[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 68 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3408-S3409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. Begich, and Ms. Murkowski):
S. 3331. A bill to establish a Native American Economic Advisory
Council, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce a bill that would
establish a Native American Economic Advisory Council. This Council's
primary duties would be to consult, coordinate, and make
recommendations to Federal agencies for the purpose of improving the
substandard economic conditions that exist in our Native communities.
Currently, there is no Council, and despite the federal government's
``trust'' relationship with Native American tribes, Native Americans
themselves continue to rank lowest in quality of life standings. As a
Nation we need to preserve our Native Communities; they are rich with
cultural significance and living history.
Native communities are considered ``emerging economies'' that have
stalled because of the current economic situation. This bill is an
attempt to keep these communities moving by educating, empowering, and
encouraging our future Native American leaders to create sustainable
economic growth programs in their own communities.
In Hawaii, the cost of living ranges from 30 percent to 60 percent
higher than the national average. We have to start planning for
economic stability in the future and this bill provides an opportunity
to do so. I look forward to working with my colleagues on reinvesting
in our Nation's future.
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
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3331
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 Economic
Advisory Council Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds--
(1) the United States has a special political and legal
relationship and responsibility to promote the welfare of the
Native American people of the United States;
(2) evaluations of indicators and criteria of social well-
being, education, health, unemployment, housing, income,
rates of poverty, justice systems, and nutrition by agencies
of government and others have consistently found that Native
American communities rank below other groups of United States
citizens and many are at or near the bottom in those
evaluations;
(3) Native Americans, like other people in the United
States, have been hit hard by the deepest recession of the
United States economy in over 50 years, causing a significant
decline in employment and economic activity across the United
States;
(4) Native American communities have been described as
``emerging economies'' and consequently have been stalled in
the efforts of the communities to build sustainable growing
economies for the people of the communities and are being
adversely affected faster than the rest of the United States;
(5) economic stimulus programs to help Native American
communities generate jobs and stronger economic performance
will require United States financial and tax incentives to
increase both local and expanded investment that is tailored
to the unique needs and circumstances of Native American
communities;
(6) the impacts of the ongoing recession and the near
collapse of the financial and banking systems require a
review of assumptions about the future, the need for new
growth strategies, and a focus on laying the groundwork for
economic success in the 21st century;
(7) there is a continuing need for direct economic
stimulus, including needs for improving rural infrastructure
and alternative energy in rural and Native American
communities of the United States and providing Native
Americans leaders with the tools to create jobs and improve
economic conditions;
(8) in light of the role of Native American communities as
emerging markets within the United States, there are
opportunities and needs that should be addressed, including
consideration of United States support for the pooling of
resources to create an Indigenous Sovereign Wealth Fund that
is similar to those Funds created around the world to
diversify revenue streams, attract more resources, invest
more wisely, and create jobs;
(9) Native Americans should be participants when major
economic decisions are made that affect the property, lives,
and future of Native Americans; and
(10) Native Americans should fully participate in
rebuilding Native American communities and have necessary
tools and resources.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to authorize and establish a
Native American Economic Advisory Council to consult,
coordinate with, and make recommendations to the Executive
Office of the President, Cabinet officers, and Federal
agencies--
(1) to improve the focus, effectiveness, and delivery of
Federal economic aid and development programs to Native
Americans and, as a result, improve substandard economic
conditions in Native American communities;
(2) to build and expand on the capacity of leaders in
Native American organizations and communities to take
positive and innovative steps--
(A) to create jobs;
(B) to establish stable and profitable business
enterprises;
(C) to enhance economic conditions; and
(D) to use Native American-owned resources for the benefit
of members; and
(3) to achieve the long-term goal of improving the quality
of Native American life and living conditions and access to
basic public services to the levels enjoyed by the average
citizen and community of the United States by the year 2025.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIVE AMERICAN ECONOMIC ADVISORY
COUNCIL.
(a) In General.--There is established a Native American
Economic Advisory Council (referred to in this Act as the
``Council'') to advise and assist the Executive Office of the
President and Federal agencies to ensure that Native
Americans (including Native American members, communities and
organizations) have--
(1) the means and capacity to generate and benefit from
economic stimulus and growth; and
(2) fair access to, and reasonable opportunities to
participate in, Federal economic development and job growth
programs.
(b) Members.--
(1) In general.--The Council shall consist of 5 members
appointed by the President.
(2) Initial appointments.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall
appoint the initial members of the Council.
(3) Composition.--Of the members of the Council--
[[Page S3409]]
(A) 1 member shall be an Alaska Native;
(B) 1 member shall be a Hawaiian Native; and
(C) 3 members shall represent American Native groups and
organizations from other States.
