[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E303-E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION CORPS ACT OF 2013

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 2013

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, today I join Representative Ander Crenshaw in 
introducing the ``International Conservation Corps Act of 2013'' 
(ICCA), legislation that will mobilize our large and growing community 
of retired conservation experts, in a voluntary capacity, to support 
the efforts of developing countries to sustainably manage their natural 
resources.
  There is a significant deficit in the capability of most developing 
countries to successfully manage their natural resources, which is 
fundamental to sustainable development, poverty alleviation, conflict 
avoidance, good governance, and regional security. Countries with a 
great wealth of natural resources are often cursed with devastating 
poverty, corruption and civil war arising from disputes over control 
and distribution of these resources.
  The International Conservation Corps Act will harness the vast 
experience of the United States in natural resource management and 
direct it to developing countries to help them operate and develop more 
sustainable programs. Modeled after the Peace Corps, the ICCA program 
would offer retired land managers, geologists, biologists, and park 
rangers the opportunity to volunteer their services to the foreign 
country. The ICCA would cover the expenses necessary to deploy 
volunteers in other countries such as airfare, food, and lodging. The 
program will utilize volunteers who have long practical experience and 
are respected in their fields, and who are enthusiastic about 
opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills to assist other 
countries.
  Under this proposal, the State Department would screen foreign 
government requests for assistance. Cleared requests would be forwarded 
to the Interior Department which would craft a prospectus that awards 
competitive grants to the nonprofit that assemble the best volunteer 
teams and most meritorious applications. Federal administrative costs 
would be

[[Page E304]]

minimal, ensuring tax payer funds are spent almost exclusively on 
``boots on the ground.''
  This modest proposal offers a highly effective way to stretch our 
limited foreign aid dollars to advance our national security interests, 
promote better environmental stewardship, avoid conflicts, encourage 
sustainable development and alleviate poverty.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation. Let's 
take advantage of this unique opportunity presented by a highly 
qualified corps of U.S. professionals to help developing countries 
establish good governance.

                          ____________________