for information systems training and technical assistance for state and local criminal justice officials.

Technical Assistance Program Benefits all States

SEARCH provides technical assistance via written correspondence, telephone consultaions, electronic mail, an Internet Website and onsite visits to agencies nationwide (including assistance focusing on statewide or regional justice integration efforts), as well as assistance provided at our National Criminal Justice Computer Laboratory and Training Center in Sacramento, California. SEARCH is responsive to technical assistance requests from every state, assisting agencies from all branches of government (state, county, city, regional) and providing guidance to every discipline in the justice system, including law enforcement, courts, prosecution, probation, parole, corrections and other case management agencies.

Integrated systems assistance typically involves being onsite to help a state or region establish an automated justice information system, or evaluate and plan for multiagency integration of existing systems. These efforts are typically significant and complex, can involve multiple agencies and site visits, and deal with issues with far-reaching impact on state and local governments. SEARCH is currently providing such long-term assistance to agencies in Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, among others.

In the past year, SEARCH has provided hundreds of technical assistance efforts via telephone, letter and email; thousands of Internet-based assistance efforts; and dozens of technical assistance efforts provided onsite at justice agencies or at our Sacramento facility. In fiscal year 2003, as mentioned earlier, we expect those numbers to increase dramatically as demand for our technical assistance services rises. National Training Program Can Help Justice Agencies Enhance Their Informationsharing Capabilities, Which is Vitally Important to Homeland Security

In light of the terrorist attacks of last September 11, it is critical that state and local criminal justice agencies be able to use information technology in the fight against terrorism and, in particular, to share information with federal, state and local agencies with homeland security responsibilities. The nature of the technical assistance requests that SEARCH receives is expected to broaden and involve problems associated with the automated sharing of information related to: The deployment and support of first responders; the prediction of terrorist activity; and the identification and investigation of individual terrorists or terrorist groups.

Agencies needing information from state and local criminal justice agencies include, for example, the White House Office of Homeland Security and state and local offices of homeland security and defense; the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local offices of emergency preparedness; the Immigration and Naturalization Service; and the U.S. Department of Transportation and its Transportation Security Administration.

SEARCH's request for a funding increase of $2.0 million over its fiscal year 2002 earmark would allow the National Technical Assistance and Training Program to meet approximately 40 additional technical assistance requests.

National Training Program Continues to be Responsive to Cybercrime Threats

SEARCH continues to help the nation's law enforcement agencies combat the escalating problem of computer crime by training and equipping them with the skills needed to investigate cybercrime, make arrests and prosecute offenders. Since its inception, SEARCH's National Technical Assistance and Training Program has trained more than 31,000 criminal justice officials from every state in the use of computers and other information technologies. In fiscal year 2002, SEARCH will train more than 3,000 state and local criminal justice officials across the nation, both at agencies and at our National Criminal Justice Computer Laboratory and Training Center in Sacramento. SEARCH has implemented a Mobile Training Center, which uses laptops and other mobile equipment, to provide training at more sites nationally.

Training courses focus on providing investigators with critical operational skills, knowledge and techniques that will have a real-world impact, enabling them to gain a technological edge over the new breed of criminals who use computer technology to commit crimes such as fraud, theft and the online sexual exploitation of children. SEARCH's training courses, which range from one day to two weeks in length, include: The Investigation of Computer Crime; The Seizure and Examination of Microcomputers; Basic Local Area Network Investigations; Introduction to Internet Crime Investigations; Advanced Internet Investigations; and The Investigation of On-line Child Exploitation.

To help our trainees keep pace with the ever-changing environment of cybercrime, SEARCH has developed two new courses, which will debut in 2002: Digital Media

Analysis and The Investigation of Online Child Exploitation II. We are also beginning development of an Advanced Computer Forensics course, which we expect to debut in 2003. In the past year, among those attending SEARCH training were staff from justice agencies in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

Selected Examples of Assistance

The following illustrates just a few examples of SEARCH technical assistance and training efforts in the past year and the broad range of agencies served.

South Carolina.-A team of justice officials, including representatives of the South Carolina Judicial Department and Department of Corrections, attended SEARCH training on integrated justice information systems (IJIS) issues, such as strategic planning; developing governance structures; funding, leadership and management strategies; and technology standards. SEARCH also provided hardware and Internet connectivity training to prosecutors from throughout the state at a "cybersleuth" seminar presented at the National Advocacy Center on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia. SEARCH also assisted a local prosecutor's office on legal issues involving computer forensics.

