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S.1636
HOPE for Africa Act of 1999 (Introduced in the Senate)
SEC. 602. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO SUB -SAHARAN AFRICAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
AND COMPETITION LAW.
(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--
(1) since the onset of the worldwide HIV /AIDS epidemic, approximately
34,000,000 people living in sub -Saharan Africa have been infected with the
disease;
(2) of those infected, approximately 11,500,000 have died; and
(3) the deaths represent 83 percent of the total HIV /AIDS -related deaths
worldwide.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS- It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) it is in the interest of the United States to take all necessary
steps to prevent further spread of infectious disease, particularly HIV /AIDS ; and
(2) individual countries should have the ability to determine the
availability of pharmaceuticals and health care for their citizens in
general, and particularly with respect to the HIV /AIDS epidemic.
(c) LIMITATIONS ON FUNDING- Funds appropriated or otherwise made available
to any department or agency of the United States may not be obligated or
expended to seek, through negotiation or otherwise, the revocation or
revisions of any sub -Saharan African intellectual property
or competition law or policy that is designed to promote access to
pharmaceuticals or other medical technologies if the law or policy, as the
case may be, complies with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights referred to in section 101(d)(15) of the Uruguay
Round Agreements Act.
SEC. 603. EXPANSION OF THE UNITED STATES AND FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE IN
SUB -SAHARAN AFRICA .
(a) FINDINGS- Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States and Foreign Commercial Service (in this section
referred to as the `Commercial Service') plays an important role in helping
United States businesses identify export opportunities and develop reliable
sources of information on commercial prospects in foreign countries.
(2) During the 1980's, the presence of the Commercial Service in sub -Saharan Africa consisted of 14 professionals
providing services in 8 countries. By early 1997, that presence had been
reduced by one-half to 7, in only 4 countries.
(3) Since 1997, the Department of Commerce has slowly begun to increase
the presence of the Commercial Service in sub -Saharan Africa , adding 5 full-time officers
to established posts.
(4) Although the Commercial Service Officers in these countries have
regional responsibilities, this kind of coverage does not adequately service
the needs of United States businesses attempting to do business in sub -Saharan Africa .
(5) Because market information is not widely available in many sub -Saharan African countries, the
presence of additional Commercial Service Officers and resources can play a
significant role in assisting United States businesses in markets in those
countries.
(b) APPOINTMENTS- Subject to the availability of appropriations, by not
later than December 31, 2000, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United States and
Foreign Commercial Service, shall take steps to ensure that--
(1) at least 20 full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in
sub -Saharan Africa ; and
(2) full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in not less
than 10 different sub -Saharan African countries.
(c) REPORTS TO CONGRESS- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, and each year thereafter for 5 years, the Secretary of Commerce,
in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall report to Congress on
actions taken to carry out subsection (b). Each report shall specify--
(1) in what countries full-time Commercial Service Officers are
stationed, and the number of such officers placed in each such country;
and
(2) the effectiveness of the presence of the additional Commercial
Service Officers in increasing United States exports to sub -Saharan African countries.
TITLE VII--OFFSET
SEC. 701. PRIVATE SECTOR FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY NASA
RELATING TO AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE.
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration may
not carry out research and development activities relating to the performance
of aircraft (including supersonic aircraft and subsonic aircraft) unless the
Administrator receives payment in full for such activities from the private
sector.
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