[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 146 (Wednesday, November 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10891-S10893]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HELMS:
  S. 3155. A bill to authorize the President to establish and maintain 
the Foreign Language and Cultural Institute program; to the Committee 
on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I am today introducing a bill entitled the 
Language Mastery Support Act of 2002. I don't expect this Senate to act 
on it this year, but I hope and believe it can serve as a model for the 
108th Congress.
  This bill addresses the dangerous shortage of government officials 
who possess critical foreign languages skills and expert knowledge of 
foreign cultures. A report issue this year by the General Accounting 
Office concluded that foreign language skills are critical to the 
success of our diplomatic and intelligence agencies and that the 
shortage of skilled personnel has adversely affected American law 
enforcement, intelligence, counter-terrorism, diplomatic and military 
efforts.
  The end of the Cold War and the rise of terrorism have exacerbated 
this problem because the most serious shortages involved those 
languages found in Asia and the Middle East. In fact, we have received 
warning signals. For example, the disclosure that intercepts of 
suspected terrorists were translated long after the events they 
discussed had taken place should be viewed with alarm.
  Even before 9/11, Senator Cochran referred to a ``crisis in federal 
language capabilities'' when the intelligence community disclosed that 
the United States could be faced with a ``technical surprise'' because 
thousands of foreign scientific papers could not be translated due to 
the lack of skilled translators.
  Our governments has experienced this shortage of skilled personnel 
going back to the beginning of the Cold War. Intermittent attempts to 
solve the problem over the years have left us with an accumulation of 
patchwork fixes. As the recent GAO report demonstrates clearly, this 
approach has not succeeded. It is time to take a fresh approach and 
seek a broader, long-term solution.
  This bill will establish a national program in our academic 
institutions that encourages students to pursue critical language 
skills, supports their academic careers and provides a clear employment 
path to Federal agencies. It does so by making maximum use of existing 
academic programs and facilities with minimal additional resources.
  Students enrolled in this program would be required to meet certain 
academic standards for which they would receive reasonable stipends, 
equivalent to those provided under the ROTC program.
  During the academic summers, under this legislation, participants 
would receive specialized training at underutilization Federal and 
academic facilities, instructed by a faculty composed of both Federal 
Government and civilian instructors. The participants could also travel 
to overseas posts for so-called ``immersion'' training in foreign 
languages and cultures at U.S. diplomatic and military facilities.
  At the beginning of their senior year, participants would receive 
offers of employment from interests Federal agencies which they must 
accept or reject within 30 days. This would allow their processing to 
be completed by the time they graduate, allowing them to enter the 
Federal workforce without the current delays attributable to security 
clearances and administrative processing.
  The program would be embodied in an Institute. This Institute would 
not

[[Page S10892]]

be composed of bricks and mortar but of a nationwide enrollment of 
students at colleges and universities who would receive specialized 
training during their academic summers. The Institute would be run by a 
Chairman of the Board, appointed by the President. The Chairman would 
be supported by a Board composed of representatives from each of the 
participating Federal agencies. Staff would be minimal and provided by 
the participating agencies.
  Each agency would still be able to set its own qualifications issue 
its own employment offers and maintain its own security requirements. 
But it could do so in a manner that is competitive with private 
industry employment opportunities that are available to graduates, 
after an opportunity to evaluate potential employees throughout the 
course of their involvement in the Institute and with the added benefit 
of the financial incentive that the Institute would provide.
  This program will broaden the pool of available candidates for 
Federal employment, allow Federal agencies to compete efficiently for 
these skilled language specialists and make Federal employment more 
attractive.
  So far, we have avoided serious consequences from the lack of 
language skills in the Federal Government. This bill constitutes a new 
approach to this problem. It is long overdue and desperately needed. I 
ask that each of my colleagues give it prompt and serious 
consideration.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 3155