Hawaii.-SEARCH is providing assistance to a statewide justice integration effort spearheaded by the Department of the Attorney General. SEARCH is helping the state with integration planning; setting vision, mission, goals and objectives for the integration initiative; and determining operational requirements. In another statewide effort, SEARCH is assisting the Department regarding strategic planning for and integration of the state's Juvenile Justice Information System. SEARCH also assisted the Kauai Police Department with the acquisition of a computer-aided dispatch/record management system (CAD/RMS), helping to draft a Request for Proposal and functional specifications. Officials of the Hawaii County Police Department attended SEARCH training on The Investigation of Online Child Exploitation, a weeklong course that provides law enforcement investigators and support staff with the skills needed to conduct proactive Internet investigations involving child exploitation. In addition, this very week, April 29-May 3, 2002, SEARCH trained 22 justice officials onsite in Hilo, Hawaii, in The Investigation of Computer Crime, which teaches how to investigate high-technology theft and computer-related crime. Vermont. In a statewide effort, SEARCH provided onsite integration assistance to the Vermont Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding a strategic direction for its integrated CAD/RMS used by nearly all local law enforcement agencies in the state. A 12-member team of justice officials, representing the state DPS, Department of Corrections (DOC), Office of Court Administration, Supreme Court and Office of the Chief Information Officer, among others, attended SEARCH training on IJIS issues, including emerging trends in biometric technologies for identification, identity verification and secure access/authorization for physical and data security, and critical success factors and the risk management strategies employed by project leaders in integration initiatives. SEARCH also assisted the Burlington Police Department on issues related to computer forensics issues and CAD/RMS/mobile computing system acquisition. In addition, officers of the Rutland Police Department attended SEARCH training on The Investigation of Computer Crime.

New Hampshire.-A team of 14 justice officials, representing such agencies as the Office of the Attorney General, the state DPS, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the State Police, State Legislature and DOC, attended SEARCH training on IJIS issues, such as performance metrics, security technologies, techniques for undertaking regional integration efforts, procurement, outsourcing, Web-based justice applications and IT project management strategies. Over a dozen officers from New Hampshire police and sheriff's departments also attended a weeklong SEARCH training session on The Investigation of Computer Crime, held in Concord. In addition, SEARCH assisted the New London Police Department regarding the setup of a computer forensics laboratory.

Colorado.-Colorado has benefited from a number of SEARCH technical assistance and training efforts. For example, SEARCH is helping the state work toward integration planning in an initiative that involves the State Judicial Branch, Department of Human Services' Division of Youth Corrections, Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Investigation, Department of Corrections and the Colorado District Attorneys' Council. SEARCH also helped the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Arvada County Sheriff's Office with computer forensics issues; the Colorado State University Police Department with computer crime investigation materials and best practices for law enforcement investigative training; the Greeley Police Department on setting up a computer forensics laboratory; and the Colorado District Attorneys Council regarding the future of court information technology. Colorado

agencies also benefited from SEARCH training: the Aurora Police Department attended SEARCH training on Introduction to Internet Crime Investigations, which teaches investigators the basic techniques for successfully cracking cases involving crimes committed using the Internet. Officials from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office attended an intensive, two-week course on Advanced Internet Investigations, which teaches investigators how to investigate crimes online and track intruders. In addition, representatives of the Colorado State University Police, Arvada Police Department and Weld County Sheriff's Office attended SEARCH training on The Investigation of Computer Crime.

Technical Assistance and Training Program Materials

SEARCH'S National Technical Assistance and Training Program also includes the preparation, publication and national dissemination of materials and reports that assist criminal justice agencies in acquiring and using computers and other information technology. For example, SEARCH publishes Technical Bulletins that identify and evaluate information systems and technologies that have existing or potential application in criminal justice management. SEARCH also offers an online resource, the Integrated Justice Information Systems Website (www.search.org/integration), which features state and local profiles of justice integration efforts, including links to information on governance structures, funding, technical overviews, project documents and more, as well as links to useful integration publications, articles and other resources. SEARCH's Website received an average of 12,350 hits per day in 2001.

