I 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 5501 

To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission, 

the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other 

purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 25, 2006 

Mr. MCHUGH (for himself, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. 

WALSH, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. 

FOSSELLA, Mr. SWEENEY, Mr. KING of New York, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. 

MCNULTY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. HIGGINS, and Mrs. MCCARTHY) introduced 

the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government 

Reform 

A BILL 

To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission, the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 

5 ‘‘Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemo6 ration Act of 2006’’. 


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1 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 

2 this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—FINDINGS AND PURPOSE 

Sec. 101. Findings and purpose. 

Sec. 102. Coordination. 

TITLE II—CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION 

COMMISSION 

Sec. 201. Definitions. 

Sec. 202. Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission. 

Sec. 203. Audit of Commission. 

Sec. 204. Authorization of appropriations. 

TITLE III—HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION 

COMMISSION 

Sec. 301. Definitions. 

Sec. 302. Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission. 

Sec. 303. Audit of Commission. 

Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations. 

3 TITLE I—FINDINGS AND 

4 PURPOSE 

5 SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 

6 (a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 

7 (1) The first European exploration of the Hud8 son River and Lake Champlain and the introduction 

9 of steam navigation to maritime commerce were 

10 events of major historical importance, both in the 

11 United States and internationally. 

12 (2) In 1609, Englishman Henry Hudson, acting 

13 in the service of the Dutch East India Company, 

14 was the first European to sail up the river later 

15 named for him in the vessel HALF MOON. Also in 

16 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was 


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1 the first European to see the lake later named for 

2 him, as well as the shores of Northern New York 

3 and Vermont. 

4 (3) These voyages were two of the most signifi5 cant passages in the European exploration and dis6 covery of America, and included two of the earliest 

7 contacts in the New World between Native Ameri8 cans and Europeans. 

9 (4) These explorations led to the establishment 

10 of Fort Orange, a Dutch (and later English) settle11 ment of what is now the capital city of the State of 

12 New York, as well as the establishment of French 

13 trading posts, military posts, and settlements as far 

14 south as Lake George. From these early establish15 ments came trade, commerce, cultural, and religious 

16 impact deep into the Mohawk Valley and as far west 

17 as Lake Erie. These settlements influenced the Na18 tion’s history, culture, law, commerce, and traditions 

19 of liberty that extend to the present day, and that 

20 are constantly reflected in the position of the United 

21 States as the leader of the nations of the free world. 

22 (5) In 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hud23 son River from the city of New York to Albany in 

24 the steamboat CLERMONT, successfully inau25 gurating steam navigation on a commercial basis. 


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1 This event is one of the most important events in 

2 the history of navigation. It revolutionized water3 borne commerce on the great rivers of the United 

4 States, transformed naval warfare, and fostered 

5 international relations through transoceanic travel 

6 and trade. 

7 (6) In 1909, the Congress authorized a Cham8 plain Tercentennial Commission and supported its 

9 activities. The Congress recognized the 350th anni10 versary by establishing a similar commission to co11 ordinate Federal participation in the 1959 celebra12 tion of Hudson’s and Champlain’s discoveries. 

13 (7) The National Park Service owns and oper14 ates significant resources in New York related to the 

15 early history of the Nation and the Hudson River 

16 Valley. 

17 (8) In 2000, Canada’s Province of Quebec es18 tablished a Quebec 400 Commission with a budget 

19 in excess of $1,000,000, of which commemoration of 

20 the 1609 Champlain voyage into the Lake Cham21 plain region is a part. 

22 (9) In 2002, the State of New York established 

23 a Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission. 

24 (10) In 2003, the State of Vermont established 

25 a Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. 


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1 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to estab2 lish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration 

3 Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemora4 tion Commission, to— 

5 (1) ensure a suitable national observance of the 

6 Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 

7 Champlain 2009 commemorations through coopera8 tion with and assistance to the programs and activi9 ties of New York, Vermont, and the commemorative 

10 commissions formed by these States; 

11 (2) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton12 Champlain 2009 observances provide an excellent 

13 visitor experience and beneficial interaction between 

14 visitors and the natural and cultural resources of the 

15 New York and Vermont sites; 

16 (3) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton17 Champlain 2009 observances are inclusive and ap18 propriately recognize the diverse Hudson River and 

19 Lake Champlain Valley communities that developed 

20 over four centuries; 

21 (4) facilitate international involvement, includ22 ing the involvement of the commemorative commis23 sion formed by Canada, in the Hudson-Fulton24 Champlain 2009 observances; 


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1 (5) support and facilitate marketing efforts for 

2 a commemorative coin, a commemorative stamp, and 

3 related activities for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 

4 2009 observances; 

5 (6) assist in the appropriate development of 

6 heritage tourism and economic benefits to the 

7 United States; and 

8 (7) support and facilitate the related efforts of 

9 the Lake Champlain Basin Program in the coordina10 tion of efforts to commemorate the voyage of Samuel 

11 de Champlain. 

