[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20942-20947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              PEACE CORPS CHARTER FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ACT

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 700, S. 2667.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2667) to amend the Peace Corps Act to promote 
     global acceptance of the principles of international peace 
     and nonviolent coexistence among peoples of diverse cultures 
     and systems of government, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to the consideration 
of the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Relations, with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause 
and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
  [Strike the part shown in black brackets and insert the part shown in 
italic]

     [SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       [This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Corps Charter for the 
     21st Century Act''.

     [SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       [Congress makes the following findings:
       [(1) The Peace Corps was established in 1961 to promote 
     world peace and friendship through the service of American 
     volunteers abroad.
       [(2) The three goals codified in the Peace Corps Act which 
     have guided the Peace Corps and its volunteers over the 
     years, can work in concert to promote global acceptance of 
     the principles of international peace and nonviolent 
     coexistence among peoples of diverse cultures and systems of 
     government.
       [(3) The Peace Corps has operated in 135 countries with 
     165,000 Peace Corps volunteers since its establishment.
       [(4) The Peace Corps has sought to fulfill three goals, as 
     follows: to help people in developing nations meet basic 
     needs, to promote understanding of America's values and 
     ideals abroad, and to promote an understanding of other 
     peoples by Americans.
       [(5) After more than 40 years of operation, the Peace Corps 
     remains the world's premier international service 
     organization dedicated to promoting grassroots development.
       [(6) The Peace Corps remains committed to sending well 
     trained and well supported Peace Corps volunteers overseas to 
     promote world peace, friendship, and grassroots development.

[[Page 20943]]

       [(7) The Peace Corps is an independent agency, and 
     therefore no Peace Corps personnel or volunteers should have 
     any relationship with any United States intelligence agency 
     or be used to accomplish any other goal than the goals 
     established by the Peace Corps Act.
       [(8) The Crisis Corps has been an effective tool in 
     harnessing the skills and talents for returned Peace Corps 
     volunteers and should be expanded to utilize to the maximum 
     extent the pool of talent from the returned Peace Corps 
     volunteer community.
       [(9) The Peace Corps is currently operating with an annual 
     budget of $275,000,000 in 70 countries with 7,000 Peace Corps 
     volunteers.
       [(10) There is deep misunderstanding and misinformation 
     about American values and ideals in many parts of the world, 
     particularly those with substantial Muslim populations, and a 
     greater Peace Corps presence in such places could foster 
     greater understanding and tolerance of those countries.
       [(11) Congress has declared that the Peace Corps should be 
     expanded to sponsor a minimum of 10,000 Peace Corps 
     volunteers.
       [(12) President George W. Bush has called for the doubling 
     of the number of Peace Corps volunteers in service in a 
     fiscal year to 15,000 volunteers in service by the end of 
     fiscal year 2007.
       [(13) Any expansion of the Peace Corps shall not jeopardize 
     the quality of the Peace Corps volunteer experience, and 
     therefore can only be accomplished by an appropriate increase 
     in field and headquarters support staff.
       [(14) It would be extremely useful for the Peace Corps to 
     establish an office of strategic planning to evaluate 
     existing programs and undertake long-term planning in order 
     to facilitate the orderly expansion of the Peace Corps from 
     its current size to the stated objective of 15,000 volunteers 
     in the field by the end of fiscal year 2007.
       [(15) The Peace Corps would benefit from the advice and 
     council of a streamlined bipartisan National Peace Corps 
     Advisory Council composed of distinguished returned Peace 
     Corps volunteers.

     [SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       [In this Act:
       [(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     International Relations of the House of Representatives.
       [(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Peace Corps.
       [(3) Peace corps volunteer.--The term ``Peace Corps 
     volunteer'' means a volunteer or a volunteer leader under the 
     Peace Corps Act.
       [(4) Returned peace corps volunteer.--The term ``returned 
     Peace Corps volunteer'' means a person who has been certified 
     by the Director as having served satisfactorily as a Peace 
     Corps volunteer.

     [SEC. 4. RESTATEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE PEACE CORPS.

       [(a) In General.--Section 2A of the Peace Corps Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2501-1) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``As an independent agency, all recruiting of 
     volunteers shall be undertaken solely by the Peace Corps.''.
       [(b) Details and Assignments.--Section 5(g) of the Peace 
     Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(g)) is amended by inserting after 
     ``Provided, That'' the following: ``such detail or assignment 
     does not contradict the standing of Peace Corps volunteers as 
     being independent from foreign policy-making and intelligence 
     collection: Provided further, That''.

