Agency for International Communication - Message to the Congress Transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977

To the Congress of the United States:

I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1977 to consolidate certain international communication, educational and cultural, and broadcasting activities of the United States Government. I am acting under the authority vested in me by the Reorganization Act, chapter 9 of title 5 of the United States Code. I am also acting pursuant to section 501 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1978 (Public Law 95-105), which provides that my recommendations for reorganizing these activities be transmitted by October 31, 1977.

This reorganization will consolidate into a new agency, to be known as the Agency for International Communication, the functions now exercised by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the United States Information Agency.

The principal aspects of this proposal are:

--The new agency will take over USIA's international communications programs (including the Voice of America) and the international educational and cultural exchange activities now conducted by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

--The agency's Director will be the principal advisor on international information and exchange activities to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of State. Under the direction of the Secretary of State, the Director will have primary responsibility within the Government for the conduct of such activities. The Director, the Deputy Director and the Associate Directors of the new agency will be confirmed by the Senate.

--The two commissions that now advise USIA and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will be combined into a single seven-member commission. Members of this nonpartisan commission will be chosen from fields related to the agency's mission. The commissioners will be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

The purpose of this reorganization is to broaden our informational, educational and cultural intercourse with the world, since this is the major means by which our government can inform others about our country, and inform ourselves about the rest of the world.

The new Agency for International Communication will play a central role in building these two-way bridges of understanding between our people and the other peoples of the world. Only by knowing and understanding each other's experiences can we find common ground on which we can examine and resolve our differences.

The new agency will have two distinct but related goals:

• To tell the world about our society and policies--in particular our commitment to cultural diversity and individual liberty.

• To tell ourselves about the world, so as to enrich our own culture as well as to give us the understanding to deal effectively with problems among nations.

As the world becomes more and more interdependent, such mutual understanding becomes increasingly vital. The aim of this reorganization, therefore, is a more effective dialogue among peoples of the earth. Americans--mostly immigrants or the descendants of immigrants--are particularly well suited to enter into such an undertaking. We have already learned much from those who have brought differing values, perspectives and experiences to our shores. And we must continue to learn.

Thus the new agency will lay heavy emphasis on listening to others, so as to learn something of their motivations and aspirations, their histories and cultures.

Several principles guided me in shaping this reorganization plan. Among the most important were:

--Maintaining the integrity of the educational and cultural exchange programs is imperative. To this end, the plan retains the Board of Foreign Scholarships, whose strong leadership has done so much to insure the high quality of the educational exchange program. In addition, I intend to nominate an Associate Director who will be responsible for the administration and supervision of educational and cultural functions consolidated in the new Agency. The responsibilities presently exercised by the Department of State in relation to the Center for Technical and Cultural Interchange Between East and West, Inc., will be transferred to the new agency without alteration.

--Keeping the Voice of America's news gathering and reporting functions independent and objective. The Voice's charter, enacted into law in 1976, provides that "VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive"; that VOA will "present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions"; and that VOA will present U.S. policies "clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussion and opinion on these policies." Under this Administration, VOA will be solely responsible for the content of news broadcasts--for there is no more valued coin than candor in the international marketplace of ideas. I also plan to nominate an Associate Director who will be responsible for the administration and supervision of the Voice of America.

--The new agency's activities must be straightforward, open, candid, balanced, and representative. They will not be given over to the advancement of the views of any one group, any one party or any one Administration. The agency must not operate in a covert, manipulative, or propagandistic way.

--Rights of U.S. Information Agency and State Department employees must be respected. In the new agency, their career achievements will be recognized and the best possible use made of their professional skills and abilities.

The Director of the new agency will assess and advise on the impact on worldwide public opinion of American foreign policy decisions. The Agency will coordinate the international information, educational, cultural and exchange programs conducted by the U.S. Government and will be a governmental focal point for private U.S. international exchange programs. It will also play a leading role within the U.S. Government in our efforts to remove barriers to the international exchange of ideas and information.