12 SEC. 102. COORDINATION. 

13 The two commissions established under this Act shall 

14 ensure coordination of their activities to achieve seamless 

15 and successful commemorations, and ensure consistency 

16 with the plans and programs of the commemorative com17 missions established by the States of New York and 

18 Vermont. 

19 TITLE II—CHAMPLAIN 

20 QUADRICENTENNIAL COM21 MEMORATION COMMISSION 

22 SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 

23 In this title: 


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1 (1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo2 ration’’ means the commemoration of the 400th an3 niversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage. 

4 (2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 

5 means the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemo6 ration Commission established by section 202(a). 

7 (3) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The 

8 term ‘‘Lake Champlain Basin Program’’ means the 

9 partnership with Federal agencies established by the 

10 States of New York and Vermont under section 120 

11 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 

12 U.S.C. 1270) to implement the Lake Champlain 

13 management plan entitled ‘‘Opportunities for Ac14 tion’’. 

15 (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

16 the Secretary of the Interior. 

17 (5) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’— 

18 (A) means the States of New York and 

19 Vermont; and 

20 (B) includes agencies and other entities of 

21 each such State. 


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1 SEC. 202. CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORA2 TION COMMISSION. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 

4 commission to be known as the ‘‘Champlain 

5 Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission’’. 

6 (b) MEMBERSHIP.— 

7 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 

8 composed of 11 members, of whom— 

9 (A) 2 members shall be employees of the 

10 National Park Service, of whom— 

11 (i) one shall be the Director of the 

12 National Park Service (or a designee of the 

13 Director); and 

14 (ii) one shall be an employee of the 

15 National Park Service having experience 

16 relevant to the commemoration, who shall 

17 be appointed by the Secretary; 

18 (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the 

19 Secretary from among individuals who, on the 

20 date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 

21 as members of the State of New York’s Hud22 son-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Com23 mission and are residents of the Champlain 

24 Valley; 

25 (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the 

26 Secretary from among individuals who, on the 


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1 date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 

2 as members of the State of Vermont’s Lake 

3 Champlain Quadricentennial Commission and 

4 are residents of Vermont; and 

5 (D) one member shall be appointed by the 

6 Secretary from among individuals who have an 

7 interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 

8 demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com9 memoration, and are knowledgeable of the 

10 Champlain Valley. 

11 (2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 

12 (A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis13 sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com14 mission. 

15 (B) VACANCIES.— 

16 (i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

17 Commission shall be filled in the same 

18 manner in which the original appointment 

19 was made. 

20 (ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member ap21 pointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis22 sion shall serve for the remainder of the 

23 term for which the predecessor of the 

24 member was appointed. 

25 (3) MEETINGS.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

2 meet— 

3 (i) at least twice each year; or 

4 (ii) at the call of the chairperson or 

5 the majority of the members of the Com6 mission. 

7 (B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 

8 days after the date on which all members of the 

9 Commission have been appointed, the Commis10 sion shall hold the initial meeting of the Com11 mission. 

12 (4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 

13 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

14 elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 

15 of the Commission on an annual basis. 

16 (B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair17 person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab18 sence of the chairperson. 

19 (5) QUORUM.—A majority of voting members of 

20 the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 

21 lesser number may hold meetings. 

22 (6) VOTING.—The Commission shall act only 

23 on an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting 

24 members of the Commission. 

