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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4649 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4649

To support the International Decade for People of African Descent, and 
                          for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 29, 2016

Ms. Jackson Lee (for herself, Mr. Conyers, Ms. Bass, Mr. Hastings, Mr. 
 Lewis, Ms. Lee, Ms. Moore, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Meeks, and Ms. 
Sewell of Alabama) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To support the International Decade for People of African Descent, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Decade for the 
People of African Descent Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACTIVITIES

Sec. 101. Office on the International Decade for People of African 
                            Descent; Ambassador at Large for the 
                            International Decade for People of African 
                            Descent.
Sec. 102. Annual Report on the International Decade for People of 
                            African Descent.
Sec. 103. Establishment of an International Decade for People of 
                            African Descent Internet site.
Sec. 104. Programs and allocations of funds by United States Missions 
                            abroad.
Sec. 105. Equal access to United States missions abroad for conducting 
                            activities relating to the International 
                            Decade for People of African Descent.
TITLE II--COMMISSION ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN 
                                DESCENT

Sec. 201. Establishment and composition.
Sec. 202. Duties of the Commission.
Sec. 203. Powers of the Commission.
Sec. 204. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 205. Report of the Commission.
Sec. 206. Applicability of other laws.
Sec. 207. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 208. Standards of conduct and disclosure.
Sec. 209. Termination.
 TITLE III--SPECIAL ADVISER ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF 
                            AFRICAN DESCENT

Sec. 301. Special Adviser on the International Decade for People of 
                            African Descent.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) For over 400 years, more than 15,000,000 men, women, 
        and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave 
        trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
            (2) Pursuant to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 
        68/237 (2013), the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 
        2015-2024 as the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent, citing the need to strengthen national, regional and 
        international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of 
        economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by 
        people of African descent, and their full and equal 
        participation in all aspects of society.
            (3) As proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, 
        the theme for the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent is ``People of African descent: Recognition, Justice 
        and Development''.
            (4) A main objective for the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent is to promote respect, protection and 
        fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by 
        people of African descent, as recognized in the Universal 
        Declaration of Human Rights.
            (5) A delineated objective for the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent is to promote a greater knowledge of 
        and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution 
        of people of African descent to the development of societies.
            (6) A delineated objective for the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent is the adoption and strengthening of 
        national, regional and international legal frameworks according 
        to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms 
        of Racial Discrimination and to ensure their full and effective 
        implementation.
            (7) Nation states are encouraged to create and implement 
        National Action Plans that put into place offices and 
        initiatives that drive implementation of the International 
        Decade for People of African Descent.
            (8) At the national level, nation states should take 
        concrete and practical steps through the adoption and effective 
        implementation of national and international legal action 
        plans, initiatives, frameworks, policies and programs to combat 
        racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related 
        intolerance faced by people of African descent, taking into 
        account the particular situation of women, girls and young 
        males through--
                    (A) recognition;
                    (B) justice;
                    (C) development; and
                    (D) addressing multiple or aggravated 
                discrimination.
            (9) On the regional and international levels, entities are 
        among others called to raise awareness, disseminate the 
        International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
        Racial Discrimination, assist states in the full and effective 
        implementation of their commitments, collect statistical data, 
        incorporate human rights into development programs, and honor 
        and preserve historical memory of people of African descent.
            (10) Among others, some of the steps and measures being 
        undertaken by the United Nations General Assembly include the 
        appointment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human 
        Rights to act as coordinator of the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent, the establishment of a forum to 
        serve as a consultation mechanism, convening of a final 
        assessment of the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent, and a permanent memorial at the United Nations 
        headquarters to honor the memory of the victims of slavery and 
        the transatlantic slave trade.
            (11) The Secretary-General of the United Nations is also 
        required to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-third 
        session on the establishment and implementation of the above 
        delineated measures.
            (12) Upon the launch of the International Decade for People 
        of African Descent in 2015, Members of the United States 
        Congress introduced House Resolution 120 and Senate Concurrent 
        Resolution 5 in support of the International Decade for People 
        of African Descent, and H.R. 1039 to establish an Office of 
        Global African Descent Affairs in the Department of State to 
        monitor implementation of the commitments of the International 
        Decade for People of African Descent around the world.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Ambassador at large.--The term ``Ambassador at Large'' 
        means the Ambassador at Large for the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent appointed under section 101(b).
            (2) Annual report.--The term ``Annual Report'' means the 
        Annual Report on the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent described in section 102.
            (3) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on 
        Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives.
            (4) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the United 
        States Commission on the International Decade for People of 
        African Descent established in section 201(a).
            (5) Executive summary.--The term ``Executive Summary'' 
        means the Executive Summary to the Annual Report, as described 
        in section 102(3).
            (6) Government or foreign government.--The term 
        ``government'' or ``foreign government'' includes any agency or 
        instrumentality of the government.
            (7) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office on the 
        International Decade for People of African Descent established 
        in section 101(a).
            (8) Special adviser.--The term ``Special Adviser'' means 
        the Special Adviser to the President on the International 
        Decade for People of African Descent described in section 301 
        of this Act.

