[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 58 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4515-S4516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LUGAR:
  S. 838. A bill to provide for the appointment of United States 
Science Envoys; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
placed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 838

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

[[Page S4516]]

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) The United States is the world's leader in scientific 
     research and discovery.
       (2) The United States has produced more Nobel Laureates 
     than any other nation, including--
       (A) 90 of the 192 Nobel Laureates in Medicine;
       (B) 81 of the 183 Nobel Laureates in Physics;
       (C) 43 of the 62 Nobel Laureates in Economics; and
       (D) 59 of the 153 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry.
       (3) Consistent polling and scholarly research has shown 
     that--
       (A) the nations of the world seek a relationship with the 
     United States that is based on mutual respect; and
       (B) many of these nations, even nations that disagree with 
     some aspects of United States foreign policy, admire the 
     United States for its leadership in science and technology.
       (4) Science and technology provide an external reference 
     around which nations can converge to foster an atmosphere of 
     cooperation and mutual respect based upon the recognition 
     that advances in science and technology are universally 
     beneficial.
       (5) International scientific cooperation enhances 
     relationships among participating countries by building trust 
     and increasing understanding between countries and cultures 
     through the collaborative nature of scientific dialogues.
       (6) The United States' commitment to technological 
     advances--
       (A) displays our Nation's commitment to improving lives 
     throughout the world;
       (B) mitigates some political controversy; and
       (C) offers other countries a tangible incentive to 
     cooperate with the United States to improve the health and 
     well-being of their citizens.
       (7) Short-term visits from renowned and respected American 
     scientists can dramatically affect the standing of the United 
     States among foreign countries.
       (8) International scientific cooperation--
       (A) produced successful engagements between United States 
     and Soviet scientists throughout the 1970s and 1980s; and
       (B) assisted United States outreach efforts with the 
     People's Republic of China before official diplomatic ties 
     were fully established.
       (9) Various nongovernmental organizations in the United 
     States have been engaged in international scientific 
     cooperation programs. These organizations include the 
     American Association for the Advancement of Science, the 
     Richard Lounsbery Foundation, and many major United States 
     academic institutions.

     SEC. 2. EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Under the authority, direction, and 
     control of the President, the Secretary of State, in 
     accordance with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange 
     Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.), may increase the number 
     of educational and cultural exchange activities involving 
     persons from scientific, medicine, research, and academic 
     sectors by--
       (1) establishing new programs under that Act; and
       (2) expanding the coverage of existing programs under that 
     Act.
       (b) Scientific Envoy.--The Secretary of State shall appoint 
     United States Science Envoys to represent the commitment of 
     the United States to collaborate with other countries to 
     promote the advancement of science and technology throughout 
     the world based on issues of common interest and expertise.
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