H.R. 943 — what changed
Never Again Education Act
From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 7 sections amended and 1 removed between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.
Sec. 2 Findings
The Congress finds the following:
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The United States has demonstrated a commitment to remembrance and education about the Holocaust through bilateral relationships and engagement in international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA); Alliance; the United States works to promote Holocaust education as a means to understand the importance of democratic principles, use and abuse of power, and to raise awareness about the importance of genocide prevention today.
The Congress has played a critical role in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and promoting awareness, including by authorizing the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as an independent establishment of the Federal Government to ensure that “the study of the Holocaust become part of the curriculum in every school system in the country”, as well as by establishing a national Holocaust Remembrance Day in 1978.
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The Congress has gone on record in support 75 years after the conclusion of expanded Holocaust education World War II, with the decreasing number of eyewitnesses and growing distance of students and their families from this history, it is important to increase awareness institutionalize education about the events of the Holocaust history, counter prejudice and discrimination, such as the German Nazis’ racist ideology, propaganda, and enhance efforts plan to teach its universal lessons about human behavior lead a state to war and, with their collaborators, kill millions—including the systematic murder of 6,000,000 Jewish people; as well as the persecution and societal cohesion.murder of millions of others in the name of racial purity, political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Roma, the disabled, the Slavs, Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals.
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More than 70 years after the conclusion of World War II, with the decreasing number of eyewitnesses and growing distance of students As intolerance, antisemitism, and their families from this history, it is important to institutionalize bigotry are promoted by hate groups, Holocaust education provides a context in which to learn about the events danger of the Holocaust such as the Nazis’ racist ideology, propaganda, what can happen when hate goes unchallenged and plan to lead a state to war and, with their collaborators, kill millions—including there is indifference in the systematic murder face of 6,000,000 Jewish people; as well as the persecution and murder of millions oppression of others in others; learning how and why the name Holocaust happened is an important component of racial purity, political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Roma, the disabled, education of citizens of the Slavic people, Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals.United States.
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As intolerance, antisemitism, bigotry, and all forms of hate are promoted by hate groups, Holocaust education provides a context in which to learn about the danger of what can happen when hate goes unchallenged and there is indifference in the face of the oppression of others; learning how and why the Holocaust happened is an important component of the education of citizens of the United States.
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Today, those who deny that the Holocaust occurred or distort the true nature of the Holocaust continue to find forums, especially online; this denial and distortion dishonors those who were persecuted, and murdered, making it even more of a national imperative to educate students in the United States so that they may explore the lessons that the Holocaust provides for all people, sensitize communities to the circumstances that gave rise to the Holocaust, and help youth be less susceptible to the falsehood of Holocaust denial and distortion and to the destructive messages of hate that arise from Holocaust denial and distortion.
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Currently, 12 States (California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island) require by law that schools teach students about the Holocaust; more schools and teachers, including those in underserved communities, can and should deliver quality Holocaust education.
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Currently, 8 For more than 30 years, the United States (California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Holocaust Memorial Museum has worked to build and Rhode Island) require by law that schools teach students about support the Holocaust; more schools and teachers can field of Holocaust education, and should deliver advance the quality and sustainability of Holocaust education.education at the local, State, and national levels, by engaging teachers and students across disciplines and grade levels.
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While there are thriving professional development programs across the United States delivered by Holocaust education centers, such as members of the Association of Holocaust Organizations, many students still have little exposure to education about the events The Federal Government, through support for educational activities of the Holocaust and its relevance to their lives, national museums established under Federal law, can assist teachers in part due efforts to incorporate historically accurate instruction on human rights atrocities, including the many financial and logistical barriers to getting resources from Holocaust education centers to students Holocaust, in the classroom.curricula.
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The Federal Government, especially the Department of Education, has a role to play in promoting resources and training that can assist teachers and primary and secondary schools incorporate the study of the Holocaust into their curriculum, to help ensure that students have access to accurate and engaging historical information about the Holocaust, and the Department of Education is well-positioned to assist Holocaust education centers in overcoming many of the barriers to expanding Holocaust education, which will allow more students to learn the lessons of the Holocaust.
Sec. 3 Definitions
In this Act:
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Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means—
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a local educational agency (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
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an organization eligible to receive funds under part B of title IV of such Act (20 U.S.C. 7171 et seq.); or
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a secondary school (as defined in section 8101 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 7801)), that is independent of any local educational agency.