     [SEC. 5. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       [(a) Consultations and Reports Concerning New 
     Initiatives.--Section 11 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 
     2510) is amended--
       [(1) by inserting ``(a) Annual Reports.--'' immediately 
     before ``The President shall transmit''; and
       [(2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
       [``(b) Consultations and Reports on New Initiatives.--
     Thirty days prior to implementing any new initiative, the 
     Director shall consult with the Peace Corps National Advisory 
     Council established in section 12 and shall submit to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on International Relations of the House of 
     Representatives a report describing the objectives that such 
     initiative is intended to fulfill, an estimate of any costs 
     that may be incurred as a result of the initiative, and an 
     estimate of any impact on existing programs, including the 
     impact on the safety of volunteers under this Act''.
       [(b) Country Security Reports.--Section 11 of the Peace 
     Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2510), as amended by subsection (a), is 
     further amended by adding at the end the following:
       [``(c) Country Security Reports.--The Director of the Peace 
     Corps shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of 
     the Senate and the Committee on International Relations of 
     the House of Representatives a report annually on the status 
     of security procedures in any country in which the Peace 
     Corps operates programs or is considering doing so. Each 
     report shall include recommendations when appropriate as to 
     whether security conditions would be enhanced by colocating 
     volunteers with international or local nongovernmental 
     organizations, or with the placement of multiple volunteers 
     in one location.''.
       [(c) Report on Student Loan Forgiveness Programs.--Not 
     later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
     the Director of the Peace Corps shall submit to the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     International Relations of the House of Representatives a 
     report--
       [(1) describing the student loan forgiveness programs 
     currently available to Peace Corps volunteers upon completion 
     of their service; and
       [(2) comparing such programs with other Government-
     sponsored student loan forgiveness programs.

     [SEC. 6. SPECIAL VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT FOR 
                   COUNTRIES WHOSE GOVERNMENTS ARE SEEKING TO 
                   FOSTER GREATER UNDERSTANDING BY AND ABOUT THEIR 
                   CITIZENS.

       [(a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees describing the 
     initiatives that the Peace Corps intends to pursue in order 
     to solicit requests from eligible countries where the 
     presence of Peace Corps volunteers would facilitate a greater 
     understanding that there exists a universe of commonly shared 
     human values and aspirations and would dispel unfounded fears 
     and suspicion among peoples of diverse cultures and systems 
     of government, including peoples from countries with 
     substantial Muslim populations. Such report shall include--
       [(1) a description of the recruitment strategies to be 
     employed by the Peace Corps to recruit and train volunteers 
     with the appropriate language skills and interest in serving 
     in such countries; and
       [(2) a list of the countries that the Director has 
     determined should be priorities for special recruitment and 
     placement of Peace Corps volunteers.
       [(b) Use of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director is 
     authorized and strongly urged to utilize the services of 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers having language and cultural 
     expertise, including those returned Peace Corps volunteers 
     who may have served previously in countries with substantial 
     Muslim populations, in order to open or reopen Peace Corps 
     programs in such countries.
       [(c) Allocation of Funds.--In addition to amounts 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Peace Corps by section 
     11 for the fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, there is 
     authorized to be appropriated for the Peace Corps $5,000,000 
     each such fiscal year solely for the recruitment, training, 
     and placement of Peace Corps volunteers in countries whose 
     governments are seeking to foster greater understanding by 
     and about their citizens.

     [SEC. 7. GLOBAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES INITIATIVE.

       [(a) In General.--The Director, in cooperation with the 
     Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National 
     Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization and the 
     Pan American Health Organization, local public health 
     officials, shall develop a program of training for all Peace 
     Corps volunteers in the areas of education, prevention, and 
     treatment of infectious diseases in order to ensure that all 
     Peace Corps volunteers make a contribution to the global 
     campaign against such diseases.
       [(b) Definitions.--In this section:
       [(1) AIDS.--The term ``AIDS'' means the acquired immune 
     deficiency syndrome.
       [(2) HIV.--The term ``HIV'' means the human 
     immunodeficiency virus, the pathogen that causes AIDS.
       [(3) HIV/AIDS.--The term ``HIV/AIDS'' means, with respect 
     to an individual, an individual who is infected with HIV or 
     living with AIDS.
       [(4) Infectious diseases.--The term ``infectious diseases'' 
     means HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

