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2 USC CHAPTER 22B - HUNGER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 01/06/03

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TITLE 2 - THE CONGRESS

CHAPTER 22B - HUNGER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

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CHAPTER 22B - HUNGER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

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Sec.

1161. Hunger fellowship program.

(a) Short title; findings.

(b) Establishment.

(c) Board of Trustees.

(d) Purposes; authority of program.

(e) Trust Fund.

(f) Expenditures; audits.

(g) Staff; powers of program.

(h) Report.

(i) Authorization of appropriations.

(j) Definition.

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2 USC Sec. 1161 01/06/03

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TITLE 2 - THE CONGRESS

CHAPTER 22B - HUNGER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

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Sec. 1161. Hunger fellowship program

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(a) Short title; findings

(1) Short title

This section may be cited as the ''Congressional Hunger Fellows

Act of 2002''.

(2) Findings

The Congress finds as follows:

(A) There is a critical need for compassionate individuals

who are committed to assisting people who suffer from hunger as

well as a need for such individuals to initiate and administer

solutions to the hunger problem.

(B) Bill Emerson, the distinguished late Representative from

the 8th District of Missouri, demonstrated his commitment to

solving the problem of hunger in a bipartisan manner, his

commitment to public service, and his great affection for the

institution and the ideals of the United States Congress.

(C) George T. (Mickey) Leland, the distinguished late

Representative from the 18th District of Texas, demonstrated

his compassion for those in need, his high regard for public

service, and his lively exercise of political talents.

(D) The special concern that Mr. Emerson and Mr. Leland

demonstrated during their lives for the hungry and poor was an

inspiration for others to work toward the goals of equality and

justice for all.

(E) These two outstanding leaders maintained a special bond

of friendship regardless of political affiliation and worked

together to encourage future leaders to recognize and provide

service to others, and therefore it is especially appropriate

to honor the memory of Mr. Emerson and Mr. Leland by creating a

fellowship program to develop and train the future leaders of

the United States to pursue careers in humanitarian service.

(b) Establishment

There is established as an independent entity of the legislative

branch of the United States Government the Congressional Hunger

Fellows Program (hereinafter in this section referred to as the

''Program'').

(c) Board of Trustees

(1) In general

The Program shall be subject to the supervision and direction

of a Board of Trustees.

(2) Members of the Board of Trustees

(A) Appointment

The Board shall be composed of 6 voting members appointed

under clause (i) and one nonvoting ex officio member designated

in clause (ii) as follows:

(i) Voting members

(I) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall

appoint two members.

(II) The minority leader of the House of Representatives

shall appoint one member.

(III) The majority leader of the Senate shall appoint two

members.

(IV) The minority leader of the Senate shall appoint one

member.

(ii) Nonvoting member

The Executive Director of the program shall serve as a

nonvoting ex officio member of the Board.

(B) Terms

Members of the Board shall serve a term of 4 years.

(C) Vacancy

(i) Authority of Board

A vacancy in the membership of the Board does not affect

the power of the remaining members to carry out this section.

(ii) Appointment of successors

A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall be filled in

the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

(iii) Incomplete term

If a member of the Board does not serve the full term

applicable to the member, the individual appointed to fill

the resulting vacancy shall be appointed for the remainder of

the term of the predecessor of the individual.

(D) Chairperson

As the first order of business of the first meeting of the

Board, the members shall elect a Chairperson.

(E) Compensation

(i) In general

Subject to clause (ii), members of the Board may not

receive compensation for service on the Board.

(ii) Travel

Members of the Board may be reimbursed for travel,

subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in

carrying out the duties of the program.

(3) Duties

(A) Bylaws

(i) Establishment

The Board shall establish such bylaws and other regulations

as may be appropriate to enable the Board to carry out this

section, including the duties described in this paragraph.

(ii) Contents

Such bylaws and other regulations shall include provisions

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(I) for appropriate fiscal control, funds accountability,

and operating principles;

(II) to prevent any conflict of interest, or the

appearance of any conflict of interest, in the procurement

and employment actions taken by the Board or by any officer

or employee of the Board and in the selection and placement

of individuals in the fellowships developed under the

program;

(III) for the resolution of a tie vote of the members of

the Board; and

(IV) for authorization of travel for members of the

Board.

(iii) Transmittal to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the date of the first meeting

of the Board, the Chairperson of the Board shall transmit to

the appropriate congressional committees a copy of such

bylaws.

