[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 968 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
103d CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 968
To establish additional international exchange and training programs
with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic
states.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 13 (legislative day, April 19), 1993
Mr. Bradley (for himself, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Simon, and Mr. Harkin)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish additional international exchange and training programs
with the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic
states.
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 ``Freedom Exchange and Training Act''.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is--
(1) to bring young people, teachers, and education
administrators of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states
to the United States so that they might experience first-hand
how a free market democracy functions;
(2) to assist the skill-building process necessary for both
institution-building and nation-building; and
(3) to provide leadership training and technical assistance
to officials and others from the former Soviet Union and Baltic
states.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act--
(1) the term ``Baltic states'' means Latvia, Lithuania, and
Estonia;
(2) the term ``eligible organization'' means, during fiscal
year 1994, any private nonprofit organization which has
experience in exchange programs and demonstrates a capacity to
carry out such programs in the independent states of the former
Soviet Union or in the Baltic states; and
(3) the term ``independent states of the former Soviet
Union'' includes the following states that formerly were part
of the Soviet Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
TITLE I--EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SEC. 101. AUTHORITIES FOR AWARDING EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE GRANTS.
(a) General Authority.--The Director shall establish and carry out
an exchange program with the independent states of the former Soviet
Union and the Baltic states in accordance with this title. In carrying
out such a program, the Director shall award, on a competitive basis,
grants to eligible organizations to enable such organizations to
finance--
(1) the exchange of secondary school students in accordance
with section 102;
(2) the exchange of secondary school teachers and
administrators in accordance with section 103;
(3) the exchange of postsecondary students in accordance
with section 104; and
(4) exchanges of college and university educators in
accordance with section 105.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--The Director may use up to 5 percent
of the funds appropriated under this title for administrative expenses.
(c) Application.--(1) Each eligible organization seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Director at such
time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the
Director may reasonably require.
(2) Each application submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall--
(A) describe the activities for which assistance under this
section is sought; and
(B) provide such additional assurances as the Director
determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the
requirements of this section.
(d) Eligibility for Grants.--Grants may be made to eligible
organizations only if such organizations agree to comply with the
requirements specified in this title.
(e) Implementation.--In carrying out this title, the Director
shall--
(1) encourage colleges and universities receiving students
to supplement public grants with their own resources, to the
extent possible; and
(2) allow for a wide range of United States institutions to
participate in programs under this title.
(f) Compliance With Budget Act.--The authority to make grants under
this title shall be effective only to such extent or in such amount as
are provided in appropriations Acts.
(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this title--
(1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the United
States Information Agency;
(2) the term ``institution of higher education'' has the
same meaning as is given to such term by section 1201(a) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965; and
(3) the term ``secondary school'' has the same meaning
given to such term by section 1471(21) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965.
SEC. 102. SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
(a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 101(a)(1) shall
be used to finance--
(A) visits of short duration by eligible secondary school
students, to the United States, to any of the independent
states of the former Soviet Union, or to any Baltic state; or
(B) studies, instruction, and other educational exchange
activities in the United States, in any of the independent
states of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state, each
educational exchange activity lasting not less than one
semester or more than one year, for eligible secondary school
students.
(2) Of the amount of grants awarded under section 101(a)(1), not
more than 35 percent in fiscal year 1994 may be used for the purpose of
paragraph (1)(A).
(b) Conditions.--(1) The Director may require that a portion of a
grant awarded under section 101(a)(1) be used only for educational
activities that are conditioned on the reciprocal exchange of American
students.
(2) Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of grant funds
awarded under section 101(a)(1) may be used to finance educational
exchanges of American students under this section.
(c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``eligible
secondary school student'' means a secondary school student from the
United States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet
Union, or any Baltic state who--
(1) is at least 15 years of age;
(2) is attending school at a grade level equivalent to any
of the grade levels 10 through 12 in United States secondary
schools or has just completed secondary school in any of the
independent states of the former Soviet Union or any Baltic
state; and
(3) has a minimum level of proficiency in English, as
determined by testing.
(d) Administration.--(1) To the maximum extent practicable, a grant
under this section shall be used to support the activities described in
subsection (a) for secondary school students of widely divergent
backgrounds.
(2) The recruitment of foreign students under this section shall be
carried out in an efficient, uniform manner, preferably under direction
of a United States-based group or organization under guidelines
established by the Director.
(3) The selection and examination of students from the former
Soviet Union and Baltic states under this section should be a
cooperative effort with input from organizations involved in the
placement of the exchange students.
