S. 2943

One Hundred Sixth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,

the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand

An Act

To authorize additional assistance for international malaria control, 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 ‘‘Assistance for International

Malaria Control Act’’.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.

Sec. 2. Table of contents.

TITLE I—ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONTROL

Sec. 101. Short title.

Sec. 102. Findings.

Sec. 103. Assistance for malaria prevention, treatment, control, and elimination.

TITLE II—POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO MACAU

Sec. 201. Short title.

Sec. 202. Findings and declarations; sense of Congress.

Sec. 203. Continued application of United States law.

Sec. 204. Reporting requirement.

Sec. 205. Definitions.

TITLE III—UNITED STATES-CANADA ALASKA RAIL COMMISSION

Sec. 301. Short title.

Sec. 302. Findings.

Sec. 303. Agreement for a United States-Canada bilateral commission.

Sec. 304. Composition of Commission.

Sec. 305. Governance and staffing of Commission.

Sec. 306. Duties.

Sec. 307. Commencement and termination of Commission.

Sec. 308. Funding.

Sec. 309. Definitions.

TITLE IV—PACIFIC CHARTER COMMISSION ACT OF 2000

Sec. 401. Short title.

Sec. 402. Purposes.

Sec. 403. Establishment of commission.

Sec. 404. Duties of Commission.

Sec. 405. Membership of Commission.

Sec. 406. Powers of Commission.

Sec. 407. Staff and support services of Commission.

Sec. 408. Termination.

Sec. 409. Authorization of appropriations.

Sec. 410. Effective date.

TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Assistance efforts in Sudan.
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Sec. 502. Authority to provide towing assistance.

Sec. 503. Sense of Congress on the American University in Bulgaria.

TITLE VI—PAUL D. COVERDELL WORLD WISE SCHOOLS ACT OF 2000

Sec. 601. Short title.

Sec. 602. Findings.

Sec. 603. Designation of Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Program.

TITLE I—ASSISTANCE FOR

INTERNATIONAL MALARIA CONTROL

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘International Malaria Control

Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The World Health Organization estimates that there

are 300,000,000 to 500,000,000 cases of malaria each year.

(2) According to the World Health Organization, more than

1,000,000 persons are estimated to die due to malaria each

year.

(3) According to the National Institutes of Health, about

40 percent of the world’s population is at risk of becoming

infected.

(4) About half of those who die each year from malaria

are children under 9 years of age.

(5) Malaria kills one child each 30 seconds.

(6) Although malaria is a public health problem in more

than 90 countries, more than 90 percent of all malaria cases

are in sub-Saharan Africa.

(7) In addition to Africa, large areas of Central and South

America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East are high risk

malaria areas.

(8) These high risk areas represent many of the world’s

poorest nations.

(9) Malaria is particularly dangerous during pregnancy.

The disease causes severe anemia and is a major factor contributing to maternal deaths in malaria endemic regions.

(10) ‘‘Airport malaria’’, the importing of malaria by international aircraft and other conveyances, is becoming more

common, and the United Kingdom reported 2,364 cases of

malaria in 1997, all of them imported by travelers.

(11) In the United States, of the 1,400 cases of malaria

reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

in 1998, the vast majority were imported.

(12) Between 1970 and 1997, the malaria infection rate

in the United States increased by about 40 percent.

(13) Malaria is caused by a single-cell parasite that is

spread to humans by mosquitoes.

(14) No vaccine is available and treatment is hampered

by development of drug-resistant parasites and insecticideresistant mosquitoes.

SEC. 103. ASSISTANCE FOR MALARIA PREVENTION, TREATMENT, CONTROL, AND ELIMINATION.

(a) ASSISTANCE.—
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the United States

Agency for International Development, in coordination with

the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations, shall provide assistance for the establishment and conduct of activities designed to prevent, treat, control, and eliminate malaria in countries with a high percentage

of malaria cases.