(B) Budget

For each fiscal year the program is in operation, the Board

shall determine a budget for the program for that fiscal year.

All spending by the program shall be pursuant to such budget

unless a change is approved by the Board.

(C) Process for selection and placement of fellows

The Board shall review and approve the process established by

the Executive Director for the selection and placement of

individuals in the fellowships developed under the program.

(D) Allocation of funds to fellowships

The Board of Trustees shall determine the priority of the

programs to be carried out under this section and the amount of

funds to be allocated for the Emerson and Leland fellowships.

(d) Purposes; authority of program

(1) Purposes

The purposes of the program are -

(A) to encourage future leaders of the United States to

pursue careers in humanitarian service, to recognize the needs

of people who are hungry and poor, and to provide assistance

and compassion for those in need;

(B) to increase awareness of the importance of public

service; and

(C) to provide training and development opportunities for

such leaders through placement in programs operated by

appropriate organizations or entities.

(2) Authority

The program is authorized to develop such fellowships to carry

out the purposes of this section, including the fellowships

described in paragraph (3).

(3) Fellowships

(A) In general

The program shall establish and carry out the Bill Emerson

Hunger Fellowship and the Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship.

(B) Curriculum

(i) In general

The fellowships established under subparagraph (A) shall

provide experience and training to develop the skills and

understanding necessary to improve the humanitarian

conditions and the lives of individuals who suffer from

hunger, including -

(I) training in direct service to the hungry in

conjunction with community-based organizations through a

program of field placement; and

(II) experience in policy development through placement

in a governmental entity or nonprofit organization.

(ii) Focus of Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship

The Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship shall address hunger and

other humanitarian needs in the United States.

(iii) Focus of Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship

The Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship shall address

international hunger and other humanitarian needs.

(iv) Workplan

To carry out clause (i) and to assist in the evaluation of

the fellowships under paragraph (4), the program shall, for

each fellow, approve a work plan that identifies the target

objectives for the fellow in the fellowship, including

specific duties and responsibilities related to those

objectives.

(C) Period of fellowship

(i) Emerson Fellow

A Bill Emerson Hunger Fellowship awarded under this

paragraph shall be for no more than 1 year.

(ii) Leland Fellow

A Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship awarded under this

paragraph shall be for no more than 2 years. Not less than 1

year of the fellowship shall be dedicated to fulfilling the

requirement of subparagraph (B)(i)(I).

(D) Selection of fellows

(i) In general

A fellowship shall be awarded pursuant to a nationwide

competition established by the program.

(ii) Qualification

A successful applicant shall be an individual who has

demonstrated -

(I) an intent to pursue a career in humanitarian service

and outstanding potential for such a career;

(II) leadership potential or actual leadership

experience;

(III) diverse life experience;

(IV) proficient writing and speaking skills;

(V) an ability to live in poor or diverse communities;

and

(VI) such other attributes as determined to be

appropriate by the Board.

(iii) Amount of award

(I) In general

Each individual awarded a fellowship under this paragraph

shall receive a living allowance and, subject to subclause

(II), an end-of-service award as determined by the program.

(II) Requirement for successful completion of fellowship

Each individual awarded a fellowship under this paragraph

shall be entitled to receive an end-of-service award at an

appropriate rate for each month of satisfactory service as

determined by the Executive Director.

(iv) Recognition of fellowship award

(I) Emerson Fellow

An individual awarded a fellowship from the Bill Emerson

Hunger Fellowship shall be known as an ''Emerson Fellow''.

(II) Leland Fellow

An individual awarded a fellowship from the Mickey Leland

Hunger Fellowship shall be known as a ''Leland Fellow''.

(4) Evaluation

The program shall conduct periodic evaluations of the Bill

Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships. Such evaluations

shall include the following:

(A) An assessment of the successful completion of the work

plan of the fellow.

(B) An assessment of the impact of the fellowship on the

fellows.

(C) An assessment of the accomplishment of the purposes of

the program.

(D) An assessment of the impact of the fellow on the

community.

(e) Trust Fund

(1) Establishment

There is established the Congressional Hunger Fellows Trust

Fund (hereinafter in this section referred to as the ''Fund'') in

the Treasury of the United States, consisting of amounts

appropriated to the Fund under subsection (i) of this section,

amounts credited to it under paragraph (3), and amounts received

under subsection (g)(3)(A) of this section.

(2) Investment of funds

The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest the full amount of

the Fund. Each investment shall be made in an interest bearing

obligation of the United States or an obligation guaranteed as to

principal and interest by the United States that, as determined

by the Secretary in consultation with the Board, has a maturity

suitable for the Fund.