     [SEC. 8. PEACE CORPS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

       [Section 12 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2511; 
     relating to the Peace Corps National Advisory Council) is 
     amended--
       [(1) by amending subsection (b)(2)(D) to read as follows:
       [``(D) make recommendations for utilizing the expertise of 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers in fulfilling the goals of 
     the Peace Corps.'';
       [(2) in subsection (c)--
       [(A) by striking paragraph (1);
       [(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (1) and (2), respectively;
       [(C) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
       [(i) in subparagraph (A)--

       [(I) by striking ``fifteen'' and inserting ``seven'';
       [(II) by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
     following: ``All of the members shall be former Peace Corps 
     volunteers, and not more than four shall be members of the 
     same political party.'';

       [(ii) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
       [``(D) The members of the Council shall be appointed to 2-
     year terms.'';
       [(iii) by striking subparagraphs (B), (E), and (H); and
       [(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), (F), (G), 
     and (I) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), 
     respectively;
       [(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:

[[Page 20944]]

       [``(g) Chair.--The President shall designate one of the 
     voting members of the Council as Chair, who shall serve in 
     that capacity for a period not to exceed two years.'';
       [(4) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
       [``(h) Meetings.--The Council shall hold a regular meeting 
     during each calendar quarter at a date and time to be 
     determined by the Chair of the Council.''; and
       [(5) by amending subsection (i) to read as follows:
       [``(i) Report.--Not later than July 30, 2003, and annually 
     thereafter, the Council shall submit a report to the 
     President and the Director of the Peace Corps describing how 
     the Council has carried out its functions under subsection 
     (b)(2).''.

     [SEC. 9. READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES.

       [The Peace Corps Act is amended--
       [(1) in section 5(c) (22 U.S.C. 2504(c)), by striking 
     ``$125'' and inserting ``$275''; and
       [(2) in section 6(1) (22 U.S.C. 2505(1)), by striking 
     ``$125'' and inserting ``$275''.

     [SEC. 10. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF RETURNED PEACE CORPS 
                   VOLUNTEERS TO PROMOTE THE GOALS OF THE PEACE 
                   CORPS.

       [(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
     support for returned Peace Corps volunteers to develop 
     programs and projects to promote the objectives of the Peace 
     Corps, as set forth in section 2 of the Peace Corps Act.
       [(b) Grants to Certain Nonprofit Corporations.--
       [(1) Grant authority.--To carry out the purpose of this 
     section, and subject to the availability of appropriations, 
     the Director of the Corporation for National and Community 
     Service shall award grants on a competitive basis to private 
     nonprofit corporations that are established in the District 
     of Columbia for the purpose of serving as incubators for 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers seeking to use their 
     knowledge and expertise to undertake community-based projects 
     to carry out the goals of the Peace Corps Act.
       [(2) Eligibility for grants.--To be eligible to compete for 
     grants under this section, a nonprofit corporation must have 
     a board of directors composed of returned Peace Corps 
     volunteers with a background in community service, education, 
     or health. The director of the corporation (who may also be a 
     board member of the nonprofit corporation) shall also be a 
     returned Peace Corps volunteer with demonstrated management 
     expertise in operating a nonprofit corporation. The stated 
     purpose of the nonprofit corporation shall be to act solely 
     as an intermediary between the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service and individual returned Peace Corps 
     volunteers seeking funding for projects consistent with the 
     goals of the Peace Corps. The nonprofit corporation may act 
     as the accountant for individual volunteers for purposes of 
     tax filing and audit responsibilities.
       [(c) Grant Requirements.--Such grants shall be made 
     pursuant to a grant agreement between the Director and the 
     nonprofit corporation that requires that--
       [(1) grant funds will only be used to support programs and 
     projects described in subsection (a) pursuant to proposals 
     submitted by returned Peace Corps volunteers (either 
     individually or cooperatively with other returned 
     volunteers);
       [(2) the nonprofit corporation give consideration to 
     funding individual projects or programs by returned Peace 
     Corps volunteers up to $100,000;
       [(3) not more than 20 percent of funds made available to 
     the nonprofit corporation will be used for the salaries, 
     overhead, or other administrative expenses of the nonprofit 
     corporation; and
       [(4) the nonprofit corporation will not receive grant funds 
     under this section for more than two years unless the 
     corporation has raised private funds, either in cash or in 
     kind for up to 40 percent of its annual budget.
       [(d) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Corporation 
     for National and Community Service for fiscal year 2003 or 
     any fiscal year thereafter, not to exceed $10,000,000 shall 
     be available for each such fiscal year to carry out the grant 
     program established under this section.
       [(e) Status of the Fund.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to make any nonprofit corporation supported under 
     this section an agency or establishment of the United States 
     Government or to make the members of the board of directors 
     or any officer or employee of such corporation an officer or 
     employee of the United States.
       [(f) Factors in Awarding Grants.--In determining the number 
     of private nonprofit corporations to award grants to in any 
     fiscal years, the Director should balance the number of 
     organizations against the overhead costs that divert 
     resources from project funding.
       [(g) Congressional Oversight.--Grant recipients under this 
     section shall be subject to the appropriate oversight 
     procedures of Congress.

