[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H9752-H9759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3077) to amend title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
to enhance international education programs, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3077

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``International Studies in Higher Education Act of 2003''.
       (b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided, 
     whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
     terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other 
     provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
     section or other provision of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
       (c) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents.
Sec. 2. International and foreign language studies.
Sec. 3. Business and international education programs.
Sec. 4. Institute for International Public Policy.
Sec. 5. Evaluation, outreach, and dissemination.
Sec. 6. Advisory Board.
Sec. 7. Recruiter access to students and student recruiting 
              information; safety.

     SEC. 2. INTERNATIONAL AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDIES.

       (a) Findings and Purposes.--Section 601 (20 U.S.C. 1121) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``post-Cold War'' in paragraph (3);

[[Page H9753]]

       (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (5) and (6), respectively; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) The events and aftermath of September 11, 2001, have 
     underscored the need for the nation to strengthen and enhance 
     American knowledge of international relations, world regions, 
     and foreign languages. Homeland security and effective United 
     States engagement abroad depend upon an increased number of 
     Americans who have received such training and are willing to 
     serve their nation.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``; and'' at the end of subparagraph (D) 
     and inserting ``, including through linkages overseas with 
     institutions of higher education and relevant organizations 
     that contribute to the educational programs assisted under 
     this part;'';
       (B) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
     subparagraph (E);
       (C) by inserting after such subparagraph (E) the following 
     new subparagraph:
       ``(F) to assist the national effort to educate and train 
     citizens to participate in the efforts of homeland 
     security;''; and
       (3) in subsection (b)(3), by inserting ``reinforce and'' 
     before ``coordinate''.
       (b) Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers 
     and Programs.--Section 602(a) (20 U.S.C. 1122(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (A) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to make 
     grants to institutions of higher education or consortia of 
     such institutions for the purpose of establishing, 
     strengthening, and operating--
       ``(i) comprehensive foreign language and area or 
     international studies centers and programs; and
       ``(ii) a diverse network of undergraduate foreign language 
     and area or international studies centers and programs.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
       (B) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
     and inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(I) supporting instructors of the less commonly taught 
     languages;
       ``(J) widely disseminating materials developed by the 
     center or program to local educational agencies and public 
     and private elementary and secondary education schools, and 
     institutions of higher education, presented from diverse 
     perspectives and reflective of the full range of views on the 
     subject matter, except that no more than 50 percent of funds 
     awarded to an institution of higher education or consortia of 
     such institutions for purposes under this title may be 
     associated with the costs of dissemination; and
       ``(K) projects that support in students an understanding of 
     science and technology in coordination with foreign language 
     proficiency.''; and
       (3) in paragraph (4)--
       (A) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:
       ``(B) Partnerships or programs of linkage and outreach with 
     2-year and 4-year colleges and universities, including 
     colleges of education and teacher professional development 
     programs.'';
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Programs of linkage 
     or outreach'' and inserting ``Partnerships or programs of 
     linkage and outreach'';
       (C) in subparagraph (E)--
       (i) by striking ``foreign area'' and inserting ``area 
     studies'';
       (ii) by striking ``of linkage and outreach''; and
       (iii) by striking ``(C), and (D)'' and inserting ``(D), and 
     (E)'';
       (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) as 
     subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F), respectively; and
       (E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) Partnerships with local educational agencies and 
     public and private elementary and secondary education schools 
     that are designed to increase student academic achievement in 
     foreign language and knowledge of world regions, and to 
     facilitate the wide dissemination of materials related to 
     area studies, foreign languages, and international studies 
     that are reflective of a full range of views on the subject 
     matter.''.
       (c) Language Resource Centers.--Section 603(c) (20 U.S.C. 
     1123(c)) is amended by inserting ``reflect the purposes of 
     this part and'' after ``shall''.
       (d) Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign 
     Language Programs.--Section 604 (20 U.S.C. 1124) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``combinations'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``consortia'';
       (2) in subsection (a)(2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``teacher 
     training'' and inserting ``teacher professional 
     development'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (M) as 
     subparagraphs (J) through (N), respectively;
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(I) the provision of grants for educational programs 
     abroad that are closely linked to the program's overall goals 
     and have the purpose of promoting foreign language fluency 
     and knowledge of world regions, except that not more than 10 
     percent of a grant recipient's funds may be used for this 
     purpose;''; and
       (D) in subparagraph (M)(ii) (as redesignated by 
     subparagraph (B) of this paragraph), by striking ``elementary 
     and secondary education institutions'' and inserting ``local 
     educational agencies and public and private elementary and 
     secondary education schools'';
       (3) in subsection (a)(4)(B), by inserting ``that 
     demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction'' before the 
     period at the end;
       (4) in subsection (a)(6), by inserting ``reflect the 
     purposes of this part and'' after ``shall'';
       (5) in subsection (a)(8), by striking ``may'' and inserting 
     ``shall''; and
       (6) by striking subsection (c).
       (e) Research; Studies; Annual Report.--Section 605(a) (20 
     U.S.C. 1125(a)) is amended by inserting before the period at 
     the end of the first sentence the following: ``, including 
     the systematic collection, analysis and dissemination of 
     data''.
       (f) Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign 
     Information Access.--Section 606 (20 U.S.C. 1126) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``or consortia of such institutions or 
     libraries'' and inserting ``museums, or consortia of such 
     entities'';
       (B) by striking ``new''; and
       (C) by inserting ``from foreign sources'' after 
     ``disseminate information'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``acquire and'' before ``facilitate 
     access'' in paragraph (1);
       (B) by striking ``new means of'' in paragraph (3) and 
     inserting ``new means and standards for'';
       (C) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
       (D) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and 
     by inserting a semicolon; and
       (E) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(8) to establish linkages between grant recipients under 
     subsection (a) with libraries, museums, organizations, or 
     institutions of higher education located overseas to 
     facilitate carrying out the purposes of this section; and
       ``(9) to carry out other activities deemed by the Secretary 
     to be consistent with the purposes of this section.''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(e) Special Rule.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the 
     required non-Federal share for institutions that--
       ``(1) are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B 
     of title III or under title V; and
       ``(2) have submitted a grant application under this section 
     that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.''.
       (g) Selection of Grant Recipients.--Section 607(b) (20 
     U.S.C. 1125a(b)) is amended--
       (1) by striking out ``objectives'' and inserting 
     ``missions''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``In 
     keeping with the purposes of this part, the Secretary shall 
     take into account the degree to which activities of centers, 
     programs, and fellowships at institutions of higher education 
     advance national interests, generate and disseminate 
     information, and foster debate on American foreign policy 
     from diverse perspectives.''.
       (h) Equitable Distribution.--Section 608(a) (20 U.S.C. 
     1128(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     sentence: ``Grants made under section 602 shall also reflect 
     the purposes of this part.''.
       (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 610 (20 
     U.S.C. 1128b) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1999'' and inserting ``2004''; and
       (2) by striking ``4 succeeding'' and inserting ``5 
     succeeding''.
       (j) Conforming Amendments.--Sections 603(a), 604(a)(5), and 
     612 (20 U.S.C. 1123(a), 1124(a)(5), 1130-1) are each amended 
     by striking ``combinations'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``consortia''.