25 (c) DUTIES.— 


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1 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 

2 (A) plan, develop, and execute programs 

3 and activities appropriate to commemorate the 

4 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de 

5 Champlain, the first European to discover and 

6 explore Lake Champlain; 

7 (B) facilitate Champlain-related activities 

8 throughout the United States; 

9 (C) coordinate its activities with State 

10 commemoration commissions and appropriate 

11 Federal Government entities, including the De12 partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 

13 Transportation, the Lake Champlain Basin 

14 Program, the National Endowment for the Hu15 manities and the National Endowment for the 

16 Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 

17 (D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 

18 educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 

19 other organizations throughout the United 

20 States to organize and participate in anniver21 sary activities to expand the understanding and 

22 appreciation of the significance of the voyage of 

23 Samuel de Champlain; 


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1 (E) provide technical assistance to States, 

2 localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 

3 the commemoration; 

4 (F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 

5 scholarly research on, publication about, and in6 terpretation of, the voyage of Samuel de Cham7 plain; 

8 (G) ensure that the Champlain 2009 anni9 versary provides a lasting legacy and long-term 

10 public benefit by assisting in the development of 

11 appropriate programs and facilities; 

12 (H) assist in ensuring that the observances 

13 of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain are in14 clusive and appropriately recognize the experi15 ences and heritage of all people present when 

16 Samuel de Champlain arrived in the Champlain 

17 Valley; and 

18 (I) consult and coordinate with the Lake 

19 Champlain Basin Program and other relevant 

20 organizations in the planning and development 

21 of programs and activities for the commemora22 tion of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain. 

23 (2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM24 ANCE PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 

25 strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 


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1 5, United States Code, and annual performance 

2 plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 

3 United States Code, for the activities of the Com4 mission carried out under this Act. 

5 (3) REPORTS.— 

6 (A) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Commission 

7 shall submit to the Congress an annual report 

8 that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de9 vise with a value of more than $250, together 

10 with the identity of the donor of each such gift, 

11 bequest, or devise. 

12 (B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep13 tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 

14 to the Secretary a final report that contains— 

15 (i) a summary of the activities of the 

16 Commission; 

17 (ii) a final accounting of funds re18 ceived and expended by the Commission; 

19 and 

20 (iii) the findings and recommenda21 tions of the Commission. 

22 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may— 

24 (A) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 

25 gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 


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1 real or personal property for the purpose of aid2 ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 

3 (B) appoint such advisory committees as 

4 the Commission determines to be necessary to 

5 carry out this Act; 

6 (C) authorize any member or employee of 

7 the Commission to take any action that the 

8 Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 

9 (D) subject to the availability of appropria10 tions, procure supplies, services, and property, 

11 and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 

12 other legal agreements, to carry out this Act, 

13 except that any contracts, leases, or other legal 

14 agreements made or entered into by the Com15 mission directly or with administrative assist16 ance from the Lake Champlain Basin Program 

17 shall not extend beyond the date of the termi18 nation of the Commission; 

19 (E) use the United States mails in the 

20 same manner and under the same conditions as 

21 other Federal agencies; 

22 (F) subject to approval by the Commission 

23 and the availability of appropriations, make 

24 grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 

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1 memorative commissions formed by the States 

2 to develop programs to assist in the commemo3 ration; 

4 (G) subject to the availability of appropria5 tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 

6 $20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 

7 to research, publish, or distribute information 

8 relating to the early history of the voyage of 

9 Champlain; and 

10 (H) provide technical assistance to the 

11 States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 

12 develop programs and facilities to further the 

13 commemoration. 

14 (2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION WITH

15 LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The Commis16 sion shall coordinate and consult with the Lake 

17 Champlain Basin Program in providing grants and 

18 technical assistance under subparagraphs (F), (G), 

19 and (H) of paragraph (1) for the conduct of activi20 ties relating to the commemoration of the voyage of 

21 Samuel de Champlain. 

22 (e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

23 (1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM24 MISSION.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

2 subparagraph (B), a member of the Commis3 sion shall serve without compensation. 

4 (B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 

5 the Commission who is an officer or employee 

6 of the Federal Government shall serve without 

7 compensation in addition to the compensation 

8 received for the services of the member as an 

9 officer or employee of the Federal Government. 

10 (C) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 

11 Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in12 cluding per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 

13 authorized for an employee of an agency under 

14 subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 

15 States Code, while away from the home or reg16 ular place of business of the member in the per17 formance of the duties of the Commission. 

18 (2) STAFF.— 

19 (A) IN GENERAL.—The chairperson of the 

20 Commission may, without regard to the civil 

21 service laws (including regulations), appoint 

22 and terminate an executive director and such 

23 other additional personnel as are necessary to 

24 enable the Commission to perform the duties of 

25 the Commission. 