     [SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       [(a) In General.--Section 3(b)(1) of the Peace Corps Act 
     (22 U.S.C. 2502(b)(1)) is amended--
       [(1) by striking ``2002, and'' and inserting ``2002,''; and
       [(2) by inserting before the period the following: ``, 
     $465,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $500,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2005, $560,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and 
     $560,000,000 for fiscal year 2007''.
       [(b) Increase in Peace Corps Volunteer Strength.--Section 
     3(c) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2502(c)) is amended by 
     adding the following new subsection at the end thereof:
       [``(d) In addition to the amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated in this section, there are authorized to be 
     appropriated such additional sums as may be necessary to 
     achieve a volunteer corps of 15,000 as soon as practicable 
     taking into account the security of volunteers and the 
     effectiveness of country programs.''.]

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Peace Corps Charter for the 
     21st Century Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Peace Corps was established in 1961 to promote 
     world peace and friendship through the service of American 
     volunteers abroad.
       (2) The three goals codified in the Peace Corps Act which 
     have guided the Peace Corps and its volunteers over the 
     years, can work in concert to promote global acceptance of 
     the principles of international peace and nonviolent 
     coexistence among peoples of diverse cultures and systems of 
     government.
       (3) The Peace Corps has operated in 135 countries with 
     165,000 Peace Corps volunteers since its establishment.
       (4) The Peace Corps has sought to fulfill three goals, as 
     follows: to help people in developing nations meet basic 
     needs, to promote understanding of America's values and 
     ideals abroad, and to promote an understanding of other 
     peoples by Americans.
       (5) After more than 40 years of operation, the Peace Corps 
     remains the world's premier international service 
     organization dedicated to promoting grassroots development.
       (6) The Peace Corps remains committed to sending well 
     trained and well supported Peace Corps volunteers overseas to 
     promote peace, friendship, and international understanding.
       (7) The Peace Corps is an independent agency, and therefore 
     no Peace Corps personnel or volunteers should be used to 
     accomplish any other goal than the goals established by the 
     Peace Corps Act.
       (8) The Crisis Corps has been an effective tool in 
     harnessing the skills and talents for returned Peace Corps 
     volunteers and should be expanded to utilize to the maximum 
     extent the talent pool of returned Peace Corps volunteers.
       (9) The Peace Corps is currently operating with an annual 
     budget of $275,000,000 in 70 countries with 7,000 Peace Corps 
     volunteers.
       (10) There is deep misunderstanding and misinformation 
     about American values and ideals in many parts of the world, 
     particularly those with substantial Muslim populations, and a 
     greater Peace Corps presence in such places could foster 
     greater understanding and tolerance.
       (11) Congress has declared that the Peace Corps should be 
     expanded to sponsor a minimum of 10,000 Peace Corps 
     volunteers.
       (12) President George W. Bush has called for the doubling 
     of the number of Peace Corps volunteers in service.
       (13) Any expansion of the Peace Corps shall not jeopardize 
     the quality of the Peace Corps volunteer experience, and 
     therefore can only be accomplished by an appropriate increase 
     in field and headquarters support staff.
       (14) In order to ensure that proposed expansion of the 
     Peace Corps preserves the integrity of the program and the 
     security of volunteers, the integrated Planning and Budget 
     System supported by the Office of Planning and Policy 
     Analysis should continue its focus on strategic planning.
       (15) A streamlined, bipartisan National Peace Corps 
     Advisory Council composed of distinguished returned Peace 
     Corps volunteers and other individuals, with diverse 
     backgrounds and expertise, can be a source of ideas and 
     suggestions that may be useful to the Director of the Peace 
     Corps as he discharges his duties and responsibilities as 
     head of the agency.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     International Relations of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
     the Peace Corps.
       (3) Peace corps volunteer.--The term ``Peace Corps 
     volunteer'' means a volunteer or a volunteer leader under the 
     Peace Corps Act.
       (4) Returned peace corps volunteer.--The term ``returned 
     Peace Corps volunteer'' means a person who has been certified 
     by the Director as having served satisfactorily as a Peace 
     Corps volunteer.

