[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23840]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        IMPROVEMENT OF NATIVE HIRING WITHIN THE STATE OF ALASKA

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the Senate bill (S. 748) to improve Native hiring and contracting 
by the Federal Government within the State of Alaska, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                 S. 748

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REPORT.

       (a) Within six months after the enactment of this Act the 
     Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'' shall submit a report detailing the progress 
     the Department has made in the implementation of the 
     provisions of sections 1307 and 1308 of the Alaska National 
     Interest Lands Conservation Act and provisions of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The report 
     shall include a detailed action plan on the future 
     implementation of the provisions of sections 1307 and 1308 of 
     the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and 
     provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act. The report shall describe, in detail, the 
     measures and actions that will be taken, along with a 
     description of the anticipated results to be achieved during 
     the next three fiscal years. The report shall focus on lands 
     under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior in 
     Alaska and shall also address any laws, rules, regulations 
     and policies which act as a deterrent to hiring Native 
     Alaskans or contracting with Native Alaskans to perform and 
     conduct activities and programs of those agencies and bureaus 
     under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.
       (b) The report shall be completed within existing 
     appropriations and shall be transmitted to the Committee on 
     Resources of the United States Senate; and the Committee on 
     Resources of the United States House of Representatives.

     SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) In furtherance of the goals of sections 1307 and 1308 
     of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and 
     the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
     Assistance Act, the Secretary shall--
       (1) implement pilot programs to employ residents of local 
     communities at the following units of the National Park 
     System located in northwest Alaska:
       (A) Bering Land Bridge National Preserve,
       (B) Cape Krusenstern National Monument,
       (C) Kobuk Valley National Park, and
       (D) Noatak National Preserve; and
       (2) report on the results of the programs within one year 
     to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     United States and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (b) In implementing the programs, the Secretary shall 
     consult with the Native Corporations, non-profit 
     organizations, and Tribal entities in the immediate vicinity 
     of such units and shall also, to the extent practicable, 
     involve such groups in the development of interpretive 
     materials and the pilot programs relating to such units.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young).

                              {time}  1500

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, S. 748 directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete 
and submit a report within 6 months after enactment of this act on the 
progress the Department has made in implementing section 1307 and 1308 
of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, called ANILCA.
  Since ANILCA was enacted, the Department has failed to implement 
these two sections of the bill. This bill further requires the 
Secretary to include a detailed action plan for the implication of 
ANILCA section 1307 and 1308 to consult with Alaska Native Corporations 
formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, nonprofit 
organizations, and tribal entities in the immediate vicinity of the 
park units. It further requires the Secretary, to the extent possible, 
to involve such groups in developing materials and pilot programs.
  I urge an aye vote on this important legislation for the Alaska 
Natives.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 748, legislation intended to 
encourage the Department of the Interior to improve Native hiring and 
contracting within the State of Alaska.
  As I understand it, this legislation is supported by the Department 
of the Interior. I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 748.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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