victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife
and warfare, including—
(A) conducting research on psychological
and social factors that lead to successful recov-
ery;
(B) developing, testing, and evaluating
model interventions that reduce post-traumatic
stress and promote health and well-being;
(C) developing basic instruction tools for
initial medical response to traumatic injuries;
and
(D) developing basic instruction manuals
for patients and healthcare providers, including
for emergency and follow-up care, proper ampu-
tation procedures, and reconstructive surgery.
(2) Facilitation of peer support networks for in-
dividuals with disabilities, including victims of land-
mines and other victims of civil strife and warfare,
in foreign countries, including—
(A) establishment of organizations at the
local level, administered by such individuals, to
assess and address the physical, psychological,
economic and social rehabilitation and other
needs of such individuals, together with their
families as appropriate, for the purpose of eco-
nomic and social reintegration into local com-
munities; and
(B) training related to the implementation
of such peer support networks, including train-
ing of outreach workers to assist in the establish-
ment of organizations such as those described in
subparagraph (A) and assistance to facilitate the
use of the networks by such individuals.
(3) Sharing of expertise from limb-loss and dis-
ability research centers in the United States with
similar centers and facilities in war-affected coun-
tries, including promoting increased health for indi-
viduals with limb loss and limb deficiency and epide-
miological research on secondary medical conditions
related to limb loss and limb deficiency.
(4) Developing a database of best practices to ad-
dress the needs of the war-related disabled through
comprehensive examination of support activities re-
lated to such disability and access to medical care
and supplies.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Health
and Human Services to carry out this section such sums
as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 through
2004.
SEC. 5. EXPERTISE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized—
(1) to provide advice and expertise on pros-
thetics, orthotics, physical and psychological rehabili-
tation and treatment, and disability assistance to
other Federal departments and agencies, including
providing for temporary assignment on a non-reim-
bursable basis of appropriate Department of Veterans
Affairs personnel, with respect to the implementation
of programs to provide assistance to victims of land-
mines and other victims of civil strife and warfare in
foreign countries and landmine research and health-
related programs, including programs established
pursuant to section 135 of the Foreign Assistance Act
of 1961 (as added by section 3 of this Act) and pro-
grams established pursuant to section 4 of this Act;
and
(2) to provide technical assistance to private vol-
untary organizations on a reimbursable basis with re-
spect to the planning, development, operation, and
evaluation of such landmine assistance, research, and
prevention programs.
SEC. 6. INTERAGENCY GROUP.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of State shall es-
tablish and chair an interagency group to ensure coordina-
tion of all Federal programs that furnish assistance to vic-
tims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and war-
fare, and conduct landmine research, demining and preven-
tion programs.
(b) OTHER MEMBERS.—Members of the interagency
group shall include, but not be limited to, representatives
from—
(1) the United States Agency for International
Development;
(2) the Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices;
(3) the Department of Education;
(4) the Department of Defense; and
(5) the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) PUBLIC MEETINGS.—At least once each calendar
year, the interagency group should hold a public meeting
in order to afford an opportunity for any person to present
views regarding the activities of the United States Govern-
ment with respect to assistance to victims of landmines and
other victims of civil strife and warfare and related pro-
grams. The Secretary of State shall maintain a record of
each meeting and shall make the record available to the
public.
Union Calendar No. 160
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3169
[Report No. 107–265]
A BILL
To authorize assistance for individuals with disabil-
ities in foreign countries, including victims of
landmines and other victims of civil strife and
warfare, and for other purposes.
NOVEMBER 5, 2001
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union,
and ordered to be printed