                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE ACTIVITIES

SEC. 101. OFFICE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN 
              DESCENT; AMBASSADOR AT LARGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE 
              FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT.

    (a) Establishment of Office.--There is established within the 
Department of State an Office on the International Decade for People of 
African Descent that shall be headed by the Ambassador at Large for the 
International Decade for People of African Descent appointed under 
subsection (b).
    (b) Appointment.--The Ambassador at Large shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
    (c) Duties.--The Ambassador at Large shall have the following 
responsibilities:
            (1) In general.--The primary responsibility of the 
        Ambassador at Large shall be to advance the full enjoyment of 
        rights and equal participation of people of African descent.
            (2) Advisory role.--The Ambassador at Large shall be a 
        principal adviser to the President and the Secretary of State 
        regarding matters affecting implementation of the International 
        Decade for People of African Descent and, with advice from the 
        Commission on the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent, shall make recommendations regarding adopting and 
        implementing policies to strengthen United States advocacy on 
        behalf of individuals of African descent.
            (3) Diplomatic representation.--Subject to the direction of 
        the President and the Secretary of State, the Ambassador at 
        Large is authorized to represent the United States in matters 
        and cases relevant to the International Decade for People of 
        African Descent abroad in--
                    (A) contacts with foreign governments, 
                intergovernmental organizations, and specialized global 
                and regional agencies of the United Nations, the 
                Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and 
                other international organizations of which the United 
                States is a member; and
                    (B) multilateral conferences and meetings relevant 
                to the International Decade for People of African 
                Descent abroad.
            (4) Reporting responsibilities.--The Ambassador at Large 
        shall have the reporting responsibilities described in section 
        102.
    (d) Funding.--The Secretary of State shall provide the Ambassador 
at Large with such funds as may be necessary for the hiring of staff 
for the Office, for the conduct of initiatives by the Office, and for 
necessary travel to carry out the provisions of this section.

SEC. 102. ANNUAL REPORT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF 
              AFRICAN DESCENT.

    On September 1 of each year or the first day thereafter on which 
the appropriate House of Congress is in session, the Secretary of 
State, with the assistance of the Ambassador at Large, and taking into 
consideration the recommendations of the Commission, shall prepare and 
transmit to Congress an Annual Report on the International Decade for 
People of African Descent by providing additional detailed information 
with respect to matters involving the International Decade for People 
of African Descent. Each Annual Report shall contain the following:
            (1) A description of the status of efforts and initiatives 
        to implement the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent, including trends toward improvement in the respect for 
        strengthening advocacy on behalf of individuals of African 
        descent.
            (2) A description of United States actions and policies in 
        support of the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent, including a description of the measures and policies 
        implemented during the preceding 12 months by the United States 
        under this Act.
            (3) An Executive Summary to the Annual Report highlighting 
        the status of the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent.

