text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``America's Youth Commission Act of 
  2001''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds the following:
              (1) American youth, up to 18 years of age, represent the 
          freest, most educated, most affluent generation this Nation has 
          known. A majority will graduate from high school, will come 
          from families in which the parents or guardians are employed 
          and own property, and will come from a society which has 
          achieved unparalleled national economic and social opportunity 
          in a world largely at peace.
              (2) The potential for this generation of American youth to 
          make lasting contributions to freedom's cause is unparalleled. 
          Yet, despite this favorable domestic and international climate, 
          some serious flaws have appeared in America's social and 
          cultural fabric, characterized by destructive behaviors among 
          some of our youth that are damaging our Nation and the ability 
          of this generation to achieve its full potential.
              (3) While most of America's youth are achieving 
          academically and developing wholesome constructive pursuits, 
          youth violence in places like Littleton, Colorado, Springfield, 
          Oregon, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, and the rash of copycat 
          incidents, threatened or real, across the Nation has brought to 
          the fore a troubling lack of respect by some for other 
          individuals that lies at the heart of a free society.
              (4) Across our Nation, school ``pranks'' have in many cases 
          been destructive to schools and property and reveal a serious 
          lack of understanding by the perpetrators of the true costs of 
          their actions.
              (5) Equally serious are the consistently high and 
          personally destructive levels of alcohol and drug use by 
          American youth, sometimes coupled with gun violence, as well as 
          increasing levels of teenage suicide and eating disorders, such 
          as bulimia and anorexia.
              (6) Upholding human dignity faces challenges in the media 
          as well. By the time children in the United States have passed 
          through the eighth grade, they will have witnessed an average 
          of 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence 
          through the media. In addition, many video games, music, films, 
          and Internet websites present material so degrading to human 
          dignity that they undermine the value of human life and elevate 
          the bizarre to normal. Some have characterized this as a 
          ``culture of death'' that permeates the consciousness of 
          American youth.
              (7) The structure of family, neighborhoods, work, and 
          community in the United States has been transformed in the last 
          30 years as economic growth and mobility have impacted 
          families' aspirations and livelihoods. The static purchasing 
          power of families, mergers, and dislocation of production, 
          higher family mobility and suburbanization, rising levels of 
          foster children, all have contributed to a more fluid social 
          structure and less continuity for youth in permanent nurturing 
          relationships with family and community. The social 
          consequences of these changes, along with the pervasive 
          influence of media, demand attention, for developmental 
          attachments by adults toward youth that characterized previous 
          generations have become more tenuous in today's society.
  
  SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
  
      There is established a commission to be known as the ``National 
  Commission on the Impact of United States Culture on America's Youth'' 
  (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
  
  SEC. 4. DUTY OF COMMISSION.
  
      The Commission shall investigate and make findings and 
  recommendations with respect to--
              (1) the condition and status of contemporary youth in 
          America compared to prior generations, with particular 
          attention to family, neighborhood, schools, scholastic 
          attainment, work, and community involvement;
              (2) the nature, origins, and trends of antisocial and 
          violent behavior among American youth, including--
                      (A) an analysis of the trends in violent acts in 
                  families, neighborhoods, and schools; and
                      (B) the influence of organizations, other cultural 
                  elements, and individuals contributing to the 
                  incitement or encouragement of violent behaviors;
              (3) identification of successful initiatives that involve 
          youth in positive development and experiences that curb 
          antisocial behavior among youth;
              (4) recommendations for averting and reducing violence 
          among American youth; and
              (5) recommendations for parents, families, nongovernmental 
          and private sector organizations and Federal, State, and local 
          authorities in building positive developmental experiences 
          among American youth.
  
  SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
  
      (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be composed of 11 
  members appointed as follows:
              (1) Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
          Representatives.
              (2) Two members appointed by the majority leader of the 
          Senate.
              (3) Two members appointed by the minority leader of the 
          House of Representatives.
              (4) Two members appointed by the minority leader of the 
          Senate.
              (5) Three members appointed by the President.
      (b) Qualifications.--The members shall--
              (1) not be incumbent Members of Congress; and
              (2) be specially qualified to serve on the Commission by 
          reason of education, training, or experience.
      (c) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the 
  Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner 
  in which the original appointment was made.
      (d) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve without pay.
      (e) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses, 
  including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 
  5703 of title 5, United States Code.
      (f) Quorum.--Seven members of the Commission shall constitute a 
  quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
      (g) Chair.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall be designated 
  by the President at the time of the appointment.
  
  SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
  
      (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may, for the purpose of 
  carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, 
  take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers 
  appropriate. The Commission shall ensure that its hearings and sessions 
  are open to the public, with significant opportunities for testimony 
  from members of the general public.
      (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of the 
  Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action which 
  the Commission is authorized to take by this section.
      (c) Obtaining Official Data.--The Commission may secure directly 
  from any department or agency of the United States information 
  necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the 
  Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency 
  shall cooperate with the Commission in providing that information.
      (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
  Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
  Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support 
  services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
  under this Act.
      (e) Contract Authority.--The Commission may contract with and 
  compensate Government or private agencies or persons for supplies or 
  services, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 
  U.S.C. 5).
  
  SEC. 7. REPORTS.
  
      (a) Interim Report.--The Commission shall transmit an interim 
  report to the President and the Congress not later than 180 days after 
  the date the Commission is duly organized.
      (b) Final Report.--The Commission shall transmit a final report to 
  the President and the Congress not later than one year after the date 
  the Commission is duly organized. The final report shall contain a 
  detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, 
  together with its recommendations for legislation.
  
  SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
  
      The Commission shall terminate 30 days after transmitting its final 
  report under section 7(b).
  
  SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
  2002 to carry out this Act, to remain available until expended.
target: America's Youth Commission Act of 2001 - Establishes the National Commission on the Impact of United States Culture on America's Youth.
feat_title: To establish the National Commission on the Impact of United States Culture on American Youth.