a war against Islam. Our efforts at self-defense, which should 
be supported by every decent person on this planet, instead spark riots 
that threaten governments that dare to cooperate with us.
  How is it that the country that invented Hollywood and Madison Avenue 
has such trouble promoting a positive image of itself overseas? Over 
the years, the images of mindless hatred directed at us have become 
familiar fixtures on our television screens. All this time, we have 
heard calls that ``something must be done.'' Clearly, whatever has been 
done has not been enough.
  I believe that the problem is too great and too entrenched to be 
solved by tweaking an agency here or reshuffling a program there. We 
must rethink our entire approach and seek out new perspectives and 
methods. We must both address our immediate needs and also lay the 
groundwork for long-term changes, changes that must include utilizing 
the full range of modern media and tapping into the private sector's 
vast expertise in the creation and promotion of compelling messages and 
images.
  To begin this process, with the assistance of my cosponsors, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Berman), I have introduced the bipartisan bill now 
before us, H.R. 3969, the Freedom Promotion Act of 2002. This 
legislation is designed to meet a number of pressing needs by 
reorienting and reinvigorating our approach to public diplomacy.
  The bill is divided into three titles. The major provisions of title 
I elevate the role and prominence of public diplomacy in the State 
Department's programs and decision-making and include a requirement 
that the Secretary of State prepare an annual strategic plan for the 
use of public diplomacy along with an operational plan for its 
implementation. Title II establishes a series of initiatives focused on 
the Muslim world, the goal of which is to increase those people's 
direct contact with the American people for the purpose of enhancing 
their understanding of the United States and its values. Title III 
reorganizes our international broadcasting operations in order to 
ensure greater clarity and responsibility in decisionmaking. All 
sources agree that the current organizational structure produces great 
confusion. Our purpose, however, is not merely to rationalize 
decisionmaking but to create the conditions needed to design and 
implement fundamental reforms throughout our broadcasting efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, these are the broad goals of this legislation. I have 
prepared a section-by-section description of the bill that I insert in 
the Record.

                          Legislation Summary


                      Title I: Department of State

       Specific authorizing language. The legislation gives shape 
     to the direction and manner in which public diplomacy is 
     carried out by defining the statutory authorization; defines 
     the role of the Secretary of State in public diplomacy more 
     specifically in terms of standards, technologies, and target 
     audiences:
       Requires the Secretary of State to ensure that there is a 
     ``cohesive and coherent'' strategy to ``aggressively . . . 
     counter misinformation and hostile propaganda concerning the 
     United States.''
       In coordination with the reconstituted International 
     Broadcasting Agency, the Secretary of State ``shall develop 
     and articulate long-term measurable objectives for United 
     States public diplomacy.
       Mandates development of an annual strategic communications 
     plan by the Department of State to advance U.S. foreign 
     policy goals including a tactical communications plan for 
     implementation at the embassy level. The development of this 
     plan must be coordinated with the many federal agencies 
     active in international programs. Although the State 
     Department is not given operational control over programs and 
     activities conducted by other agencies, it is designated as 
     the lead agency.
       Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy--Created in 
     1999 with the consolidation of the Department of State and 
     the United Information Agency (USIA), the Under Secretary is 
     given new authority over public diplomacy directors serving 
     in the department's six regional bureaus to improve 
     coordination of public diplomacy activities.
       The legislation creates a firewall around the budget for 
     public diplomacy and authorizes an additional $70 million for 
     exchange and cultural programs and $40 million for other 
     public diplomacy programs over two years.
       The legislation also provides $7.5 million annually to the 
     Office of Broadcast Services at the Department of State to 
     accelerate its outreach to the world. A key objective is to 
     equip the State Department with the requisite facilities, 
     including studios and satellite capability, to enable it to 
     act as a command center for a public diplomacy operations 
     globally and in real time.
       Development of programming. The State Department is 
     authorized to develop programming in coordination with U.S. 
     Agency for International Development for foreign audiences 
     separate from the renamed International Broadcasting Agency. 
     State is encouraged to work with foreign television 
     broadcasters and other media to produce and distribute 
     programming.
       Establishment of the Public Diplomacy Reserve Corps. 
     Includes a database of eligible experts in foreign policy and 
     mass communication for temporary assignments to augment the 
     Department during ``emergency and critical circumstances 
     worldwide.''
       Enhanced training in media and advocacy skills for the 
     Foreign Service and Ambassadors. The Foreign Service is 
     encouraged to recruit individuals with experience in public 
     diplomacy and to emphasize to all incoming officers that 
     public diplomacy is an important part of their job. Training 
     for Ambassadors and Foreign Service officers should include a 
     component on public diplomacy and the tools and technology of 
     mass communication. In particular, Ambassadors should take a 
     prominent role in the formulation of public diplomacy 
     strategies for the country and regions to which they are 
     assigned and be formally held accountable for the operation 
     and success of the public diplomacy efforts at their posts.
       Translation services. To assist Public Affairs Offices in 
     embassies worldwide, the legislation adds an additional $4 
     million annually for document translation services.
       Mandates in-depth research on public and media attitudes in 
     regions chosen at the discretion of the Department of State. 
     This includes a requirement that analyses of the comparative 
     effectiveness of the various efforts undertaken in the area 
     of public diplomacy be provided annually, including the use 
     of the private sector in the U.S. and overseas.
       Alumni program. A database of international alumni of U.S. 
     exchange programs will be created in order to expand and 
     utilize the connections established.
       American Library initiative. A demonstration program will 
     examine the most effective way to augment resources in local 
     public library systems to improve literacy and to 
     ``familiarize participants with American values and society, 
     particularly the importance of freedom and democracy.''
       Reform of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. 
     Mandates a comprehensive biennial study by the Commission of 
     the State Department's public diplomacy and requires that at 
     least four of the seven Commission members have ``substantial 
     experience in the conduct of public diplomacy or comparable 
     activities in the private sector.''