(3) Return on investment

Except as provided in subsection (f)(2) of this section, the

Secretary of the Treasury shall credit to the Fund the interest

on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, obligations

held in the Fund.

(f) Expenditures; audits

(1) In general

The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the program

from the amounts described in subsection (e)(3) of this section

and subsection (g)(3)(A) of this section such sums as the Board

determines are necessary to enable the program to carry out the

provisions of this section.

(2) Limitation

The Secretary may not transfer to the program the amounts

appropriated to the Fund under subsection (i) of this section.

(3) Use of funds

Funds transferred to the program under paragraph (1) shall be

used for the following purposes:

(A) Stipends for fellows

To provide for a living allowance for the fellows.

(B) Travel of fellows

To defray the costs of transportation of the fellows to the

fellowship placement sites.

(C) Insurance

To defray the costs of appropriate insurance of the fellows,

the program, and the Board.

(D) Training of fellows

To defray the costs of preservice and midservice education

and training of fellows.

(E) Support staff

Staff described in subsection (g) of this section.

(F) Awards

End-of-service awards under subsection (d)(3)(D)(iii)(II) of

this section.

(G) Additional approved uses

For such other purposes that the Board determines appropriate

to carry out the program.

(4) Audit by GAO

(A) In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an

annual audit of the accounts of the program.

(B) Books

The program shall make available to the Comptroller General

all books, accounts, financial records (including records of

salaries of the Executive Director and other personnel),

reports, files, and all other papers, things, or property

belonging to or in use by the program and necessary to

facilitate such audit.

(C) Report to Congress

The Comptroller General shall submit a copy of the results of

each such audit to the appropriate congressional committees.

(g) Staff; powers of program

(1) Executive Director

(A) In general

The Board shall appoint an Executive Director of the program

who shall administer the program. The Executive Director shall

carry out such other functions consistent with the provisions

of this section as the Board shall prescribe.

(B) Restriction

The Executive Director may not serve as Chairperson of the

Board.

(C) Compensation

The Executive Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed

the rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive

Schedule under section 5316 of title 5.

(2) Staff

(A) In general

With the approval of a majority of the Board, the Executive

Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as

the Executive Director considers necessary and appropriate to

carry out the functions of the provisions of this section.

(B) Compensation

An individual appointed under subparagraph (A) shall be paid

at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level

GS-15 of the General Schedule.

(3) Powers

In order to carry out the provisions of this section, the

program may perform the following functions:

(A) Gifts

The program may solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts,

bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and

personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of

the program. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds

from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or

devises shall be deposited in the Fund and shall be available

for disbursement upon order of the Board.

(B) Experts and consultants

The program may procure temporary and intermittent services

under section 3109 of title 5, but at rates for individuals not

to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of

basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General Schedule.

(C) Contract authority

The program may contract, with the approval of a majority of

the members of the Board, with and compensate Government and

private agencies or persons without regard to section 5 of

title 41.

(D) Other necessary expenditures

The program shall make such other expenditures which the

program considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this

section, but excluding project development.

(h) Report

Not later than December 31 of each year, the Board shall submit

to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the

activities of the program carried out during the previous fiscal

year, and shall include the following:

(1) An analysis of the evaluations conducted under subsection

(d)(4) of this section (relating to evaluations of the Emerson

and Leland fellowships and accomplishment of the program

purposes) during that fiscal year.

(2) A statement of the total amount of funds attributable to

gifts received by the program in that fiscal year (as authorized

under subsection (g)(3)(A) of this section), and the total amount

of such funds that were expended to carry out the program that

fiscal year.

(i) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $18,000,000 to carry out

the provisions of this section.

(j) Definition

In this section, the term ''appropriate congressional

committees'' means -

(1) the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on

International Relations of the House of Representatives; and

(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and

the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate.

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(Pub. L. 107-171, title IV, Sec. 4404, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat.

335.)

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REFERENCES IN TEXT

GS-15 of the General Schedule, referred to in subsec. (g)(2)(B),

(3)(B), is set out under section 5332 of Title 5, Government

Organization and Employees.

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EFFECTIVE DATE

Pub. L. 107-171, title IV, Sec. 4405, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat.

341, provided that: ''Except as otherwise provided in this title

(see Short Title of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 2011

of Title 7, Agriculture), the amendments made by this title take

effect on October 1, 2002.''

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