I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2399
To establish a commission to recommend a strategy for the global eradication
of disease.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 30, 1999
Mr. GEKAS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Commerce
A BILL
To establish a commission to recommend a strategy for the
global eradication of disease.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Commission
for the New National Goal: The Advancement of Global
Health Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) During the 20th century the United States
led the world in defeating totalitarianism and com-
munism.
(2) The United States also led the world in
spreading and establishing democracy in every re-
gion.
(3) The end of global conflict and the end of
the Cold War, now guaranteed by the power and
leadership of the United States, allow the Nation to
establish new goals for the 21st century.
(4) The United States, the world leader in the
research, development, and production of tech-
nologies, medicines, and methodologies utilized to
prevent and cure disease, has established a Center
for Vaccine Development at the National Institutes
of Health that could assist in the global control of
infectious diseases. Infectious disease is the number
one global health challenge killing 11 million people
globally and 180,000 people in the United States
and is the third leading cause of death in the United
States. The United States has the resources,
through the National Institutes of Health and the
National Science Foundation, to expand health re-
search information globally through the use of Inter-
net conferencing and dissemination of data.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
‘‘National Commission for the New National Goal: The
Advancement of Global Health’’ (in this Act referred to
as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall recommend to the Congress a
national strategy for coordinating governmental, aca-
demic, and public and private health care entities for the
purpose of the global eradication of disease. The Commis-
sion shall address how the United States may assist in
the global control of infectious diseases through the devel-
opment of vaccines and the sharing of health research in-
formation on the Internet.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.—The Com-
mission shall consist of individuals who are of recognized
standing and distinction and who possess the dem-
onstrated capacity to discharge the duties imposed on the
Commission, and shall include representatives of the pub-
lic, private, and academic areas whose capacity is based
on a special knowledge, such as computer sciences or the
use of the Internet for medical conferencing, or expertise
in medical research or related areas.
(b) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 15 members appointed as follows:
(1) The Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices (or the Secretary’s delegate).
(2) The Chairman of the Federal Trade Com-
mission.
(3) The Director of the National Institutes of
Health.
(4) The Director of the National Science Foun-
dation.
(5) 3 Members of the Senate appointed jointly
by the President of the Senate and the President
pro tempore. Not more than 2 members appointed
under this paragraph may be of the same political
party.
(6) 3 Members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives. Not more than 2 members appointed
under this paragraph may be of the same political
party.
(7) 2 individuals appointed by the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from
among individuals who are not officers or employees
of any government and who are specially qualified to
serve on the Commission by virtue of their edu-
cation, training, or experience.
(8) 3 individuals appointed by the President
from among individuals who will represent the views
of recipients of health services. Not more than 1
member appointed under this paragraph may be an
officer or employee of the Federal Government.
(c) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member
was appointed to the Commission as a Member of Con-
gress and the member ceases to be a Member of Congress,
that member may continue as a member for not longer
than the 30-day period beginning on the date that member
ceases to be a Member of Congress.
(d) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the
life of the Commission.
(e) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve without pay.
(f) QUORUM.—Nine members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold
hearings.
(g) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Chair-
person and Vice Chairperson of the Commission shall be
designated by the President at the time of the appoint-
ment.
(h) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet monthly
or at the call of a majority of its members.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hear-
ings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and
receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the
Commission, take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this section.
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission
may secure directly from any department or agency of the
United States information necessary to enable it to carry
out this Act. Upon request of the Chairperson or Vice
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that depart-
ment or agency shall furnish that information to the Com-
mission.
(d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.— The Com-
mission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests,
or devises of services or property, both real and personal,
for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and pro-
ceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, be-
quests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and
shall be available for disbursement upon order of the
Chairperson or Commission. For purposes of Federal in-
come, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under this
subsection shall be considered as a gift, bequest, or devise
to the United States.
(e) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
States.
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the
request of the Commission, the Administrator of General
Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimburs-
able basis, the administrative support services necessary
for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under
this Act.
(g) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— The Commission may
contract with and compensate government and private
agencies or persons for administrative and other services,
without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes
(41 U.S.C. 5).
SEC. 7. REPORTS.
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to the President and the Congress interim reports as
the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall transmit
a final report to the President and the Congress not later
than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
The final report shall contain a detailed statement of the
findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with
its recommendations for legislative, administrative, or
other actions, as the Commission considers appropriate.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after sub-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 7.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect 60 days after the date of
its enactment.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed
$1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 for the National Institutes
of Health to carry out coordination activities under this
Act with the Commission, the National Science Founda-
tion, and other appropriate groups to transfer health re-
search information on the Internet and to transfer the
benefits of the infectious disease vaccine development pro-
gram.
SEC. 11. BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE.
Any spending authority (as defined in subparagraphs
(A) and (C) of section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 651(c)(2)(A) and (C))) au-
thorized by this Act shall be effective only to such extent
and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts.
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