It is not practicable to specify all of the expenditure reductions and other economies that will result from the proposed reorganization, and therefore I do not do so. The reorganization will result in greater efficiency by unifying in Washington the management of programs which are already administered in a consolidated manner in the field. For example, field officers will no longer report to two separate sets of supervisors and headquarters at home.

This plan abolishes the functions of the Advisory Committee on the Arts authorized by section 106(c) of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2456(c) ). Also abolished, as a result of the consolidation of certain functions of the United States Advisory Commission on Information and the United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs in the United States Advisory Commission on International Communication, Cultural and Educational Affairs, are the functions authorized by section 603 of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1468) (requiring submission by the United States Advisory Commission on Information of a quarterly report to the Director of USIA and a semiannual report to the Congress). The new commission will report annually and at such other times as it deems appropriate (as does the existing Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs). Since appointments of all members of the new commission will be on a nonpartisan basis, as has been the case with the Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs, the requirement of section 602(a) of the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act (22 U.S.C. 1467(a)) that not more than three members of the Advisory Commission on Information shall be of the same political party is abolished.

Various obsolete or superseded functions under Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1953 (22 U.S.C. 1461 note), which created the USIA, are superseded by this plan. Finally, the Plan abolishes a provision authorizing the Secretary of State to pay the expenses of transporting the bodies of participants in exchange programs who die away from home, since State no longer will conduct such programs (22 U.S.C. 2670(e) ). All functions abolished by the reorganization are done so in compliance with section 903(b) of title 5 of the United States Code.

After investigation, I have .found that this reorganization is necessary to carry out the policy set forth in section 901 (a) of title 5 of the United States Code. The provisions in this Plan for the appointment and pay of the Director, Deputy Director, and Associate Directors of the Agency have been found by me to be necessary by reason of the reorganization made by the plan and are at a rate applicable to comparable officers in the executive branch.

In presenting this plan, I ask the support of Congress to strengthen and simplify the machinery by which we carry out these important functions of the United States Government.

Such action will make us better able to project the great variety and vitality of American life to those abroad, and to enrich our own lives with a fuller knowledge of the vitality and variety of other societies.

The new Agency for International Communication will help us demonstrate "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind," and to deal intelligently with a world awakening to a new spirit of freedom.

JIMMY CARTER

The White House,

October 11, 1977.

REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1977

Prepared by the President and transmitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled, October 11, 1977, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 9 of title 5 of the United States Code.

AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION

SECTION 1. Establishment of the Agency for International Communication.

There is hereby established in the executive branch an agency to be known as the Agency for International Communication (the "Agency").

SEC. 2. Director

The Agency shall be headed by a Director (the "Director"), who shall serve as the principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Secretary of State on the functions vested in the Director. The Director shall report to the President and the Secretary of State. Under the direction of the Secretary of State, the Director shall have primary responsibility within the Government for the exercise of the functions vested in the Director. The Director shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall be entitled to receive compensation at the rate now or hereafter prescribed by law for Level II of the Executive Schedule.

SEC. 3. Deputy Director

A Deputy Director shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Director shall act for, and exercise the powers of, the Director during the Director's absence or disability or during a vacancy in said office and, in addition, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Director may from time to time prescribe. The Deputy Director shall be entitled to receive compensation at the rate now or hereafter prescribed by law for Level III of the Executive Schedule.

SEC. 4. Associate Directors

The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may appoint four Associate Directors, who shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as the Director may from time to time prescribe and who shall be entitled to receive compensation at the rate now or hereafter prescribed by law for Level IV of the Executive Schedule.

SEC. 5. Performance of Functions

The Director may establish within the Agency bureaus, offices, divisions and other units. The Director may from time to time make provision for the performance of any function of the Director by any officer, employee or unit of the Agency.

SEC. 6. Negotiations

(a) Under the direction of the Secretary of State, the Director shall prepare for, manage and conduct negotiations with representatives of foreign states or international organizations on matters for which responsibility is vested in the Director or in the Agency.