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1 (B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC2 TOR.—The employment of an executive director 

3 shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis4 sion. 

5 (3) COMPENSATION.— 

6 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

7 subparagraph (B), the chairperson of the Com8 mission may fix the compensation of the execu9 tive director and other personnel without regard 

10 to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter 

11 III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 

12 relating to classification of positions and Gen13 eral Schedule pay rates. 

14 (B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate of 

15 pay for the executive director and other per16 sonnel shall not exceed the rate payable for 

17 level V of the Executive Schedule under section 

18 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 

19 (4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT AND LAKE CHAM20 PLAIN BASIN PROGRAM EMPLOYEES.— 

21 (A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 

22 (i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 

23 the Commission, the head of any Federal 

24 agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 

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1 sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 

2 assist the Commission in carrying out the 

3 duties of the Commission under this Act. 

4 (ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de5 tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 

6 be without interruption or loss of civil serv7 ice status or privilege. 

8 (B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 

9 may— 

10 (i) accept the services of personnel de11 tailed from States (including subdivisions 

12 of States); and 

13 (ii) reimburse States for services of 

14 detailed personnel. 

15 (C) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM

16 EMPLOYEES.—The Commission may— 

17 (i) accept the services of personnel 

18 from the Lake Champlain Basin Program; 

19 and 

20 (ii) reimburse the Lake Champlain 

21 Basin Program for services of detailed per22 sonnel. 

23 (5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV24 ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 

25 United States Code, the Commission may accept and 


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1 use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 

2 Commission determines necessary. 

3 (6) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Director of the 

4 National Park Service shall provide to the Commis5 sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 

6 support services as the Commission may request. 

7 (f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT8 TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria9 tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 

10 temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 

11 section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 

12 for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 

13 the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 

14 Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 

15 (g) FACA NONAPPLICABILITY.—Section 14(b) of the 

16 Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 

17 apply to the Commission. 

18 (h) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 

19 section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na20 tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 

21 (i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

22 on December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents 

23 and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 

24 or other appropriate Federal entity. 


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1 SEC. 203. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 

2 The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte3 rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 

4 shall make the results of the audit available to the public, 

5 and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov6 ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 

7 SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

8 There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 

9 each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 to carry out this 

10 title, of which— 

11 (1) 45 percent shall be for New York activities 

12 relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora13 tion; 

14 (2) 45 percent shall be for Vermont activities 

15 relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora16 tion; and 

17 (3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 

18 Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 

19 relating to the commemoration. 

20 TITLE III—HUDSON-FULTON 

21 400TH COMMEMORATION 

22 COMMISSION 

23 SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 

24 In this title: 

25 (1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo26 ration’’ means the commemoration of— 


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1 (A) the 200th anniversary of Robert Ful2 ton’s voyage in the CLERMONT; and 

3 (B) the 400th anniversary of Henry Hud4 son’s voyage in the HALF MOON. 

5 (2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 

6 means the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration 

7 Commission established by section 302(a). 

8 (3) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 

9 the Governor of the State of New York. 

10 (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

11 the Secretary of the Interior. 

12 (5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’— 

13 (A) means the State of New York; and 

14 (B) includes agencies and entities of each 

15 such State. 

16 SEC. 302. HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION COM17 MISSION. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 

19 commission to be known as the ‘‘Hudson-Fulton 400th 

20 Commemoration Commission’’. 

21 (b) MEMBERSHIP.— 

22 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 

23 composed of 16 members, of whom— 


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1 (A) 1 member shall be appointed by the 

2 Secretary, after consideration of the rec3 ommendation of the Governor; 

4 (B) 6 members shall be appointed by the 

5 Secretary, after consideration of the rec6 ommendations from the Members of the House 

7 of Representatives whose districts encompass 

8 the Hudson River Valley; 

9 (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the 

10 Secretary, after consideration of the rec11 ommendations from the Members of the Senate 

12 from New York; 

13 (D) 2 members shall be employees of the 

14 National Park Service, of whom— 

15 (i) one shall be the Director of the 

16 National Park Service (or a designee of the 

17 Director); and 

18 (ii) one shall be an employee of the 

19 National Park Service having experience 

20 relevant to the commemoration, who shall 

21 be appointed by the Secretary; 