     SEC. 3. BUSINESS AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

       (a) Centers for International Business Education.--Section 
     612 (20 U.S.C. 1130-1) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)(1)(D), by inserting ``(including 
     those that are eligible to receive assistance under part A or 
     B of title III or under title V)'' after ``other institutions 
     of higher education''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(5) Special rule.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the 
     required non-Federal share for institutions that--
       ``(A) are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B 
     of title III or under title V; and
       ``(B) have submitted a grant application under this section 
     that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.''.
       (b) Education and Training Programs.--Section 613 (20 
     U.S.C. 1130a) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new subsection:
       ``(e) Special Rule.--The Secretary may waive or reduce the 
     required non-Federal share for institutions that--
       ``(1) are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B 
     of title III or under title V; and
       ``(2) have submitted a grant application under this section 
     that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.''.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 614 (20 
     U.S.C. 1130b) is amended--

[[Page H9754]]

       (1) by striking ``1999'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``2004''; and
       (2) by striking ``4 succeeding'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``5 succeeding''.

     SEC. 4. INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC POLICY.

       (a) Foreign Service Professional Development.--Section 621 
     (20 U.S.C. 1131) is amended--
       (1) by striking the heading of such section and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 621. PROGRAM FOR FOREIGN SERVICE PROFESSIONALS. '';

       (2) by striking the second sentence of subsection (a) and 
     inserting the following: ``The Institute shall conduct a 
     program to enhance the international competitiveness of the 
     United States by increasing the participation of 
     underrepresented populations in the international service, 
     including private international voluntary organizations and 
     the foreign service of the United States.'';
       (3) in subsection (b)(1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) and inserting the following:
       ``(A) An Indian Tribal College or University or Alaska 
     Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institution eligible for 
     assistance under title III, an institution eligible for 
     assistance under part B of title III, or an
     Hispanic-serving institution eligible for assistance under 
     title V.
       ``(B) An institution of higher education which serves 
     substantial numbers of underrepresented students.''; and
       (4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
       ``(e) Match Required.--The eligible recipient of a grant 
     under this section shall contribute to the conduct of the 
     program supported by the grant an amount from non-Federal 
     sources equal to at least one-half of the amount of the 
     grant. Such contribution may be in cash or in kind. The 
     Secretary may waive or reduce the required non-Federal share 
     for institutions that--
       ``(1) are eligible to receive assistance under part A or B 
     of title III or under title V; and
       ``(2) have submitted a grant application under this section 
     that demonstrates a need for a waiver or reduction.''.
       (b) Institutional Development.--Section 622 (20 U.S.C. 
     1131a) is amended by inserting before the period at the end 
     of subsection (a) the following: ``and promote collaboration 
     with colleges and universities that receive funds under this 
     title''.
       (c) Study Abroad Program.--Section 623(a) (20 U.S.C. 
     1131b(a)) is amended by inserting after ``1978,'' the 
     following: ``Alaska Native-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, 
     and Hispanic-serving institutions,''.
       (d) Advanced Degree in International Relations.--Section 
     624 (20 U.S.C. 1131b) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``MASTERS'' in the heading of such section 
     and inserting ``ADVANCED'';
       (2) by striking ``a masters degree in international 
     relations'' and inserting ``an advanced degree in 
     international relations, international affairs, international 
     economics, or other academic areas related to the Institute 
     fellow's career objectives''; and
       (3) by striking ``The masters degree program'' and 
     inserting ``The advanced degree study program shall be 
     designed by the consortia, consistent with the fellow's 
     career objectives, and''.
       (e) Internships.--Section 625 (20 U.S.C. 1131c) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting after ``1978,'' the 
     following: ``Alaska Native-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, 
     and Hispanic-serving institutions,'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
     paragraph (2);
       (B) by striking ``; and'' at the end of paragraph (3) and 
     inserting a period; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (4); and
       (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
       ``(c) Ralph J. Bunche Fellows.--In order to assure the 
     recognition and commitment of individuals from 
     underrepresented student populations who demonstrate special 
     interest in international affairs and language study, 
     eligible students who participate in the internship programs 
     authorized under (a) and (b) shall be known as the `Ralph J. 
     Bunche Fellows'.''.
       (f) Report.--Section 626 (20 U.S.C. 1131d) is amended by 
     striking ``annually prepare a report'' and inserting 
     ``prepare a report biennially''.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 628 (20 
     U.S.C. 1131f) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1999'' and inserting ``2004''; and
       (2) by striking ``4 succeeding'' and inserting ``5 
     succeeding''.