(b) For the purpose of conducting such negotiations, or for the purpose of exercising any other authority vested in the Director or in the Agency, the Director may

(1) consult and communicate with or direct the consultation and communication with representatives of other nations or of international organizations; and

(2) communicate in the name of the Secretary of State with diplomatic representatives of the United States in this country and abroad.

SEC. 7. Transfer of Functions

(a) There are hereby transferred to the Director all functions vested in the President, the Secretary of State, the Department of State, the Director of the United States Information Agency, and the United States Information Agency pursuant to the following:

( 1 ) the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1431-1479), except to the extent that any function in sections 302, 401, or 602 is vested in the President;

(2) the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2451-2458a), except for: (A) such functions as are vested by sections 102(b) (6), 102(b)(10), 104(a), 104(e) (1), 104(e)(2), 104(f), 104(g), 105(a), 105(h), 105(c), 106(a), 108; (B) to the extent that such functions were assigned to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare immediately prior to the effective date of this Reorganization Plan, sections 104(b), 105(d)(2), 105(f), 106(d), and 106(f); and (c) to the extent that any function therein is vested in the President or the Secretary of State, sections 106(b) and 106(c).

(3) Public Law 90-494 (22 U.S.C. 929-932, 1221-1234), to the extent that such functions are vested in the Director of the United States Information Agency;

(4) Sections 522(3), 692(1), and 803 (a) (4) of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended (22 U.S.C. 922(3), 1037a(1), and 1063(a)(4)), to the extent such functions are vested in the Director of the United States Information Agency or in the United States Information Agency.

(5) Section 4 of the United States Information Agency Appropriations Authorization Act of 1973, Public Law 93-168;

(6) (A) Sections 107(b), 204 and 205 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 1978, Public Law 95105, 91 Stat. 844; and (B) to the extent such functions are vested in the Director of the United States Information Agency, section 203 of the Act;

(7) the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West Act of 1960 (22 U.S.C. 2054-2057);

(8) Sections 101(a) (15) (J) and 212 (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a) (15) (J),1182 (e));

(9) Section 2(a)(1) of Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1953 (22 U.S.C. 1461 note);

(10) Section 3(a) of the Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act (20 U.S.C. 972(a) );

(11) Section 7 of the Act of June 15, 1951, c. 138, 65 Stat. 71 (50 U.S.C. App. 2316);

(12) Section 9(b) of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 958(b));

(13) Section 112(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1009 (a)), to the extent such functions are vested in the Department of State;

(14) Section 3 (b) ( 1 ) of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 (20 U.S.C. 80f(b) (1);

(15) Section 201 of Public Law 89665, as amended by section 201 (5) of Public Law 94-422 (16 U.S.C. 470i(a) (9));

(16) The third proviso in the twentythird unnumbered paragraph of title V of Public Law 95-86 (headed "UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY, SALARIES AND EXPENSES"), 91 Stat. 440-41;

(17) The twentieth unnumbered paragraph of title I of Public Law 95-86 (headed "CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST"), 91 Stat. 424;

(18) Sections 4(d) (1) (F), 4(f)(1) (F), 4(g) (1)(F), and 4(h) (1) (F) of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926, as amended (22 U.S.C. 295(d) (1) (F), 295(f) (1)(F), 295(g)(1)(F), and 295 (h) (1) (F)); and

(19) Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the Act of July 9, 1949, c. 301, 63 Stat. 408 (22 U.S.C. 2681-2683).

(b) There are hereby transferred to the Director all functions vested in the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs pursuant to Section 2(a) of the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76h(a)).

