[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6040-S6043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. PETERS:
S. 3381. A bill to establish a program to accurately document
vehicles that were significant in the history of the United States, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, few American innovations have changed the
modern world like the automobile. Cars and trucks are now woven into
the very fabric of American life and culture. As a Senator from the
State of Michigan, as well as a car and motorcycle enthusiast, I am
especially proud of our State's leading role in the American auto
industry.
The history of the automobile is really a history of American
workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, and it must be preserved. Right
before me are two pictures of two really iconic vehicles, vehicles such
as the 1964 Shelby Cobra at the top and a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro. These
two cars helped spark a lifelong love of cars for millions of
Americans. Fifty years later, these vehicles still inspire today's
innovators and engineers as they work to develop cars and trucks of the
future to be smarter, safer, more reliable, and more efficient than
ever before. However, there is currently no dedicated Federal register
to document historically significant automobiles, motorcycles, trucks,
and commercial vehicles for future generations of Americans to
appreciate and to enjoy.
Today I am introducing the National Historic Vehicle Register Act,
which will establish a Federal register of historic vehicles and
document and preserve records of these vehicles for our Nation's
history. This legislation will ensure that the engineering drawings,
photos, and stories of historically important vehicles will be
available to inspire Americans and celebrate the accomplishments of the
American auto industry.
The National Historic Vehicle Register Act would build on efforts of
the Historic Vehicle Association to help document and preserve the
legacy of some of our most historic vehicles. I recently had the
opportunity to see two of the autos that have already been documented
by the Historic Vehicle Association. I saw this vehicle right here at
the bottom. This is President Taft's 1909 White Steam Car. It was the
very first Presidential limousine. It is a beautiful and fascinating
example of steam car technology from the early days of the automobile
and could reach astonishing speeds up to 60 miles an hour. In addition
to being a pleasant way to get around, President Taft's use of
automobiles helped encourage other Americans to adopt the new
technology as their favorite mode of transportation.
I also had the honor to see the Jeep up on the top photo, which is
President Reagan's 1962 Willys Jeep CJ-6. It was a Christmas gift from
his wife Nancy. Standing next to the Jeep, I could not help but have a
vivid picture of President Reagan driving it on his ranch in
California, often accompanied by his dogs Lucky, Freebo, and Victory.
The register would work to preserve these memories, with members of the
historic vehicles community selecting automobiles and motorcycles to
include in the register and establishing collaborative partnerships to
carry out the register's activities.
Our Nation's rich automotive history belongs to the American people,
and it is worthy of its own dedicated register. I look forward to
working with my Senate colleagues, the historic vehicle community, and
car enthusiasts across the country to preserve our motor heritage.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Wicker):
S. 3390. A bill to ensure that significantly more students graduate
college with the international knowledge and experience essential for
success in today's global economy through the establishment of the
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program in the Department of Education;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, throughout his life, the late Senator Paul
Simon believed that for the United States to be a true world leader,
our country and its citizens needed to strengthen our international
understanding. In a 1995 floor speech, he posed the question ``Can
someone really be considered educated if, upon graduation as an
engineer or physician or teacher or journalist or accountant or
architect, he or she does not have the most minimal understanding of
the rest of the world?'' At the heart of this question was his
aspiration for our country to become more internationally aware.
Following the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001--an event that
is now 15 years in our past, Senator Simon shared his vision of a world
in which peace and security is fostered through mutual understanding
and global awareness. He believed the best way to develop this
understanding and awareness was through fulling submerse oneself in
another culture. Senator Simon saw that the opportunity for this
already existed on college campuses through study abroad programs.
Study abroad helps students make a connection with another part of the
world and begin to develop insight into the perspectives of other
nations. By exposing young adults to study abroad, today's students
will become more globally aware future leaders.
[[Page S6041]]
Unfortunately, as a country, we are falling short of achieving the
great vision set forth by Senator Simon. Currently, less than 2 percent
of enrolled post-secondary students in the United States study abroad.
Furthermore, the students who do study abroad are not reflective of
post-secondary enrollment in the United States. Minority students,
first generation college students, and community college students are
significantly underrepresented among those who do study abroad. These
groups of students disproportionately lose out on the remarkable
educational opportunities that come along with studying abroad--
engaging with other cultures, enhancing foreign language skills, and
expanding international knowledge through firsthand experience.