     SEC. 5. EVALUATION, OUTREACH, AND DISSEMINATION.

       Part D of title VI is amended by inserting after section 
     631 (20 U.S.C. 1132) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 632. EVALUATION, OUTREACH, AND DISSEMINATION.

       ``The Secretary may use not more than 1 percent of the 
     funds made available for this title for program evaluation, 
     national outreach, and information dissemination 
     activities.''.

     SEC. 6. ADVISORY BOARD.

       Part D of title VI is amended by inserting after section 
     632 (as added by section 5) the following new section:

     ``SEC. 633. INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD.

       ``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department an independent International Higher Education 
     Advisory Board (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
     `International Advisory Board'). The International Advisory 
     Board shall provide advice, counsel and recommendations to 
     the Secretary and the Congress on international education 
     issues for higher education.
       ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the International Advisory 
     Board is--
       ``(A) to provide expertise in the area of national needs 
     for proficiency in world regions, foreign languages, and 
     international affairs;
       ``(B) to make recommendations that will promote the 
     excellence of international education programs and result in 
     the growth and development of such programs at the 
     postsecondary education level that will reflect diverse 
     perspectives and the full range of views on world regions, 
     foreign language, and international affairs; and
       ``(C) to advise the Secretary and the Congress with respect 
     to needs for expertise in government, the private sector, and 
     education in order to enhance America's understanding of, and 
     engagement in, the world.
       ``(b) Independence of International Advisory Board.--In the 
     exercise of its functions, powers, and duties, the 
     International Advisory Board shall be independent of the 
     Secretary and the other offices and officers of the 
     Department. Except as provided in this subsection and 
     subsection (f), the recommendations of the International 
     Advisory Board shall not be subject to review or approval by 
     any officer of the Federal Government. Nothing in this title 
     shall be construed to authorize the International Advisory 
     Board to mandate, direct, or control an institution of higher 
     education's specific instructional content, curriculum, or 
     program of instruction. The Board is authorized to study, 
     monitor, apprise, and evaluate a sample of activities 
     supported under this title in order to provide 
     recommendations to the Secretary and the Congress for the 
     improvement of programs under the title and to ensure 
     programs meet the purposes of the title. The recommendations 
     of the Board may address any area in need of improvement, 
     except that any recommendation of specific legislation to 
     Congress shall be made only if the President deems it 
     necessary and expedient.
       ``(c) Membership.--
       ``(1) Appointment.--The International Advisory Board shall 
     have 7 members of whom--
       ``(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary;
       ``(B) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives, upon the recommendation of the 
     Majority Leader and the Minority Leader; and
       ``(C) 2 members shall be appointed by the President pro 
     tempore of the Senate, upon the recommendation of the 
     Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
       ``(2) Representation.--Two of the members appointed by the 
     Secretary under paragraph (1)(A) shall be appointed to 
     represent Federal agencies that have national security 
     responsibilities, after consultation with the heads of such 
     agencies. The members of the International Advisory Board 
     shall also include (but not be limited to) representatives of 
     States, institutions of higher education, cultural 
     organizations, educational organizations, local education 
     agencies, students, and private citizens with expertise in 
     international concerns.
       ``(3) Qualification.--Members of the International Advisory 
     Board shall be individuals who have technical qualifications, 
     professional standing, experience working in international 
     affairs or foreign service occupations, or demonstrated 
     knowledge in the fields of higher education and international 
     education, including foreign languages, world regions, or 
     international affairs.
       ``(d) Functions of the Committee.--
       ``(1) In general.--The International Advisory Board shall 
     provide recommendations in accordance with subsection (b) 
     regarding improvement of programs under this title to the 
     Secretary and the Congress for their review. The Board may--
       ``(A) review and comment upon the regulations for grants 
     under this title;
       ``(B) monitor, apprise, and evaluate a sample of activities 
     supported under this title based on the purposes and 
     objectives of this title in order to provide recommendations 
     for improvement of the programs under this title;
       ``(C) make recommendations that will assist the Secretary 
     and the Congress to improve the programs under this title to 
     better reflect the national needs related to the homeland 
     security, international education, and international affairs, 
     including an assessment of the national needs and the 
     training provided by the institutions of higher education 
     that receive a grant under this title for expert and non-
     expert level foreign language training;
       ``(D) make recommendations to the Secretary and the 
     Congress regarding such studies, surveys, and analyses of 
     international education that will provide feedback about the 
     programs under this title and assure that their relative 
     authorized activities reflect diverse perspectives and the 
     full range of views on world regions, foreign languages, and 
     international affairs;
       ``(E) make recommendations that will strengthen the 
     partnerships between local educational agencies, public and 
     private elementary and secondary education schools, and grant 
     recipients under this title to ensure that the research and 
     knowledge about