(4) The specific structure for this cooperative effort should be
approved by the Director as part of the granting of funds for selection
and examination of students.
(5) The selection process under this section should be designed to
ensure selection of a representative group of students from the former
Soviet Union and the Baltic states.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to be
appropriated $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this
section.
SEC. 103. SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS.
(a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 4(a)(2) shall be
used to finance visits of at least four weeks duration for eligible
secondary school teachers and administrators to the United States, to
any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union, or to any
Baltic state.
(2) Visits financed under this section--
(A) shall focus on a particular area of study or project
and may involve seminars, with special emphasis on classroom
practicums; and
(B) should, where possible, be developed and coordinated
with programs established under section 102.
(b) Priority Exchanges.--Preference is to be given to foreign
teachers and administrators interested in the social sciences, the
humanities, teaching English, and acquiring knowledge or skills
applicable to building democratic institutions.
(c) Restriction.--Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of
funds awarded under this section may be used to finance educational
exchanges of American secondary teachers and administrators.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this section.
SEC. 104. POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS.
(a) College Students.--
(1) Grant uses.--Grants awarded under section 101(a)(3)
shall be used to finance studies, research, instruction, and
other educational exchange activities for eligible college
students in institutions of higher education in the United
States, in any of the independent states of the former Soviet
Union, or in any Baltic state, each educational exchange
activity lasting not less than one semester or more than one
year, with special emphasis on--
(A) those foreign students who are interested in
studying the social sciences and humanities;
(B) those foreign students who are studying to
become English teachers; and
(C) those foreign students who are seeking to
acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring
the economy or building democratic institutions.
(2) Condition.--(A) The Director may require that an
eligible organization, in order to receive a grant under
section 101(a)(3), agree to use a portion of such grant for
educational activities that are conditioned on the institution
of higher education providing an eligible college student with
some financial resources, either in the form of room and board
or as a waiver of tuition.
(B) Not more than 25 percent of the total amount of grant
funds awarded under this subsection may be used to finance
educational exchanges of American students under this section.
(3) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term
``eligible college student'' means a student enrolled in four-
year programs of study at a college or university in the United
States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet
Union, or any Baltic state, including any American-founded
school in the former Soviet Union, and who--
(A) has completed at least one year of study and is
not in the last year of such study; and
(B) in the case of a foreign student, is
sufficiently proficient in English to undertake the
course of study proposed, as determined by testing.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to
be appropriated $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out
this subsection.
(b) Graduate Students.--
(1) Grants uses.--Grants awarded under section 101(a)(3)
shall be used to finance studies, research, instruction, and
other educational exchange activities for eligible graduate
students in the United States, in any of the independent states
of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state, each
educational exchange activity lasting not less than one
semester or more than one year, with special emphasis on--
(A) those foreign students who are interested in
studying the social sciences and humanities;
(B) those foreign students who are studying to
become English teachers; and
(C) those foreign students who are seeking to
acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring
the economy or building democratic institutions.
(2) Condition.--Not more than 25 percent of the total
amount of grant funds awarded under this subsection may be used
to finance educational exchanges of American students under
this section.
(3) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``eligible graduate student'' means a student from the United
States, any of the independent states of the former Soviet
Union, or any Baltic state, including any student attending an
American-founded university in the former Soviet Union, who--
(A) is enrolled in a graduate course of study at a
college or university;
(B) has completed one year of such study; and
(C) in the case of a foreign student, is
sufficiently proficient in English to undertake the
course of study proposed, as determined by testing.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to
be appropriated $9,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out
this subsection.
(c) Community Colleges.--(1) Grants awarded under this subsection
shall be used to finance--
(A) studies and research in any of the independent states
of the former Soviet Union, or in any Baltic state;
(B) vocational retraining of foreign students from the
former Soviet Union or Baltic states; and
(C) faculty and student exchange activity lasting not less
than one semester or more than one year,
with special emphasis on--
(i) those foreign students who are interested in
studying the social sciences and humanities;
(ii) those foreign students who are studying to
become English teachers; and
(iii) those foreign students who are seeking to
acquire knowledge or skills applicable to restructuring
the economy or building democratic institutions.
(2) An individual is eligible for a grant under this section who--
(A) is at least 18 years of age;
(B) has completed secondary school in the United States,
any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union, or
any Baltic states;
(C) if an American, is enrolled in a community college and
has completed at least one year of study; and
(D) in the case of foreign students, is sufficiently
proficient in English to undertake the course of study
proposed, as determined by testing.
