I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4580
To establish the Geno Baroni Commission on Neighborhoods and provide
for a White House Conference on Neighborhoods, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 14, 1994
Ms. KAPTUR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
A BILL
To establish the Geno Baroni Commission on Neighborhoods
and provide for a White House Conference on Neighbor-
hoods, and for other purposes.
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 ‘‘Geno Baroni Com-
memorative Neighborhood Policy Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.—The Congress finds
that—
(1) 1994 is the 10th anniversary of the death
of Monsignor Geno Baroni, former Assistant Sec-
retary of the Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment;
(2) Monsignor Baroni was instrumental in
drawing attention to the plight of neighborhoods in
the United States;
(3) Monsignor Baroni was a champion of civil
rights who joined the late Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., in civil rights marches, a passionate crusader
against poverty, and a visionary leader for cultural
pluralism and ethnic and racial harmony in the
United States;
(4) Monsignor Baroni was a minister of the
people, interested in the social needs of urban com-
munities, who, as a street priest, helped heal the
community in Washington D.C., after the urban
riots in the late 1960’s;
(5) Monsignor Baroni expressed great caution
regarding the approaches used by Federal programs,
demanding that they should work with people, not
for them or to them;
(6) Monsignor Baroni transcended traditional
religious and political boundaries and dared to envi-
sion and attempt to create a world unified in its ef-
forts to battle against poverty, crime, social injus-
tice, and ethnic and racial division;
(7) Monsignor Baroni’s contribution to, and in-
fluence in, the United States are singular and im-
measurable, and include—
(A) inspiring a new generation to tackle
some of the Nation’s most profound and intrac-
table challenges of poverty, illiteracy, and fear
by revitalizing the economic and cultural viabil-
ity of their communities; and
(B) building coalitions among ethnically di-
verse groups and working to eliminate dishar-
mony between races;
(8) Monsignor Baroni became the first Assist-
ant Secretary at the Department of Housing and
Urban Development to champion the cause of neigh-
borhood empowerment and revitalization through
local self-help organizations;
(9) as a result of the pioneering efforts of Mon-
signor Baroni and the passage of landmark Federal
legislation, 
over 
2,500 
self-help 
organizations
throughout the United States have undertaken hous-
ing and neighborhood development;
(10) such organizations that have become an in-
creasingly prominent force in rebuilding and revital-
izing urban communities in the United States;
(11) in the Supplemental Housing Authoriza-
tion Act of 1977, the Congress found that—
(A) existing city neighborhoods are a na-
tional resource to be conserved and revitalized
wherever possible, and that public policy should
promote that objective; and
(B) the tendency of public policy incentives
to ignore the need to preserve the built environ-
ment could no longer be defended, either eco-
nomically or socially, and must be replaced with
explicit policy incentives encouraging the con-
servation of existing neighborhoods;
(12) achieving the objectives of the Supple-
mental Housing Authorization Act of 1977 required
a comprehensive review of existing laws, policies, and
programs which affected neighborhoods, to assess
their impact on neighborhoods, and to recommend
modifications where necessary;
(13) such Act established the National Commis-
sion on Neighborhoods to undertake a comprehen-
sive study and investigation of the factors contribut-
ing to the decline of city neighborhoods and of the
factors necessary to sustain neighborhood economic
and cultural survival and revitalization; and
(14) the Commission recommended modifica-
tions in Federal, State, and local laws and rec-
ommended the policies and programs necessary to
facilitate neighborhood preservation and revitaliza-
tion.
(b) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this Act to com-
memorate the work of Monsignor Geno Baroni by—
(1) establishing the Geno Baroni Commission
on Neighborhoods to assess the progress of the Na-
tion in meeting the recommendations of the National
Commission on Neighborhoods and to assess and
analyze the current challenges, policies, and pro-
grams affecting groups involved in neighborhood re-
vitalization and conservation; and
(2) providing for a White House Conference on
Neighborhoods to facilitate the transfer of knowl-
edge of neighborhood self-help organizations and de-
velop recommendations for neighborhood preserva-
tion and revitalization.
SEC. 3. GENO BARONI COMMISSION ON NEIGHBORHOODS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established a
commission to be known as the Geno Baroni Commission
on Neighborhoods.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 16 members, to be appointed as follows:
(1) 2 members of the Senate appointed by the
President of the Senate, who may not be of the same
political party in an ex officio capacity.
(2) 2 members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives, who may not be of the same political
party in an ex officio capacity.
(3) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Devel-
opment in an ex officio capacity.
(4) 11 public members appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States from among persons spe-
cially qualified by experience and training to perform
the duties of the Commission, 5 of whom shall be
elected officers of recognized neighborhood organiza-
tions engaged in housing and revitalization pro-
grams, and 5 of whom shall be elected or appointed
officials of local governments or private sector bank-
ing or finance representatives, involved in housing
rehabilitation and preservation programs. The re-
maining member shall be an individual with out-
standing demonstrated experience in neighborhood
revitalization activities.
(c) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion shall be appointed by the President from among the
public members appointed under subsection (b)(4).