SEC. 8. Establishment of the United States Advisory Commission on International Communication, Cultural and Educational Affairs

(a) There is hereby established an advisory commission, to be known as the United States Advisory Commission on International Communication, Cultural and Educational Affairs (the "Commission"). The Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members of the Commission shall represent the public interest and shall be selected from a cross section of educational, communications, cultural, scientific, technical, public service, and business and professional backgrounds. The members shall be appointed on a nonpartisan basis. The term of each member shall be three years except that of the original seven appointments, two shall be for a term of one year and two shall be for a term of two years. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. Upon the expiration of a member's term of office, such member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and has qualified. The President shall designate a member to chair the Commission.

(b) The functions now vested in the United States Advisory Commission on Information and in the United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs under sections 601 through 603 and 801 (6) of the United States Information and Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended (22 U.S.C. 1466-1468, 1471 (6)), and under sections 106(b) and 107 of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2456(b), 2457), respectively, are hereby consolidated and vested in the Commission, as follows:

The Commission shall formulate and recommend to the Director, the Secretary of State, and the President policies and programs to carry out the functions vested in the Director or the Agency, and shall appraise the effectiveness of policies and programs of the Agency. The Commission shall submit to the Congress, the President, the Secretary of State and the Director annual reports on programs and activities carried on by the Agency, including appraisals, where feasible, as to the effectiveness of the several programs. The Commission shall also include in such reports such recommendations as shall have been made by the Commission to the Director for effectuating the purposes of the Agency, and the action taken to carry out such recommendations. The Commission may also submit such other reports to the Congress as it deems appropriate, and shall make reports to the public in the United States and abroad to develop a better understanding of and support for the programs conducted by the Agency.

(c) The Commission shall have no authority with respect to the Board of Foreign Scholarships or the United States National Commission for UNESCO.

SEC. 9. Abolitions and Supersessions

(a) The following are hereby abolished:

(1) The United States Information Agency, including the offices of Director, Deputy Director, Deputy Director (Policy and Plans) (5 U.S.C. 5316(67) ), Associate Director (Policy and Plans) (5 U.S.G. 5316(103)), and additional offices created by section 1 (d) of Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1953 (22 U.S.C. 1461 note), of the United States Information Agency, provided that, pending the initial appointment of the Director, Deputy Director and Associate Directors of the Agency their functions shall be performed temporarily, but not for a period in excess of sixty (60) days, by such officers of the Department of State or of the United States Information Agency as the President shall designate;

(2) One of the offices of Assistant Secretary of State provided for in section 1 of the Act of May 26, 1949, c. 143, 63 Stat. 111, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2652), and in section 5315(22) of title 5 of the United 'States Code;

(3) The United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs (22 U.S.C. 2456(b) );

(4) The United States Advisory Commission on Information (22 U.S.C. 1466-1468);

(5) All functions vested in or related to the United States Advisory Commission on International Educational and Cultural Affairs and the United States Advisory Commission on Information that are not transferred to the Director by section 7 or consolidated in the Commission by section 8 of this Reorganization Plan;

(6) The Advisory Committee on the Arts, all functions thereof, and all functions relating thereto (22 U.S.C. 2456 (c)); and

(7) The functions vested in the Secretary of State by section 3(e) of the Act of August 1, 1956, c. 841, 70 Stat. 890 (22 U.S.C. 2670(e) ).

(b) Sections 1, 2(a)(2), 2(b), 2(c) (3), 3, 4, and 5 of Reorganization Plan No. 8 of 1953 (22 U.S.C. 1461 note) are hereby superseded.

SEC. 10. Other Transfers

So much of the personnel, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations and other funds employed, used, held, available, or to be made available in connection with the functions transferred or consolidated by this Reorganization Plan, as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall determine, shall be transferred to the appropriate department, agency, or commission at such time or times as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide, except that no such unexpended balances transferred shall be used for purposes other than those for which the appropriation was originally made. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide for terminating the affairs of all agencies, commissions, and offices abolished herein and for such further measures and dispositions as such Director deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Reorganization Plan.

SEC. 11. Effective Date

This Reorganization Plan shall become effective at such time or times, on or before July 1, 1978, as the President shall specify, but not sooner than the earliest time allowable under section 906 of tide 5 of the United States Code.