22 (E) 2 members shall be appointed by the 

23 Secretary from among individuals who have an 

24 interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 

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1 demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com2 memoration, of whom— 

3 (i) one shall be knowledgeable of the 

4 Hudson River Valley National Heritage 

5 Area; and 

6 (ii) one shall be knowledgeable of New 

7 York City as it relates to the commemora8 tion; 

9 (F) one member shall be the chairperson of 

10 any commemorative commission formed by New 

11 York, or the designee of the chairperson; and 

12 (G) two members shall be appointed by the 

13 Secretary, after consideration of the rec14 ommendation of the mayor of the City of New 

15 York and after consultation with Members of 

16 the House of Representatives whose districts 

17 encompass the City of New York. 

18 (2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 

19 (A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis20 sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com21 mission. 

22 (B) VACANCIES.— 

23 (i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

24 Commission shall be filled in the same 


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1 manner in which the original appointment 

2 was made. 

3 (ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member ap4 pointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis5 sion shall serve for the remainder of the 

6 term for which the predecessor of the 

7 member was appointed. 

8 (3) MEETINGS.— 

9 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

10 meet— 

11 (i) at least twice each year; or 

12 (ii) at the call of the chairperson or 

13 the majority of the members of the Com14 mission. 

15 (B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 

16 days after the date on which all members of the 

17 Commission have been appointed, the Commis18 sion shall hold the initial meeting of the Com19 mission. 

20 (4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 

21 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

22 elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 

23 of the Commission on an annual basis. 


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1 (B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair2 person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab3 sence of the chairperson. 

4 (5) QUORUM.—A majority of voting members 

5 shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may 

6 hold meetings. 

7 (6) VOTING.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

9 act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of 

10 the voting members of the Commission. 

11 (B) NONVOTING MEMBER.—The individual 

12 appointed under subparagraph (D)(ii) of para13 graph (1) shall be a nonvoting member, and 

14 shall serve only in an advisory capacity. 

15 (c) DUTIES.— 

16 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 

17 (A) plan, develop, and execute programs 

18 and activities appropriate to commemorate the 

19 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hud20 son, the first European to sail up the Hudson 

21 River, and the 200th anniversary of the voyage 

22 of Robert Fulton, the first person to use steam 

23 navigation on a commercial basis; 

24 (B) facilitate Hudson-Fulton-related activi25 ties throughout the United States; 


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1 (C) coordinate its activities with the State 

2 commemoration commission and appropriate 

3 Federal Government agencies, including the De4 partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 

5 Transportation, the National Park Service with 

6 respect to the Hudson River Valley National 

7 Heritage Area, and the American Heritage Riv8 ers Initiative Interagency Committee estab9 lished by Executive Order 13061, dated Sep10 tember 11, 1997, the National Endowment for 

11 the Humanities and the National Endowment 

12 for the Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 

13 (D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 

14 educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 

15 other organizations throughout the United 

16 States to organize and participate in anniver17 sary activities to expand the understanding and 

18 appreciation of the significance of the voyages 

19 of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton; 

20 (E) provide technical assistance to States, 

21 localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 

22 the commemoration; 

23 (F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 

24 scholarly research on, publication about, and inVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:31 Jun 01, 2006 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H5501.IH H5501

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1 terpretation of, the voyages of Henry Hudson 

2 and Robert Fulton; 

3 (G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton 2009 

4 commemorations provide a lasting legacy and 

5 long-term public benefit by assisting in the de6 velopment of appropriate programs and facili7 ties; and 

8 (H) assist in ensuring that the observances 

9 of the voyage of Henry Hudson are inclusive 

10 and appropriately recognize the experiences and 

11 heritage of all people present when Henry Hud12 son sailed the Hudson River. 

13 (2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM14 ANCE PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 

15 strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 

16 5, United States Code, and annual performance 

17 plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 

18 United States Code, for the activities of the Com19 mission carried out under this Act. 

20 (3) REPORTS.— 

21 (A) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Commission 

22 shall submit to the Congress an annual report 

23 that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de24 vise with a value of more than $250, together 


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1 with the identity of the donor of each such gift, 

2 bequest, or devise. 

3 (B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep4 tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 

5 to the Secretary a final report that contains— 

6 (i) a summary of the activities of the 

7 Commission; 

8 (ii) a final accounting of funds re9 ceived and expended by the Commission; 

10 and 

11 (iii) the findings and recommenda12 tions of the Commission. 