            title ii: initiatives aimed at the muslim world

       Youth Ambassadors--Authorizes a summer youth exchange 
     program for young individuals from countries with a 
     predominantly

[[Page H5047]]

     Muslim population. (Short-term exchanges of 3-4 weeks in 
     length) to familiarize participants with the United States.
       Jouralism program--Authorizes an initiative to work with 
     foreign journalists to increase their familiarity with 
     appropriate practices and techniques and to enhance 
     international standards of quality and objectivity. This 
     program will be established and operated in cooperation with 
     private sector sponsors, including universities and exchange 
     programs.
       English language training. Creates a pilot program to 
     increase English language skills by sending Americans to 
     middle schools in the Muslim world to provide English 
     language instruction.
       Sister Cities Initiative: Authorizes funds for an expanded 
     ``sister cities'' program to increase the number of US-sister 
     city partnerships in countries with a predominantly Muslim 
     population. (Currently there are 42 such partnerships). These 
     partnerships are aimed at community level development and 
     volunteer action and include non-federal support.
       Fulbright Exchange Programs: Requires new emphasis on 
     exchanges of U.S. professionals seeking to study, teach, 
     conduct research or pursue scholarship in predominately 
     Muslim countries.
       National Endowment for Democracy: Provides an additional 
     $10 million over two years to fund programs ``that promote 
     democracy, media, religious tolerance, the rights of women 
     and strengthening of civil society'' in predominately Muslim 
     countries.