SEC. 103. ESTABLISHMENT OF A INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN 
              DESCENT INTERNET SITE.

    In order to facilitate access by nongovernmental organizations and 
by the public around the world to international documents relating to 
promotion of the International Decade for People of African Descent, 
the Secretary of State, with the assistance of the Ambassador at Large, 
shall establish and maintain an Internet site containing major 
international documents relating to the International Decade for People 
of African Descent, the Annual Report, the Executive Summary, and any 
other documentation or references to other sites as deemed appropriate 
or relevant by the Ambassador at Large.

SEC. 104. PROGRAMS AND ALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS BY UNITED STATES MISSIONS 
              ABROAD.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) United States diplomatic missions in countries may 
        promote the International Decade for People of African Descent; 
        and
            (2) in allocating or recommending the allocation of funds 
        or the recommendation of candidates for programs and grants 
        funded by the United States Government, United States 
        diplomatic missions should give particular consideration to 
        those programs, initiatives, and candidates deemed to assist in 
        the promotion of the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent.

SEC. 105. EQUAL ACCESS TO UNITED STATES MISSIONS ABROAD FOR CONDUCTING 
              ACTIVITIES RELATING TO THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR 
              PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT.

    The Secretary of State shall permit, on terms no less favorable 
than that accorded other nongovernmental activities unrelated to the 
conduct of the diplomatic mission, access to the premises of any United 
States diplomatic mission or consular post by any United States citizen 
seeking to conduct an activity for the International Decade for People 
of African Descent.

TITLE II--COMMISSION ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN 
                                DESCENT

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION.

    (a) In General.--There is established the United States Commission 
on the International Decade for People of African Descent.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of--
                    (A) the Ambassador at Large, who shall serve ex 
                officio as a nonvoting member of the Commission; and
                    (B) eighteen other members, who shall be United 
                States citizens who are not being paid as officers or 
                employees of the United States, and who shall be 
                appointed as follows:
                            (i) Six members of the Commission shall be 
                        appointed by the President.
                            (ii) Six members of the Commission shall be 
                        appointed by the President pro tempore of the 
                        Senate, of which two of the members shall be 
                        appointed upon the recommendation of the leader 
                        in the Senate of the political party that is 
                        not the political party of the President, and 
                        of which one of the members shall be appointed 
                        upon the recommendation of the leader in the 
                        Senate of the other political party.
                            (iii) Six members of the Commission shall 
                        be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
                        Representatives, of which two of the members 
                        shall be appointed upon the recommendation of 
                        the leader in the House of the political party 
                        that is not the political party of the 
                        President, and of which one of the members 
                        shall be appointed upon the recommendation of 
                        the leader in the House of the other political 
                        party.
            (2) Selection.--
                    (A) In general.--Members of the Commission shall be 
                selected among distinguished individuals noted for 
                their knowledge and experience in fields relevant to 
                the issue of the International Decade for People of 
                African Descent, including foreign affairs, direct 
                experience abroad, human rights, international law, 
                education, labor, law enforcement, health, 
                intergovernmental engagement, and community 
                organizations.
                    (B) Security clearances.--Each member of the 
                Commission shall be required to obtain a security 
                clearance.
            (3) Time of appointment.--The appointments required by 
        paragraph (1) shall be made not later than 120 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.
    (c) Terms.--
            (1) In general.--The term of office of each member of the 
        Commission shall be 2 years.
            (2) Ineligibility for reappointment.--If a member of the 
        Commission attends, by being physically present or by 
        conference call, less than 75 percent of the meetings of the 
        Commission during one of that member's terms on the Commission, 
        the member shall not be eligible for reappointment to the 
        Commission.
    (d) Election of Chair.--At the first meeting of the Commission 
after May 30 of each year, a majority of the members of the Commission 
present and voting shall elect the Chair of the Commission. No member 
of the Commission is eligible to be elected as Chair of the Commission 
for a second, consecutive term.
    (e) Quorum.--Fifteen voting members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum for purposes of transacting business.
    (f) Meetings.--Each year, within 15 days, or as soon as 
practicable, after the issuance of the International Decade for People 
of African Descent Report, the Commission shall convene. The Commission 
shall otherwise meet at the call of the Chair or, if no Chair has been 
elected for that calendar year, at the call of fifteen voting members 
of the Commission.
    (g) Vacancies.--Any vacancy of the Commission shall not affect its 
powers, but shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. A member may serve after the expiration of that 
member's term until a successor has taken office. Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which 
the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the 
remainder of that term.
    (h) Administrative Support.--The Administrator of General Services 
shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis (or, in the 
discretion of the Administrator, on a nonreimbursable basis) such 
administrative support services as the Commission may request to carry 
out the provisions of this title.
    (i) Funding.--Members of the Commission shall be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence at rates authorized 
for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
business in the performance of services for the Commission. Members of 
the Commission are subject to the requirements set forth in chapters 
300 through 304 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly 
known as the ``Federal Travel Regulation'') and the Department of State 
Standardized Regulations governing authorized travel at government 
expense, including regulations concerning the mode of travel, lodging 
and per diem expenditures, reimbursement payments, and expense 
reporting and documentation requirements.

