[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4690-H4692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRESSIONAL AWARD PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(S. 2865) to reauthorize the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 801 et 
seq.), and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 2865

       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 ``Congressional Award Program 
     Reauthorization Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL AWARD PROGRAM.

       (a) Implementation and Presentation.--Section 102 of the 
     Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 802) is amended--
       (1) in the matter following subsection (b)(5), by striking 
     ``under paragraph (3)''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), in the second sentence, by striking 
     ``during'' and inserting ``in connection with''.
       (b) Terms of Appointment and Reappointments.--Section 103 
     of the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 803) is amended by 
     striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Terms of Appointed Members; Reappointment.--
       ``(1) Appointed members of the Board shall continue to 
     serve at the pleasure of the officer by whom they are 
     appointed, and (unless reappointed under paragraph (2)) shall 
     serve for a term of 4 years.
       ``(2)(A) Subject to the limitations in subparagraph (B), 
     members of the Board may be reappointed, except that no 
     member may

[[Page H4691]]

     serve more than 2 full consecutive terms. Members may be 
     reappointed to 2 full consecutive terms after being appointed 
     to fill a vacancy on the Board.
       ``(B) Members of the Board shall not be subject to the 
     limitation on reappointment in subparagraph (A) during their 
     period of service as Chairman of the Board and may be 
     reappointed to an additional full term after termination of 
     such Chairmanship.
       ``(3)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) or (2), the term of 
     each member of the Board shall begin on October 1 of the even 
     numbered year which would otherwise apply with one-half of 
     the Board positions having terms which begin in each even 
     numbered year.
       ``(B) Subparagraph (A) shall apply to appointments made to 
     the Board on or after the date of enactment of the 
     Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.''.
       (c) Requirements Regarding Financial Operations.--Section 
     104(c) of the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 804(c)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), in the third sentence, by striking 
     ``, in any calendar year,'' and inserting ``in any fiscal 
     year''; and
       (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
       ``(2)(A) The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     determine for each fiscal year whether the Director has 
     substantially complied with paragraph (1). The findings made 
     by the Comptroller General under the preceding sentence shall 
     be included in the reports submitted under section 107(b).
       ``(B) If the Director fails to substantially comply with 
     paragraph (1), the Board shall instruct the Director to take 
     such actions as may be necessary to correct such 
     deficiencies, and shall remove and replace the Director if 
     such deficiencies are not promptly corrected.''.
       (d) Funding and Expenditures.--Section 106(a) of the 
     Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 806(a)) is amended by 
     striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) the Board shall carry out its functions and make 
     expenditures with--
       ``(A) such resources as are available to the Board from 
     sources other than the Federal Government; and
       ``(B) funds awarded in any grant program administered by a 
     Federal agency in accordance with the law establishing that 
     grant program.''.
       (e) Statewide Congressional Award Councils.--Section 106(c) 
     of the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 806(c)) is amended 
     by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Each Statewide Council established under this section 
     may receive contributions, and use such contributions for the 
     purposes of the Program. The Board shall adopt appropriate 
     financial management methods in order to ensure the proper 
     accounting of these funds. Each Statewide Council shall 
     comply with subsections (a), (d), (e), and (h) governing the 
     Board.''.
       (f) Contracting and Use of Funds for Scholarships.--Section 
     106 of the Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 806) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (d), by inserting ``to be'' after 
     ``expenditure is''; and
       (2) in subsection (e)(1)(A), by inserting ``or for 
     scholarships'' after ``local program''.
       (g) Nonprofit Corporation.--Section 106 of the 
     Congressional Award Act (2 U.S.C. 806) is amended by striking 
     subsection (i) and inserting the following:
       ``(i)(1) The Board shall provide for the incorporation of a 
     nonprofit corporation to be known as the Congressional Award 
     Foundation (together with any subsidiary nonprofit 
     corporations determined desirable by the Board, collectively 
     referred to in this title as the `Corporation') for the sole 
     purpose of assisting the Board to carry out the Congressional 
     Award Program, and shall delegate to the Corporation such 
     duties as it considers appropriate, including the employment 
     of personnel, expenditure of funds, and the incurrence of 
     financial or other contractual obligations.
       ``(2) The articles of incorporation of the Congressional 
     Award Foundation shall provide that--
       ``(A) the members of the Board of Directors of the 
     Foundation shall be the members of the Board, with up to 24 
     additional voting members appointed by the Board, and the 
     Director who shall serve as a nonvoting member; and
       ``(B) the extent of the authority of the Foundation shall 
     be the same as that of the Board.
       ``(3) No director, officer, or employee of any corporation 
     established under this subsection may receive compensation, 
     travel expenses, or benefits from both the Corporation and 
     the Board.''.
       (h) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--Section 108 of the Congressional Award Act 
     (2 U.S.C. 808) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2009'' and 
     inserting ``October 1, 2013''.
       (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect as 
     of October 1, 2009.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Payne) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris 
Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on S. 2865 
into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2865, which reauthorizes the 
Congressional Award Program. The Congressional Award is a public-
private partnership created by Congress in 1979 that works to recognize 
the initiative, achievement, and service of America's youth, ages 14 to 
23. Participants earn recognition and bronze, silver, and gold 
Congressional Award certificates or medals based on their involvement 
in four key areas: volunteer service, personal development, physical 
fitness, and exploration.
  Participants in the Congressional Award Program set and achieve 
personally challenging goals based on their individual interests, 
needs, and abilities. Because these participants set their own goals, 
the program is open and inclusive of youth of all ability levels.
  S. 2865 provides for the reauthorization of the Congressional Award 
Program until October 2013. It will allow the Congressional Awards 
Foundation to confer awards to the many youth who have completed their 
goals and service. We recognize the outstanding contributions of over 
27,700 individuals who have participated in the Congressional Award 
Program since its inception, and over 1,500 youth from 45 States earned 
certificates or medals at one of the six award levels this current 
year. We congratulate them on their achievement and thank them for an 
outstanding 2.5 million hours of combined volunteer service.

