[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 105 (Wednesday, July 16, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9508-S9511]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. ALEXANDER. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the 
immediate consideration of Calendar No. 141, S. 555.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 555) to establish the Native American Health and 
     Wellness Foundation, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill 
which had been reported from the Committee on Indian Affairs, with 
amendments, as follows:
  [Strike the parts shown in black brackets and insert the parts shown 
in italic.]
       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 ``Native American Health and 
     Wellness Foundation Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION.

       (a) In General.--The Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

      ``TITLE VIII--NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION

     ``SEC. 801. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Board.--The term `Board' means the Board of Directors 
     of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Committee.--The term `Committee' means the Committee 
     for the Establishment of Native American Health and Wellness 
     Foundation established under section 802(f).
       ``[(2)] (3) Foundation.--The term `Foundation' means the 
     Native American Health and Wellness Foundation established 
     under section 802.
       ``[(3)] (4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services.

[[Page S9509]]

       ``[(4)] (5) Service.--The term `Service' means the Indian 
     Health Service of the Department of Health and Human 
     Services.

     ``SEC. 802. NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION.

       ``(a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary shall establish, under 
     the laws of the District of Columbia and in accordance with 
     this title, the Native American Health and Wellness 
     Foundation.
       ``(b) Perpetual Existence.--The Foundation shall have 
     perpetual existence.
       ``(c) Nature of Corporation.--The Foundation--
       ``(1) shall be a charitable and nonprofit federally 
     chartered corporation; and
       ``(2) shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the 
     United States.
       ``(d) Place of Incorporation and Domicile.--The Foundation 
     shall be incorporated and domiciled in the District of 
     Columbia.
       ``(e) [Purposes Duties.--The [purposes of the] Foundation 
     shall [be--]
       ``(1) [to] encourage, accept, and administer private gifts 
     of real and personal property, and any income from or 
     interest in such gifts, for the benefit of, or in support of, 
     the mission of the Service;
       ``(2) [to] undertake and conduct such other activities as 
     will further the health and wellness activities and 
     opportunities of Native Americans; and
       ``(3) [to] participate with and assist Federal, State, and 
     tribal governments, agencies, entities, and individuals in 
     undertaking and conducting activities that will further the 
     health and wellness activities and opportunities of Native 
     Americans.
       ``(f) Committee for the Establishment of Native American 
     Health and Wellness Foundation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the 
     Committee for the Establishment of Native American Health and 
     Wellness Foundation to assist the Secretary in establishing 
     the Foundation.
       ``(2) Duties.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Committee shall--
       ``(A) carry out such activities as are necessary to 
     incorporate the Foundation under the laws of the District of 
     Columbia, including acting as incorporators of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(B) ensure that the Foundation qualifies for and 
     maintains the status required to carry out this section, 
     until the Board is established;
       ``(C) establish the constitution and initial bylaws of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(D) provide for the initial operation of the Foundation, 
     including providing for temporary or interim quarters, 
     equipment, and staff; and
       ``(E) appoint the initial members of the Board in 
     accordance with the constitution and initial bylaws of the 
     Foundation.
       ``[f] (g) Board of Directors.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Board of Directors shall be the 
     governing body of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Powers.--The Board may exercise, or provide for the 
     exercise of, the powers of the Foundation.
       ``(3) Selection.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the number 
     of members of the Board, the manner of selection of the 
     members (including the filling of vacancies), and the terms 
     of office of the members shall be as provided in the 
     constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(B) Requirements.--
       ``(i) Number of members.--The Board shall have at least 11 
     members, [2 of whom shall be the Secretary and the Director 
     of the Indian Health Service, who shall serve as nonvoting 
     members] who shall have staggered terms.
       ``(ii) Initial voting members.--The initial voting members 
     of the Board--

       ``(I) shall be appointed by the [Secretary] Committee not 
     later than 180 days after the date on which the Foundation is 
     established; and
       ``(II) shall have staggered terms [(as determined by the 
     Secretary).]