[[Page H9755]]

     world regions, foreign languages, and international affairs 
     is widely disseminated to local educational agencies;
       ``(F) make recommendations on how institutions of higher 
     education that receive a grant under this title can encourage 
     students to serve the nation and meet national needs in an 
     international affairs, international business, foreign 
     language, or national security capacity;
       ``(G) make recommendations on how linkages between 
     institutions of higher education and public and private 
     organizations that are involved in international education, 
     language training, and international research capacities to 
     fulfill manpower and information needs of United States 
     businesses; and
       ``(H) make recommendations to the Secretary and the 
     Congress about opportunities for underrepresented populations 
     in the areas of international relations, international 
     affairs, and international economics, in order to effectively 
     carry out the activities of the Institute under part C.
       ``(2) Hearings.--The International Advisory Board shall 
     provide for public hearing and comment regarding the matter 
     contained in the recommendations described in paragraph (1), 
     prior to the submission of those recommendations to Secretary 
     and the Congress.
       ``(e) Operations of the Committee.--
       ``(1) Terms.--Each member of the International Advisory 
     Board shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that, 
     of the members first appointed (A) 4 shall be appointed for a 
     term of 3 years, and (B) 3 shall be appointed for a term of 4 
     years, as designated at the time of appointment by the 
     Secretary. A member of the International Advisory Board may 
     be reappointed to successive terms on the International 
     Advisory Board.
       ``(2) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
     occurring prior to the expiration of the term of a 
     predecessor shall be appointed only for the remainder of such 
     term. A member of the International Advisory Board shall, 
     upon the Secretary's request, continue to serve after the 
     expiration of a term until a successor has been appointed.
       ``(3) No governmental members.--Except for the members 
     appointed by the Secretary under subsection (c)(1)(A), no 
     officers or full-time employees of the Federal Government 
     shall serve as members of the International Advisory Board.
       ``(4) Meetings.--The International Advisory Board shall 
     meet not less than once each year. The International Advisory 
     Board shall hold additional meetings at the call of the Chair 
     or upon the written request of not less than 3 voting members 
     of the International Advisory Board.
       ``(5) Quorum.--A majority of the voting members of the 
     Board serving at the time of a meeting shall constitute a 
     quorum.
       ``(6) Chair.--The International Advisory Board shall elect 
     a Chairman or Chairwoman from among the members of the 
     International Advisory Board.
       ``(f) Submission to Department for Comment.--The 
     International Advisory Board shall submit its proposed 
     recommendations to the Secretary of Education for comment for 
     a period not to exceed 30 days in each instance.
       ``(g) Personnel and Resources.--
       ``(1) Compensation and expense.--Members of the 
     International Advisory Committee shall serve without pay for 
     such service. Members of the International Advisory Board who 
     are officers or employees of the United States may not 
     receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of 
     their service on the International Advisory Board. Members of 
     the International Advisory Board may each receive 
     reimbursement for travel expenses incident to attending 
     International Advisory Board meetings, including per diem in 
     lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 
     5, United States Code, for persons in the Government service 
     employed intermittently.
       ``(2) Personnel.--The International Advisory Board may 
     appoint such personnel as may be determined necessary by the 
     Chairman without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
     States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
     service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of 
     chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title 
     relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, 
     but no individual so appointed shall be paid in excess of the 
     rate authorized for GS-18 of the General Schedule. The 
     International Advisory Board may appoint not more than 1 
     full-time equivalent, nonpermanent, consultant without regard 
     to the provisions of title 5, United States Code. The 
     International Advisory Board shall not be required by the 
     Secretary to reduce personnel to meet agency personnel 
     reduction goals.
       ``(3) Consultation.--In carrying out its duties under the 
     Act, the International Advisory Board shall consult with 
     other Federal agencies, representatives of State and local 
     governments, and private organizations to the extent 
     feasible.
       ``(4) Assistance from other agencies.--
       ``(A) Information.--The International Advisory Board is 
     authorized to secure directly from any executive department, 
     bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent 
     establishment, or instrumentality information, suggestions, 
     estimates, and statistics for the purpose of this section and 
     each such department, bureau, agency, board, commission, 
     office, independent establishment, or instrumentality is 
     authorized and directed, to the extent permitted by law, to 
     furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and 
     statistics directly to the International Advisory Board, upon 
     request made by the Chairman.
       ``(B) Services and personnel.--The head of each Federal 
     agency shall, to the extent not prohibited by law, consult 
     with the International Advisory Board in carrying out this 
     section. The International Advisory Board is authorized to 
     utilize, with their consent, the services, personnel, 
     information, and facilities of other Federal, State, local, 
     and private agencies with or without reimbursement.
       ``(5) Contracts; experts and consultants.--The 
     International Advisory Board may enter into contracts for the 
     acquisition of information, suggestions, estimates, and 
     statistics for the purpose of this section. The International 
     Advisory Board is authorized to obtain the services of 
     experts and consultants without regard to section 3109 of 
     title 5, United States Code and to set pay in accordance with 
     such section.
       ``(h) Termination.--Notwithstanding the sunset and charter 
     provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
     App. I) or any other statute or regulation, the International 
     Advisory Committee shall be authorized through September 30, 
     2009.
       ``(i) Funds.--The Secretary shall use not more than one-
     half of the funds available to the Secretary under section 
     632 to carry out this section.''.

     SEC. 7. RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT RECRUITING 
                   INFORMATION; SAFETY.

       Part D of title VI is amended by inserting after section 
     633 (as added by section 6) the following new sections:

     ``SEC. 634. RECRUITER ACCESS TO STUDENTS AND STUDENT 
                   RECRUITING INFORMATION.

       ``Each institution of higher education that receives a 
     grant under this title shall assure that--
       ``(1) recruiters of the United States Government and 
     agencies thereof are given the same access to students as is 
     provided generally to other institutions of higher education 
     and prospective employers of those students for the purpose 
     of recruiting for graduate opportunities or prospective 
     employment; and
       ``(2) no undue restrictions are placed upon students that 
     seek employment with the United States Government or any 
     agency thereof.