SEC. 202. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall have as its primary 
responsibility--
            (1) the annual and ongoing review of the facts and 
        circumstances of promotion of the International Decade for 
        People of African Descent, and the Executive Summary, as well 
        as information from other sources as appropriate; and
            (2) the making of policy recommendations to the President, 
        the Secretary of State, and Congress with respect to matters 
        involving the International Decade for People of African 
        Descent.
    (b) Monitoring.--The Commission shall, on an ongoing basis, monitor 
facts and circumstances of promotion of initiatives relating to the 
International Decade for People of African Descent, in consultation 
with independent human rights groups and nongovernmental organizations, 
including educational organizations, and make such recommendations as 
may be necessary to the appropriate officials and offices in the United 
States Government.

SEC. 203. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of 
carrying out its duties under this title, hold hearings, sit and act at 
times and places in the United States, take testimony and receive 
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out the 
purposes of this Act.
    (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure 
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
section. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of 
such department or agency shall furnish such information to the 
Commission, subject to applicable law.
    (c) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States 
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
    (d) Administrative Procedures.--The Commission may adopt such rules 
and regulations, relating to administrative procedure, as may be 
reasonably necessary to enable it to carry out the provisions of this 
title.
    (e) Views of the Commission.--The Members of the Commission may 
speak in their capacity as private citizens. Statements on behalf of 
the Commission shall be issued in writing over the names of the 
Members. The Commission shall in its written statements clearly 
describe its statutory authority, distinguishing that authority from 
that of appointed or elected officials of the United States Government. 
Oral statements, where practicable, shall include a similar 
description.
    (f) Travel.--The Members of the Commission may, with the approval 
of the Commission, conduct such travel as is necessary to carry out the 
purpose of this title. Each trip must be approved by a majority of the 
Commission. This provision shall not apply to the Ambassador at Large, 
whose travel shall not require approval by the Commission.