(2) CONSIDERATION OF INTERACTION AMONG EPIDEMICS.—

In providing assistance pursuant to paragraph (1), the Administrator should consider the interaction among the epidemics

of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

(3) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION REQUIREMENT.—Activities referred to in paragraph (1) shall include the dissemination

of information relating to the development of vaccines and

therapeutic agents for the prevention of malaria (including

information relating to participation in, and the results of,

clinical trials for such vaccines and agents conducted by United

States Government agencies) to appropriate officials in such

countries.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated

to carry out subsection (a) $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal

years 2001 and 2002.

(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant to the

authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until expended.

TITLE II—POLICY OF THE UNITED

STATES WITH RESPECT TO MACAU

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘United States-Macau Policy

Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.—Congress makes the following findings and declarations:

(1) The continued economic prosperity of Macau furthers

United States interests in the People’s Republic of China and

Asia.

(2) Support for democratization is a fundamental principle

of United States foreign policy, and as such, that principle

naturally applies to United States policy toward Macau.

(3) The human rights of the people of Macau are of great

importance to the United States and are directly relevant to

United States interests in Macau.

(4) A fully successful transition in the exercise of sovereignty over Macau must continue to safeguard human rights

in and of themselves.

(5) Human rights also serve as a basis for Macau’s continued economic prosperity, and Congress takes note of Macau’s

adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political

Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social,

and Cultural Rights.

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that—
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(1) the United States should play an active role in

maintaining Macau’s confidence and prosperity, Macau’s unique

cultural heritage, and the mutually beneficial ties between

the people of the United States and the people of Macau;

(2) through its policies, the United States should contribute

to Macau’s ability to maintain a high degree of autonomy

in matters other than defense and foreign affairs as promised

by the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Portugal

in the Joint Declaration, particularly with respect to such matters as trade, commerce, law enforcement, finance, monetary

policy, aviation, shipping, communications, tourism, cultural

affairs, sports, and participation in international organizations,

consistent with the national security and other interests of

the United States; and

(3) the United States should actively seek to establish

and expand direct bilateral ties and agreements with Macau

in economic, trade, financial, monetary, mutual legal assistance,

law enforcement, communication, transportation, and other

appropriate areas.

SEC. 203. CONTINUED APPLICATION OF UNITED STATES LAW.

(a) CONTINUED APPLICATION.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any change in the exercise of sovereignty over Macau, and subject to subsections (b)

and (c), the laws of the United States shall continue to apply

with respect to Macau in the same manner as the laws of

the United States were applied with respect to Macau before

December 20, 1999, unless otherwise expressly provided by

law or by Executive order issued pursuant to paragraph (2).

(2) EXCEPTION.—Whenever the President determines that

Macau is not sufficiently autonomous to justify treatment under

a particular law of the United States, or any provision thereof,

different from that accorded the People’s Republic of China,

the President may issue an Executive order suspending the

application of paragraph (1) to such law or provision of law.

The President shall promptly notify the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the

Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate concerning any

such determination and shall publish the Executive order in

the Federal Register.

(b) EXPORT CONTROLS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The export control laws, regulations, and

practices of the United States shall apply to Macau in the

same manner and to the same extent that such laws, regulations, and practices apply to the People’s Republic of China,

and in no case shall such laws, regulations, and practices

be applied less restrictively to exports to Macau than to exports

to the People’s Republic of China.

(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not be

construed as prohibiting the provision of export control assistance to Macau.

(c) INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b) and paragraph

(2), for all purposes, including actions in any court of the

United States, Congress approves of the continuation in force

after December 20, 1999, of all treaties and other international

agreements, including multilateral conventions, entered into
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before such date between the United States and Macau, or

entered into force before such date between the United States

and the Republic of Portugal and applied to Macau, unless

or until terminated in accordance with law.

(2) EXCEPTION.—If, in carrying out this subsection, the

President determines that Macau is not legally competent to

carry out its obligations under any such treaty or other international agreement, or that the continuation of Macau’s obligations or rights under any such treaty or other international

agreement is not appropriate under the circumstances, the

President shall take appropriate action to modify or terminate

such treaty or other international agreement. The President

shall promptly notify the Committee on International Relations

of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign

Relations of the Senate concerning such determination.

