[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6255 Introduced in House (IH)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6255
To provide for professional exchanges with Haiti, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 12, 2008
Ms. Lee (for herself, Mr. Engel, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Ms. Corrine
Brown of Florida, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Ellison, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas,
Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Wexler, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of
Texas, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Al Green of Texas, Mr. Rush, Mr. Fattah, Mr.
Rangel, Mr. Meeks of New York, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Moore
of Wisconsin, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Jackson of
Illinois, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Payne, Ms.
Woolsey, Mr. Meek of Florida, Ms. Waters, Mr. Honda, Mrs. Jones of
Ohio, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Watson, Mr.
Fortenberry, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Delahunt, and Mr. Hinojosa)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for professional exchanges with Haiti, and for other
purposes.
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 ``Next Steps for Haiti Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Haiti is the world's first black-led republic and the
first Caribbean country to achieve independence.
(2) Since its independence on January 1, 1804, the
Government of Haiti has struggled to meet the promise of
freedom and democracy expressed in the Preliminary Declaration
of its 1805 Constitution, which reads: ``The Citizens of Haiti
are brothers at home; equality in the eyes of the law is
incontestably acknowledged, and there cannot exist any titles,
advantages, or privileges, other than those necessarily
resulting from the consideration and reward to liberty and
independence.''.
(3) According to the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), following the end of the 29-year Duvalier
dictatorship in 1986, the people of Haiti have suffered over a
dozen government turnovers, including six military regimes,
three appointed transition governments, and four elected
presidencies.
(4) The government changes, accompanied with ongoing
violence, have limited the government's capacity to provide
security for its citizens as well as an environment conducive
for the development of infrastructure to take root.
(5) Since the return of Haiti's democracy, the country has
taken steps to achieve a relative measure of stability.
However, the recent 40 percent rise in global food prices and
subsequent 50 percent rise in the cost of Haiti's staple foods
since mid-2007 has threatened Haiti's security and the capacity
of Haiti's economy to prosper.
(6) According to the Department of State, workforce
unemployment and underemployment are rampant. Estimates suggest
that two-thirds of the country's 3,600,000 workers are without
consistent work. The minimum wage of 70 gourdes per day (U.S.
$1.70) undermines Haiti's ability to attract the skilled labor
necessary to expand its economy. Reports indicate that Haitians
are migrating to neighboring countries, mostly to the Dominican
Republic to find work. Moreover, the 500,000 Haitians living in
New York City and the 380,000 in Miami represent a loss of
skills and expertise that Haiti has been unable to replace.
(7) Despite a strong social demand for education among
Haitian families, the education sector in Haiti is
characterized by a weak state capacity to provide and regulate
educational services. According to USAID, Haitian families pay
15 percent of their household income for schooling. Yet, there
is an adult literacy rate of 52 percent and a primary school
enrollment rate of 67 percent. Less than 30 percent of the
children who enter primary school will reach the 6th grade.
(8) According to the World Bank, approximately 500,000
children aged 6-11 do not attend school of any kind, and only
about half of all six year olds enroll in first grade. Eighty
percent of all primary level students attend nonpublic schools
financed by parents, religious associations, NGO's, and other
sources. Haiti continues to face severe obstacles in education
due to access, equity, quality, and institutional capacity.
(9) According to the Department of State, in terms of
health, Haiti has poor sanitation systems, poor nutrition, and
inadequate health services. Eighty percent of Haiti's
population lives below the poverty line. Less than half of the
population has access to clean drinking water and 28 percent
have access to adequate sanitation.
(10) Only 43 percent of the target population receives the
recommended immunizations. Haiti, thus, has a life expectancy
at birth of 53 years and a mortality rate of 12.2 deaths per
1,000 in population.
(11) There are 25 physicians and 11 nurses per 100,000 in
population. Only one-fourth of births are attended by a skilled
health professional.
(12) Haiti has the highest incidence of HIV/AIDS outside of
Africa, with a national prevalence rate of 4.5 percent of the
population.
(13) In terms of the environment, USAID reports that Haiti
is ill equipped for the aftermath of tropical storms. The
country lacks adequate management plans for natural disasters.
Severe deforestation has left it vulnerable to flooding from
the most moderate rainfall. Over 90 percent of the country's
forests have been cleared for fuel, thus flash floods and
mudslides across the country have damaged farmland and
contributed to increased poverty.
