PUBLIC LAW 105-244—OCT. 7, 1998 112 STAT. 1647 "(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a quaUfied bond guaranteed under this part may be sold to any party that offers terms that the Secretary determines are in the best interest of the eligible institution.". (c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— Section 345 (as redesignated by 20 USC i066d. section 301(a)(4)) (20 U.S.C. 1132c-4) is amended— (1) in paragraph (5), by striking "and" after the semicolon; (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(7) may, directly or by grant or contract, provide technical assistance to eligible institutions to prepare the institutions to qualify, apply for, and maintain a capital improvement loan, including a loan under this part.". (d) PROHIBITION. — Section 346 (as redesignated by section 20 USC i066e. 301(a)(4)) (20 U.S.C. 1132c-5) is repealed. (e) ADVISORY BOARD.—Section 347 (as redesignated by section 20 USC I066f. 301(a)(4)) (20 U.S.C. 1132c-6) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ", or the president's designee." after the period; and (B) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ", or the designee of the Association" before the period; and (2) by striking subsection (c). SEC. 307. MmORTTY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. (a) MINORITY SCIENCE AND ENGINB:ERING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FINDINGS. —Subpart 1 of part E of title III (as redesignated by paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 301) (20 U.S.C. 1135b et seq.) is amended by inserting after the subpart heading the following: " SEC 350. FINDINGS. 20 USC 1067. "Congress makes the following findings: "(1) It is incumbent on the Federal (jovernment to support the technological and economic competitiveness of the United States by improving and expanding the scientific and technological capacity of the Unitea States. More and better prepared scientists, engineers, and technical experts are needed to improve and expand such capacity. "(2) As the Nation's population becomes more diverse, it is important that the educational and training needs of all Americans are met. Underrepresentation of minorities in science and technological fields diminishes our Nation's competitiveness by impairing the quantity of well prepared scientists, engineers, and teclmical experts in these fields. "(3) Despite significant limitations in resources, minority institutions provide an important educational opportunity for minority students, particularly in science and engineering ftelds. Aid to minority institutions is a good way to address the underrepresentation of minorities in science and technological fields. "(4) There is a strong Federal interest in improving science and engineering programs at minority institutions as such programs lag behind in program offerings and in student enrollment compared to such programs at other institutions of higher education.".
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