SEC. 204. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of

the enactment of this Act, and not later than March 31 of each

of the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Secretary of State shall

transmit to the Committee on International Relations of the House

of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the

Senate a report on conditions in Macau of interest to the United

States. The report shall describe—

(1) significant developments in United States relations with

Macau, including any determination made under section 203;

(2) significant developments related to the change in the

exercise of sovereignty over Macau affecting United States

interests in Macau or United States relations with Macau and

the People’s Republic of China;

(3) the development of democratic institutions in Macau;

(4) compliance by the Government of the People’s Republic

of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal

with their obligations under the Joint Declaration; and

(5) the nature and extent of Macau’s participation in multilateral forums.

(b) SEPARATE PART OF COUNTRY REPORTS.—Whenever a report

is transmitted to Congress on a country-by-country basis, there

shall be included in such report, where applicable, a separate subreport on Macau under the heading of the country that exercises

sovereignty over Macau.

SEC. 205. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) JOINT DECLARATION.—The term ‘‘Joint Declaration’’

means the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People’s

Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of

Portugal on the Question of Macau, dated April 13, 1987.

(2) MACAU.—The term ‘‘Macau’’ means the territory that

prior to December 20, 1999, was the Portuguese Dependent

Territory of Macau and after December 20, 1999, became the

Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic

of China.
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TITLE III—UNITED STATES-CANADA

ALASKA RAIL COMMISSION

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Rails to Resources Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 302. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that—

(1) rail transportation is an essential component of the

North American intermodal transportation system;

(2) the development of economically strong and socially

stable communities in the western United States and Canada

was encouraged significantly by government policies promoting

the development of integrated transcontinental, interstate and

interprovincial rail systems in the States, territories and provinces of the two countries;

(3) United States and Canadian federal support for the

completion of new elements of the transcontinental, interstate

and interprovincial rail systems was halted before rail connections were established to the State of Alaska and the Yukon

Territory;

(4) rail transportation in otherwise isolated areas facilitates

controlled access and may reduce overall impact to environmentally sensitive areas;

(5) the extension of the continental rail system through

northern British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to the

current terminus of the Alaska Railroad would significantly

benefit the United States and Canadian visitor industries by

facilitating the comfortable movement of passengers over long

distances while minimizing effects on the surrounding areas;

and

(6) ongoing research and development efforts in the rail

industry continue to increase the efficiency of rail transportation, ensure safety, and decrease the impact of rail service

on the environment.

SEC. 303. AGREEMENT FOR A UNITED STATES-CANADA BILATERAL

COMMISSION.

The President is authorized and urged to enter into an agreement with the Government of Canada to establish an independent

joint commission to study the feasibility and advisability of linking

the rail system in Alaska to the nearest appropriate point on

the North American continental rail system.

SEC. 304. COMPOSITION OF COMMISSION.

(a) MEMBERSHIP.—

(1) TOTAL MEMBERSHIP.—The Agreement should provide

for the Commission to be composed of 24 members, of which

12 members are appointed by the President and 12 members

are appointed by the Government of Canada.

(2) GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS.—The Agreement should provide for the membership of the Commission, to the maximum

extent practicable, to be representative of—

(A) the interests of the local communities (including

the governments of the communities), aboriginal peoples,

and businesses that would be affected by the connection
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of the rail system in Alaska to the North American continental rail system; and

(B) a broad range of expertise in areas of knowledge

that are relevant to the significant issues to be considered

by the Commission, including economics, engineering,

management of resources, social sciences, fish and game

management, environmental sciences, and transportation.

(b) UNITED STATES MEMBERSHIP.—If the United States and

Canada enter into an agreement providing for the establishment

of the Commission, the President shall appoint the United States

members of the Commission as follows:

(1) Two members from among persons who are qualified

to represent the interests of communities and local governments

of Alaska.

(2) One member representing the State of Alaska, to be

nominated by the Governor of Alaska.

(3) One member from among persons who are qualified

to represent the interests of Native Alaskans residing in the

area of Alaska that would be affected by the extension of

rail service.

(4) Three members from among persons involved in

commercial activities in Alaska who are qualified to represent

commercial interests in Alaska, of which one shall be a representative of the Alaska Railroad Corporation.