SEC. 204. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) In General.--The Commission may, without regard to the civil 
service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an Executive 
Director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform its duties. The decision to employ or 
terminate an Executive Director shall be made by an affirmative vote of 
at least six of the nine members of the Commission.
    (b) Compensation.--The Commission may fix the compensation of the 
Executive Director and other personnel without regard to the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
States Code, relating to classification of positions and General 
Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the Executive 
Director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level 
V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
    (c) Professional Staff.--The Commission and the Executive Director 
shall hire Commission staff on the basis of professional and 
nonpartisan qualifications. Commissioners may not individually hire 
staff of the Commission. Staff shall serve the Commission as a whole 
and may not be assigned to the particular service of a single 
Commissioner or a specified group of Commissioners. This subsection 
does not prohibit staff personnel from assisting individual members of 
the Commission with particular needs related to their duties.
    (d) Staff and Services of Other Federal Agencies.--
            (1) Department of state.--The Secretary of State shall 
        assist the Commission by providing on a reimbursable or 
        nonreimbursable basis to the Commission such staff and 
        administrative services as may be necessary and appropriate to 
        perform its functions.
            (2) Other federal agencies.--Upon the request of the 
        Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may 
        detail, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, any of the 
        personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to 
        assist it in carrying out its functions under this title. The 
        detail of any such personnel shall be without interruption or 
        loss of civil service or Foreign Service status or privilege.
    (e) Security Clearances.--The Executive Director shall be required 
to obtain a security clearance. The Executive Director may request, on 
a needs-only basis and in order to perform the duties of the 
Commission, that other personnel of the Commission be required to 
obtain a security clearance. The level of clearance shall be the lowest 
necessary to appropriately perform the duties of the Commission.
    (f) Cost.--The Commission shall reimburse all appropriate 
Government agencies for the cost of obtaining clearances for members of 
the commission, for the executive director, and for any other 
personnel.
    (g) Application of Antidiscrimination Laws.--For purposes of 
providing remedies and procedures to address alleged violations of 
rights and protections that pertain to employment discrimination, 
family and medical leave, fair labor standards, employee polygraph 
protection, worker adjustment and retraining, veterans' employment and 
reemployment, intimidation or reprisal, protections under the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990, occupational safety and health, labor-
management relations, and rights and protections that apply to 
employees whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the 
Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, all 
employees of the Commission shall be treated as employees whose pay is 
disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Administrative 
Officer of the House of Representatives and the Commission shall be 
treated as an employing office of the Senate or the House of 
Representatives.

SEC. 205. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than May 1 of each year, the Commission 
shall submit a report to the President, the Secretary of State, and 
Congress setting forth its recommendations for United States policy 
options based on its evaluations under section 202.
    (b) Classified Form of Report.--The report may be submitted in 
classified form, together with a public summary of recommendations, if 
the classification of information would further the purposes of this 
Act.
    (c) Individual or Dissenting Views.--Each member of the Commission 
may include the individual or dissenting views of the member.

SEC. 206. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS.

    The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the Commission.

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Commission $3,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2017 to 2020 to 
carry out the provisions of this title.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts authorized to be appropriated 
under subsection (a) shall remain available until the earlier of--
            (1) the date on which they have been expended; or
            (2) the date on which the Commission is terminated under 
        section 209.
    (c) Limitation.--In each fiscal year, the Commission shall only be 
authorized to expend amounts that have been appropriated pursuant to 
subsection (a) if the Commission submits the annual financial report 
required under section 208(e) to the appropriate congressional 
committees.

SEC. 208. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND DISCLOSURE.