13 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

14 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may— 

15 (A) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 

16 gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 

17 real or personal property for the purpose of aid18 ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 

19 (B) appoint such advisory committees as 

20 the Commission determines to be necessary to 

21 carry out this Act; 

22 (C) authorize any member or employee of 

23 the Commission to take any action that the 

24 Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 


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1 (D) subject to the availability of appropria2 tions, procure supplies, services, and property, 

3 and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 

4 other legal agreements, to carry out this Act ex5 cept that any contracts, leases, or other legal 

6 agreements made or entered into by the Com7 mission shall not extend beyond the date of the 

8 termination of the Commission; 

9 (E) use the United States mails in the 

10 same manner and under the same conditions as 

11 other Federal agencies; 

12 (F) subject to approval by the Commission 

13 and the availability of appropriations, make 

14 grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 

15 communities, nonprofit organizations, and com16 memorative commissions formed by the State to 

17 develop programs to assist in the commemora18 tion; 

19 (G) subject to the availability of appropria20 tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 

21 $20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 

22 to research, publish, or distribute information 

23 relating to the early history of the voyages of 

24 Hudson and Fulton; and 


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1 (H) provide technical assistance to the 

2 State, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 

3 develop programs and facilities to further the 

4 commemoration. 

5 (e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

6 (1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM7 MISSION.— 

8 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

9 subparagraph (B), a member of the Commis10 sion shall serve without compensation. 

11 (B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 

12 the Commission who is an officer or employee 

13 of the Federal Government shall serve without 

14 compensation in addition to the compensation 

15 received for the services of the member as an 

16 officer or employee of the Federal Government. 

17 (C) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 

18 Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in19 cluding per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 

20 authorized for an employee of an agency under 

21 subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 

22 States Code, while away from the home or reg23 ular place of business of the member in the per24 formance of the duties of the Commission. 

25 (2) STAFF.— 


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1 (A) IN GENERAL.—The chairperson of the 

2 Commission may, without regard to the civil 

3 service laws (including regulations), appoint 

4 and terminate an executive director and such 

5 other additional personnel as are necessary to 

6 enable the Commission to perform the duties of 

7 the Commission. 

8 (B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC9 TOR.—The employment of an executive director 

10 shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis11 sion. 

12 (3) COMPENSATION.— 

13 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 

14 subparagraph (B), the chairperson of the Com15 mission may fix the compensation of the execu16 tive director and other personnel without regard 

17 to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter 

18 III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 

19 relating to classification of positions and Gen20 eral Schedule pay rates. 

21 (B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate of 

22 pay for the executive director and other per23 sonnel shall not exceed the rate payable for 

24 level V of the Executive Schedule under section 

25 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 


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1 (4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— 

2 (A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 

3 (i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 

4 the Commission, the head of any Federal 

5 agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 

6 nonreimbursable basis, any of the per7 sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 

8 assist the Commission in carrying out the 

9 duties of the Commission under this Act. 

10 (ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de11 tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 

12 be without interruption or loss of civil serv13 ice status or privilege. 

14 (B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 

15 may— 

16 (i) accept the services of personnel de17 tailed from the State (including subdivi18 sions of the State); and 

19 (ii) reimburse the State for services of 

20 detailed personnel. 

21 (5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV22 ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 

23 United States Code, the Commission may accept and 

24 use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 

25 Commission determines necessary. 


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1 (6) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Director of the 

2 National Park Service shall provide to the Commis3 sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 

4 support services as the Commission may request. 

5 (f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT6 TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria7 tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 

8 temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 

9 section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 

10 for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 

11 the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 

12 Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 

13 (g) FACA NONAPPLICABILITY.—Section 14(b) of the 

14 Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 

15 apply to the Commission. 

16 (h) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 

17 section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na18 tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 

19 (i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

20 on December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents 

21 and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 

22 or other appropriate Federal entity. 

23 SEC. 303. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 

24 The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte25 rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 


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1 shall make the results of the audit available to the public, 

2 and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov3 ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 

4 SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

5 There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 

6 each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 to carry out this 

7 title, of which— 

8 (1) 80 percent shall be for Hudson Valley ac9 tivities relating to the commemoration; 

10 (2) 10 percent shall be for New York City ac11 tivities relating to the commemoration; and 

12 (3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 

13 Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 

14 relating to the commemoration. 

Æ 


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