(5) One member representing United States Class I rail

carriers and one member representing United States rail labor.

(6) Three members with relevant expertise, at least one

of whom shall be an engineer with expertise in subarctic

transportation and at least one of whom shall have expertise

on the environmental impact of such transportation.

(c) CANADIAN MEMBERSHIP.—The Agreement should provide

for the Canadian membership of the Commission to be representative of broad categories of interests of Canada as the Government

of Canada determines appropriate, consistent with subsection (a)(2).

SEC. 305. GOVERNANCE AND STAFFING OF COMMISSION.

(a) CHAIRMAN.—The Agreement should provide for the Chairman of the Commission to be elected from among the members

of the Commission by a majority vote of the members.

(b) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF UNITED STATES MEM- BERS.— (1) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Commission

appointed by the President who is not an officer or employee

of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate

equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay

prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section

5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including

travel time) during which such member is engaged in the

performance of the duties of the Commission. Each such

member who is an officer or employee of the United States

shall serve without compensation in addition to that received

for services as an officer or employee of the United States.

(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Commission

appointed by the President 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
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or regular places of business in the performance of services

for the Commission.

(c) STAFF.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Agreement should provide for the

appointment of a staff and an executive director to be the

head of the staff.

(2) COMPENSATION.—Funds made available for the Commission by the United States may be used to pay the compensation

of the executive director and other personnel at rates fixed

by the Commission that are not in excess of the rate payable

for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of

title 5, United States Code.

(d) OFFICE.—The Agreement should provide for the office of

the Commission to be located in a mutually agreed location within

the impacted areas of Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and northern

British Columbia.

(e) MEETINGS.—The Agreement should provide for the Commission to meet at least biannually to review progress and to provide

guidance to staff and others, and to hold, in locations within the

affected areas of Alaska, the Yukon Territory and northern British

Columbia, such additional informational or public meetings as the

Commission deems necessary to the conduct of its business.

(f) PROCUREMENT OF SERVICES.—The Agreement should

authorize and encourage the Commission to procure by contract,

to the maximum extent practicable, the services (including any

temporary and intermittent services) that the Commission determines necessary for carrying out the duties of the Commission.

In the case of any contract for the services of an individual, funds

made available for the Commission by the United States may

not be used to pay for the services of the individual at a rate

that exceeds the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay

prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section

5316 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 306. DUTIES.

(a) STUDY.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Agreement should provide for the

Commission to study and assess, on the basis of all available

relevant information, the feasibility and advisability of linking

the rail system in Alaska to the North American continental

rail system through the continuation of the rail system in

Alaska from its northeastern terminus to a connection with

the continental rail system in Canada.

(2) SPECIFIC ISSUES.—The Agreement should provide for

the study and assessment to include the consideration of the

following issues:

(A) Railroad engineering.

(B) Land ownership.

(C) Geology.

(D) Proximity to mineral, timber, tourist, and other

resources.

(E) Market outlook.

(F) Environmental considerations.

(G) Social effects, including changes in the use or availability of natural resources.

(H) Potential financing mechanisms.
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(3) ROUTE.—The Agreement should provide for the Commission, upon finding that it is feasible and advisable to link

the rail system in Alaska as described in paragraph (1), to

determine one or more recommended routes for the rail segment

that establishes the linkage, taking into consideration cost,

distance, access to potential freight markets, environmental

matters, existing corridors that are already used for ground

transportation, the route surveyed by the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II and such other factors as the

Commission determines relevant.

(4) COMBINED CORRIDOR EVALUATION.—The Agreement

should also provide for the Commission to consider whether

it would be feasible and advisable to combine the power transmission infrastructure and petroleum product pipelines of other

utilities into one corridor with a rail extension of the rail

system of Alaska.

(b) REPORT.—The Agreement should require the Commission

to submit to Congress and the Secretary of Transportation and

to the Minister of Transport of the Government of Canada, not

later than 3 years after the Commission commencement date, a

report on the results of the study, including the Commission’s

findings regarding the feasibility and advisability of linking the

rail system in Alaska as described in subsection (a)(1) and the

Commission’s recommendations regarding the preferred route and

any alternative routes for the rail segment establishing the linkage.

