I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 489 
To improve the conduct of strategic communication by the Federal 
Government. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 13, 2009 
Mr. THORNBERRY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
A BILL 
To improve the conduct of strategic communication by the 
Federal Government. 
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 ‘‘Strategic Communica-
tion Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER FOR STRATEGIC COM-
MUNICATION. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The ability of the United States to credibly 
communicate to populations throughout the world is 
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critical for achieving national objectives and is essen-
tial for improving national security and foreign pol-
icy. 
(2) Strategic communication describes a variety 
of instruments used by governments to understand 
global attitudes and cultures, to engage in a dialogue 
of ideas between peoples and institutions, to advise 
policymakers, diplomats, and military leaders on the 
public opinion implications of policy choices, and to 
influence attitudes and behavior through commu-
nications strategies. 
(3) There have been dramatic changes in the 
world, including changes in technology, changes in 
religious, ethnic, and regional conflicts, and changes 
in economic, political, and military relationships. 
These dramatic changes necessitate that the depart-
ments and agencies of the Federal Government re-
sponsible for national security and homeland secu-
rity work more closely together so they may function 
more effectively. 
(4) Since 2001, more than 15 private sector 
and congressional reports have examined public di-
plomacy, with each coming to the conclusion that 
United States efforts in public diplomacy, a subset 
of strategic communication, are lacking in leader-
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ship, strategic direction, interagency coordination, 
and a culture of measurement and evaluation. Spe-
cifically, the Defense Science Board Task Force on 
Strategic Communication concluded that ‘‘United 
States strategic communication must be trans-
formed.’’. 
(b) CENTER FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of State shall solicit from organizations whose 
primary role is research and analysis related to na-
tional security and foreign policy offers to establish 
a Center for Strategic Communication (in this Act 
referred to as the ‘‘Center’’) within such organiza-
tions. The Secretary shall select from among such 
offers one organization to establish the Center. 
(2) TAX EXEMPT REQUIREMENT.—To be eligi-
ble to make an offer under this subsection, an orga-
nization shall be an organization described in section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Center shall have the following du-
ties: 
(1) Provide information and analysis on a reg-
ular basis to civilian and military decisionmakers in 
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