Conclusion

Without question, federal support for the National Technical Assistance and Training Program makes a vital contribution to the war on crime. For a modest federal investment, leveraged many times over by state and local funds, a critical contribution is made to the ability of state and local criminal justice agencies to provide-and to share-timely, accurate and compatible information for use in apprehending, prosecuting and sentencing offenders.

Accordingly, we respectfully request that the Subcommittee act to provide fiscal year 2003 funding of SEARCH's National Technical Assistance and Training Program at the $4.0 million level. Supporting state and local criminal justice agencies' information systems and their ability to share information is a matter of public safety and national security. The National Technical Assistance and Training Program can help state and local law enforcement agencies meet those expectations. We thank you, Mr. Chairman, the members of your Subcommittee and the Subcommittee staff for your continued support.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE ALLIANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Introduction

The Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony in support of the educational and cultural exchange programs administered by the Department of State.

The Alliance is the leading policy voice of the United States exchange community, and has worked closely with the subcommittee on exchange issues. We note with gratitude the subcommittee's role in increasing exchange appropriations in recent years.

The Alliance comprises 65 nongovernmental organizations, with nearly 7,500 staff and 1.25 million volunteers throughout the United States. Through its members, the Alliance supports the international interests of 3,300 American institutions of higher education.

With grassroots networks reaching all 50 states, Alliance members help advance the United States national interest by putting a human face on American foreign policy, transmitting American values, fostering economic ties with rapidly developing overseas markets, and assisting individuals with the development of critical foreign language, cross-cultural, and area studies expertise. Our members also leverage considerable private resources-in cash and in kind—in support of these critical programs.

By engaging a very broad array of American individuals and institutions in the conduct of our foreign affairs, exchange programs build both enhanced under

standing and a web of productive contacts between Americans and the rest of the world.

Two years ago, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder described his experience as an International Visitor in an on-air interview with a Berlin news anchor. Schroeder described himself as a young politician with a vague but fashionable antiAmerican bias, and recounted that his trip to the United States as an International Visitor altered his views. "This is one of the most intelligent ways of giving young politicians a positive attitude about America," Schroeder said.

Our request

As a nation, we need to provide more opportunities for emerging leaders around the world to experience first-hand our society, our values, and our people. The Alliance therefore urges the subcommittee to provide substantial increases in funding for exchange programs. While appropriations for these programs have moved up in recent years, this account still lags well behind its historic levels in constant dollars due to the deep cuts of the mid-nineties. Coupled with the increases in fixed program costs such as airfare and accommodation costs, reduced appropriations have resulted in significantly diminished participant levels in programs consistently cited by our embassies as one of their most effective means of advancing U.S. policy interests.

While the need for increased funding is worldwide, increased exchanges with the Islamic world are particularly critical as we pursue the war on terrorism. To defeat terrorism, the United States will need more than the might and skill of our armed forces. To ultimately defeat terrorism, we must also engage the Muslim world in the realm of ideas, values, and beliefs.

No previous foreign affairs crisis has been so deeply rooted in cultural misunderstanding. One of the lessons of September 11 is that we have not done an adequate job of explaining ourselves, our culture, and our values to the Muslim world. Doing so will require a sustained, serious effort if we are to succeed in our quest for lasting peace and security, stable bilateral relationships, and an end to terrorism. We believe that significant new funding is needed for an Islamic Exchange Initiative, designed to broaden the range of meaningful relationships based on shared interests with current and emerging leaders and key institutions in Muslim countries.

Given the broad arc of countries we will need to engage, stretching from Africa to Southeast Asia, and the importance and urgency of the task, we urge the subcommittee to appropriate $95 million for this purpose. Including a modest but important increase in worldwide exchange funds, we propose an fiscal year 2003 level for State Department exchange programs of $345 million.

In the Islamic world, we envision this initiative engaging the full range of programs and activities managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: Fulbright and Humphrey exchanges that will stimulate broader cultural understanding, joint research and teaching, and foster positive relationships with a new generation of leaders; university affiliations targeted toward key fields such as mass media and economic development; International Visitor and other citizen exchange programs designed to bring emerging leaders into significant and direct contact with their professional counterparts and the daily substance of American life; youth and teacher exchanges and enhanced English teaching programs, all designed to bring larger numbers of young people a direct and accurate picture of our society, based on personal experience rather than vicious stereotyping.