SEC. 307. COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

(a) COMMENCEMENT.—The Agreement should provide for the

Commission to begin to function on the date on which all members

are appointed to the Commission as provided for in the Agreement.

(b) TERMINATION.—The Commission should be terminated 90

days after the date on which the Commission submits its report

under section 306.

SEC. 308. FUNDING.

(a) RAILS TO RESOURCES FUND.—The Agreement should provide

for the following:

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The establishment of an interestbearing account to be known as the ‘‘Rails to Resources Fund’’.

(2) CONTRIBUTIONS.—The contribution by the United States

and the Government of Canada to the Fund of amounts that

are sufficient for the Commission to carry out its duties.

(3) AVAILABILITY.—The availability of amounts in the Fund

to pay the costs of Commission activities.

(4) DISSOLUTION.—Dissolution of the Fund upon the termination of the Commission and distribution of the amounts

remaining in the Fund between the United States and the

Government of Canada.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized

to be appropriated to any fund established for use by the Commission as described in subsection (a)(1) $6,000,000, to remain available

until expended.

SEC. 309. DEFINITIONS.

In this title:

(1) AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘Agreement’’ means an agreement described in section 303.
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(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means a

commission established pursuant to any Agreement.

TITLE IV—PACIFIC CHARTER

COMMISSION ACT OF 2000

SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Pacific Charter Commission

Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 402. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this title are—

(1) to promote a consistent and coordinated foreign policy

of the United States to ensure economic and military security

in the Asia-Pacific region;

(2) to support democratization, the rule of law, and human

rights in the Asia-Pacific region;

(3) to promote United States exports to the Asia-Pacific

region by advancing economic cooperation;

(4) to assist in combating terrorism and the spread of

illicit narcotics in the Asia-Pacific region; and

(5) to advocate an active role for the United States Government in diplomacy, security, and the furtherance of good

governance and the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.

SEC. 403. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The President is authorized to establish a

commission to be known as the Pacific Charter Commission (hereafter in this title referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).

(b) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority to establish the

Commission under this section shall expire at the close of December

31, 2002.

SEC. 404. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

(a) DUTIES.—The Commission should establish and carry out,

either directly or through nongovernmental organizations, programs, projects, and activities to achieve the purposes described

in section 402, including research and educational or legislative

exchanges between the United States and countries in the AsiaPacific region.

(b) MONITORING OF DEVELOPMENTS.—The Commission should

monitor developments in countries of the Asia-Pacific region with

respect to United States foreign policy toward such countries, the

status of democratization, the rule of law and human rights in

the region, economic relations among the United States and such

countries, and activities related to terrorism and the illicit narcotics

trade.

(c) POLICY REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—In carrying out

this section, the Commission should evaluate United States Government policies toward countries of the Asia-Pacific region and recommend options for policies of the United States Government with

respect to such countries, with a particular emphasis on countries

that are of importance to the foreign policy, economic, and military

interests of the United States.

(d) CONTACTS WITH OTHER ENTITIES.—In performing the functions described in subsections (a) through (c), the Commission
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should, as appropriate, seek out and maintain contacts with nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and representatives of industry, including receiving reports and updates

from such organizations and evaluating such reports.

(e) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date

of the establishment of the Commission, and not later than the

end of each 12-month period thereafter, the Commission shall prepare and submit to the President and Congress a report that

contains the findings of the Commission, in the case of the initial

report, during the period since the date of establishment of the

Commission, or, in the case of each subsequent report, during

the preceding 12-month period. Each such report shall contain—

(1) recommendations for legislative, executive, or other

actions resulting from the evaluation of policies described in

subsection (c);

(2) a description of programs, projects, and activities of

the Commission for the prior year or, in the case of the initial

report, since the date of establishment of the Commission;

and

(3) a complete accounting of the expenditures made by

the Commission during the prior year or, in the case of the

initial report, since the date of establishment of the Commission.

SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.