       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 ``Language Mastery Support Act 
     of 2002''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this Act is to establish a program of study 
     and overseas training in critical foreign languages and 
     cultures, including the establishment of a Foreign Language 
     and Cultural Institute, in order to--
       (1) increase in Federal Government service the number of 
     persons possessing critical skills that are in short supply;
       (2) create a pool of prospective candidates for employment 
     in those agencies of the Federal Government that rely on 
     significant levels of overseas assignments;
       (3) provide monetary and employment incentives for 
     candidates to participate in the program;
       (4) facilitate the identification of potential Federal 
     Government employees with the pool of prospective candidates;
       (5) provide additional opportunities for candidate 
     development and evaluation;
       (6) substantially shorten the delay between identification 
     of a desirable candidate and entry upon service by the 
     candidate;
       (7) minimize the necessity for training during the initial 
     period of employment;
       (8) provide for ``cross-fertilization'' through the 
     incorporation of both private sector and Government 
     instructors in the faculty of the Institute;
       (9) reduce the underutilization of existing Government and 
     educational facilities; and
       (10) achieve these objectives for a minimal cost, that 
     would be partially offset by a reduction in the amount of 
     initial training provided by participating agencies for new 
     employees.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Approved facilities.--The term ``approved facilities'' 
     means--
       (A) excess Government facilities, including former military 
     installations; and
       (B) institutions of higher education that are underutilized 
     in the summer months.
       (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Interagency 
     Critical Foreign Languages and Cultures Board established by 
     section 4(c).
       (3) Critical foreign languages and cultures.--The term 
     ``critical foreign languages and cultures'' means foreign 
     languages and cultures--
       (A) identified by the Board as necessary for the effective 
     implementation of United States national security policy; and
       (B) with respect to which there exists a shortage of 
     skilled personnel among the personnel of participating 
     agencies.
       (4) Institute.--The term ``Institute'' means the program 
     established under section 4(a).
       (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (6) Participant.--The term ``participant'' means a person 
     who is enrolled in the Institute.
       (7) Participating agency.--The term ``participating 
     agency'' means the Department of State, the Department of 
     Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense 
     Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation.
       (8) Participation agreement.--The term ``participation 
     agreement'' means an agreement between the Institute and a 
     person otherwise eligible for enrollment in the Institute 
     under which--
       (A) the person agrees--
       (i) to respond to any offer of employment extended by a 
     participating agency, not later than 30 days after the 
     commencement of the participant's final academic year, by 
     accepting or rejecting such employment; and
       (ii) to serve in that agency for a period not less than the 
     period specified in the agreement; and
       (B) the Institute agrees to provide the allowances 
     established by the Board pursuant to section 4(g)(1).

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE.

       (a) In General.--To carry out the purpose of section 2, the 
     President is authorized to establish and maintain a study and 
     training program described in section 5 that shall be known 
     as the ``Foreign Language and Cultural Institute''.
       (b) Implementation.--The President shall exercise the 
     authority of subsection (a) through the Interagency Critical 
     Foreign Languages and Cultures Board established in 
     subsection (c).
       (c) Establishment of Interagency Board.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established an Interagency 
     Critical Foreign Languages and Cultures Board that shall 
     consist of seven members, as follows:
       (A) One member appointed by the President from among 
     individuals in the private sector having expertise in matters 
     within the purpose of this Act, who shall serve as Chairman 
     of the Board.
       (B) Six members, of whom one each shall be an official of a 
     participating agency, who shall be designated by the head of 
     the agency to serve on the Board.
       (2) Duties of the board.--The Board shall, under the 
     supervision of the Chairman--
       (A) develop the curriculum of the Institute;
       (B) provide policy recommendations to the President 
     regarding the administration of the Institute;
       (C) establish procedures for the operation of the 
     Institute; and
       (D) provide oversight for the operation of the Institute.
       (3) Terms.--The term of office for the Chairman and for 
     each other member of the Board shall be three years.
       (4) Compensation.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C), each member of the Board shall serve without 
     compensation.
       (B) Compensation of the chairman.--The Chairman shall be 
     paid at the rate of basic pay for positions classified at 
     level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (C) Travel expenses.--The members of the Board 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 service for the Board.
       (5) Administrative support.--The Secretary of State shall 
     provide such staff personnel and other administrative 
     services as may be necessary to support the Board. Additional 
     staff may be provided by participating agencies.

     SEC. 5. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.