                              {time}  1120

  In fact, this morning, Members of Congress and community leaders will 
join together to honor 252 recipients of the Congressional Award Gold 
Medal. These recipients will represent the best of the best of the 
young people working to meet their goals. They will be congratulated by 
NFL star Michael Oher and Deputy Secretary of Education Anthony Miller. 
We wish these young people continued success in their personal, 
professional and educational goals.
  We also thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Gus 
Bilirakis, who serve on the Congressional Award board of directors. 
Their contributions to the program are an important part of this 
Congress' support of the outstanding youth who participate in the 
Congressional Award Program.
  Mr. Speaker, once again I express my support for Senate bill 2865 and 
the reauthorization of the Congressional Award Program. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in support of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2865, the Congressional Award 
Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill reauthorizes the 
Congressional Award Program and the board that administers the program, 
which is a public-private partnership created by Congress to promote 
and recognize excellence in America's youth ages 14 to 23. Applicants 
excel in service, personal development, physical fitness, expedition, 
and exploration, and receive various levels of the award, including 
bronze, silver, and gold certificates and medals. The Congressional 
Award Program also provides scholarships to select winners for 
participation in the People to People Program and the Presidential 
Classroom, and for select incoming freshmen to Drexel University.
  The Congressional Award Program was founded in 1979 and has 
recognized outstanding youth since that time. To earn the award, youth 
are encouraged to set their own goals in one of four areas of volunteer 
service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition and 
exploration. The award recognizes youth that complete their goals in 
these areas. It encourages adolescents and young adults to set and 
achieve their own challenging goals and recognizes them for doing such.
  I urge my colleagues to support S. 2865.

[[Page H4692]]

  Ms. JACKSON LEE OF Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 2865, 
an act that seeks the reauthorization of the Congressional Award 
Program. I also want to thank my colleague, Senator Lieberman, for 
introducing this important legislation.
  Today we acknowledge the continued success of the Congressional Award 
Program and seek its reauthorization contingent with a few amendments. 
This program enriches America's youth by instilling four principle 
areas in the contestant's life. The four program areas include 
voluntary community service, personal development, physical fitness, 
and expedition and exploration. Performance of these activities 
strengthens the mind, body, and soul of the youth. By providing service 
to others and the greater community at large, developing personal 
interests, social or employment skills, improving quality of life 
through physical fitness activities, and by undertaking an outdoor, 
wilderness or venture experience (historical, cultural or 
environmental), the participating youth are well rounded.
  I have relentlessly sought better education and jobs for our youth in 
this great nation, because they fuel the future of the country. As a 
member of the board of the Congressional Award Program I also believe 
that in order to truly produce a well rounded society, we should be 
supporting all aspects of life. Education is a very important factor in 
a youth's life, and the four program areas of the Congressional Award 
Program also work to shape the knowledge acquired through that 
education to mold successful youths.
  This reauthorization act will strengthen the program's leadership 
amending the appointments provisions such as to revise requirements for 
appointment and reappointment of members of the Congressional Award 
Board, especially the limitation of service on the Board to two 
consecutive terms. This act exempts a member from the two-term limit 
during a period of service as Board Chairman, permits reappointment of 
such individual to an additional full term after termination of such 
Chairmanship, requires a Board member's term to begin on October 1 of 
the even numbered year, with one-half of the Board positions having 
terms which begin in each even numbered year, and changes from calendar 
to fiscal year the annual period for which the Director is required to 
ensure that the Board's liabilities do not exceed its assets.
  For the foregoing reasons, I stand with Senator Lieberman in support 
of this act to reauthorize the Congressional Award Program.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge 
the support of Senate bill 2865, the Congressional Award Program 
Reauthorization Act, to the full body.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 2865.
  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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