Further, the students who study abroad do so overwhelmingly in just
one part of the world. Of all students who study abroad, 40 percent
study in just four countries: the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and
France. An additional 13 percent study in other European countries,
meaning that over half of all U.S. students who study abroad do so in
Europe. Europe has many valuable and important educational experiences
to offer American students. But, increasing the diversity of study
abroad destinations allows students to expand their horizons and make
connections that will help them develop a global perspective and deeper
understanding of the challenges we face in the 21st Century.
In 2004, Congress took the first step towards expanding study abroad
when it authorized the Commission on Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad
Fellowship Program to provide recommendations to Congress and the
President on expanding study abroad programs.
Today, I am honored to carry on the vision laid out by Senator Simon
as Senator Wicker and I introduce the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad
Program Act. This legislation takes an important step towards making
the vision of Senator Simon a reality based on the recommendations made
by the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission.
It establishes a competitive grant program for institutions of higher
education to encourage the sustainable expansion of study abroad
opportunities for students in the United States. Over the next 10
years, this grant program aims to increase the overall number of
undergraduate students studying abroad each year to one million
students. It will place a special emphasis on increasing opportunities
for nontraditional and minority students, so that the demographics of
students who study abroad more closely reflect the population of
current undergraduate students.
This bill will also emphasize getting students to study abroad in
nontraditional destinations particularly in developing countries. We
need to send more students to developing nations because these are the
places that America needs to better understand--countries in Africa,
Asia, Latin America, South America, and the Middle East. This
legislation takes important steps toward expanding and diversifying
participation in study abroad.
I am pleased that several organizations have endorsed this bill
including the American Public and Land-grant Universities, Association
of International Educators, Partners of the Americas, American Council
on Education, the American Association of Community Colleges, the Forum
on Education Abroad, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities, and the Association of American Universities.
In today's global society, an undergraduate education that includes a
meaningful study abroad experience is more important than ever.
Expanded participation in study abroad is necessary to prepare the next
generation of Americans with the global knowledge and skills needed for
success in an increasingly interconnected world. I thank Senator Wicker
for standing with me in this effort and I hope my colleagues will join
us.
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. 3390
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 ``Senator Paul Simon Study
Abroad Program Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) To prepare students for success in the modern global
economy, opportunities for study abroad should be included as
part of a well-rounded education.
(2) Study abroad programs provide students with
unparalleled access to international knowledge, an unmatched
opportunity to learn foreign languages, and a unique
environment for developing cultural understanding, all of
which are knowledge and skills needed in today's global
economy.
(3) Less than 2 percent of all enrolled postsecondary
students in the United States study abroad for credit in any
given year, and minority students, first generation college
students, and community college students are significantly
underrepresented in study abroad participation.
(4) Congress authorized the establishment of the Commission
on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program
pursuant to section 104 of the Miscellaneous Appropriations
and Offsets Act, 2004 (division H of Public Law 108-199).
Pursuant to its mandate, the Lincoln Commission submitted to
Congress and the President a report of its recommendations
for greatly expanding the opportunity for students at
institutions of higher education in the United States to
study abroad, with special emphasis on studying in developing
nations.
(5) According to the Lincoln Commission, ``[e]xperience
shows that leadership from administrators and faculty will
drive the number of study abroad participants higher and
improve the quality of programs. Such leadership is the only
way that study abroad will become an integral part of the
undergraduate experience.''. A competitive grant program is
necessary to encourage and support such leadership.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to ensure that significantly more students have access
to quality study abroad opportunities;
(2) to ensure that the diversity of students studying
abroad reflects the diversity of students and institutions of
higher education in the United States;
(3) to encourage greater diversity in study abroad
destinations by increasing the portion of study abroad that
takes place in nontraditional study abroad destinations,
especially in developing countries; and
(4) to encourage a greater commitment by institutions of
higher education to expand study abroad opportunities.
SEC. 4. SENATOR PAUL SIMON STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM.
Section 741 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1138) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (12) and (13) as paragraphs
(13) and (14), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (11) the following:
``(12) awarding grants under the Senator Paul Simon Study
Abroad Program described in subsection (g);''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a).