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Antisemitism— The term antisemitism means a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
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Director— The term Director means the Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
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Holocaust—Eligible program participant— The term the Holocaust means the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of approximately 6,000,000 Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups because of their perceived “racial inferiority”, such as Roma gypsies, the disabled, and some of the Slavic people (Poles, Russians, and others). Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals.eligible program participant means—
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a high school teacher, a teacher of one of the middle grades, or a school leader of a high school or a school that includes one of the middle grades (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
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an educational leader or expert who is not employed by a local educational agency (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) or an elementary school or secondary school (as such terms are so defined) that is independent of any local educational agency; or
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a prospective teacher enrolled in a program of postsecondary education coursework or preservice clinical education.
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Holocaust denial and distortion—Holocaust— The term the Holocaust denial and distortion means discourse and propaganda that deny the historical reality systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and the extent of the extermination murder of the 6,000,000 Jews by the Nazis Nazi regime and their accomplices during World War II, known as the Holocaust or the USC Shoah. Holocaust denial refers specifically to any attempt to claim that the Holocaust did not take place. Holocaust distortion refers to intentional efforts to excuse or minimize the impact of the Holocaust or its principal elements, including collaborators and allies and collaborators. During the era of Nazi Germany, to blame the Jews for causing Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups because of their own genocide, or to portray the Holocaust perceived “racial inferiority”, such as a positive historical event.Roma, the disabled, and Slavs. Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological, and behavioral grounds, among them Communists, Socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals.
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Holocaust denial and distortion— The term Holocaust denial and distortion means discourse and propaganda that deny the historical reality and the extent of the extermination of the Jews by the Nazis and their accomplices during World War II, known as the Holocaust. Holocaust denial refers specifically to any attempt to claim that the Holocaust did not take place. Holocaust distortion refers to efforts to excuse or minimize the events of the Holocaust or its principal elements, including collaborators and allies of Nazi Germany, to blame the Jews for causing their own genocide, or to portray the Holocaust as a positive historical event.
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Holocaust education center— The term Holocaust education center means an institution that furthers the teaching and learning about the Holocaust by offering programs for students and training for teachers and other types of professional leadership audiences.
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Holocaust education program— The term Holocaust education program means a program that—
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has as its specific and primary purpose to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and educate students on the lessons of the Holocaust as a means to raise awareness about the importance of preventing genocide, hate, and bigotry against any group of people;
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is delivered to students enrolled in middle grades or high school (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
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uses stories, testimonies, photos, diaries and other educational tools to support understanding rather than for shock value or sensationalism; and
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furnishes one or more of the following:
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Educational materials that are age- and grade-appropriate.
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Student and school-based activities, including field trips.
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The hiring of professional Holocaust educators to lead programming.
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Teacher training.
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Programming that includes the following subjects where appropriate in instruction:
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The breadth of the history of the Holocaust, including, the Third Reich dictatorship, concentration camp system, persecution of Jews and non-Jews, Jewish and non-Jewish resistance, and post-World War II trials.
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Antisemitism, racism, and the abridgement of human and civil rights.
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Instruction in the content of Holocaust education that includes—
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presentation of historically accurate information;
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correct terminology, vocabulary, and labels, and encouraging students to use this vocabulary; and
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primary documents, including personal testimony and sound historical research from respected resources.
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Supplementary resources required for teacher training, including transportation for teachers to and from training programs, housing at training programs, payment for substitute teachers while teachers are at training, and transportation of trainers to schools to provide training.
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Goods or services designed to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.
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Secretary—Holocaust education program— The term Secretary Holocaust education program means a program that has as its specific and primary purpose to improve awareness and understanding of the Secretary Holocaust and educate individuals on the lessons of Education.the Holocaust as a means to raise awareness about the importance of preventing genocide, hate, and bigotry against any group of people.
Sec. 4 Program authorized
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Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
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Fund established—
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In general— There is established in the general fund of the Treasury a separate account which shall be known as the “Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund”. Amounts deposited into the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund shall remain available until expended to the Secretary to carry out the purposes of this Act in accordance with subsection (d).
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Authorization of appropriations— There are authorized to be appropriated to the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2020 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
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Acceptance Donations, gifts, bequests, and devises of donations—property— In accordance with chapter 23 of title 36, United States Code, and in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, the Secretary Director is authorized to accept donations of funds solicit, accept, hold, administer, invest, and in-kind contributions. Any funds use donated under this subsection, funds and any proceeds from the sales gifts, bequests, and devises of other property received as gifts or bequests pursuant to this subsection, shall be deposited in the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund.property, both real and personal.
