Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/457

 PUBLIC LAW 100-297—APR. 28, 1988

102 STAT. 419

(1) the Government of the United States has a special relationship with the Indians which has given rise to a responsibility to assure superior educational opportunities for all Indians; (2) this responsibility is being carried out by Federal schools and federally funded programs; (3) while the States provide educational services to the majority of Indian students in the United States, the State services are largely funded by Federal funds and are not, in any way, in derogation of the Federal responsibility; (4) changes in the Federal and State systems in the past decade and the growth of tribal control over schools has led to substantial improvements in the educational opportunities and successes of Indian students; (5) substantial and substantive problems continue to exist and interfere with the realization of full opportunities for Indian students; and (6) identification of these problems through the convening of a White House conference will facilitate formulation of solutions. SEC. 5502. AUTHORIZATION TO CALL CONFERENCE.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall call and conduct a White House Conference on Indian Education (hereafter in this part referred to as the "Conference") which shall be held not earlier than September 1, 1989, and not later than September 30, 1991. (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the White House Conference on Indian Education shall be to— (1) explore the feasibility of establishing an independent Board of Indian Education that would assume responsibility for all existing Federal programs relating to the education of Indians, and (2) develop recommendations for the improvement of educational programs to make the programs more relevant to the needs of Indians, in accordance with the findings set forth in section 5501. SEC. 5503. COMPOSITION OF CONFERENCE.

25 USC 2001 note. President of U.S.

25 USC 2001 note.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Conference shall be composed of— (1) representatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the '• Department of the Interior; (2) representatives of Indian educational institutions, public schools, agencies, organizations and associations that deal with the education of Indians; (3) educators from reservations and urban areas where Indians make up a substantial portion of the student population; and (4) individuals with a special knowledge of, and special competence in dealing with, Indians and Indian problems, including education and health. 0)) SELECTION.—The President shall select one-third of the partici- President of U.S. pants of the Conference, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall select one-third of the participants, and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall select the remaining one-third of the participants. (c) DISTRIBUTION OF PARTICIPANTS.—In selecting the participants

of the Conference the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall ensure that—

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