     ``SEC. 635. STUDENT SAFETY.

       ``Applicants seeking funds under this title to support 
     student travel and study abroad shall submit as part of their 
     grant application a description of safety policies and 
     procedures for students participating in the program while 
     abroad.''.

     SEC. 8. NATIONAL STUDY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE HERITAGE 
                   COMMUNITIES.

       Part D of title VI is further amended by inserting after 
     section 635 (as added by section 7) the following new 
     section:

     ``SEC. 636. NATIONAL STUDY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE HERITAGE 
                   COMMUNITIES.

       ``(a) Study.--The Secretary of Education, in consultation 
     with the International Advisory Board, shall conduct a study 
     to identify foreign language heritage communities, 
     particularly such communities that include speakers of 
     languages that are critical to the national security of the 
     United States.
       ``(b) Foreign Language Heritage Community.--For purposes of 
     this section, the term `foreign language heritage community' 
     means a community of residents or citizens of the United 
     States who are native speakers of, or who have partial 
     fluency in, a foreign language.
       ``(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall 
     submit a report to the Congress on the results of the study 
     conducted under this section.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3077, the bill under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today in strong support of H.R. 3077, the 
International Studies in Higher Education Act, a bill I offered to 
build on programs that encourage the study of international issues and 
foreign languages in higher education. Such programs not only foster 
knowledge of the world, but, importantly, these programs train experts 
prepared to meet America's national security needs.

[[Page H9756]]

  Title VI of the Higher Education Act provides support for a 
critically important group of programs at colleges and universities 
which work to advance knowledge of world regions, encourage the study 
of foreign languages, and train American students to have the 
international expertise and understanding to fulfill pressing national 
security needs.
  As we continue efforts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act and 
strengthen and improve the state of higher education in America, we 
cannot neglect these important programs for international studies. The 
bill before us, which I am proud to have crafted in a bipartisan 
fashion, updates the programs under title VI to reflect our national 
security needs in a post-9/11 era, as well as in the current 
international climate.
  Again, I would particularly like to thank my colleague, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa), the ranking minority member on the 
subcommittee for his cooperation in moving this bill forward. In the 
spirit of bipartisan cooperation, the International Studies in Higher 
Education Act moved through our committee and stands before us today 
with positive reforms that will strengthen and enhance international 
and foreign language studies programs that play such a critical role in 
training experts at colleges and universities across our Nation.
  The International Studies in Higher Education Act would increase 
coordination between these important international and foreign language 
studies programs to better meet America's national and international 
security needs. The bill also clarifies that programs under title VI of 
the Higher Education Act are to support and coordinate with other 
Federal programs in the areas of foreign language, area studies, and 
other international affairs.
  International and foreign language studies have taken on increased 
importance in today's word climate, and as such, it is more important 
than ever that Congress and the Secretary of Education do all we can to 
ensure these programs are fulfilling their purpose.
  For that reason, the bill would create a new International Education 
Advisory Board, in consultation with homeland security agencies, for 
all title VI programs to increase accountability by providing advice, 
counsel, and recommendations to the Secretary of Education and Congress 
on international education issues for higher education. This board is 
advisory in nature and will not be responsible for dictating curriculum 
or administrating the programs. However, the advisory board will serve 
as an important new resource for those of us at the Federal level as we 
work to ensure the continued success of international and foreign 
language studies programs at campuses across our Nation.
  Taken together, the reforms included in the International Studies in 
Higher Education Act will continue our efforts to strengthen higher 
education as a whole, while at the same time helping to ensure 
international studies programs are working to fulfill our critical 
national and international security needs. I stand in strong support of 
this legislation and encourage my colleagues to join me in our efforts 
to build on the success of these programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I rise today in support of H.R. 3077, the International Studies in 
Higher Education Act.
  International education is increasingly important in today's world. 
We are part of a global economy, and our fortunes are directly tied to 
the fortunes of other nations. As a global community, we must face many 
shared challenges: Protecting the earth's natural resources, meeting 
our energy needs, feeding the growing world population, eradicating 
diseases, protecting human rights, and ensuring that all people have 
the opportunity to reach their full potential through education and 
meaningful work.
  We must build our Nation's capacity to operate in this global 
environment. As our challenges in Iraq demonstrate, lack of 
understanding of other people's culture and language can have deadly 
consequences. All of our young people, from elementary school through 
the university, must be exposed to the world at large. We must 
encourage and value multilingualism. That is why I am very pleased that 
we are considering H.R. 3077, which reauthorizes the International 
Studies Program in Higher Education Act.
  I would like to thank our subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), the chairman of the full committee, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), and our ranking minority member, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), for working to produce a 
bill that deserves bipartisan support.
  This bill reauthorizes our international education programs, the 
international and foreign language studies programs, the business and 
international education programs, and also the International Institute 
for Public Policy. These are the core international education programs 
that have served our Nation very well for many years.
  The legislation makes some needed improvements to these programs. It 
will ease the financial burdens that may discourage needy institutions, 
such as Hispanic-serving institutions, HSIs; it will benefit Historic 
Black Colleges and Universities, HBCUs; and it will also benefit 
tribally-controlled colleges and universities from participating in the 
programs by allowing the Secretary of Education to reduce the matching 
requirement on a case-by-case basis. It also encourages institutions to 
work in partnerships with minority-serving institutions in the 
international business programs.
  Mr. Speaker, these are steps in the right direction. We must ensure 
that our national efforts in international education reflect the 
increasingly diverse population here at home in the United States.
  Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle for working with us to clarify the role and the responsibilities 
of the new advisory board. The International Advisory Board will make 
recommendations to improve the international education programs under 
title VI. It will not interfere with curriculum nor with academic 
freedom.