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Limitation—Use of funds— A donation may not be accepted The Director, using funds appropriated under subsection (b) in exchange for a commitment to the donor on the part of the Secretary or which attaches conditions inconsistent with applicable laws (a) and regulations or that is conditioned upon or will require the expenditure of appropriated funds that are not available to the Secretary, or which compromises a criminal or civil position of the United States or any of its departments or agencies or the administrative authority of any agency of the United States. The Secretary shall ensure that each donation is subject to an agreement that contains provisions setting forth the criteria to be used in determining whether the acceptance of a donation is prohibited because the donation would reflect unfavorably upon the ability of the Department, or any official or employee of the Department, to carry out its responsibilities or official duties in a fair resources received under subsection (b), and objective manner, or would compromise the integrity or the appearance of including through the integrity engagement of its programs or any official or employee involved in those programs.eligible program participants as appropriate—
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shall develop and nationally disseminate accurate, relevant, and accessible resources to promote understanding about how and why the Holocaust happened, which shall include digital resources and may include other types of resources, such as print resources and traveling exhibitions; and
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may carry out one or more of the following Holocaust education program activities:
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Development, dissemination, and implementation of principles of sound pedagogy for teaching about the Holocaust.
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Provision of professional development for eligible program participants, such as through—
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local, regional, and national workshops;
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teacher trainings in conjunction with Holocaust education centers and other appropriate partners;
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engagement with—
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local educational agencies (as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 21 7801)); and
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high schools and schools that include one of the middle grades (as so defined) that are independent of any local educational agency; and
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operation and expansion of a teacher fellowship program to cultivate and support leaders in Holocaust education.
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Engagement with State and local education leaders to encourage the adoption of resources supported under this Act into curricula across diverse disciplines.
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Evaluation and research to assess the effectiveness and impact of Holocaust education programs, which may include completion of the report required under section 8.
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Applications— The Director may seek the engagement of an eligible program participant under subsection (c) by requiring submission of an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and based on such competitive criteria as the Director may require.
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Use of funds—
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In general— The Secretary is authorized to use funds from the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund—
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to award grants to eligible entities to carry out Holocaust education programs;
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to conduct periodic regional workshops, in partnership with Holocaust education centers when and where appropriate, to provide teachers with technical assistance on how to structure curricula to incorporate Holocaust education in a manner that satisfies State education standards, as described in section 1111(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1111(a)), and standards set by local educational agencies;
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to cover administrative costs associated with fundraising authorized under this Act; and
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to cover administrative costs associated with administering the grants and creating and maintaining the online Holocaust education repository of resources, defined in section 5.
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Limitation— At least 90 percent of funds expended from the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund shall be expended to award grants to eligible entities to carry out proposed Holocaust education programs.
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Applications— The Secretary may award a grant under this Act only to an eligible entity that has submitted an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and based on such competitive criteria as the Secretary may require.
Sec. 5 Online Holocaust education resources
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Website— The Secretary Director shall create and maintain a Holocaust education program on the website within an already existing site or, if necessary, create of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum a new site, containing special section designated for Holocaust education program resources for middle grades and high schools. The website shall facilitate connections between eligible entities to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust education centers, institutions, and foundations displayed educate individuals on the website lessons of the Holocaust as a means to gain expertise in content and pedagogy for instructing raise awareness about the subject matter appropriately importance of preventing genocide, hate, and effectively. bigotry against any group of people. The website and resources shall be made available to all eligible entities and all Holocaust education centers. The Secretary shall market the website along with the Holocaust Education Assistance Program to State and local educational agencies and all eligible entities.publically available.
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Information distribution— The Secretary Director shall distribute information about the Holocaust Education Assistance Program and activities funded under this Act through the Holocaust Education Website to each State department website of education the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and shall respond to any local educational agency, individual school, individual teacher, or Holocaust education center that requests the information.inquiries for supplementary information concerning such activities.
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Best practices— The information distributed by the Secretary Director shall include best practices for educators on how to incorporate materials and resources on Holocaust education into a curriculum.educators.
Sec. 6 United States Holocaust Memorial Council
added The United States Holocaust Memorial Council established under section 2302 of title 36, United States Code, shall have governance responsibility for the programs and activities carried out under this Act in accordance with chapter 23 of title 36, United States Code.
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In general— In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall establish an advisory board, which shall be known as the “Holocaust Education Advisory Board”.
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Membership— The Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall consist of 12 members, as follows:
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Finance directors— Three finance directors, with experience in nonprofit fundraising, who shall be responsible for overseeing fundraising efforts for the Holocaust Education Assistance Fund. These individuals may not be engaged in fundraising for an existing Holocaust education center in a formal or professional capacity at the time of their appointment.
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National holocaust education representatives— Four national Holocaust education representatives, with educational and professional experience in Holocaust education, who shall represent leading national holocaust education centers, such as the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the USC Shoah Foundation, or the Anti-Defamation League.
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Regional holocaust education representatives— Four regional Holocaust education representatives, with educational and professional experience in Holocaust education, who shall represent regional Holocaust education centers.