                 title iii: international broadcasting

       Establishment of the International Broadcasting Agency--The 
     legislation reorganizes U.S. international broadcasting 
     programs, now headed by a part-time Board of Broadcasting 
     Governors, into an agency headed by a director appointed by 
     the Board. The reorganization is designed to ensure 
     accountability by an identified decision maker while causing 
     minimal disruption to broadcasting operations and preserving 
     the strengths of the Board. The present Board of Governors 
     will be reconstituted as the Board of International 
     Broadcasting of the U.S. International Broadcasting Agency 
     and will retain operational control of grants to entities 
     including Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Radio Free 
     Europe.
       Development of television services to the Middle East and 
     elsewhere. The legislation provides an initial $135 million 
     to the Board of International Broadcasting (formerly known as 
     the BBG) to expand television and radio broadcasting to 
     countries with predominately Muslim populations, in order to 
     dramatically expand access to mass audiences of uncensored 
     news and entertainment.
  There is a manager's amendment that includes a few changes from the 
bill as reported. We have made a number of accommodations to the 
concerns expressed by the State Department and others, and the bill now 
enjoys State Department support. These changes include reducing the 
authorization for the 2003 fiscal year for State Department's operating 
account for public diplomacy programs; providing a 2-year authorization 
for the initiatives focused on countries with predominantly Muslim 
populations for the 2002 and 2003 fiscal years; and adding a sense of 
Congress to establish a training program for journalists from regions 
of conflict.
  The measures in this bill are long overdue, but they represent only 
the first steps in what must become an ongoing effort to ensure that 
the truth about our country rises above the cacophony of hate and 
misinformation that often passes for discourse in many areas of the 
world. Our goal should not merely be to talk to the governments and 
elites of the world but to engage people at all levels and in every 
country and do so on a permanent basis. We must do so not as an adjunct 
to our foreign policy but as a central component of that policy.
  America's story is a compelling one, but it is up to us to tell it. 
We have much to do, but we must never forget that beyond the islands of 
hatred populated by vocal enemies, there is an enormous reservoir of 
good will and that legions of silent allies await.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
rise in strong support of H.R. 3969, the Freedom Promotion Act of 2002.
  Let me begin, Mr. Speaker, by applauding Chairman Hyde for his 
tireless work on this bill. It is his push, his creativity, and his 
efforts that have brought this bill into introduction, through passage 
in committee and now to the floor. He has a strong personal commitment 
to enhancing our public diplomacy programs and he is showing tremendous 
leadership on that critical issue. I would also like to commend my 
ranking member, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for his 
great dedication to public diplomacy. As both of these distinguished 
Members are well aware, winning the information war is critical to 
winning the war on terrorism. Helping prevent one key element in the 
prevention of future terrorist attacks must be the enhancement of 
international understanding of U.S. policies and values and a response 
to the hateful anti-American propaganda that often fuels terrorism. 
This can only be done through strong public diplomacy, including 
expanded international broadcasting and enhanced educational and 
cultural exchanges, particularly in the Middle East and in other 
countries with large Muslim populations.
  Mr. Speaker, in the struggle against international terrorism, the 
United States must not be afraid to proclaim the universal values we 
espouse, democracy, free markets, human rights and social justice. 
These ideals represent the strongest weapons in America's arsenal and 
are the ultimate guarantors of our victory in this struggle. 
Disseminating these values more broadly and more effectively is the 
purpose and the promise of this legislation.
  This compromise bill represents the best in bipartisanship in pursuit 
of U.S. national security interests. In the Committee on International 
Relations, we worked together to craft an amendment that streamlines 
the management of our international broadcasting operations while at 
the same time maintaining a bipartisan board as a firewall to shield 
broadcasting from inappropriate political influence. This structure is 
key to preserving journalistic integrity and the credibility of our 
broadcasts.
  We also adopted important amendments to increase funding for the 
National Endowment for Democracy's activities in the Middle East, to 
more systematically advertise our foreign assistance to overseas 
audiences, and to ensure that the predominantly Muslim countries of 
Africa are not overlooked.
  Finally, we adopted an amendment that I offered with the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) to provide additional resources for a 24-
hour Arabic language satellite television service in the Middle East, 
as well as new television services and expanded radio broadcasts to 
countries with large Muslim populations in Central, South and East 
Asia. It is critical that we offer people in these countries a balanced 
alternative to al-Jazeera and other media sources that have contributed 
to growing anti-Americanism in the Muslim world.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the brave 
men and women fighting for freedom in Afghanistan and beyond are the 
best trained, best equipped, and best led in the world. We also have a 
duty to provide our diplomatic corps and our broadcasting personnel, 
who are on the front lines of our public diplomacy efforts, with the 
same moral and material support. The funds authorized in this bill are 
a drop in the bucket compared to the amount we have already spent in 
the war on terrorism, but they will make a difference in our public 
diplomacy efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, in the wake of last September's horrific events, this 
Chamber has united to take bold and courageous action in support of our 
war against international terrorism. The legislation before us is an 
integral part of that war effort and deserves the same strong 
bipartisan show of support.
  I urge all my colleagues to support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would not want this opportunity to pass without commending my 
friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman), who 
has made his usual indispensable contribution to good legislation. He 
is a very valuable and contributing Member. I am delighted to have him 
as an active cosponsor on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Freedom Promotion 
Act. This important legislation is designed to enhance public diplomacy 
in countries with predominantly Muslim populations.
  During the 1990's, the United States fought in four military 
conflicts in support of countries with majority Muslim areas. We 
liberated Kuwait, saved 250,000 people in Somalia, ended

