[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 67 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1937-H1939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE ACT OF 2021
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 965) to establish a comprehensive United States Government
initiative to build the capacity of young leaders and entrepreneurs in
Africa, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 965
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 ``Young African Leaders
Initiative Act of 2021'' or ``YALI Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched in 2010,
is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of
African leaders;
(2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance and it is
vital for the United States to support strong and enduring
partnerships with the next generation of African leaders; and
(3) the United States Government should prioritize
investments to build the capacity of emerging young African
leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to
enhance leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurship,
strengthen public administration and the role of civil
society, and connect young African leaders continentally and
[[Page H1938]]
globally across the private, civic, and public sectors.
SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Department of
State the Young African Leaders Initiative (``YALI'')
program.
(b) Purpose.--The YALI program shall seek to build the
capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in
the areas of business, civic engagement, or public
administration, including through efforts to--
(1) support young African leaders by offering professional
development, training, and networking opportunities,
particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic
engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good
governance, and public administration; and
(2) provide increased economic and technical assistance to
young African leaders to promote economic growth and
strengthen ties between United States and African businesses.
(c) Fellowships.--The YALI program shall award fellowships
under the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African
Leaders program to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who
have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship,
innovation, public service, and leadership, and who have had
a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or
institutions.
(d) Regional Leadership Centers.--The YALI program shall
seek to establish regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan
Africa to offer training to young African leaders ages 18 to
35 who have demonstrated strong capabilities in
entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and leadership,
and who have had a positive impact in their communities,
organizations, or institutions.
(e) Activities.--
(1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary of
State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United
States Agency for International Development and the heads of
other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall
oversee all United States-based activities carried out under
the YALI program, including the following:
(A) The participation of Mandela Washington fellows in a
six-week Leadership Institute at a United States university
or college in business, civic engagement, or public
management, including academic sessions, site visits,
professional networking opportunities, leadership training,
community service, and organized cultural activities.
(B) The participation by Mandela Washington fellows in an
annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, to provide such
Fellows the opportunity to meet with United States leaders
from the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
(2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator for the United States
Agency for International Development and the heads of other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, should continue to
support YALI programs in sub-Saharan Africa, including the
following:
(A) Access to continued leadership training and other
professional development opportunities for Mandela Washington
Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni upon their return
to their home countries, including online courses, technical
assistance, and access to funding.
(B) Training for young African leaders at regional
leadership centers established in accordance with subsection
(d), and through online and in-person courses offered by such
centers.
(C) Opportunities for networking and engagement with--
(i) other alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for
Young African Leaders;
(ii) alumni of programs at regional leadership centers
established in accordance with subsection (d); and
(iii) United States and like-minded diplomatic missions,
business leaders, and others as appropriate.
(3) Implementation.--To carry out this subsection, the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of
the United States Agency for International Development and
the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies
shall seek to partner with the private sector to pursue
public-private partnerships, leverage private sector
expertise, expand networking opportunities, and identify
funding opportunities as well as fellowship and employment
opportunities for participants in the YALI program.
(f) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in
coordination with the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development and the heads of other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a plan for
implementing the YALI program, including the following:
(1) A description of clearly defined program goals,
targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the
duration of implementation of the program.
(2) A strategy to monitor and evaluate the program and
progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and
planned outcomes.
(3) A strategy to ensure the program is promoting United
States foreign policy goals in Africa, including ensuring
that the program is clearly branded and paired with robust
public diplomacy efforts.
(g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years,
the Secretary of State, in coordination with the
Administrator of the United States Agency for International
Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees and publish in a publicly accessible, internet-
based form, a report on the following:
(1) The progress made toward achieving the goals, targets,
and planned outcomes described in subsection (f)(1),
including an overview of the program implemented in the
previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries.
(2) An assessment of how the YALI program is contributing
to and promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly
in areas of increased private sector investment, trade
promotion, support to civil society, improved public
administration, and fostering entrepreneurship and youth
empowerment.
(3) Recommendations for improvements or changes to the
program and implementation plan, if any, that would improve
their effectiveness during subsequent years of implementation
of the program.
(h) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate.
(i) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Meeks) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 965.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MEEKS. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 965, the YALI Act of
2021, introduced by Representatives Karen Bass and Chris Smith.
Since 2010 the Young African Leaders Initiative has been building the
next generation of Africa's youth to lead the way in civic engagement,
entrepreneurship, and business development.
We must remember that by 2050, almost one-third of the world's
population will be in Africa, and the United States must continue to
forge strong ties with our African partners and cultivate its youth for
a future of principled leadership.
By helping Africa's young leaders, YALI remains an important avenue
for promoting U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa. It will be key in
strengthening our partnerships with African countries that are working
to create the pathway for Africa's youth to make positive and enduring
impacts on their communities.
If passed, H.R. 965 will provide a strong mandate for the
implementation and congressional oversight of YALI and its key
initiatives, including the U.S.-based Mandela Washington Fellowship and
the Regional Leadership Centers established throughout sub-Saharan
Africa.