SEC. 3. THE NEXT STEPS FOR HAITI ACT OF 2008.
(a) Program Authorized.--The Director of Foreign Assistance, in
consultation with the democratically elected Government of Haiti and
Haitian civil society organizations, is authorized to establish a
professional exchange program in Haiti, to be known as the ``Haiti
Professional Exchange Program'' (in this Act referred to as the
``Exchange Program''). At all phases of the Exchange Program, including
establishing the Exchange Program's priorities, identifying the most
appropriate skills for Exchange Program participants, and selecting and
supervising Exchange Program participants, the democratically elected
Government of Haiti and Haitian civil society organizations shall be
consulted.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Exchange Program is to assign
qualified Haitian Americans and others to provide technical assistance
to help Haiti improve in areas vital to its growth and development,
which may include education, energy, environment, healthcare,
infrastructure, security, transportation, and disaster preparedness.
(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the Exchange Program, the
Director of Foreign Assistance shall negotiate an agreement with the
democratically elected Government of Haiti to--
(1) provide technical assistance in areas vital to Haiti's
growth and development as provided under subsection (b); and
(2) identify, in accordance with Haitian needs and
priorities, the sectors or professional fields to which
Exchange Program participants may provide technical assistance
and the objectives to be achieved, including specific projects
or programs.
(d) Consultation With Haitian Civil Society Organizations.--The
democratically elected Government of Haiti should consult with Haitian
civil society organizations to identify the needs and priorities of
Haiti to outline the sectors or professional fields to which Exchange
Program participants may provide technical assistance and the
objectives to be achieved, including specific projects or programs.
(e) Selection of Individuals for Participation in the Exchange
Program.--The Director of Foreign Assistance shall establish a
selections committee, consisting of representatives of the
democratically elected Government of Haiti and Haitian civil society
organizations, to identify criteria that should be met by individuals
who wish to participate in the Exchange Program. In addition, the
selections committee shall review potential eligible applicants who
wish to participate in the Exchange Program to ensure that they can act
as experts.
(f) Outreach Program To Encourage Applicants To Participate in the
Exchange Program.--The Director of Foreign Assistance shall establish
an outreach program to encourage eligible applicants to participate in
the Exchange Program, who, as a requisite, shall meet the following
requirements:
(1) Are citizens of the United States or lawfully admitted
for permanent residence in the United States.
(2) At a minimum, should possess--
(A) fluency in Kreyol or are working towards a
proficiency in Kreyol, or willing to undertake
intensive Kreyol training, to the satisfaction of the
selection committee; or
(B) fluency in French or are working towards a
proficiency in French, or willing to undertake
intensive French training, to the satisfaction of the
selection committee.
(3) Any other criteria, skills, or expertise identified by
the selections committee as necessary to provide technical
assistance in one of the areas identified pursuant to
subsection (c)(2).
(g) Terms of Participation for Individuals in the Exchange
Program.--
(1) Orientation required for individuals in the exchange
program.--Participants shall attend an orientation outlined by
the Director of Foreign Assistance, in consultation with the
selection committee. The orientation shall consist of workshops
and seminars designed to prepare participants for their stay in
Haiti. Topics addressed shall include the following:
(A) A review of the Exchange Program's goals and
intentions.
(B) A review of Haiti's different approaches to the
country's development needs.
(C) A review of the potential cultural and
behavioral barriers individuals may face while
participating in the Exchange Program.
(2) Length of service in exchange program.--
(A) 27 months.--Individuals may participate in the
Exchange Program for not longer than 27 months.
(B) Exception.--If a participant would like to
extend the duration of time of participation in the
program, an application for such an extension shall be
subject to approval of the Director of Foreign
Assistance, in consultation with the democratically
elected Government of Haiti. Upon approval, individuals
may participate in the Exchange Program for one
additional year.
(C) Compensation and readjustment allowance.--
(i) Compensation.--An individual who
participates in the Exchange Program shall
receive monthly compensation equal to the
average monthly salary of such individual's
professional Haitian counterpart.
(ii) Readjustment allowance.--At the end of
an individual's participation in the Exchange
Program, the Director of Foreign Assistance
shall provide to such individual a readjustment
allowance in an amount equal to the number of
months such individual participated in the
Exchange Program multiplied by $250.
