[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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