       ``(iii) Qualification.--The members of the Board shall be 
     United States citizens who are knowledgeable or experienced 
     in Native American health care and related matters.
       ``(C) Compensation.--A member of the Board shall not 
     receive compensation for service as a member, but shall be 
     reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and subsistence 
     expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the 
     Foundation.
       ``[g] (h) Officers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The officers of the Foundation shall 
     be--
       ``(A) a secretary, elected from among the members of the 
     Board; and
       ``(B) any other officers provided for in the constitution 
     and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Secretary.--The secretary of the Foundation shall 
     serve, at the direction of the Board, as the chief operating 
     officer of the Foundation.
       ``(3) Election.--The manner of election, term of office, 
     and duties of the officers of the Foundation shall be as 
     provided in the constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``[h] (i) Powers.--The Foundation--
       ``(1) shall adopt a constitution and bylaws for the 
     management of the property of the Foundation and the 
     regulation of the affairs of the Foundation;
       ``(2) may adopt and alter a corporate seal;
       ``(3) may enter into contracts;
       ``(4) may acquire (through a gift or otherwise), own, 
     lease, encumber, and transfer real or personal property as 
     necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(5) may sue and be sued; and
       ``(6) may perform any other act necessary and proper to 
     carry out the purposes of the Foundation.
       ``[i] (j) Principal Office.--
       ``(1) In General.--The principal office of the Foundation 
     shall be in the District of Columbia.
       ``(2) Activities; offices.--The activities of the 
     Foundation may be conducted, and offices may be maintained, 
     throughout the United States in accordance with the 
     constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``[j] (k) Service of Process.--The Foundation shall comply 
     with the law on service of process of each State in which the 
     Foundation is incorporated and of each State in which the 
     Foundation carries on activities.
       ``[k] (l) Liability of Officers, Employees, and Agents.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Foundation shall be liable for the 
     acts of the officers, employees, and agents of the Foundation 
     acting within the scope of their authority.
       ``(2) Personal liability.--A member of the Board shall be 
     personally liable only for gross negligence in the 
     performance of the duties of the member.
       ``[l] (m) Restrictions.--
       ``(1) Limitation on spending.--Beginning with the fiscal 
     year following the first full fiscal year during which the 
     Foundation is in operation, the administrative costs of the 
     Foundation shall not exceed 10 percent of the sum of--
       ``(A) the amounts transferred to the Foundation under 
     subsection (m) (o) during the preceding fiscal year; and
       ``(B) donations received from private sources during the 
     preceding fiscal year.
       ``(2) Appointment and hiring.--The appointment of officers 
     and employees of the Foundation shall be subject to the 
     availability of funds.
       ``(3) Status.--A member of the Board or officer, employee, 
     or agent of the Foundation shall not by reason of association 
     with the Foundation be considered to be an officer, employee, 
     or agent of the United States.
       [``(m) Transfer of Donated Funds.--The Secretary may 
     transfer to the Foundation funds held by the Department of 
     Health and Human Services under the Act of August 5, 1954 (42 
     U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) if the transfer or use of the funds is 
     not prohibited by any term under which the funds were 
     donated.]
       ``(n) Audits.--The Foundation shall comply with section 
     10101 of title 36, United States Code, as if the Foundation 
     were a corporation under part B of subtitle II of that title.
       ``(o) Funding.--
       ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)(1) $500,000 
     for each fiscal year, as adjusted to reflect changes in the 
     Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers published by the 
     Department of Labor.
       ``(2) Transfer of donated funds.--The Secretary shall 
     transfer to the Foundation funds held by the Department of 
     Health and Human Services under the Act of August 5, 1954 (42 
     U.S.C. 2001 et seq.), if the transfer or use of the funds is 
     not prohibited by any term under which the funds were 
     donated.

     ``SEC. 803. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

       ``(a) Provision of Support by Secretary.--Subject to 
     subsection (b), during the 5-year period beginning on the 
     date on which the Foundation is established, the Secretary--
       ``(1) may provide personnel, facilities, and other 
     administrative support services to the Foundation;
       ``(2) may provide funds to reimburse the travel expenses of 
     the members of the Board; and
       ``(3) shall require and accept reimbursements from the 
     Foundation for--
       ``(A) services provided under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) funds provided under paragraph (2).
       ``(b) Reimbursement.--Reimbursements accepted under 
     subsection (a)(3)--
       ``(1) shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United 
     States to the credit of the applicable appropriations 
     account; and
       ``(2) shall be chargeable for the cost of providing 
     services described in subsection (a)(1) and travel expenses 
     described in subsection (a)(2).
       ``(c) Continuation of Certain Services.--The Secretary may 
     continue to provide facilities and necessary support services 
     to the Foundation after the termination of the 5-year period 
     specified in subsection (a) if the facilities and services--
       ``(1) are available; and
       ``(2) are provided on reimbursable cost basis.''.
       (b) Technical Amendments.--The Indian Self-Determination 
     and Education Assistance Act is amended--
       (1) by redesignating title V (as added by section 1302 of 
     the American Indian Education Foundation Act of 2000) (25 
     U.S.C. 458bbb et seq.)) as title VII;
       (2) by redesignating sections 501, 502, and 503 (as added 
     by section 1302 of the American Indian Education Foundation 
     Act of 2000) as sections 701, 702, and 703, respectively; and
       (3) in subsection (a)(2) of section 702 and paragraph (2) 
     of section 703 (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
     striking ``section 501'' and inserting ``section 701''.