                              {time}  1200

  Mr. Speaker, our professional staff on the committee have once again 
done an excellent job in preparing this legislation for our 
consideration. I would like to recognize the efforts of Alison Ream for 
the majority and Mr. Ricardo Martinez on our side of the aisle. I urge 
my colleagues to support this education legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleague in thanking our staff for 
the work that they have done not only on this bill but also the 
previous bill. It is their work behind the scenes so often which 
enables us to come together and work out our differences and come to 
the floor on a bipartisan basis.
  Again, these programs, the international education programs, they 
work to advance the knowledge for our young people of world regions. As 
we found in a post-9/11 world, it is very, very important that we train 
more of our young people in the area of foreign languages. It is a 
critical need. It is an area where we are woefully short of the 
resources that we need. It is a weakness that we face, so this bill 
will help encourage the study of foreign language. It will train 
Americans to have the international expertise and the understanding to 
fulfill pressing national security needs.
  This bill will encourage the coordination between these important 
international and foreign language study programs and America's 
national and international security needs. Since 9/11, we have seen and 
received heightened awareness of how important these types of programs 
are. We have found that these no longer are nice to have, but these are 
now essential programs that we need to build the expertise within the 
United States to face some of the international security threats that 
we face.
  H.R. 3077 also seeks to strengthen and improve international 
education programs to ensure they are reaching their full potential to 
expand opportunities for international studies and enhance 
international knowledge and understanding.

[[Page H9757]]

  As my colleague mentioned, the bill also creates an education 
advisory board. There were those who were concerned as we began this 
process that the language was not clearly written and that the end 
result would be that the advisory board would become more than an 
advisory board and that it would become a board that could dictate 
curricula. Working together, we were able to clarify that language to 
make sure that everyone understands that this is clearly an advisory 
board intended to provide feedback to the Department of Education, 
provide feedback to Congress, and provide feedback to the institutions 
as the best way to get the maximum amount of benefit out of each and 
every one of these programs and the dollars that are administered, and 
also to foster cooperation between various universities so that they 
can learn from each other as to what the most effective practices are, 
what the new innovative programs might be, and how colleges and 
campuses can move forward aggressively. So this bill is a significant 
step forward. It builds on the long-term successes that we have had.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Payne), a member of the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by commending the subcommittee 
chairman and our ranking member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Hinojosa), who has demonstrated tremendous leadership on this whole 
question of international studies. His background and the need for 
internationalizing our workforce, internationalizing our universities, 
bringing attention to Hispanic-serving institutions and ensuring that 
they get their just do as we move forward to educate the workforce in 
this Nation is second to none. It is certainly a pleasure for me to 
serve with him on this Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 3077, the International Studies and 
Higher Education Act of 2003. Education programs are vital to our 
Nation's colleges and universities. It is imperative that we train 
young men and women of all backgrounds to be prepared for our 
increasingly global society. Today we live in a global village. 
Everything is interdependent. World trade organizations, world bank 
organizations, organizations that deal with world health, the current 
campaign to eradicate polio in countries needs to have physicians from 
throughout the world, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control needs to 
have doctors that reflect the various cultures of the world.
  So as we look at education, even though it is on a college level, we 
need to see the impact that it will have and should have in other 
agencies such as health, such as banking. So we must do more to prepare 
our students to take their place.
  Unfortunately, though, this bill does not go far enough in recruiting 
and maintaining minority students in the field of international 
service. During the markup of the bill, I introduced an amendment which 
would have authorized the establishment of a Ralph J. Bunche 
scholarship for selected undergraduate fellows in the Institute for 
International Public Policy. We will be celebrating 100 years of Dr. 
Ralph Bunche's birth. The scholarship would have helped to underwrite 
the cost of studies of minority students. Dr. Ralph Bunche was a Nobel 
Peace Prize recipient. He did a tremendous amount of work in the Middle 
East, and he was a dedicated person during the 20 years he worked in 
trying to achieve global peace. The scholarship I was proposing would 
have helped to underwrite the cost of studies of more diverse students, 
minority students, in our country because in order for us to really 
have a foreign service that truly reflects the diversity of America, we 
must have more students from minority groups. We must have more Asian 
Americans and more Hispanic Americans and African Americans in our 
foreign service if we are, in fact, going to be successful.
  The institute was created in 1992 in order to attract and retain 
women and minorities who are underserved. This legislation was 
supported by the United Negro College Fund and the American Council on 
Education; and hopefully as we move forward, that legislation will be 
adopted.
  Mr. Speaker, I do support H.R. 3077, but in the future, hopefully, we 
can be a little more sensitive so we can really, truly have our foreign 
service reflect the great diversity of our Nation.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Ehlers), a member of the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I want to register my support for the bill that is currently before 
us, H.R. 3077. It is something that is badly needed. I am very pleased 
to see it come out of committee, and I hope it will soon pass the House 
of Representatives.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3077, the 
International Studies in Higher Education Act.
  I want to particularly commend the gentleman from Michigan, the 
chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Education, for including in the 
bill section 6, providing for the establishment of the International 
Higher Education Advisory Board.
  This seven-member independent board will be empowered to review and 
comment upon the selection criteria for title VI grants, monitor and 
evaluate the activities of grantees based upon the purposes of title 
VI, and make recommendations regarding how to improve the programs to 
better reflect national needs, among other functions. Section 6 makes 
clear that the purpose of the Board's recommendations is to foster the 
``growth and development of international education programs at the 
postsecondary level that encourage diverse perspectives . . .''
  I am encouraged that the creation of this Advisory Board will help 
redress a problem which is a great concern of mine, namely, the lack of 
balance, and indeed the anti-American bias that pervades title VI-
funded Middle East studies programs in particular. To the extent that 
it advances the national interest to commit taxpayer funds to 
institutions of higher education for the purpose of fostering expertise 
with regard to key regions of the world--and I would emphatically 
affirm that it does--then surely it is troubling when evidence suggests 
that many of the Middle East regional studies grantees are committed to 
a narrow point of view at odds with our national interest, a point of 
view that questions the validity of advancing American ideals of 
democracy and the rule of law around the world, and in the Middle East 
in particular.
  The Advisory Board's oversight function does not impinge on the 
academic freedom that is and must be enjoyed by our institutions of 
higher education. In establishing the board, we are doing no more than 
exercising our responsibility to ensure that the Federal funds we 
authorize and appropriate are expended properly.
  I commend the Committee on Education and the Workforce for addressing 
this issue, and urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support H.R. 3077, 
the International Studies in Higher Education Act. This bill is part of 
our comprehensive efforts to strengthen and renew higher education, and 
it will make real improvements to international and foreign language 
studies programs in campuses across America.
  I'd like to commend my colleague Mr. Hoekstra, chairman of the Select 
Education Subcommittee, for his work on this bill. Thanks to his 
efforts, the measure before us today has received bipartisan support, 
as well as a positive response from those in the higher education 
community who are administering these critical international and 
foreign language programs. I'd also like to thank my good friend Mr. 
Miller, the ranking member on the committee, and Mr. Hinojosa, the 
ranking member on the subcommittee, for their cooperation in bringing 
this bill before us today.
  The International Studies in Higher Education Act renews and 
reauthorizes the international and foreign language studies programs 
under title VI of the Higher Education Act. These programs are not only 
an important part of our postsecondary education system, but they are 
also a critical piece of our national efforts to fulfill national and 
international security needs.
  Today, in the post-9/11 era, our Nation has been confronted with a 
new reality. Now, more than at virtually any other time in our history, 
we must understand our national interests and security concerns within 
an international context. We do not live in a vacuum, and our higher 
education system must reflect this. That's why the bill before us today 
is so important.
  International and foreign language studies programs are often 
responsible for training experts with the skills and knowledge 
necessary