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Chairman— One Chairman of the Board, with professional experience in both Holocaust education and nonprofit fundraising.
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Appointment— Members of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall be appointed as follows:
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Three members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.
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Three members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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Three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.
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Three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
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Terms— Each member of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall serve a 4-year term, except that 4 members shall serve an initial term of 6 years.
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Duties— The Holocaust Education Advisory Board—
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shall advise the Secretary on developing competitive criteria and content of application as described in section 4(e);
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shall advise the Secretary on the content that is displayed on the Holocaust education program website required under section 5;
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shall lead the effort to solicit donations for the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund; and
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shall submit an annual fundraising plan to the Secretary prior to the board receiving any funds for administrative costs associated with fundraising.
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Personnel— The Holocaust Education Advisory Board may be granted funds by the Secretary from the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund to employ and compensate an executive director and any other additional personnel necessary for fundraising efforts. Any individual employed by the Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall not, by virtue of such employment, be considered a Federal employee for the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.
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Limitations—
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In general— The Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the Federal Government, and officers, employees, and members of the board of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall not be officers or employees of the Federal Government. No funds from the Holocaust Education Assistance Fund may be paid as compensation to members of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board for their service.
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Exception— An individual who is employed by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum shall be eligible for appointment to the Holocaust Education Advisory Board as a national Holocaust education representative.
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Travel expenses— A member of the Advisory Board shall be allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, to be paid for from the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund, at rates consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
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Technical assistance— On request of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board, the head of a Federal agency may provide technical assistance to the Holocaust Education Advisory Board, but no Federal employee may be detailed to the Holocaust Education Advisory Board.
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Vacancies— A vacancy in the Holocaust Education Advisory Board—
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shall not affect the powers of the Holocaust Education Advisory Board; and
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shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.
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Applicability of FACA— The Holocaust Education Advisory Board shall be treated as an advisory committee subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
Sec. 7 Engagement of eligible program participants
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In general— Each An eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act program participant shall use be engaged at the grant funds discretion of the Director to provide students with a participate in Holocaust education program in accordance with activities authorized under this Act and approved by the following requirements:Director pursuant to an application described in section 4(d).
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All resources shall be used for the purposes of educating students on the history of the Holocaust and the relevant lessons that can be learned from the Holocaust in dealing with modern day issues of genocide, hate, and bigotry against any group of people. This can include the teaching of other genocides along with the Holocaust.
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Funds may only be used to carry out the Holocaust education program for which the grant was provided.
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Any other limitation on use of funds established by the Secretary, in consultation with the Holocaust Education Advisory Board.
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Grant Engagement period— Grants awarded Engagement of eligible program participants under this section Act shall be for a period of 1 year.determined by the Director.
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Requirements—Priority— An In engaging eligible entity receiving a grant program participants under section 4, the Director shall comply give priority to applications from such participants who work for or with a local educational agency, or a school that is independent of any local educational agency, that does not, at the following requirements:time application is made, offer any Holocaust education programming.
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The eligible entity shall, throughout the period that the institution receives and uses the funding, continue to be an eligible entity.
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The eligible entity shall ensure the funding is used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available to the eligible entity to carry out the Holocaust education program for which the grant was provided.
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Priority— In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that do not currently offer any Holocaust education programming.
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Competitive criteria— The Secretary shall establish competitive criteria for use in awarding grants under this Act not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. The competitive criteria shall be displayed on the Department’s Holocaust Education Website along with all necessary forms and instructions to allow eligible entities to apply for grants from the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund.
Sec. 8 Annual report
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The Secretary shall review at least annually each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act to determine the extent to which the eligible entity may not be in compliance with the provisions Not later than February 1 of this Act and the regulations issued under this Act. The Secretary shall consult each year, the Advisory Board as needed for uncertain cases. The Secretary Director shall also establish a process for the Advisory Board to submit instances of suspected noncompliance for programs supported by these funds, and the Secretary shall review any grant that is submitted by the Advisory Board for suspected noncompliance not later than 60 days after to the Advisory Board submits Congress a program for review by the Secretary, and the Secretary shall notify report describing the grantee of potential noncompliance.activities carried out under this Act.
Sec. 9 Annual report
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In general— Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this Act. The report shall include the following information:
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The amount of money donated to the Holocaust Education Assistance Program Fund.
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The amount of money allocated in grants from the fund.
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The number of eligible entities using the grant funding to offer instruction in Holocaust education.
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A description of the manner in which eligible entity are offering instruction in Holocaust education.
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The number of hours instruction is offered, the grade levels that such instruction is offered and the course within which such instruction is integrated.
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Additional information— The report shall also contain any other related information that the Secretary considers appropriate.