I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3251
To establish the National Commission on the Impact of United States Culture
on American Youth.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 8, 1999
Ms. KAPTUR (for herself and Mr. HUNTER) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
A BILL
To establish the National Commission on the Impact of
United States Culture on American Youth.
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 ‘‘America’s Youth Com-
mission Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) American youth, up to 18 years of age, rep-
resent the freest, most educated, most affluent gen-
eration this Nation has known. A majority will grad-
uate from high school, will come from families in
which the parents or guardians are employed and
own property, and will come from a society which
has achieved unparalleled national economic and so-
cial opportunity in a world largely at peace.
(2) The potential for this generation of Amer-
ican youth to make lasting contributions to free-
dom’s cause is unparalleled. Yet, despite this favor-
able domestic and international climate, some seri-
ous flaws have appeared in America’s social and cul-
tural fabric, characterized by destructive behaviors
among some of our youth that are damaging our
Nation and the ability of this generation to achieve
its full potential.
(3) While most of America’s youth are achiev-
ing academically and developing wholesome construc-
tive pursuits, youth violence in places like Littleton,
Colorado, Springfield, Oregon, and Jonesboro, Ar-
kansas, and the rash of copycat incidents, threat-
ened or real, across the Nation has brought to the
fore a troubling lack of respect by some for other in-
dividuals that lies at the heart of a free society.
(4) Across our Nation, school ‘‘pranks’’ have in
many cases been destructive to schools and property
and reveal a serious lack of understanding by the
perpetrators of the true costs of their actions.
(5) Equally serious are the consistently high
and personally destructive levels of alcohol and drug
use by American youth, sometimes coupled with gun
violence, as well as increasing levels of teenage sui-
cide and eating disorders, such as bulimia and ano-
rexia.
(6) Upholding human dignity faces challenges
in the media as well. By the time children in the
United States have passed through the eighth grade,
they will have witnessed an average of 8,000 mur-
ders and over 100,000 other acts of violence through
the media. In addition, many video games, music,
films, and Internet websites present material so de-
grading to human dignity that they undermine the
value of human life and elevate the bizarre to nor-
mal. Some have characterized this as a ‘‘culture of
death’’ that permeates the consciousness of Amer-
ican youth.
(7) The structure of family, neighborhoods,
work, and community in the United States has been
transformed in the last 30 years as economic growth
and mobility have impacted families’ aspirations and
livelihoods. The static purchasing power of families,
mergers, and dislocation of production, higher family
mobility and suburbanization, rising levels of foster
children, all have contributed to a more fluid social
structure and less continuity for youth in permanent
nurturing relationships with family and community.
The social consequences of these changes, along with
the pervasive influence of media, demand attention,
for developmental attachments by adults toward
youth that characterized previous generations have
become more tenuous in today’s society.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
‘‘National Commission on the Impact of United States
Culture on America’s Youth’’ (hereinafter in this Act re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTY OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall investigate and make findings
and recommendations with respect to—
(1) the condition and status of contemporary
youth in America compared to prior generations,
with particular attention to family, neighborhood,
schools, scholastic attainment, work, and community
involvement;
(2) the nature, origins, and trends of antisocial
and violent behavior among American youth,
including—
(A) an analysis of the trends in violent
acts in families, neighborhoods, and schools;
and
(B) the influence of organizations, other
cultural elements, and individuals contributing
to the incitement or encouragement of violent
behaviors;
(3) identification of successful initiatives that
involve youth in positive development and experi-
ences that curb antisocial behavior among youth;
(4) recommendations for averting and reducing
violence among American youth; and
(5) recommendations for parents, families, non-
governmental and private sector organizations and
Federal, State, and local authorities in building posi-
tive developmental experiences among American
youth.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 11 members appointed as follows:
(1) Two members appointed by the Speaker of
the House of Representatives.
(2) Two members appointed by the majority
Leader of the Senate.
(3) Two members appointed by the minority
Leader of the House of Representatives.
(4) Two members appointed by the minority
Leader of the Senate.
(5) Three members appointed by the President.
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—The members shall—
(1) not be incumbent Members of Congress;
and
(2) be specially qualified to serve on the Com-
mission by reason of education, training, or experi-
ence.
(c) TERMS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each member shall be ap-
pointed for the life of the Commission.
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(d) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve without pay.
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States
Code.
(f) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold
hearings.
(g) CHAIR.—The Chair of the Commission shall be
designated by the President at the time of the appoint-
ment.
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.
The Commission shall ensure that its hearings and ses-
sions are open to the public, with significant opportunities
for testimony from members of the general public.
(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 of the Com-
mission, the head of that department or agency shall co-
operate with the Commission in providing that informa-
tion.
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
(e) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission may
contract with and compensate Government or private
agencies or persons for supplies or services, without regard
to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).
SEC. 7. REPORT.
(a) INTERIM REPORT.—The Commission shall trans-
mit an interim report to the President and the Congress
not later than 180 days after the date the Commission
is duly organized.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall transmit
a final report to the President and the Congress not later
than one year after the date the Commission is duly orga-
nized. The final report shall contain a detailed statement
of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, to-
gether with its recommendations for legislation.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after trans-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 7(b).
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000
for fiscal year 2000 to carry out this Act, to remain avail-
able until expended.
SEC. 10. 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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