(3) In addition to funds otherwise available for such purpose,
there are authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1994
to carry out this subsection.
SEC. 105. ``SISTER'' UNIVERSITY PROGRAM.
(a) Grant Uses.--(1) Grants awarded under section 101(a)(4) shall
be used to finance exchanges of college and university educators of
eligible paired institutions for the purpose of developing curriculum
and otherwise strengthening ties between the independent states of the
former Soviet Union and the Baltic states and the United States at the
institutional level.
(2) Each grant awarded under this subsection shall not exceed
$100,000.
(3) Each grant awarded under this subsection to eligible paired
institutions may be disbursed during a period of two fiscal years.
(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``eligible
paired institutions'' means in fiscal year 1994, a pairing by the
Director of one United States institution of higher education with a
college or university in any of the independent states of the former
Soviet Union or any Baltic state wherever such pairing is likely to
promote a continuing relationship between the institutions after the
termination of assistance under this title.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to funds
otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to be
appropriated $8,000,000 for fiscal year 1994.
TITLE II--OTHER TRAINING AND EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. PROGRAMS OF THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) General Authority.--The President shall establish and carry out
technical assistance and exchange programs with the independent states
of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states in accordance with
this title. Such programs may be implemented by grants to eligible
organizations or otherwise. Programs funded by this title are as
follows:
(1) Public administration and governance.--Funds made
available under this paragraph shall be used for programs of up
to 8 weeks duration for--
(A) exchanges and training of local and regional
government officials, practitioners and experts in
public administration to assist the former Soviet Union
and Baltic states in establishing and sustaining
democratic institutions;
(B) exchanges and training that will assist the
former Soviet Union and Baltic states in the
establishment of social services programs; and
(C) exchanges and training in the area of political
science.
It is the sense of the Congress that technical assistance and
training of public officials under this paragraph should be
conducted by American organizations that are representative of
elected officials.
(2) Rule of law.--Funds made available under this paragraph
shall be used for legal initiatives to assist the former Soviet
Union and Baltic states in modifying or restructuring their
laws and legal systems to reflect democratic principles and be
compatible with a democratic society and free market
principles.
(3) Agriculture and agribusiness.--Funds made available
under this paragraph shall be used for--
(A) technical assistance and training for the
development of market-oriented policies, agricultural
financial institutions and marketing systems,
agribusiness organization, privatization of state
agricultural organizations; and
(B) agricultural exchanges that will allow foreign
farmers to come to the United States to acquire
agriculture skills.
(4) Energy and environment.--Funds made available under
this paragraph shall be used for a comprehensive exchange and
training program for enhancing environmental management and
sustainable economic development, emphasizing the active
participation of local scientific expertise, nongovernmental
organizations, and the public, and including--
(A) environmental monitoring and protection,
(B) establishment of appropriate environmental
institutions and infrastructure,
(C) programs to enhance energy conservation and
efficiency, and
(D) nuclear safety and other appropriate
initiatives consistent with this paragraph.
(5) Health and medicine.--Funds made available under this
paragraph shall be used for exchange and training programs that
will enhance medical delivery systems, assist in establishment
of pharmaceutical industry, and provide general medical
training and education.
(6) Trade and investment.--Funds made available under this
paragraph shall be used to assist in the development of
American business centers and the expansion of the Special
American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program of the
Department of Commerce.
(7) Leaders training.--Funds made available under this
paragraph shall be used for training by United States business,
universities, and others to build a cadre of young technocrats
with strong grounding in market economics principles who are
likely to rise to positions of responsibility in the public and
private sectors and influence future national development.
Training under this paragraph shall be targeted on the priority
sectoral areas of the United States technical assistance
program, including health, energy, environment, banking, and
agriculture, and educational training shall be combined with
on-the-job training experiences and practical internships.
(b) Degree of English Language Proficiency.--Foreign participants
in the programs under this section shall be sufficiently proficient in
English to fulfill the purposes of this section.
(c) Administrative Expenses.--The President may use up to 5 percent
of the funds appropriated under this title for administrative expenses.
(d) General Authority for Awarding Grants.--Training and other
exchange programs carried out under this section shall be administered
by the Agency for International Development or such other Government
agency as has experience and expertise in carrying out such programs.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 to carry out this
section.
<all>
S 968 IS----2