  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
committee amendments be agreed to en bloc, the bill as amended be read 
the third time and passed, the motion to

[[Page S9510]]

reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendments were agreed to.
  The bill (S. 555), as amended, was read the third time and passed, as 
follows:

                                 S. 555

       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 ``Native American Health and 
     Wellness Foundation Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION.

       (a) In General.--The Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.) is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:

      ``TITLE VIII--NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION

     ``SEC. 801. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Board.--The term `Board' means the Board of Directors 
     of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Committee.--The term `Committee' means the Committee 
     for the Establishment of Native American Health and Wellness 
     Foundation established under section 802(f).
       ``(3) Foundation.--The term `Foundation' means the Native 
     American Health and Wellness Foundation established under 
     section 802.
       ``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services.
       ``(5) Service.--The term `Service' means the Indian Health 
     Service of the Department of Health and Human Services.

     ``SEC. 802. NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOUNDATION.

       ``(a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary shall establish, under 
     the laws of the District of Columbia and in accordance with 
     this title, the Native American Health and Wellness 
     Foundation.
       ``(b) Perpetual Existence.--The Foundation shall have 
     perpetual existence.
       ``(c) Nature of Corporation.--The Foundation--
       ``(1) shall be a charitable and nonprofit federally 
     chartered corporation; and
       ``(2) shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the 
     United States.
       ``(d) Place of Incorporation and Domicile.--The Foundation 
     shall be incorporated and domiciled in the District of 
     Columbia.
       ``(e) Duties.--The Foundation shall--
       ``(1) encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of 
     real and personal property, and any income from or interest 
     in such gifts, for the benefit of, or in support of, the 
     mission of the Service;
       ``(2) undertake and conduct such other activities as will 
     further the health and wellness activities and opportunities 
     of Native Americans; and
       ``(3) participate with and assist Federal, State, and 
     tribal governments, agencies, entities, and individuals in 
     undertaking and conducting activities that will further the 
     health and wellness activities and opportunities of Native 
     Americans.
       ``(f) Committee for the Establishment of Native American 
     Health and Wellness Foundation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the 
     Committee for the Establishment of Native American Health and 
     Wellness Foundation to assist the Secretary in establishing 
     the Foundation.
       ``(2) Duties.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Committee shall--
       ``(A) carry out such activities as are necessary to 
     incorporate the Foundation under the laws of the District of 
     Columbia, including acting as incorporators of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(B) ensure that the Foundation qualifies for and 
     maintains the status required to carry out this section, 
     until the Board is established;
       ``(C) establish the constitution and initial bylaws of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(D) provide for the initial operation of the Foundation, 
     including providing for temporary or interim quarters, 
     equipment, and staff; and
       ``(E) appoint the initial members of the Board in 
     accordance with the constitution and initial bylaws of the 
     Foundation.
       ``(g) Board of Directors.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Board of Directors shall be the 
     governing body of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Powers.--The Board may exercise, or provide for the 
     exercise of, the powers of the Foundation.
       ``(3) Selection.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the number 
     of members of the Board, the manner of selection of the 
     members (including the filling of vacancies), and the terms 
     of office of the members shall be as provided in the 
     constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(B) Requirements.--
       ``(i) Number of members.--The Board shall have at least 11 
     members, who shall have staggered terms.
       ``(ii) Initial voting members.--The initial voting members 
     of the Board--

       ``(I) shall be appointed by the Committee not later than 
     180 days after the date on which the Foundation is 
     established; and
       ``(II) shall have staggered terms.