    (a) Cooperation With Nongovernmental Organizations, the Department 
of State, and Congress.--The Commission shall seek to effectively and 
freely cooperate with all entities engaged in the promotion of 
initiatives relating to the International Decade for People of African 
Descent abroad, governmental and nongovernmental, in the performance of 
the Commission's duties under this title.
    (b) Conflict of Interest and Antinepotism.--
            (1) Member affiliations.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (3), in order to ensure the independence and integrity of the 
        Commission, the Commission may not compensate any 
        nongovernmental agency, project, or person related to or 
        affiliated with any member of the Commission, whether in that 
        member's direct employ or not. Staff employed by the Commission 
        may not serve in the employ of any nongovernmental agency, 
        project, or person related to or affiliated with any member of 
        the Commission while employed by the Commission.
            (2) Staff compensation.--Staff of the Commission may not 
        receive compensation from any other source for work performed 
        in carrying out the duties of the Commission while employed by 
        the Commission.
            (3) Exception.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), 
                paragraph (1) shall not apply to payments made for 
                items such as conference fees or the purchase of 
                periodicals or other similar expenses, if such payments 
                would not cause the aggregate value paid to any agency, 
                project, or person for a fiscal year to exceed $250.
                    (B) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                the Commission shall not give special preference to any 
                agency, project, or person related to or affiliated 
                with any member of the Commission.
            (4) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``affiliated'' means the relationship between a member of the 
        Commission and--
                    (A) an individual who holds the position of 
                officer, trustee, partner, director, or employee of an 
                agency, project, or person of which that member, or 
                relative of that member of, the Commission is an 
                officer, trustee, partner, director, or employee; or
                    (B) a nongovernmental agency or project of which 
                that member, or a relative of that member, of the 
                Commission is an officer, trustee, partner, director, 
                or employee.
    (c) Contract Authority.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Commission may contract with and compensate 
Government agencies or persons for the conduct of activities necessary 
to the discharge of its functions under this title. Any such person 
shall be hired without interruption or loss of civil service or Foreign 
Service status or privilege. The Commission may procure temporary and 
intermittent services under the authority of section 3109(b) of title 
5, United States Code, except that the Commission may not expend more 
than $250,000 in any fiscal year to procure such services.
    (d) Gifts.--
            (1) In general.--In order to preserve its independence, the 
        Commission may not accept, use, or dispose of gifts or 
        donations of services or property. An individual Commissioner 
        or employee of the Commission may not, in his or her capacity 
        as a Commissioner or employee, knowingly accept, use or dispose 
        of gifts or donations of services or property, unless he or she 
        in good faith believes such gifts or donations to have a value 
        of less than $50 and a cumulative value during a calendar year 
        of less than $100.
            (2) Exceptions.--This subsection shall not apply to the 
        following:
                    (A) Gifts provided on the basis of a personal 
                friendship with a Commissioner or employee, unless the 
                Commissioner or employee has reason to believe that the 
                gift was provided because of the Commissioner's 
                position and not because of the personal friendship.
                    (B) Gifts provided on the basis of a family 
                relationship.
                    (C) The acceptance of training, invitations to 
                attend or participate in conferences or such other 
                events as are related to the conduct of the duties of 
                the Commission, or food or refreshment associated with 
                such activities.
                    (D) Items of nominal value or gifts of estimated 
                value of $10 or less.
                    (E) De minimis gifts provided by a foreign leader 
                or state, not exceeding a value of $260. Gifts believed 
                by Commissioners to be in excess of $260, but which 
                would create offense or embarrassment to the United 
                States Government if refused, shall be accepted and 
                turned over to the United States Government in 
                accordance with the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act 
                of 1966 and the rules and regulations governing such 
                gifts provided to Members of Congress.
                    (F) Informational materials such as documents, 
                books, videotapes, periodicals, or other forms of 
                communications.
                    (G) Goods or services provided by any agency or 
                component of the Government of the United States, 
                including any commission established under the 
                authority of such Government.
    (e) Annual Financial Report.--In addition to providing the reports 
required under section 202, the Commission shall provide, each year no 
later than January 1, to the Committees on Foreign Affairs and 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and to the Committees 
on Foreign Relations and Appropriations of the Senate, a financial 
report detailing and identifying its expenditures for the preceding 
fiscal year.

SEC. 209. TERMINATION.

    The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2026.

 TITLE III--SPECIAL ADVISER ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF 
                            AFRICAN DESCENT

SEC. 301. SPECIAL ADVISER ON THE INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF 
              AFRICAN DESCENT.

    It is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) there should be within the Executive Office of the 
        President a Special Adviser to the President on the 
        International Decade for People of African Descent, whose 
        position should be comparable to that of a director within the 
        Executive Office of the President;
            (2) the Special Adviser should serve as a resource for 
        executive branch officials, particularly officials in the 
        Department of Education, the Department of the Treasury, the 
        Department of Justice, and other relevant Federal departments 
        and agencies, in compiling and maintaining information on the 
        facts and circumstances of promoting the International Decade 
        for People of African Descent, and making policy 
        recommendations; and
            (3) the Special Adviser should serve as liaison with the 
        Ambassador at Large for the International Decade for People of 
        African Descent, the United States Commission on the 
        International Decade for People of African Descent, Congress 
        and, as advisable, nongovernmental organizations.
                                 <all>
```