[[Page H5048]]

the Bosnia genocide, and halted Milosevic's ethnic cleansing in Kosova. 
With that record, it is almost inconceivable to me that we need to 
enhance our nation's image in the Middle East and other areas with 
large Muslim populations. Nevertheless, for a variety of reasons we do. 
This bill is an important first step toward telling the world the story 
of America and the values for which we stand.
  I particularly support this legislation because it includes my 
amendment authorizing funding for the promotion of democracy, good 
governance, the rule of law, independent media, religious tolerance, 
the rights of women, and strengthening civil society in Middle Eastern 
states. For too long, America has tolerated Arab dictatorships because 
of our need for secure oil supplies. September 11th demonstrated that 
our country needs true friends in the region--democracies which respect 
the rights of their people--not petty autocracies which trample civil 
and political rights to perpetuate their rule. The funding to promote 
democracy in the Middle East will be coordinated by the National 
Endowment for Democracy, which does such excellent work around the 
world to promote America's democratic values.
  My amendment passed prior to the recent release of the Arab Human 
Development Report 2002 written by Arab scholars and experts with the 
support of the United Nations Development Program. Yet, this report, 
which found a ``freedom deficit'' in the Arab world, only adds to the 
importance of democracy promotion in the Middle East. As stated in a 
July 7 New York Times Editorial, ``For too long, America embraced 
corrupt and autocratic Arab leaders, asking only that they accommodate 
Western oil needs and not make excessive trouble for Israel. As a 
result, too many young Arabs now identify the United States more 
readily with repressive dictators it supports in the Middle East than 
with the tolerant democracy it practices at home.'' My amendment is 
designed to turn back that tide.
  Once again, I strongly support H.R. 3969, the Freedom Promotion Act 
and urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3969, the Freedom 
Promotion Act.
  Mr. Speaker, Chairman Hyde has crafted a superb bill and I am proud 
of him and of our Committee. The bill, as our Committee report states, 
is intended to ``enhance in scope and substance, redirect, redefine, 
and reorganize United States public diplomacy.'' It is clear that we 
have not been getting the desired results from our public diplomacy 
efforts. Even with the major reorganization of the last decade, our 
efforts have not met the challenge of the post-September 11 world.
  The team assembled by the President, including Under Secretary Beers 
and, of course, Secretary Powell, a most formidable communicator in his 
own right, are working overtime. But they need the tools and resources 
that this bill provides them.
  I am especially interested in the special authorities for outreach to 
the Muslim world that are incorporated in this bill. The governments of 
too many Muslim states have been directing the energies of their people 
at the United States, or at Israel, in the search for an excuse for 
mismanagement at home. We need to tell our story and deflect this 
improperly-placed blame, which can only lead to hatred, terrorism, and 
war.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work of Chairman Hyde and my colleagues 
and urge them to support the bill.
  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3969, the 
Freedom Promotion Act of 2002. I would like to thank Chairman Hyde and 
Ranking Member Lantos of the House International Relations Committee 
for their leadership on this very important issue.
  Mr. Speaker, American leadership and generosity have made the United 
States the leading international donor. Each year, the United States 
provides billions of dollars in foreign aid. Unfortunately, despite our 
efforts to improve the daily lives of people around the world, anti-
American sentiment exists and is--quite alarmingly--on the rise. Often, 
the recipients of our aid do not know that it comes from the United 
States.
  I was pleased to offer an amendment to H.R. 3969 during the 
International Relations Committee markup ensuring that the positive 
work and support the United States provides to troubled regions around 
the world be properly identified. U.S. assistance funded by the 
American taxpayer should be clearly identified, and the extent of 
American generosity for purposes of poverty reduction and development 
should be well known.
  Foreign aid is a potentially powerful tool in our public diplomacy 
campaign. Broadcasting this fact abroad can help in building support 
for U.S. foreign policy and generate good will. Directing the Secretary 
of State to take advantage of this untapped resource, and requiring him 
to report to Congress on his efforts to do so, ensures that U.S. 
foreign assistance becomes an integral component of public diplomacy.
  My amendment to H.R. 3969 was only the first step in the effort to 
effectively promote U.S. assistance abroad. Now more than ever, this 
bill is vital to shaping an effective foreign policy that ensures 
America's security interests in the aftermath of September 11, and 
advances America's enduring principles of justice, democracy and human 
rights.
  Thank you and I urge an `aye' vote.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3969, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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