(d) DIRECTOR.—The Commission shall have a Direc-
tor, appointed by the Commission, who shall be com-
pensated at a rate fixed by the Commission, but which
shall not exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level
V of the Executive Schedule under title 5, United States
Code.
(e) DUTIES.—
(1) ASSESSMENT OF PROGRESS.—The Commis-
sion shall undertake a comprehensive study to assess
progress made in the United States in carrying out
the recommendations made by the National Commis-
sion on Neighborhoods (established under title II of
the Supplemental Housing Authorization Act of
1977), including the recommendations of the Na-
tional Commission regarding—
(A) geographic discrimination (commonly
referred to as ‘‘redlining’’);
(B) targeting assistance to neighborhoods;
(C) displacement;
(D) human services;
(E) community self-help;
(F) community full employment;
(G) property tax reform;
(H) citizen participation; and
(I) neighborhood empowerment.
(2) ASSESSMENT
OF
NEW
PROBLEMS.—The
Commission shall identify and assess any factors
arising since the termination of the National Com-
mission on Neighborhoods that prevent or interfere
with efforts for neighborhood revitalization, includ-
ing escalation of the influence of crime, illegal drug
use, and racial violence in neighborhoods.
(3) ASSESSMENT
OF
NEW
POLICIES.—The
Commission shall assess the impact, influence, roles,
and needs of Federal, State, local, and other poli-
cies, entities, programs, and efforts in revitalizing
neighborhoods, implemented or originated since the
termination of the National Commission on Neigh-
borhoods, including—
(A) neighborhood development organiza-
tions;
(B) financial institutions, including com-
munity development financial institutions;
(C) programs under the National and
Community Service Trust Act of 1993;
(D) community development groups and
community development corporations; and
(E) empowerment zones and enterprise
communities established under subchapter U of
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, and enterprise zones established under
State and local laws.
(4) ASSISTANCE.—The Commission shall assist
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in
carrying out the responsibilities under section 4.
(5) UPDATE OF REPORT.—Not later than the
convening of the Conference under section 4, the
Commission shall update the report of the National
Commission on Neighborhoods entitled ‘‘People
Building Neighborhoods’’, dated March 19, 1979, in-
cluding the information contained in volumes I, II,
and III of such report, by documenting the progress
and accomplishments of the organizations identified
and analyzed in the report and other existing organi-
zations involved in neighborhood revitalization. In
updating the report the Commission shall identify
strategies and activities carried out by such organi-
zations that have been particularly successful in
achieving neighborhood revitalization. The Commis-
sion shall make the updated report under this sec-
tion available at the Conference.
(6) REPORT ON CONFERENCE.—The Commis-
sion shall prepare a report on the Conference in ac-
cordance with section 4(f).
(f) REPORT.—During the White House Conference
on Neighborhoods held pursuant to section 4, the Commis-
sion shall submit to the Congress and the President a com-
prehensive report on its studies and activities under sub-
section (e), which shall include its findings, conclusions,
and recommendations and such proposals for legislation
and administrative action as may be necessary to carry
out such recommendations.
(g) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), members of the Commission shall each be
entitled to receive $100 for each day (including trav-
el time) during which they are engaged in the actual
performance of duties vested in the Commission.
(2) PROHIBITION.—Members of the Commis-
sion who are Members of Congress or full-time offi-
cers or employees of the United States may not re-
ceive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by rea-
son of their service on the Commission, but may re-
ceive expenses under paragraph (3).
(3) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the
Commission shall receive travel expenses, including
per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States
Code.
(h) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—
(1) PERSONNEL.—The Commission shall have
the power to appoint and fix the compensation of
such personnel as it deems advisable.
(2) INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERV-
ICE LAWS.—The Director and staff of the Commis-
sion may be appointed without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap-
pointments in the competitive service, and may be
paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relat-
ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
The rate of pay for the staff may not exceed the an-
nual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Ex-
ecutive Schedule.
(3) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Com-
mission may procure, in accordance with the provi-
sions of section 3109 of title 5, United States Code,
the temporary or intermittent services of experts or
consultants. Persons so employed shall receive com-
pensation at a rate to be fixed by the Commission
but not in excess of $100 per day, including travel-
time.
(4) 
INFORMATION
FROM
AGENCIES
AND
STATES.—The Commission may secure directly from
any department or agency of the United States in-
formation necessary to enable the Commission to
carry out its duties under this section. Upon request
of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of
that department or agency shall furnish that infor-
mation to the Commission. The Chairperson may re-
quest any department, agency, or other office of any
State to furnish, on a reimbursable basis or other-
wise, any information necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out its duties under this section.
(5) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—The Commis-
sion may, for the purpose of carrying out its duties
under this section, hold hearings, sit and act at
times and places, take testimony, and receive evi-
dence as the Commission considers appropriate. The
Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to
witnesses appearing before it.
(i) EXPIRATION OF THE COMMISSION.—The Com-
mission shall cease to exist 30 days after the adjournment
of the Conference under section 4.
SEC. 4. WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON NEIGHBORHOODS.