     SEC. 4. RESTATEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE PEACE CORPS.

       (a) In General.--Section 2A of the Peace Corps Act (22 
     U.S.C. 2501-1) is amended by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``As an independent agency, all recruiting of 
     volunteers shall be undertaken primarily by the Peace 
     Corps.''.
       (b) Details and Assignments.--Section 5(g) of the Peace 
     Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(g)) is amended by inserting after 
     ``Provided, That'' the following: ``such detail or assignment 
     does not contradict the standing of Peace Corps volunteers as 
     being independent: Provided further, That''.

[[Page 20945]]



     SEC. 5. REPORTS AND CONSULTATIONS.

       (a) Annual Reports; Consultations on New Initiatives.--
     Section 11 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2510) is amended 
     by striking the section heading and the text of section 11 
     and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 11. ANNUAL REPORTS; CONSULTATIONS ON NEW INITIATIVES.

       ``(a) Annual Reports.--The Director shall transmit to 
     Congress, at least once in each fiscal year, a report on 
     operations under this Act. Each report shall contain 
     information--
       ``(1) describing efforts undertaken to improve coordination 
     of activities of the Peace Corps with activities of 
     international voluntary service organizations, such as the 
     United Nations volunteer program, and of host country 
     voluntary service organizations, including--
       ``(A) a description of the purpose and scope of any 
     development project which the Peace Corps undertook during 
     the preceding fiscal year as a joint venture with any such 
     international or host country voluntary service 
     organizations; and
       ``(B) recommendations for improving coordination of 
     development projects between the Peace Corps and any such 
     international or host country voluntary service 
     organizations;
       ``(2) describing--
       ``(A) any major new initiatives that the Peace Corps has 
     under review for the upcoming fiscal year, and any major 
     initiatives that were undertaken in the previous fiscal year 
     that were not included in prior reports to the Congress;
       ``(B) the rationale for undertaking such new initiatives;
       ``(C) an estimate of the cost of such initiatives; and
       ``(D) the impact on the safety of volunteers;
       ``(3) describing in detail the Peace Corp's plans for 
     doubling the number of volunteers from 2002 levels, including 
     a five-year budget plan for reaching that goal; and
       ``(4) describing standard security procedures for any 
     country in which the Peace Corps operates programs or is 
     considering doing so, as well as any special security 
     procedures contemplated because of changed circumstances in 
     specific countries, and assessing whether security conditions 
     would be enhanced--
       ``(A) by colocating volunteers with international or local 
     nongovernmental organizations; or
       ``(B) with the placement of multiple volunteers in one 
     location.
       ``(b) Consultations on New Initiatives.--The Director of 
     the Peace Corps should consult with the appropriate 
     congressional committees with respect to any major new 
     initiatives not previously discussed in the latest annual 
     report submitted to Congress under subsection (a) or in 
     budget presentations. Wherever possible, such consultations 
     should take place prior to the initiation of such 
     initiatives, but in any event as soon as practicable 
     thereafter.''.
       (b) One Time Report on Student Loan Forgiveness Programs.--
     Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Director shall submit to the appropriate 
     congressional committees a report--
       (1) describing the student loan forgiveness programs 
     currently available to Peace Corps volunteers upon completion 
     of their service; and
       (2) comparing such programs with other Government-sponsored 
     student loan forgiveness programs; and
       (3) recommending any additional student loan forgiveness 
     programs which could attract more applicants from more low 
     and middle income applicants facing high student loan 
     obligations.

     SEC. 6. SPECIAL VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT FOR 
                   COUNTRIES WHOSE GOVERNMENTS ARE SEEKING TO 
                   FOSTER GREATER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THEIR 
                   CITIZENS AND THE UNITED STATES.

       (a) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a report to 
     the appropriate congressional committees describing the 
     initiatives that the Peace Corps intends to pursue with 
     eligible countries where the presence of Peace Corps 
     volunteers would facilitate a greater understanding that 
     there exists a universe of commonly shared human values and 
     aspirations. Such report shall include--
       (1) a description of the recruitment strategies to be 
     employed by the Peace Corps to recruit and train volunteers 
     with the appropriate language skills and interest in serving 
     in such countries; and
       (2) a list of the countries that the Director has 
     determined should be priorities for special recruitment and 
     placement of Peace Corps volunteers.
       (b) Use of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director is 
     authorized and strongly urged to utilize the services of 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers having language and cultural 
     expertise, including those returned Peace Corps volunteers 
     who may have served previously in countries with substantial 
     Muslim populations, in order to open or reopen Peace Corps 
     programs in such countries.

