Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-2553
Sponsor: Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2007-05-24 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cultural relations
Embassies
Federal advisory bodies
Federal libraries
Gifts
Government Operations and Politics
History
Motion pictures

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: 
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to ensure that diplomatic and consular mission libraries and resource centers: (1) are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films (to be known as the Johnny Grant Film Series) that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. 

action_date: 2007-10-09
text: 
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films (to be known as the Johnny Grant Film Series) that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. 
 
Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.

action_date: 2008-09-12
text: 
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions.
 
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. 
 
Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 958.
action_date: 2008-09-12
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with amendments. With written report No. 110-459.
action_date: 2008-09-12
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Biden with amendments. With written report No. 110-459.
action_date: 2008-06-24
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2007-10-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H11346)
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H11346)
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2553.
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11346-11347)
action_date: 2007-10-09
text: Ms. Watson moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-05-24
text: Introduced in House