HB23

HB23 - Education of Foreign Culture (Education and Foreign Policy)

Sponsors: CCustodio, PA, Dem. PLe, HI, Dem. MCarbone, NV, Ind.

Issues:
 * 1) Prevent simple mistakes in other countries- America needs to be more respectful for other cultures in foreign countries. Keeping relations strong is an important priority. Example: Koran burning
 * 2) Support education
 * 3) Employment- Many people are out of their jobs and we need to help Americans get back on track. We need to be able to recover and keep building our country.
 * 4) Tolerance- Discrimination is still a problem today and it needs to be fixed. In the Declaration of Independence, it is stated that all men are created equal. We need to live up to that and understand eachother more. As a country, it is our duty to stay together and be able to live with one another.

Purpose: To educate troops about the culture of the country they will be deployed in

Eligibility:
 * Troops being deployed over seas
 * Hired educators

Terms and Benefits:
 * The program will be run by the Department of Defense
 * The program will be taught at military base facilities used by those units that are deploying as part of their preparations for deployment
 * Educators will be hired who will teach each platoon before going to other countries
 * Classes are an hour each for one week long, then they will take an exam that they must pass to continue over seas
 * Facilities will be used if the troops come from far away

Timeline:
 * 1) January 1st, 2013 - Construction of facilities and dorms begins
 * 2) July 1st, 2013 - Contruction is completed, classes begin
 * 3) May 23rd, 2016 - Bill is renewed
 * 4) January 1st, 2017 - Expansion if necessary

Fiscal Impact: Funds will come out of the Department of Defense. Costs: Total Estimated Cost: $12,576,000 Budget: $15,000,000
 * Labor: $800,000
 * Equipment: $56,000
 * Marketing: $1,000,000
 * Education: Will vary depending on what we need
 * Legal: $720,000
 * Facilities: $8,000,000
 * Dormitories: $2,000,000