EXECUTIVE ORDER

2002 - 4

MICHIGAN COMMISSION ON ASIA IN THE SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, ARTS AND LIBRARIES

WHEREAS, Americans meet both opportunities and challenges in a global community that is increasingly interconnected; and

WHEREAS, Michigan residents and their children, who must compete and thrive in such an interconnected world, will find it crucial to learn about the peoples, the cultures and the economies in Asia, the most rapidly changing region of the world; and

WHEREAS, According to the Asia Society report Asia in the Schools: Preparing Young Americans for Today’s Interconnected World, most Americans learn very little about Asia in our schools; and

WHEREAS, Defense Department research indicates that the United States is failing to graduate enough students with expertise in foreign language, foreign cultures and the policy concerns of foreign nations – especially Asian countries – to meet the demands of business, government and our universities; and

WHEREAS, While many teachers, administrators and policymakers responsible for elementary and secondary education recognize the need to educate our students about world affairs and other cultures, many schools lack the know-how and support necessary to provide such instruction; and

WHEREAS, Michigan’s exports to Asia exceed $3.2 billion.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Engler, Governor of the state of Michigan, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963 and the laws of the state of Michigan, do hereby order the following:

I. DEFINITIONS

A. "Commission" means the Michigan Commission on Asia in the Schools established by this Executive Order.

B. "Department" means the Department of History, Arts and Libraries, the principal department of state government created by Section 3 of Act No. 63 of the Public Acts of 2001, being Section 399.703 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

II. Establishment of the MICHIGAN COMMISSION ON ASIA IN THE SCHOOLS

A. The Michigan Commission on Asia in the Schools is hereby established within the Department of History, Arts and Libraries as a Type II entity as defined in Section 3 of Act No. 380 of the Public Acts of 1965, as amended, being Section 16.103 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

B. The commission shall consist of fifteen (15) members. Members of the commission shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve during the existence of the commission, which shall complete its work no later than 120 days after the commission’s first meeting.

C. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

III. Charge to the Commission

The commission shall be advisory in nature and shall assist the Governor and the Department with the following functions:

A. The commission shall conduct a survey of Michigan’s available resources on Asia, both human and material, to examine how these resources could be used to further Michigan’s education and business understanding of Asia.

B. The commission shall complete an academic review of current curricular efforts employed to teach students about Asia.

C. The commission shall identify and publish best practices used in schools, school districts, and communities to comprehensively educate Michigan residents on Asia.

IV.  OPERATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE

A. The Governor shall designate one (1) member of the commission to serve as chairperson. This member shall serve as chair at the pleasure of the Governor.

B. The commission may adopt procedures, not inconsistent with law and with this Order, governing its organization, operation and procedure.

C. Members of the commission shall not delegate their responsibilities to other persons. A majority of the serving members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting. The commission shall act by a majority vote of its serving members.

D. The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson and as may be provided in the procedures of the commission. Meetings of the commission may be held at any location within the state of Michigan.

E. The commission may, as appropriate, make inquiries, studies, investigations, hold hearings, and receive comments from the public. The commission may consult with outside experts in order to perform its duties.

F. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation. Members of the commission may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses according to relevant statutes, rules and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

G. The Department may hire or retain such contractors, sub-contractors, advisors, consultants and agents, and may make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of the performance of the Commission’s duties, as the Department Director deems appropriate. Such procurements shall be in accordance with the relevant statutes, rules and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

H. The commission may apply for, receive and expend monies from any source, public or private, including but not limited to, gifts, grants, donations of monies and government appropriations. The commission may also accept donations of labor, services or other things of value from any public or private agency or person.

I. Members of the commission shall refer all legal, legislative and media contacts to the Department.

J. The commission shall be staffed by personnel within the Department and the Executive Office of the Governor.

K. All departments, committees, commissioners or officers of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall give to the commission, or to any member or representative thereof, any necessary assistance required by the commission, or any member of representative thereof, in the performance of the duties of the commission so far as is compatible with its, his or her duties; free access shall also be given to any books, records or documents in its, his or her custody, relating to matters within the scope of inquiry, study or investigation of the commission.

The provisions of this Executive Order shall become effective upon filing.

Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Michigan this 14^th day of March, in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand Two.

__________________________________________

GOVERNOR

BY THE GOVERNOR:

__________________________________________

SECRETARY OF STATE