``(B) National of the united states.--The term `national of
the United States' means a national of the United States or
an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as those
terms are defined in section 101 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)).
``(C) Nontraditional study abroad destination.--The term
`nontraditional study abroad destination' means a location
that is determined by the Secretary to be a less common
destination for students who study abroad.
``(D) Student.--The term `student' means a national of the
United States who is enrolled at an institution of higher
education located within the United States.
``(E) Study abroad.--The term `study abroad' means an
educational program of study, work, research, internship, or
combination thereof that is conducted outside the United
States and that carries academic credit.
``(2) Senator paul simon study abroad program.--
``(A) Establishment.--There is established in the
Department a program to be called the `Senator Paul Simon
Study Abroad Program'.
``(B) Objectives.--The objectives of the program
established under subparagraph (A) are, that not later than
10 years after the date of enactment of the Senator Paul
Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2016--
``(i) not less than 1,000,000 undergraduate students will
study abroad annually;
``(ii) the demographics of study abroad participation will
reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate
population; and
``(iii) an increasing portion of study abroad will take
place in nontraditional study
[[Page S6042]]
abroad destinations, with a substantial portion of such
increases in developing countries.
``(C) Competitive grants to institutions of higher
education.--In order to accomplish the objectives set forth
in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall award grants on a
competitive basis to institutions of higher education,
individually or in a consortium, based on applications by the
institutions that--
``(i) set forth detailed plans for using grant funds to
further such objectives;
``(ii) include an institutional commitment to expanding
access to study abroad;
``(iii) include plans for evaluating progress made in
increasing access to study abroad;
``(iv) describe how increases in study abroad participation
achieved through the grant will be sustained in subsequent
years; and
``(v) demonstrate that the programs have established health
and safety guidelines and procedures.
``(D) Nongovernmental institutions.--Consortia of
institutions of higher education applying for grants
described in subparagraph (C) may include nongovernmental
institutions that provide and promote study abroad
opportunities for students.
``(E) Commission on the abraham lincoln study abroad
fellowship program.--In administering the program, the
Secretary shall take fully into account the recommendations
of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad
Fellowship Program, established pursuant to section 104 of
the Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2004
(division H of Public Law 108-199).
``(F) Consultation.--In carrying out this paragraph, the
Secretary shall consult with representatives of diverse
institutions of higher education, educational policy
organizations, and others with appropriate expertise.
``(3) Annual report.--Not later than December 31 of each
year following the date of enactment of the Senator Paul
Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2016, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the
Workforce of the House of Representatives a report on the
implementation of this subsection during the prior fiscal
year.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017 and each
subsequent fiscal year.''.
______
By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Cochran, and Mrs.
Gillibrand):
S. 3391. A bill to reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined by Senators
Collins, Cochran, and Gillibrand in introducing legislation to renew
the law that expands the reach of libraries and museums and enables
them to better serve their communities. These vital institutions
educate, inform, engage, and connect people from all walks of life.
This year marks several milestones for library and museum programs at
the Federal level. Sixty years ago, in 1956, Congress passed
legislation to establish the first Federal program of direct support to
public libraries, with the goal of expanding access. Forty years ago,
in 1976, Congress established the Institute of Museum Services to
provide assistance to museums, including for exhibits and conservation,
educational programs, and professional curatorial training. In the
following years, the programs were updated and renewed many times to
addressing evolving needs for library and museum services. Twenty years
ago, in 1996, Congress passed the Museum and Library Services Act,
establishing the Institute of Museum and Library Services, IMLS, to
house the library and museum programs together for the first time. My
predecessor, the late Senator Claiborne Pell, a great champion for
expanding educational and cultural opportunities to all communities,
was instrumental in passage of this law. The Senate Committee report
for this bill noted the ``great potential in an Institute that is
focused on the combined roles that libraries and museums play in our
community life, in support of research, learning, and entertainment,
and in support of American culture and history.''
We have seen this borne out over the last 20 years. Through a
relatively modest Federal investment, IMLS has helped build capacity to
support and expand access to library and museum services at the State
and local levels. IMLS has been the source of major Federal support for
the full range of libraries, including public, academic, research,
special, and tribal libraries--123,000 across the country--and the full
range of museums, including art, history, science and technology,
children's, historical societies, tribal, planetariums, botanic
gardens, and zoos--35,000 across the country. We have seen access to
libraries and museums increase all the while these institutions have
striven to meet the ever-evolving needs of their communities.