This, too, is a very important bill. I support it and urge my
colleagues to do the same. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. WAGNER. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Young African
Leaders Initiative Act, led by Representative Bass and Representative
Smith.
YALI provides fellowship opportunities at U.S. universities and other
training programs at Regional Leadership Centers throughout sub-Saharan
Africa on leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and effective public
administration.
Not only is this an investment in future generations of African
leaders, but this is also effective diplomacy. At a time when the
Chinese Communist Party is ramping up exchange programs across the
continent and establishing Confucius Institutes, programs like YALI are
critical to providing alternate opportunities.
I urge my colleagues to support this important measure. I yield back
the balance of my time.
[[Page H1939]]
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Connolly), the distinguished president of the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly and esteemed member of the Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of Ms. Bass, the author
of this legislation, the Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021.
The chairman has described the bill. This is an important piece of
legislation, as we help try to nourish and develop the next generation
of African leadership.
This is an important initiative for the United States to build on
those ties, to build those bridges. I commend Congresswoman Bass for
her leadership on the YALI program and for this legislation. I urge its
passage. I will include the full statement of Ms. Bass in the Record.
Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I will just say quickly thanks to
Representatives Bass and Chris Smith. This will help build the next
generation of Africa's youth. I hope all my colleagues will join me in
voting for this very important bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 965, the Young
African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021, introduced by my good friend
and Chairwoman of the Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights
Subcommittee, Congresswoman Karen Bass. Her leadership both on the
House Foreign Affairs Committee and on this bill is unparalleled, and I
am honored to speak on her behalf today.
I also wish to thank Chairman Meeks and ranking Member McCaul for
bringing this important legislation to the House floor.
The YALI Act of 2021, is a bipartisan bill that seeks to build the
capacity of young African leaders in Africa in the areas of civic
engagement, entrepreneurship, and business development by:
Offering professional development and a global network to share
expertise, including in the areas of civic leadership, elections, human
rights, good governance, and public management;
Providing increased economic and technical assistance to young
leaders and entrepreneurs; and strengthening business and economic ties
between the United States and the continent;
Awarding Mandela Washington Fellowships to young leaders who have had
a positive impact in their communities and demonstrated strong
capabilities in entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and
leadership;
Establishing regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan Africa
allowing young leaders to strengthen their skills and aptitude in
entrepreneurship, innovation, public service, and leadership.
The YALI program has two vital components that will be carried out by
participants in the program. The U.S.-based component led by the
Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator for USAID
will include the following:
The Mandela Washington Fellows will participate in a six-week
Leadership Institute at a U.S.-based university or college focusing on
business, civic engagement, or public management. The sessions will
include professional networking opportunities, community service,
cultural activities, academic learning, and leadership training.
The Mandela Washington Fellows will also participate in the annual
Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit held in Washington, D.C., which
will provide an opportunity to meet with U.S. leaders from the private,
public, and NGO sectors.
The YALI program was built on the premise of young leaders
strengthening their knowledge and skills at U.S. institutions,
connecting with other Africans from different regions and countries in
Africa, and ensuring young leaders can harness their skills and take
them back to their home countries while strengthening their own
business, public, and civic spaces.
The YALI Act of 2021 would also continue to allow the United States
to support and help strengthen the Africa-based component of the
program including:
Quality leadership training, professional development, networking,
and online courses for Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni when they
return to their home countries;
Opportunities for networking with alumni of the Mandela Washington
Fellowship; alumni of participants at the YALI Regional Leadership
Centers; and American and African professionals and experts; and
Opportunities through the United States Africa Development Foundation
to facilitate professional development and sharing of expertise in the
home countries of Mandela Washington Fellowship alumni and throughout
the African continent.
Through the implementation of the YALI Act of 2021, the United States
will:
Promote U.S. policy goals in Africa by providing tools and resources
to help young African leaders develop important skills and connections
through online campaigns and public diplomacy initiatives; and
establish a system for monitoring, evaluating, and continued
improvement of the YALI program.
The bipartisan support of H.R. 965 shows that this bill is critical
to U.S. national security. It also highlights that our relationship
with Africa is a priority, and we want to continue to rebuild and
strengthen our partnership in trade and investment, peace and security,
and human rights and good governance, because it is in the best
interest of the United States and Africa.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I rise in support H.R. 965, of which I am a
cosponsor, introduced by my friend and colleague, chairwoman of the
Africa Subcommittee, Karen Bass, to strengthen and formalize our Young
African Leaders Initiative program.
The YALI program identifies and invites young leaders from across the
African continent to participate in training programs that enhance
their leadership skills. Among these individuals, some are selected to
participate in the Mandela Washington Fellowship here in the United
States.
I have met and spoken with YALI leaders who have participated in the
Mandela Fellowship program through Rutgers University in my home state
of New Jersey. They are the leaders of tomorrow.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this
legislation, and again, thank you to Chairwoman Bass for her
leadership.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 965, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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