     SEC. 7. GLOBAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--The Director, in cooperation with 
     international public health experts such as the Centers for 
     Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of 
     Health, the World Health Organization, the Pan American 
     Health Organization, and local public health officials shall 
     develop a program of training for all Peace Corps volunteers 
     in the areas of education, prevention, and treatment of 
     infectious diseases in order to ensure that all Peace Corps 
     volunteers make a contribution to the global campaign against 
     such diseases.
       (b) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) AIDS.--The term ``AIDS'' means the acquired immune 
     deficiency syndrome.
       (2) HIV.--The term ``HIV'' means the human immunodeficiency 
     virus, the pathogen that causes AIDS.
       (3) HIV/AIDS.--The term ``HIV/AIDS'' means, with respect to 
     an individual, an individual who is infected with HIV or 
     living with AIDS.
       (4) Infectious diseases.--The term ``infectious diseases'' 
     means HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

     SEC. 8. PEACE CORPS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

       Section 12 of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2511; relating 
     to the Peace Corps National Advisory Council) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (b)(2)(D) to read as follows:
       ``(D) make recommendations for utilizing the expertise of 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers in fulfilling the goals of 
     the Peace Corps.'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A)--
       (i) in the first sentence, by striking ``fifteen'' and 
     inserting ``seven''; and
       (ii) by striking the second sentence and inserting the 
     following: ``Four of the members shall be former Peace Corps 
     volunteers, at least one of whom shall have been a former 
     staff member abroad or in the Washington headquarters, and 
     not more than four shall be members of the same political 
     party.'';
       (B) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows:
       ``(D) The members of the Council shall be appointed to 2-
     year terms.'';
       (C) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (H); and
       (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), 
     and (I) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G), 
     respectively;
       (3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
       ``(g) Chair.--The President shall designate one of the 
     voting members of the Council as Chair, who shall serve in 
     that capacity for a period not to exceed two years.'';
       (4) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
       ``(h) Meetings.--The Council shall hold a regular meeting 
     during each calendar quarter at a date and time to be 
     determined by the Chair of the Council.''; and
       (5) by amending subsection (i) to read as follows:
       ``(i) Report.--Not later than July 30, 2003, and annually 
     thereafter, the Council shall submit a report to the 
     President and the Director of the Peace Corps describing how 
     the Council has carried out its functions under subsection 
     (b)(2).''.

     SEC. 9. READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCES.

       The Peace Corps Act is amended--
       (1) in section 5(c) (22 U.S.C. 2504(c)), by striking 
     ``$125'' and inserting ``$275''; and
       (2) in section 6(1) (22 U.S.C. 2505(1)), by striking 
     ``$125'' and inserting ``$275''.

     SEC. 10. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS OF RETURNED PEACE CORPS 
                   VOLUNTEERS TO PROMOTE THE GOALS OF THE PEACE 
                   CORPS.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide 
     support for returned Peace Corps volunteers to develop and 
     carry out programs and projects to promote the third purpose 
     of the Peace Corps Act, as set forth in section 2(a) of that 
     Act (22 U.S.C. 2501(a)), by promoting a better understanding 
     of other peoples on the part of the American people.
       (b) Grants to Certain Nonprofit Corporations.--
       (1) Grant authority.--To carry out the purpose of this 
     section, and subject to the availability of appropriations, 
     the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National 
     and Community Service (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Corporation'') shall award grants on a competitive basis to 
     private nonprofit corporations for the purpose of enabling 
     returned Peace Corps volunteers to use their knowledge and 
     expertise to develop and carry out the programs and projects 
     described in subsection (a).
       (2) Programs and projects.--Such programs and projects may 
     include--
       (A) educational programs designed to enrich the knowledge 
     and interest of elementary school and secondary school 
     students in the geography and cultures of other countries 
     where the volunteers have served;
       (B) projects that involve partnerships with local libraries 
     to enhance community knowledge about other peoples and 
     countries; and
       (C) audio-visual projects that utilize materials collected 
     by the volunteers during their service that would be of 
     educational value to communities.
       (3) Eligibility for grants.--To be eligible to compete for 
     grants under this section, a nonprofit corporation shall have 
     a board of directors composed of returned Peace Corps 
     volunteers with a background in community service, education, 
     or health. The nonprofit corporation shall meet all 
     appropriate Corporation management requirements, as 
     determined by the Corporation.
       (c) Grant Requirements.--Such grants shall be made pursuant 
     to a grant agreement between the Corporation and the 
     nonprofit corporation that requires that--
       (1) the grant funds will only be used to support programs 
     and projects described in subsection (a) pursuant to 
     proposals submitted by