(a) COMPOSITION.—If established pursuant to section 403, the

Commission shall be composed of seven members all of whom—

(1) shall be citizens of the United States who are not

officers or employees of any government, except to the extent

they are considered such officers or employees by virtue of

their membership on the Commission; and

(2) shall have interest and expertise in issues relating

to the Asia-Pacific region.

(b) APPOINTMENT.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The individuals referred to in subsection

(a) shall be appointed—

(A) by the President, after consultation with the

Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee

on International Relations of the House of Representatives,

the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate,

and the Chairman and ranking member of the Committee

on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and

(B) by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Not more than four of the

individuals appointed under paragraph (1) may be affiliated

with the same political party.

(c) TERM.—Each member of the Commission shall be appointed

for a term of 6 years.

(d) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled

in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(e) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The President shall designate a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission

from among the members of the Commission.

(f) COMPENSATION.—

(1) RATES OF PAY.—Except as provided in paragraph (2),

members of the Commission shall serve without pay.
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(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Commission

may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of

subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title

5, United States Code.

(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the call of the

Chairperson.

(h) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Commission

shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may

hold hearings.

(i) AFFIRMATIVE DETERMINATIONS.—An affirmative vote by a

majority of the members of the Commission shall be required for

any affirmative determination by the Commission under section

404.

SEC. 406. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

(a) HEARINGS AND INVESTIGATIONS.—The Commission may hold

such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such

testimony and receive such evidence, and conduct such investigations as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this title.

(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

this title. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission,

the head of any such department or agency shall furnish such

information to the Commission as expeditiously as possible.

(c) CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Commission may accept, use, and

dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both

real and personal, for the purpose of assisting or facilitating the

work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and

proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests,

or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available

for disbursement upon order of the Commission.

(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails

in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

SEC. 407. STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES OF COMMISSION.

(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have an

executive director appointed by the Commission who shall serve

the Commission under such terms and conditions as the Commission determines to be appropriate.

(b) STAFF.—The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of

such additional personnel, not to exceed 10 individuals, as it considers appropriate.

(c) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of any Federal agency may

detail, on a nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the

agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying

out its duties under this title.

(d) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The chairperson of the

Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under

section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 408. TERMINATION.

The Commission shall terminate not later than 6 years after

the date of the establishment of the Commission.
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SEC. 409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL.—In the event the Commission is established,

there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title

$2,500,000 for the initial 24-month period of the existence of the

Commission.

(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant to the

authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are authorized

to remain available until expended.

SEC. 410. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This title shall take effect on February 1, 2001.

TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 501. ASSISTANCE EFFORTS IN SUDAN.

(a) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITIES.—Notwithstanding any other

provision of law, the President is authorized to undertake appropriate programs using Federal agencies, contractual arrangements,

or direct support of indigenous groups, agencies, or organizations

in areas outside of control of the Government of Sudan in an

effort to provide emergency relief, promote economic self-sufficiency,

build civil authority, provide education, enhance rule of law and

the development of judicial and legal frameworks, support peopleto-people reconciliation efforts, or implement any program in support of any viable peace agreement at the local, regional, or national

level in Sudan.

(b) EXCEPTION TO EXPORT PROHIBITIONS.—Notwithstanding any

other provision of law, the prohibitions set forth with respect to

Sudan in Executive Order No. 13067 of November 3, 1997 (62

Fed. Register 59989) shall not apply to any export from an area

in Sudan outside of control of the Government of Sudan, or to

any necessary transaction directly related to that export, if the

President determines that the export or related transaction, as

the case may be, would directly benefit the economic development

of that area and its people.

SEC. 502. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TOWING ASSISTANCE.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following findings:

(1) The United States LST Association (in this section

referred to as the ‘‘Association’’) is a patriotic organization

dedicated to honoring the memories of those brave American

servicemen who selflessly served, and often made the ultimate

sacrifice, in the defense of the United States, its allies, and

the principles of democracy and freedom.

(2) The Association is currently engaged in efforts to return

to the United States the former United States warship, Landing

Ship Tank 325 (LST 325) to serve as a memorial to those

American servicemen who went into harm’s way aboard and

from such warships.