In Rhode Island, IMLS funding for the grants to States program under
the Library Services and Technology Act, LSTA, has supported improved
online resources; literacy initiatives, including a summer reading
program; and the provision of talking books to residents with visual
impairments and disabilities. This year, Providence Public Library was
awarded a nearly $530,000 National Leadership Grant to provide
underserved teens with learning opportunities, leading to digital
credentials, academic credit, exposure to work, and entry into
education and career pathways. IMLS has also supported and elevated the
work of Rhode Island museums. I was so pleased that the Tomaquag Museum
in Exeter was one of ten recipients nationally to be recognized with a
2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Providence
Children's Museum and the Preservation Society of Newport County also
received grants to support their work this year.
I have been proud to continue the work of Senator Pell in supporting
robust funding for libraries and museums and authoring the last two
renewals of the Museum and Library Services Act. I have seen firsthand
the impact libraries and museums have had on our communities in Rhode
Island and the residents and visitors they serve, making our State
stronger because of the services and experiences that these
institutions provide.
The museum and library communities have provided invaluable input in
helping us craft this bipartisan legislation. I would especially like
to thank the Rhode Island library community for hosting me at libraries
across the state and convening a roundtable discussion in June to delve
deeper into the programs libraries are providing and ways to improve
how they serve their communities.
In response to the input and insight offered by the library and
museum communities, the bill we are introducing today, the Museum and
Library Services Act of 2016, requires the use of data-driven tools to
measure the impact and maximize the effectiveness of library and museum
services and better tailor services to address and meet community
needs. The legislation provides for technical support and assistance to
help the library and museum fields with their data collection
responsibilities. It also enhances IMLS's collaborative efforts with an
expanded number of Federal agencies in order to fully leverage the
benefits libraries and museums provide to Americans.
This legislation also amends LSTA to highlight the role of libraries
as community hubs, through services and programming in such areas as
literacy, education, lifelong learning, workforce development, economic
and business development, digital literacy skills, critical thinking,
financial literacy skills, and new and emerging technology. The bill
provides greater emphasis on recruiting and training of the next
generation of library and information science professionals from
diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Additionally, it seeks to
focus leadership grant funds on activities that serve a range of
library types and geographically diverse areas; have evaluation,
analysis, and dissemination components; and involve, impact, or have
future applicability in libraries.
In 1964, when signing an expansion of library programs into law,
President Lyndon Baines Johnson remarked, ``Libraries are not just for
the young and the curious about an exciting world. They are not just
for our youth preparing for their careers. They are not just for busy
people looking for information to do their jobs. Libraries are for
everyone and therein lies their real value.'' The changes we are
contemplating in this reauthorization bill are designed to continue
fulfilling this promise and update the law not only to account for
activities that are currently underway but also to look ahead and
provide flexibility for libraries to constantly respond to changing
demands and missions.
The Museum and Library Services Act of 2016 also builds on the 40-
year
[[Page S6043]]
legacy of Federal support for improving and expanding access to museum
services. It addresses the critical need for professional development
and recruiting and preparing the next generation of museum
professionals, emphasizing diversity so that museums better reflect the
communities they serve. The legislation also highlights the educational
role of museums and the diverse ways that museums engage their
communities, and it encourages partnerships with other agencies,
professional networks, and community-based organizations to expand and
enhance access to museum services.
At this year's National Medal for Museum and Library Service
ceremony, First Lady Michelle Obama captured why it is so vital that we
continue to support libraries and museums on a national level: ``Day
after day, year after year, our nation's libraries and museums are here
for our communities. And at the end of the day, you all don't measure
your impact by the number of books on your shelves or pieces in your
exhibits, but by the young people you inspire, the lives you transform,
and the impact you have every single day on your communities.''
The Museum and Library Services Act of 2016 will continue our
tradition of supporting our communities through their museums and
libraries. It has the support of the American Library Association and
the American Alliance of Museums and many of their affiliated
associations. I thank my colleagues for supporting this endeavor and
look forward to more joining us as we work together to urge swift
action to adopt this important legislation.
____________________