I
103D CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2703
To require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
of the Department of Commerce to conduct a study of the feasibility
of establishing a satellite-based educational network to provide edu-
cational programming to African children.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 21, 1993
Mr. FIELDS of Texas (for himself and Mr. MARKEY) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To require the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration of the Department of Commerce to con-
duct a study of the feasibility of establishing a satellite-
based educational network to provide educational pro-
gramming to African children.
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 ‘‘Mickey Leland Tele-
communications and Education Assistance to Africa Act
of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) During his decade serving Texas and the
Nation in the United States House of Representa-
tives, George T. ‘‘Mickey’’ Leland led tireless efforts
on behalf of the world’s hungry and downtrodden.
(2) The late Congressman Leland’s vision of a
different world transformed his determination to al-
leviate world hunger into a passion that led to the
establishment of the Select Committee on Hunger in
1984.
(3) George T. ‘‘Mickey’’ Leland provided the
poor of Africa, especially the children, with special
compassion, inspiration, and leadership at great per-
sonal risk.
(4) Africa continues to have one of the lowest
per capita income rates and highest starvation rates.
(5) Satellite technology is an important means
of providing quality education to children and adults
in remote areas and is an affordable delivery system
to transmit quality programming.
(6) A coordinated satellite delivery system for
educational instruction will improve the competitive-
ness of Africa, especially among its children.
(7) Satellite technology can provide access to
the vast educational resources of the world and help
ensure that the next generation of African children
have the tools they need to better their futures.
SEC. 3. STUDY REQUIRED.
Part B of the National Telecommunications and In-
formation Administration Organization Act is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 136. STUDY AND REPORT ON SATELLITE-BASED EDU-
CATIONAL NETWORK FOR AFRICAN CHIL-
DREN.
‘‘(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—Within 6 months following
enactment of this section, the National Telecommuni-
cations and Information Administration shall conduct a
feasibility study identifying the opportunities, facilities,
programming and other resources necessary for establish-
ment of networks using modern telecommunications tech-
nologies for the purpose of providing educational and
other training essential to ensure growth and opportuni-
ties in Africa. The study shall pay particular attention to
the educational needs of, and opportunities to address
those needs, in rural and remote areas. In conducting such
study, the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration shall identify resources and programs of
governmental, nongovernmental, and multinational agen-
cies that may be deployed promptly and economically. The
study shall identify any legal, procedural, or technical im-
pediments to the establishment of such a network or net-
works and the appropriate steps to remove such impedi-
ments.
‘‘(b) REPORT
REQUIRED.—The National Tele-
communications and Information Administration shall
submit to the President and the Congress a report on the
results of the study required by subsection (a). The Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Administra-
tion shall include in such report any legislative or adminis-
trative actions required to promote the establishment of
such a network.
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated $285,000 to carry out
this section.’’.
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