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Week Ending March 16, 2006

H.R.1003 To amend the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

The USACPD is a State Department organization that explains itself this way:

“The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy is a bipartisan panel created by Congress and appointed by the President to provide oversight of U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics.

“The Commission, now in its 57th year, was reauthorized in November 2005 pursuant to Public Law 109-108 (H.R.2862, Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related agencies Appropriations Act, 2006). It is responsible for assessing public diplomacy policies and programs of the U.S. State Department, American missions abroad, and other agencies. Advisory Commission responsibilities extend to international exchanges, U.S. Government international information programs, and publicly funded non-governmental organizations.

“By law, the Commission's seven members are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. They are selected from a cross-section of professional backgrounds and serve 3-year terms with the possibility for reappointment.

The Commission reports its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, the Secretary of State, and to the American people.”

This bill extends the Commission through October 1, 2009.

Sponsor:  Rep. Diane E. Watson (D-CA-33^rd)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote March 13, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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