[[Page H9758]]

to meet our changing national security needs. Grants provided through 
title VI of the Higher Education Act allow colleges and universities 
across the country to offer programs that foster this type of learning, 
and help students gain significant understanding of international 
perspectives and foreign languages.
  The bill before us today will allow the continued success of these 
programs by allowing for increased undergraduate study, including study 
abroad. In addition, the bill allows for the creation of national 
resource centers to serve as information sources for international and 
foreign language at the K-12 level, encouraging international studies 
at all levels of education. The bill also seeks to enhance diversity 
among those participating in the Institute for International Public 
Policy, requiring that all underrepresented populations be included.

  Because of the increased prevalence and importance of international 
and foreign language studies programs, particularly in meeting our 
changing national security needs, this bill creates an important new 
resource for information and guidance through the establishment of an 
advisory board for international education. This advisory board will 
serve as a valuable information source for Congress and the Secretary 
of Education as we work to strengthen these programs and ensure their 
continued success.
  I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of members of my staff in 
bringing this bill forward today; particularly Krisann Pearce, Alison 
Ream, Kathleen Smith, Alexa Marrero, and Rebecca Hunt with Mr. 
Hoekstra's staff. Additionally, I would like to thank the Democratic 
staff, including Ricardo Martinez, Alex Nock, Ellynne Bannon and Moira 
Lenehan with Mr. Hinojosa's staff. Thanks to the leadership of Chairman 
Hoekstra, the bipartisan cooperation from members on both sides of the 
aisle, and the hard work of our staff, we have before us today a bill 
that will allow for the continued success of international and foreign 
language studies programs at campuses across the Nation. I'm pleased to 
support this measure, and encourage my colleagues to join me in our 
efforts to ensure international and foreign language studies continue 
to thrive at colleges and universities across America.
   Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 3077, the 
International Studies in Higher Education Act.
   This bill authorizes a total of $108 million in FY 2004 for higher 
education international studies and foreign language programs. It also 
establishes a seven-member International Education Advisory Board to 
provide advice and recommendations to the Education Department and 
Congress on all title VI programs but specifically states that nothing 
in it should be construed as authorizing the advisory board to 
``mandate, direct or control'' the specific instructional content, 
curriculum or program of instruction of any institution of higher 
education.
   I would like to highlight two amendments that I offered in the 
Higher Education Committee and were accepted in the committee's final 
version of the legislation. One of the serious challenges facing our 
nation today is that our country lacks people who are fluent in a 
foreign language and also have a background in science and technology.
   There are few Americans who can understand technical documents, 
including research studies and scientific papers, written in foreign 
languages.
   If we are to stay competitive with emerging economies in Asia, 
Central and South America, and Africa, this will have to change.
   That is why I offered one amendment, which would support programs 
with curricula that combine studying science and technology in a 
foreign language.
   This amendment would allow universities to use grants to set up 
immersion programs here in the United States where students take 
science technology-related course work taught completely in foreign 
languages.
   It also would provide for other programs, such as summer workshops, 
that emphasize the intense study of a foreign language and of science 
and technology.
   Funds can further be used to support immersion programs for students 
to take science and math courses in a non-English speaking country.
   To stay on top of innovations in science, mathematics, and 
technology, more professionals in these fields will also have to be 
proficient in a foreign language.
   It is only with the knowledge of technical terms in foreign 
languages--words not taught in the average high school or college 
language class--that America can stay technologically and economically 
competitive.
  I would like to thank Chairman Boehner for accepting this amendment. 
I hope in the future Congress will be able to expand upon this 
amendment and authorize new funding for the study of science and 
technology in foreign languages.
  The second amendment would allow the Department of Education to 
conduct a national study to identify heritage communities with native 
speakers of critical foreign languages. This will enable us to identify 
the foreign language capacity currently existing in the United States.
  Members of heritage communities are better and less expensive 
educational investments than nonnative speakers with no previous 
foreign language experience.
  More importantly, cultivating native speakers is critical to national 
security. The 9/11 Joint Inquiry released in July reports that the 
American intelligence community is only at 30 percent readiness in 
languages critical to national security. As a member of the 
Intelligence Committee, I find this statistic quite troubling.
  The al Qaeda terrorist network currently operates in over 75 
countries where hundreds of different languages and dialects are 
spoken.
  Unfortunately, 99 percent of American school, college, and university 
programs concentrate on only a dozen languages, most of which are 
European.
  In fact, more college students currently study Ancient Greek (16,402) 
than Arabic (5,505), Korean (4,479), and Farsi (614) put together.
  We need to raise these numbers. Unfortunately, for nonnative 
speakers, learning languages like Arabic takes years of intensive 
effort and years of in-country study.