(3) Enactment, notice, and cooperation.--
(A) Establishment.--The Exchange Program shall be
established not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(B) Notice.--Not later than 30 days after the date
on which the Director of Foreign Assistance establishes
the Exchange Program under subsection (a), the Director
shall--
(i) provide notice thereof to Congress; and
(ii) submit to Congress information on the
Exchange Program that contains the agreement
governing the scope of work negotiated with the
democratically elected Government of Haiti, a
recruitment plan for participants, and a
description of the qualifications and other
appropriate information relating to individuals
who are to be recruited to participate in the
Exchange Program, including the needs that the
individuals are expected to fill under the
Exchange Program.
(C) Cooperation.--The Director of Foreign
Assistance, in cooperation with the democratically
elected Government of Haiti, shall report to Congress
annually on the implementation of the Exchange Program,
including as to--
(i) the selection of projects or activities
in which individuals will be involved under the
Exchange Program; and
(ii) the manner in which the Exchange
Program will be made known to the public in the
United States and Haiti.
(4) Definitions.--In this section:
(A) Civil society.--The term ``civil society''
means voluntary civic and social organizations and may
include registered charities, grassroots organizations,
coalitions and advocacy groups, and professional
associations.
(B) Expert advisors.--The term ``expert advisors''
means individuals who possess extensive experience in
fields which will benefit Haiti that may include
education, energy, environment, healthcare,
infrastructure, security, transportation, and disaster
preparedness.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--
(A) In general.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2014
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section.
(B) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that at least $3,000,000 should be made available for
each of the fiscal years specified in subparagraph (A)
to carry out this section.
(h) Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Director
of Foreign Assistance shall submit to Congress a report
regarding the Exchange Program.
(2) Contents.--The reports shall include information
relating to the following:
(A) Individuals and organizations selected to
participate and receive funds and a detailed breakdown
of the uses of such funds, including purpose,
locations, and results.
(B) The potential for expansion of the Exchange
Program.
(C) The number of individuals recruited to
participate in the Exchange Program, their countries of
origin and their current residences, and the ministry
or agency and the locality in which each individual is
placed.
(D) A statement of financial accounting.
SEC. 4. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR EXCHANGE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Program Established.--
(1) Program authorized.--The Secretary of State, in
cooperation with the Secretary of Education, shall establish
and implement a program to cancel the obligation of loan
borrowers to pay the principal and interest on student loans
for program participants, during their service in the Exchange
Program under section 2.
(2) Method of repayment.--The Secretary of State shall
carry out such program by repaying in accordance with
subsection (b) the principal and interest, not to exceed a
total of $10,000, on a loan made under title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) for a borrower
who--
(A) has obtained an undergraduate or graduate
degree;
(B) is selected to participate in the Exchange
Program under section 2 of this Act;
(C) is a United States citizen or permanent legal
resident; and
(D) is in repayment status on such loan and is not
in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks
forgiveness of principal and interest payments.
(b) Terms.--
(1) Promise to complete service required for payment.--Any
application for payment under subsection (a) shall contain an
agreement by the applicant that the applicant will continue in
a qualifying service described in subsection (a)(2)(B) for not
less than 1 complete year, or will, upon a failure to complete
such year, repay the United States the amount of the principal
and interest repaid by the Secretary under subsection (a), at a
rate and schedule, and in accordance with regulations,
prescribed by the Secretary. Such regulations may provide for
waiver by the Secretary of such repayment obligations upon
proof of economic hardship as specified in such regulations.
(2) Payment in installments.--After a borrower has been
selected as a participant of the Exchange Program under section
2, the Secretary shall make payments under this section while
the borrower is in loan repayment status and continues as a
participant of such program. The Secretary shall repay a
portion of a borrower's outstanding loan, not to exceed a total
of $10,000, in the following increments:
(A) Up to $2,000, or 20 percent of the borrower's
outstanding loan balance, whichever is less, at the
completion of the first year of such service.
(B) Up to $2,500, or 25 percent of the borrower's
outstanding loan balance, whichever is less, at the
completion of the second year of such service.
(C) Up to $5,000, or 50 percent of the borrower's
outstanding loan balance, whichever is less, at the
completion of the third and final year of such service.
(c) Regulations.--The Secretary of State is authorized to issue
such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section. Such
regulations shall establish procedures by which borrowers shall apply
for loan repayment under this section.
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