       (a) Regular Program.--Each participant in the Institute 
     shall undertake a program of study and training in critical 
     foreign languages and cultures that shall primarily consist 
     of courses of study or training taken at accredited 
     institutions of higher learning during the normal academic 
     year.
       (b) Supplemental Instruction.--
       (1) In general.--The program described in subsection (a) 
     shall be supplemented by instruction at Institute facilities 
     approved by the Board, at least one of which shall be located 
     in each major geographic region in the United States.
       (2) Program periods.--Such supplemental instruction shall 
     be given through the Institute during specified periods in 
     each of three consecutive years, as follows:
       (A) For the first year of participation, courses of study 
     taken during the summer period between the participant's 
     sophomore and junior undergraduate years.
       (B) For the second year of participation, courses of study 
     or training which may include training at diplomatic missions 
     or consular posts, taken during the summer period between the 
     participant's junior and senior undergraduate years or at 
     such times as the Board may determine.
       (C) For the third year of participation, courses of study, 
     or training which may include training at diplomatic or 
     consular posts, taken during the summer period that follows 
     award of a baccalaureate or equivalent degree to the 
     participant or at such times as the Board may determine.
       (3) Additional activities.--Supplemental instruction under 
     this subsection may include such other activities as the 
     Board may determine. The Board may modify the instruction 
     provided for under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph 
     (2).
       (c) Eligibility.--To be enrolled as a participant in the 
     Institute a person shall--
       (1) be a citizen of the United States;
       (2) be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an 
     institution of higher education

[[Page S10893]]

     or graduate of such an institution during the preceding year;
       (3) be selected for participation in the Institute under 
     procedures prescribed by the Board; and
       (4) have entered into a participation agreement pursuant to 
     procedures established by the Board.
       (d) Conditional Offer of Employment.--
       (1) In general.--If a participating agency elects to employ 
     a participant, the agency shall extend to the participant, 
     not later than the commencement of the final academic year of 
     the participant, an offer of employment in the agency 
     conditioned upon satisfactory completion of the Institute 
     program by the participant as specified in the participation 
     agreement.
       (2) Statutory construction.--Nothing in this Act is 
     intended to alter or restrict any qualifications for 
     employment established by any of the participating agencies.
       (e) Successful Completion.--The Board shall establish 
     criteria to be met by participants the satisfaction of which 
     shall entitle participants to a certificate acknowledging 
     their satisfactory completion of the Institute program.
       (f) Curriculum.--
       (1) In general.--The Board shall develop the Institute 
     curriculum and shall assign such personnel provided under 
     section 4(c)(4) as may be necessary for instruction under the 
     curriculum and for adequate administrative support. In 
     addition, the Board is authorized under section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code, to enter into contracts with 
     instructors employed at institutions of higher education or 
     equivalent institutions and for other services necessary to 
     provide for the establishment and operation of the Institute.
       (2) Supplemental instruction.--With the prior approval of 
     the Board, a participant may enroll in courses of study at 
     institutions of higher education with advanced syllabi in 
     foreign affairs, languages, economics, religion, art, and 
     history in lieu of one of the periods of instruction provided 
     for under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b).
       (g) Financial Assistance.--
       (1) Stipend.--The Board shall establish a schedule of 
     stipends to be provided to program participants to offset the 
     costs of tuition, fees, and books, not to exceed the 
     comparable allowances established for the Reserve Officer 
     Training Corps pursuant to section 209 of title 37, United 
     States Code.
       (2) Debt relief.--
       (A) In general.--The head of a participating agency that 
     employs an individual who has satisfactorily completed the 
     Institute program is authorized to provide for the repayment 
     of student loans made to the participant for expenses 
     incurred while the participant was enrolled in the Institute.
       (B) Factors for exercise of discretion.--In determining 
     whether, or to what extent, to provide loan repayment under 
     subparagraph (A), the head of the participating agency shall 
     consider the individual's length of Government service, 
     acceptance of hardship postings, possession of critical 
     foreign languages and cultural skills, and proficiency in 
     critical foreign languages.

     SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT.

       Not later than December 1 of each year, the Chairman of the 
     Board shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
     the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of 
     the House of Representatives a report that--
       (1) summarizes the activities of the Institute over the 
     previous academic year ending on September 30;
       (2) describes the programs planned for the current and 
     succeeding two academic years; and
       (3) provides statistical data on--
       (A) the number of applicants for participation in the 
     Institute;
       (B) the number of participants enrolled in the Institute;
       (C) the number of participants who have successfully 
     completed the Institute program;
       (D) the number of employment offers extended to 
     participants from participating agencies;
       (E) the number of employment offers accepted by 
     participants;
       (F) the costs associated with the operations of the 
     Institute, together with an itemization of the costs 
     associated with the operations of the Board; and
       (G) any other information that the Chairman of the Board 
     determines to be useful for evaluating the operations of the 
     Institute.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the President $7,500,000 for the fiscal year 2003 to carry 
     out this Act.
       (b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant 
     to subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until 
     expended.

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