  In this time of heightened awareness of national security and 
intelligence capabilities, we need to identify the foreign language 
resources already existing in this country, especially native speakers 
of languages that are rarely taught in our schools.
  The only way to know what we have available to us in terms of native 
language speakers--and we can take advantage of this knowledge--is by 
conducting a comprehensive study. The results of this study should be 
extremely valuable to the intelligence community, to educators, and to 
Congress.
  I again want to thank my colleagues on the Education and the 
Workforce Committee, and I want to express my strong support for this 
bill. I hope the leadership of this Congress will see fit to properly 
fund it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3077, which reauthorizes title VI of the Higher Education Act to 
authorize grant programs designed to increase the number of graduates 
who are trained in foreign language and international studies. I would 
like to thank the gentleman from Michigan, Chairman Hoekstra, for his 
leadership on this bipartisan resolution and in the Subcommittee on 
Select Education. I would also like to thank Ranking Member Hinojosa 
for his leadership as well.
  I believe we can all realize the great need to have educated 
individuals in our Nation with the main focus being in foreign language 
and international studies after the events of September 11. This bill 
will allow our country to strengthen that aspect of our education 
system by offering competitive grants to our nation's colleges and 
universities. Some of the included grants offer institutions of higher 
education to establish graduate and undergraduate language area centers 
and programs as well as to create new programs or to strengthen 
existing programs in international studies and foreign language. I am 
pleased that this resolution has expanded the role of international 
centers and programs by allowing the centers and programs to serve as a 
national resource for courses and materials for elementary and 
secondary schools. This encourages an outreach to all school children 
to become more familiar and knowledgeable on international affairs and 
cultures.
  Another section of this resolution will make grants available to 
establish centers for international business education. These centers 
promote the ability for our Nation to strengthen our economic 
enterprise and knowledge of international understanding. I believe this 
is a great quality for our future business and small business leaders 
to have to not only support their businesses but as a way to expand and 
enrich their businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, I again want to commend my colleagues, Chairman Hoekstra 
and Ranking Member Hinojosa for an outstanding job on a solid piece of 
important legislation. I urge all my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, international education and Federal support 
for it is critical as we work to strengthen our economy and expand our 
diplomatic efforts around the world.
  International education programs are vital in building and 
maintaining the nation's supply of experts in foreign languages, 
international affairs, and international business. Providing high 
quality, useful opportunities for students to become knowledgeable in 
international issues and foreign languages has become increasingly 
important. America's interests are tied to our knowledge and 
understanding of the rest of the world.
  This legislation strengthens and reauthorizes the existing Title VI 
programs related to the study of international affairs, world regions 
and foreign languages in higher education. In addition, this bill makes 
significant improvements to the International Business Education 
program by reducing the match that Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities, Hispanic

[[Page H9759]]

Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges must make to participate in 
this program. This provision alone is likely to spur new ideas and 
perspectives in this area.
  One provision I do want to express caution on is the International 
Advisory Board created by this legislation. This board has been created 
to provide recommendations to the Secretary in the area of 
international education. While I support this legislation, we should 
continue to refine the purpose and scope of the Board's 
responsibilities. As this bill moves to conference later this Congress, 
I will work to ensure that the role of this Board reflects a true need 
in the area of international education.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3077, the 
International Studies in Higher Education Act.
  H.R. 3077 updates international and foreign language studies programs 
by ensuring these programs reflect the current international climate 
and national security needs. The bill also emphasizes coordination 
between these programs and homeland security interests, while ensuring 
the programs continue to enrich higher education by enhancing 
international knowledge.
  As a former Member of the Intelligence Committee I authored 
legislation encouraging American students to study foreign languages 
and join the federal government in national security capacities. It is 
vital to our entire national security that we address our foreign 
language deficiencies and support educational initiatives that amend 
this problem. Our lack of highly-trained linguistics experts seriously 
hampers our ability to fight the war on terrorism and this legislation 
provides incentive to focus these programs on the reality of the 
situations our men and women in uniform face overseas. It is important 
that we build a critical base of future leaders both in government 
service and in higher education who have cultivated international 
relationships and worked and studies alongside experts of other 
countries.
  I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 3077.

                              {time}  1215

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shaw). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3077, 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.

                          ____________________