The need for an intensive new focus on the Islamic world is great, but it should not distract us from the importance of maintaining and increasing our public diplomacy and exchange activity elsewhere in the world. As we engage in what promises to be a lengthy and difficult struggle against terrorism, we will benefit greatly from the support and participation of our friends and allies around the world. We must not neglect these important relationships, or succumb to the temptation to shift resources from other regions of the world to meet our needs in Islamic countries. Should we do so, we will not find resources adequate to the task at hand, and we will lessen our engagement with other crucial regions of the world at a time when we can ill afford to do so.

In considering worldwide exchanges, in addition to the valuable programs already cited in the context of the Islamic initiative, we particularly wish to draw the subcommittee's attention to the importance of overseas advising and the Gilman scholarship program. Our advising centers, funded at slightly more than $3 million annually, struggle with minimal resources to provide comprehensive, unbiased information to prospective students. The foreign students in the United States provide an enormous foreign policy asset-the opportunity to educate the next generation of world leaders-and they contribute to a trade surplus estimated at $12 billion. Other countries-notably the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, and

Japan-recognize the policy and economic benefits of foreign students and are making serious and successful efforts to erode our market share. We encourage the subcommittee to increase funding for our advising centers.

The Gilman scholarship program has been a remarkable success in its first year, with many more qualified applicants than available grants. This program, which provides modest funding to allow American students with financial need to study abroad, directly addresses a critical national need. We need to develop more American expertise with key countries, cultures, and languages, and the Gilman program expands the pool of students with the means to study abroad. The program has increased study abroad numbers, and the diversity of participants and locations, coupled with its performance to date, deserves a funding increase.

We also ask that the subcommittee include in its report language support for the creation of a national policy on international education. Such a policy would place appropriate priority on government and private efforts to prepare Americans to succeed in a rapidly globalizing world. It would include several elements: strengthening American capacity to develop specialists in foreign languages, area studies, and international business studies; building a broader international knowledge base among American non-specialists whose work has international dimensions; increasing the number of Americans studying abroad and encouraging more of our students to study in non-traditional locations; developing a more effective strategy for foreign student recruitment; and strengthening exchange programs at all levels. In the last session of Congress, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Senators Lugar and Kerry calling for a national policy on international education. A similar resolution has been introduced in the House.

Mr. Chairman, the Alliance appreciates the opportunity to submit its views to the subcommittee, and looks forward to working with you, your colleagues, and staff to maximize the contributions that exchange programs make to our foreign affairs. We would be happy to provide additional information, or to respond to any questions that you might have.

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee, on behalf of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) and the 23,000 active-duty and retired members of the Foreign Service that AFSA represents, I wish to thank you for the continuing opportunity to share our views with you regarding the funding of the Department of State and its programs. As we have said in previous years, and it continues to be true, the decisions that you and your colleagues in Congress make directly affect our professional and personal lives as we serve our nation abroad, therefore we have a direct interest in your work.

Let me state from the beginning that we are fully supportive of the Administration's 2003 request, but we also believe it should be considered as the floor and not the ceiling for fiscal year 2003 appropriations. We believe that more should have been proposed in the funding of the Department of State and its programs. We appreciate the difficult spending constraints facing the Subcommittee as it does its important work. We acknowledge that yours is not an easy task.

But we would emphasize that national security is one of the principle, nondelegatable functions of the federal government and that diplomats, their programs, and the State Department are as critical to our national security structure as are the soldier, the smart bomb, and the Pentagon. As we well know, international problems can quickly become domestic problems. Diplomacy is on the front lines addressing these problems before they reach our shores. As is true for the Defense Department, to achieve our national security tasks, the Department of State and its programs require adequate resources.

AFSA fully agrees with Secretary of State Powell when he said on March 7, 2002: "I think it is important, and part of my responsibility, and the responsibility of *** all the Members of Congress, to make the case to the American people that if we are going to live in the kind of world we all want to live in, if we are going to want to see our values adopted by more and more nations-not because they are American values, but because they are universal values-it is important that we give our diplomatic efforts the support that they deserve through significant increases in the 150 Account."

Last year, with the support of the Congress, the Secretary of State began the difficult work of rebuilding the infrastructure of our country's foreign affairs apparatus. At that time, he said that its deterioration has become a "major impediment to the conduct of American foreign policy." As you know, the State Department's re