(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of the Navy is authorized

to provide towing services from a suitable vessel of the United

States Navy to tow the former LST 325 from its present location,

or a location to be determined by the Secretary, to a port on

the East Coast of the United States to be determined by the

Secretary. The Secretary of the Navy may not provide such services

unless the Secretary finds that the provision of such services will

not interfere with military operations, military readiness, naval
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force presence requirements, or the accomplishment of the specific

missions of the vessel providing the towing services.

(c) LIMITATIONS.—The services authorized by subsection (b) may

not be provided except as part of a regular rotation of the vessel

providing the services back to the United States. Such services

may be provided only after—

(1) the former LST 325 has been determined by a professional marine survey or by the United States Coast Guard

to be seaworthy for towing and meeting requirements for entry

into a United States port; and

(2) the Association has named the United States Navy

as an additional insured party to the tow hull policy covering

the former LST 325, including a waiver of subrogation.

(d) ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary of the

Navy may require such additional terms and conditions in connection with the provision of towing services under this section as

the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the

United States.

SEC. 503. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN

BULGARIA.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that the American University

in Bulgaria—

(1) is a fine educational institution that has received generous and well-deserved financial assistance from the United

States Government;

(2) has a successful track record and is educating a generation of leaders who will shape and determine the future of

their own societies;

(3) has instilled in students in the Balkan region of Europe

the intellectual rigor of the American system of higher education;

(4) promotes the study and understanding of democratic

governance principles;

(5) maintains entrance and academic standards that are

exemplary and has a commitment to providing educational

opportunities that is based upon merit rather than solely on

the ability of students to bear the entire cost of their education;

and

(6) is a cost-effective institution of higher learning and

offers a high-quality education.

(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that

the United States should assist the American University in Bulgaria

to become a self-sustaining institution of higher education in the

Balkan region of Europe.

TITLE VI—PAUL D. COVERDELL WORLD

WISE SCHOOLS ACT OF 2000

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘‘Paul D. Coverdell World Wise

Schools Act of 2000’’.

SEC. 602. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
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(1) Paul D. Coverdell was elected to the Georgia State

Senate in 1970 and later became Minority Leader of the Georgia

State Senate, a post he held for 15 years.

(2) As the 11th Director of the Peace Corps from 1989

to 1991, Paul Coverdell’s dedication to the ideals of peace

and understanding helped to shape today’s Peace Corps.

(3) Paul D. Coverdell believed that Peace Corps volunteers

could not only make a difference in the countries where they

served but that the greatest benefit could be felt at home.

(4) In 1989, Paul D. Coverdell founded the Peace Corps

World Wise Schools Program to help fulfill the Third Goal

of the Peace Corps, ‘‘to promote a better understanding of

the people served among people of the United States’’.

(5) The World Wise Schools Program is an innovative education program that seeks to engage learners in an inquiry

about the world, themselves, and others in order to broaden

perspectives; promote cultural awareness; appreciate global

connections; and encourage service.

(6) In a world that is increasingly interdependent and

ever changing, the World Wise Schools Program pays tribute

to Paul D. Coverdell’s foresight and leadership. In the words

of one World Wise Schools teacher, ‘‘It’s a teacher’s job to

touch the future of a child; it’s the Peace Corps’ job to touch

the future of the world. What more perfect partnership.’’.

(7) Paul D. Coverdell served in the United States Senate

from the State of Georgia from 1993 until his sudden death

on July 18, 2000.

(8) Senator Paul D. Coverdell was beloved by his colleagues

for his civility, bipartisan efforts, and his dedication to public

service.

SEC. 603. DESIGNATION OF PAUL D. COVERDELL WORLD WISE

SCHOOLS PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL.—Effective on the date of enactment of this

Act, the program under section 18 of the Peace Corps Act (22

U.S.C. 2517) referred to before such date as the ‘‘World Wise Schools

Program’’ is redesignated as the ‘‘Paul D. Coverdell World Wise

Schools Program’’.
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(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference before the date of enactment

of this Act in any law, regulation, order, document, record, or

other paper of the United States to the Peace Corps World Wise

Schools Program shall, on and after such date, be considered to

refer to the Paul D. Coverdell World Wise Schools Program.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.