[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H2444-H2445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REAUTHORIZING UNITED STATES ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1003) to amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring 
Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on 
Public Diplomacy.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1003

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

     SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF UNITED STATES ADVISORY 
                   COMMISSION ON PUBLIC DIPLOMACY.

       Section 1334 of the Foreign Affairs Reform and 
     Restructuring Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6553) is amended by 
     striking ``October 1, 2006'' and inserting ``October 1, 
     2009''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this bill and urge my 
colleagues to do so as well.
  This legislation extends the mandate of an important bipartisan panel 
created by Congress, appointed by the President and working on behalf 
of the American people. This group keeps a watchful eye on major 
efforts by the private sector and the U.S. Government to inform and to 
influence opinions overseas and to improve America's understanding of 
other lands.
  Since September 11, 2001, such efforts, known collectively as 
``public diplomacy,'' have been recognized as an integral part of our 
country's work to foster better relations with people abroad. Congress 
created the predecessor of this panel more than half a century ago. Now 
it is called the United States Advisory Commission on

[[Page H2445]]

Public Diplomacy, and it deserves our sustained and enthusiastic 
support.
  The commission regularly delivers its findings and makes 
recommendations to the President, the Congress, the Secretary of State 
and the general public with easily accessible reports. These reports 
also include assessments of the scholarly integrity and political 
neutrality of the cultural and educational exchange programs of the 
Department of State.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States Advisory Commission on Public 
Diplomacy does good and important work. Its mandate should be extended 
not merely annually, but for nearly 3 years more, as our legislation 
ensures. I am proud to be the author of this legislation, and I 
strongly urge my colleagues to support this short, but important, bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we appreciate the gentlelady's work on this bill. The 
legislation before us today reauthorizes the Advisory Commission on 
Public Diplomacy through fiscal year 2009. Unique among nations, the 
United States maintains a vast network of formal and informal contacts 
with the people of the world and conducts the world's only global 
foreign policy.
  The purpose of public diplomacy is to provide this worldwide audience 
with information about the United States and to convey an accurate and 
positive image of our beloved country and our foreign policy 
objectives. To accomplish this mission, the United States Government 
has at its disposal a number of important tools, including education 
and cultural exchange programs, extensive and proactive public affairs 
programs centered in our embassies, and a network of radio and 
television services broadcasting accurate and objective programming to 
a world community.
  With H.R. 1003, Congress is reauthorizing the advisory commission for 
another 2 years to continue its important work to study our public 
diplomacy programs and reach some useful conclusions about how our 
government can do a better job of creating a dialogue with foreign 
audiences.
  I urge the commission during the next 2 years to step up its efforts 
to study in more detail our public diplomacy and broadcasting efforts 
and advise policymakers in the administration and in Congress on 
appropriate changes and reforms that will improve our outreach efforts 
to the people of the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I would again emphasize the importance of my bill and 
urge all of my colleagues to vote in the affirmative.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1003.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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