[[Page 20946]]

     returned Peace Corps volunteers (either individually or 
     cooperatively with other returned volunteers);
       (2) the nonprofit corporation will give consideration to 
     funding individual programs or projects by returned Peace 
     Corps volunteers, in amounts of not more than $100,000, under 
     this section;
       (3) not more than 20 percent of the grant funds made 
     available to the nonprofit corporation will be used for the 
     salaries, overhead, or other administrative expenses of the 
     nonprofit corporation;
       (4) the nonprofit corporation will not receive grant funds 
     for programs or projects under this section for a third or 
     subsequent year unless the nonprofit corporation makes 
     available, to carry out the programs or projects during that 
     year, non-Federal contributions--
       (A) in an amount not less than $2 for every $3 of Federal 
     funds provided through the grant; and
       (B) provided directly or through donations from private 
     entities, in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including 
     plant, equipment, or services; and
       (5) the nonprofit corporation shall manage, monitor, and 
     submit reports to the Corporation on each program or project 
     for which the nonprofit corporation receives a grant under 
     this section.
       (d) Status of the Fund.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to make any nonprofit corporation supported under 
     this section an agency or establishment of the Federal 
     Government or to make the members of the board of directors 
     or any officer or employee of such nonprofit corporation an 
     officer or employee of the United States.
       (e) Factors in Awarding Grants.--In determining the number 
     of nonprofit corporations to receive grants under this 
     section for any fiscal year, the Corporation--
       (1) shall take into consideration the need to minimize 
     overhead costs that direct resources from the funding of 
     programs and projects; and
       (2) shall seek to ensure a broad geographical distribution 
     of grants for programs and projects under this section.
       (f) Congressional Oversight.--Grant recipients under this 
     section shall be subject to the appropriate oversight 
     procedures of Congress.
       (g) Funding.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section $10,000,000. Such sum shall be in 
     addition to funds made available to the Corporation under 
     Federal law other than this section.
       (2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until 
     expended.

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 3(b)(1) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 
     2502(b)(1)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``2002, and'' and inserting ``2002,''; and
       (2) by inserting before the period the following: ``, 
     $465,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $500,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2005, $560,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and 
     $560,000,000 for fiscal year 2007''.