(a) AUTHORITY TO CALL CONFERENCE.—Not later
than November 30, 1996, the President shall convene a
White House Conference on Neighborhoods to—
(1) facilitate the transfer of knowledge and
sharing of experiences among the broad range of
neighborhood self-help organizations throughout the
United States;
(2) acknowledge the accomplishments of such
organizations;
(3) develop recommendations for additional re-
search and public policy recommendations and ac-
tions in the field of neighborhood preservation and
revitalization; and
(4) disseminate the report of, and information
obtained by, the Commission and exhibit materials
and works of the Commission.
To the extent practicable, the conference may be held in
conjunction with the Festival of American Folk Life, spon-
sored by the Smithsonian Institution.
(b) PLANNING
AND DIRECTION.—The Conference
shall be planned and conducted under the direction of the
Secretary in cooperation with the Commission under sec-
tion 3, and the heads of such other Federal departments
and agencies as are appropriate. Such assistance may in-
clude the assignment of personnel.
(c) PURPOSE OF CONFERENCE.—The purpose of the
Conference shall be—
(1) to increase the public awareness of the
value and needs of neighborhoods and neighborhood
self-help development organizations in the United
States;
(2) to identify the problems facing neighbor-
hoods in the United States and to examine the poli-
cies and issues affecting the stability and sustain-
ability of neighborhoods;
(3) to examine the impact and effectiveness of
efforts by the Federal Government and State and
local governments, and any private efforts, to initi-
ate new neighborhood communities and preserve ex-
isting neighborhood communities;
(4) to develop such specific and comprehensive
recommendations for executive, legislative, and pri-
vate action as may be appropriate for maintaining
and improving the well-being and infrastructure of
neighborhoods; and
(5) to develop recommendations for the coordi-
nation of Federal policy with State and local policy
and needs and to identify the appropriate authority
and entities to implement such recommendations.
(d) 
CONFERENCE
PARTICIPANTS
AND
DELE-
GATES.—
(1) PARTICIPANTS.—To carry out the purposes
of this section, the Conference shall bring together—
(A) professional and lay people who are
working in the field of neighborhood revitaliza-
tion and preservation;
(B) representatives of the Federal Govern-
ment and State and local governments;
(C) representatives of banking, lending,
and other financial institutions; and
(D) representatives of the general public.
(2) SELECTION OF DELEGATES.—The delegates
shall be selected without regard to political affili-
ation or past partisan activity and shall be rep-
resentative of the diversity of thought in the field of
neighborhood revitalization and preservation. Dele-
gates shall include individuals who are professionals,
individuals who are not professionals, minority indi-
viduals, and individuals from low-income families.
(e) CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION.—
(1) ADMINISTRATION.—In administering this
section, the Secretary shall—
(A) request the cooperation and assistance
of the heads of such other Federal departments
and agencies as may be appropriate in the car-
rying out of this section;
(B) furnish all reasonable assistance, in-
cluding financial assistance, to State agencies,
area agencies, and other appropriate organiza-
tions to enable them to organize and conduct
conferences in conjunction with the Conference;
(C) make available for public comment a
proposed agenda for the conference that reflects
to the greatest extent possible the major issues
facing neighborhoods;
(D) prepare and make available back-
ground materials for the use of delegates to the
Conference that the Secretary considers nec-
essary; and
(E) engage such additional personnel as
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of
this section without regard to provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments
in the competitive service, and without regard
to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53
of such title relating to classification and Gen-
eral Schedule pay rates.
(2) DUTIES.—The Secretary shall, in carrying
out the responsibilities and functions of the Sec-
retary under this section, and as part of the White
House Conference on Neighborhoods, ensure that—
(A) the conferences under paragraph
(1)(B) shall be conducted in a manner that en-
sures broad participation of Federal, State, and
local agencies and private organizations, profes-
sionals, and others involved in neighborhood re-
vitalization and preservation;
(B) the agenda prepared under paragraph
(1)(C) for the Conference is published in the
Federal Register; and
(C) the personnel engaged under para-
graph (1)(E) shall be fairly balanced in terms
of points of views represented and shall be ap-
pointed without regard to political affiliation or
previous partisan activities.
(f) REPORT.—The Commission under section 3 shall
prepare a report describing the activities of the Conference
and shall submit the report to the President and the chief
executive officers of the States not later than 90 days after
the date on which the Conference is adjourned.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Geno
Baroni Commission on Neighborhoods established
under section 3;
(2) the term ‘‘Conference’’ means the White
House Conference on Neighborhoods pursuant to
section 4;
(3) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development; and
(4) the term ‘‘State’’ means the States of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Virgin Is-
lands, American Samoa, and any other territory or
possession of the United States.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated—
(1) $4,000,000 to carry out section 3, of which
$2,000,000 shall be available for activities under
section 3(e); and
(2) $2,000,000 to carry out section 4.
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Any amounts appropriated pur-
suant to this section shall remain available until the expi-
ration of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the
adjournment of the Conference.
(c) CONTRACTS.—The Secretary and the Commission
may enter into contracts to carry out their responsibilities
under this Act, but only to the extent, or in such amounts
as are, provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
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