       ``(iii) Qualification.--The members of the Board shall be 
     United States citizens who are knowledgeable or experienced 
     in Native American health care and related matters.
       ``(C) Compensation.--A member of the Board shall not 
     receive compensation for service as a member, but shall be 
     reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and subsistence 
     expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of the 
     Foundation.
       ``(h) Officers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The officers of the Foundation shall 
     be--
       ``(A) a secretary, elected from among the members of the 
     Board; and
       ``(B) any other officers provided for in the constitution 
     and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(2) Secretary.--The secretary of the Foundation shall 
     serve, at the direction of the Board, as the chief operating 
     officer of the Foundation.
       ``(3) Election.--The manner of election, term of office, 
     and duties of the officers of the Foundation shall be as 
     provided in the constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(i) Powers.--The Foundation--
       ``(1) shall adopt a constitution and bylaws for the 
     management of the property of the Foundation and the 
     regulation of the affairs of the Foundation;
       ``(2) may adopt and alter a corporate seal;
       ``(3) may enter into contracts;
       ``(4) may acquire (through a gift or otherwise), own, 
     lease, encumber, and transfer real or personal property as 
     necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of the 
     Foundation;
       ``(5) may sue and be sued; and
       ``(6) may perform any other act necessary and proper to 
     carry out the purposes of the Foundation.
       ``(j) Principal Office.--
       ``(1) In General.--The principal office of the Foundation 
     shall be in the District of Columbia.
       ``(2) Activities; offices.--The activities of the 
     Foundation may be conducted, and offices may be maintained, 
     throughout the United States in accordance with the 
     constitution and bylaws of the Foundation.
       ``(k) Service of Process.--The Foundation shall comply with 
     the law on service of process of each State in which the 
     Foundation is incorporated and of each State in which the 
     Foundation carries on activities.
       ``(l) Liability of Officers, Employees, and Agents.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Foundation shall be liable for the 
     acts of the officers, employees, and agents of the Foundation 
     acting within the scope of their authority.
       ``(2) Personal liability.--A member of the Board shall be 
     personally liable only for gross negligence in the 
     performance of the duties of the member.
       ``(m) Restrictions.--
       ``(1) Limitation on spending.--Beginning with the fiscal 
     year following the first full fiscal year during which the 
     Foundation is in operation, the administrative costs of the 
     Foundation shall not exceed 10 percent of the sum of--
       ``(A) the amounts transferred to the Foundation under 
     subsection (o) during the preceding fiscal year; and
       ``(B) donations received from private sources during the 
     preceding fiscal year.
       ``(2) Appointment and hiring.--The appointment of officers 
     and employees of the Foundation shall be subject to the 
     availability of funds.
       ``(3) Status.--A member of the Board or officer, employee, 
     or agent of the Foundation shall not by reason of association 
     with the Foundation be considered to be an officer, employee, 
     or agent of the United States.
       ``(n) Audits.--The Foundation shall comply with section 
     10101 of title 36, United States Code, as if the Foundation 
     were a corporation under part B of subtitle II of that title.
       ``(o) Funding.--
       ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out subsection (e)(1) $500,000 
     for each fiscal year, as adjusted to reflect changes in the 
     Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers published by the 
     Department of Labor.
       ``(2) Transfer of donated funds.--The Secretary shall 
     transfer to the Foundation funds held by the Department of 
     Health and Human Services under the Act of August 5, 1954 (42 
     U.S.C. 2001 et seq.), if the transfer or use of the funds is 
     not prohibited by any term under which the funds were 
     donated.

     ``SEC. 803. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

       ``(a) Provision of Support by Secretary.--Subject to 
     subsection (b), during the 5-year period beginning on the 
     date on which the Foundation is established, the Secretary--
       ``(1) may provide personnel, facilities, and other 
     administrative support services to the Foundation;
       ``(2) may provide funds to reimburse the travel expenses of 
     the members of the Board; and
       ``(3) shall require and accept reimbursements from the 
     Foundation for--
       ``(A) services provided under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) funds provided under paragraph (2).
       ``(b) Reimbursement.--Reimbursements accepted under 
     subsection (a)(3)--

[[Page S9511]]

       ``(1) shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United 
     States to the credit of the applicable appropriations 
     account; and
       ``(2) shall be chargeable for the cost of providing 
     services described in subsection (a)(1) and travel expenses 
     described in subsection (a)(2).
       ``(c) Continuation of Certain Services.--The Secretary may 
     continue to provide facilities and necessary support services 
     to the Foundation after the termination of the 5-year period 
     specified in subsection (a) if the facilities and services--
       ``(1) are available; and
       ``(2) are provided on reimbursable cost basis.''.
       (b) Technical Amendments.--The Indian Self-Determination 
     and Education Assistance Act is amended--
       (1) by redesignating title V (as added by section 1302 of 
     the American Indian Education Foundation Act of 2000) (25 
     U.S.C. 458bbb et seq.)) as title VII;
       (2) by redesignating sections 501, 502, and 503 (as added 
     by section 1302 of the American Indian Education Foundation 
     Act of 2000) as sections 701, 702, and 703, respectively; and
       (3) in subsection (a)(2) of section 702 and paragraph (2) 
     of section 703 (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), by 
     striking ``section 501'' and inserting ``section 701''.

                          ____________________