(4) Chairperson.--The President shall designate 1 of the
members of the Council to serve as Chairperson.
(c) Experience.--Each member of the Council shall be a
Native American who, as a result of work experience,
training, and attainment, is well qualified--
(1) to identify, analyze, and understand the attributes and
background of successful business enterprises and economic
programs in Native American communities and cultures;
(2) to appraise the economic development programs and
activities of Federal agencies in the context of the goals
and purposes of this Act; and
(3) to recommend programs, policies, and needed program
modifications to improve access to and effectiveness in the
delivery of economic development programs in Native American
communities.
(d) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Council--
(1) shall not affect the authority of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the same manner as the initial
appointments to the Council.
(e) Expenses.--Each Member of the Council shall be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
at the rate authorized for employees of agencies under
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code,
while away from the homes or regular places of business of
the employees in the performance of services for the Council.
(f) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Council may, without regard to the
civil service laws (including regulations), appoint and
terminate an executive director and such other staff as are
necessary to enable the Council to perform the duties
required under this Act.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Council
may fix the compensation of the executive director and other
personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code,
relating to classification of positions and General Schedule
pay rates.
(B) Maximum amount.--The rate of pay for the executive
director and other personnel of the Council shall not exceed
the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(g) Detail of Employees.--
(1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may
be detailed to the Council without reimbursement.
(2) Civil service status.--The detail of an employee shall
be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(h) Temporary Services.--The Council may procure temporary
and intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b)
of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that
do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of
basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of that title.
(i) Administrative Services.--The Secretary of Commerce
shall provide necessary office space and administrative
services for the Council (including staff of the Council).
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Council shall advise and make
recommendations to Federal agencies on--
(1) proposing sustainable economic growth and poverty
reduction policies in a manner that promotes self-
determination, self-sufficiency, and independence in urban
and remote Native American communities while preserving the
traditional cultural values of those communities;
(2) ensuring that Native Americans (including Native
American communities and organizations) have equal access to
Federal economic aid, training, and assistance programs;
(3) developing economic growth strategies, finance, and tax
policies that will enable Native American organizations to
stimulate the local economies of Native Americans and create
meaningful new jobs in Native American communities;
(4) increasing the effectiveness of Federal programs to
address the economic, employment, medical, and social needs
of Native American communities;
(5) administering Federal economic development assistance
programs with an understanding of the unique needs of Native
American communities with the objectives of--
(A) making Native American leaders knowledgeable about best
business practices and successful economic and job growth
strategies;
(B) promoting investment and economic growth and reducing
unemployment and poverty in Native American communities;
(C) enhancing governance, entrepreneurship, and self-
determination in Native American communities; and
(D) fostering demonstrations of transformational changes in
economic conditions in remote Native American communities
through the use of innovative technology, targeted
investments, and the use of Native American-owned natural and
scenic resources;
(6) improving the effectiveness of economic development
assistance programs through the integration and coordination
of assistance to Native American communities;
(7) recommending educational and business training programs
for Native Americans that increase the capacity of Native
Americans for economic well-being and to further the purposes
of this Act; and
(8) initiating proposals, as needed, for fellowship and
mentoring programs to meet the economic development needs of
Native American communities.
(b) Additional Duties.--The Council shall--
(1) prepare a compilation of successful business
enterprises and joint ventures conducted by Native American
organizations, including tribal enterprises and the
commercial ventures of Native Corporations (as defined in
section 102 of the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3102)) in the State of Alaska;
and
(2) periodically sponsor and arrange conferences and
training workshops on Native American business activities,
including providing mentors, resource people, and speakers to
address financing, management, marketing, resource
development, and best business practices in Native American
business enterprises.
SEC. 6. ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON
NATIVE AMERICAN ECONOMIC PROSPECTS AND
OPPORTUNITY.
In preparing and communicating the comments and
recommendations of the President on proposed legislation to
committees and leadership of Congress, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and the head of a Federal
agency shall include an assessment of the impacts of the
proposed legislation on the economic and employment prospects
and opportunities provided in the proposed legislation to
improve the quality of living conditions of Native American
communities, organizations, and members to the levels enjoyed
by most people of the United States.
SEC. 7. REPORTS.
The Council shall--
(1) prepare periodic reports on the activities of the
Council; and
(2) make the reports available to--
(A) Native American communities, organizations, and
members;
(B) the General Services Administration;
(C) the Office of Management and Budget;
(D) the Domestic Policy Council;
(E) the National Economic Council;
(F) the Council of Economic Advisers;
(G) the Secretary of the Treasury;
(H) the Secretary of Commerce;
(I) the Secretary of Labor;
(J) the Secretary of the Interior;
(K) the Secretary of Energy; and
(L) members of the public.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
Act such sums as are necessary.
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