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to express my satisfaction with 
last night's passage by unanimous consent of S. 2667, the Peace Corps 
Charter for the 21st Century Act. I would like to thank Gaddi Vasquez 
and the staff of the Peace Corps for their willingness to work with me 
to come up with a bill that I believe will make it possible for the 
President to achieve the goal that he set during the State of the Union 
address in January, namely the doubling of the size of the Peace Corps 
over the next several years. I am proud of the bill we have passed, and 
I am confident that the provisions it contains will help us continue to 
fulfill President Kennedy's original vision of the Peace Corps as an 
American volunteer service dedicated to ``promoting world peace and 
friendship.''
  It is always with tremendous fondness and pride that I speak of the 
Peace Corps, as it gives me occasion to recall my own years as a 
volunteer in the Dominican Republic. I have often spoken of how these 2 
years changed my life. Indeed, living and working outside of the United 
States and seeing the way other nations operated for the first time, I 
grew to appreciate our nation more and more, and developed a strong 
sense of what it means to be an American. I was proud to share my 
experience as an American citizen with the people I was there to help. 
Those 2 years were invaluable to me, and truly brought home to me the 
value of public service.
  As remarkable as the success of the Peace Corps has been, and as 
important a symbol and example it is of public service, in the 
aftermath of the tragic attacks on America on September 11, it has 
become something more. It has become a necessity. The terrorist attacks 
of last year have shown us that the world has become a much smaller 
place. The United States can no longer afford to neglect certain 
countries, or certain parts of the world. We need to find ways to help 
developing countries meet their basic needs, and we need to do so now. 
We especially need to act in places where the citizens are particularly 
unfamiliar with American values. Now, more than ever, Peace Corps 
volunteers play a pivotal role in helping us achieve a greater 
understanding of America abroad, especially in predominantly Muslim 
countries.
  However, if we are to expand the aims of the Peace Corps, to broaden 
its scope, and to send our volunteers into more countries, then we must 
provide the Peace Corps with a new charter and adequate resources to 
safely and effectively pursue these objectives. I believe that the 
legislation that passed the Senate last night, the Peace Corps Charter 
for the 21st Century Act, will go a long way to meeting anticipated 
funding needs, as well as charting the future course for this valuable 
organization.
  I believe that the Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century Act will 
do an excellent job of modifying the Peace Corps Act to better meet the 
needs of both our volunteers and an expanding and changing 
organization. The Peace Corps is a truly remarkable institution in 
America, a symbol of the very best of our ideals of service, sacrifice, 
and self-reliance. Our volunteers are to be commended again for their 
enduring commitment to these ideals, and for the way they are able to 
communicate the message of the Peace Corps throughout the world. They 
deserve the very best from us, and the passage of the Peace Corps 
Charter for the 21st Century Act is an important step toward fulfilling 
our responsibility to the Peace Corps and its volunteers.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I support S. 2667, The Peace Corps Charter 
for the 21st Century Act. I commend Senator Dodd for developing this 
legislation and for working closely with the administration to advance 
it through the Foreign Relations Committee, where last week it was 
reported unanimously. Support for the Peace Corps is not, and should 
not be, a partisan issue. Senator Dodd's quiet work in moving this 
legislation forward is a testament to that principle.
  From promoting environmental conservation, to teaching primary school 
classes; from working to increase food production to training health 
care workers, Peace Corps volunteers do a lot of good throughout the 
world. Since the organization was founded 40 years ago, over 165,000 
volunteers have served in 135 countries. If you multiply that number by 
the number of people reached by each volunteer, the phenomenal impact 
of the Peace Corps becomes apparent. Our Peace Corps volunteers 
represent, in many ways, U.S. diplomacy at its best--reaching remote 
communities as well as urban neighborhoods, and helping people improve 
their lives in immeasurable ways.
  The Peace Corps is stronger and more popular than ever. Since 
January, the organization estimates that there has been a 300 percent 
increase in inquiries from potential volunteers. We must ensure that 
the Peace Corps has the necessary resources to capture and utilize this 
unprecedented surge in interest.
  For these reasons, I am pleased to support S. 2667, which goes a long 
way in advancing and strengthening the Peace Corps. The legislation 
authorizes yearly increases in funding for the Peace Corps to $560 
million in fiscal year 2007, in order to double the number of 
volunteers over the next 5 years. This increase in funding and 
volunteer capacity is long overdue, and is now more crucial than ever.
  Furthermore, the bill calls for the Peace Corps to develop a strategy 
for special placement of volunteers in countries whose governments are 
seeking to foster greater understanding between their citizens and the 
United States, particularly in countries with significant Muslim 
populations. Through person-to-person contact, Peace Corps volunteers 
can make great strides in eroding the deep misconceptions of the United 
States that exist in many cultures. The volunteers give a human face to 
the term ``American,'' bringing personal knowledge of our ideals and 
attitudes to communities all over the world.

[[Page 20947]]

  The legislation also establishes a global infectious disease 
initiative to comprehensively train Peace Corps volunteers in the 
education, prevention and treatment of the infectious diseases HIV/
AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has killed more 
people than the bubonic plague of the Middle Ages. Five million people 
were infected with HIV/AIDS in the past year alone, creating an 
unthinkable number of orphans worldwide. In some countries, the disease 
threatens to wipe out an entire generation. Tuberculosis and malaria 
have also caused millions more preventable deaths. It is imperative 
that Peace Corps volunteers be equipped with the knowledge and 
resources to protect their health, and that of the communities in which 
they serve, to the greatest extent possible.
  Again, I congratulate and thank Senator Dodd for his enduring 
allegiance to the Peace Corps. At a time when we must do all we can to 
promote mutual understanding worldwide, this legislation is an 
important effort to strengthen the Peace Corps, the United States' most 
valuable international volunteer program.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I note that Senator Dodd is the sponsor of 
this legislation. He was in the Peace Corps, so it is totally 
appropriate that this matter would be sponsored by him as the lead 
sponsor.
  I ask unanimous consent that the committee substitute amendment be 
agreed to, the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed, and 
that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no 
intervening action or debate, and that any statements to this matter be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was agreed 
to.
  The bill (S. 2667), as amended, was read the third time and passed.

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