II 

Calendar No. 385 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1520 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 

Received; read twice and placed on the calendar 

AN ACT 

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 2007’’. 

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

8 this Act is as follows: 

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

TITLE I—FINDINGS AND PURPOSE 

Sec. 101. Findings and purpose. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
2 

HR 1520 PCS

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. 

1 TITLE I—FINDINGS AND 

2 PURPOSE 

3 SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 

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

5 (1) The first European exploration of the Hud6 son River and Lake Champlain and the introduction 

7 of steam navigation to maritime commerce were 

8 events of major historical importance, both in the 

9 United States and internationally. 

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

11 in the service of the Dutch East India Company, 

12 was the first European to sail up the river later 

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

14 1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was 

15 the first European to see the lake later named for 

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

17 and Vermont. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
3 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (3) These voyages were two of the most signifi2 cant passages in the European exploration and dis3 covery of America, and included two of the earliest 

4 contacts in the New World between Native Ameri5 cans and Europeans. 

6 (4) These explorations led to the establishment 

7 of Fort Orange, a Dutch (and later English) settle8 ment of what is now the capital city of the State of 

9 New York, as well as the establishment of French 

10 trading posts, military posts, and settlements as far 

11 south as Lake George. From these early establish12 ments came trade, commerce, cultural, and religious 

13 impact deep into the Mohawk Valley and as far west 

14 as Lake Erie. These settlements influenced the Na15 tion’s history, culture, law, commerce, and traditions 

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

17 are constantly reflected in the position of the United 

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

19 (5) In 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hud20 son River from the city of New York to Albany in 

21 the steamboat CLERMONT, successfully inau22 gurating steam navigation on a commercial basis. 

23 This event is one of the most important events in 

24 the history of navigation. It revolutionized water25 borne commerce on the great rivers of the United 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
4 

HR 1520 PCS

1 States, transformed naval warfare, and fostered 

2 international relations through transoceanic travel 

3 and trade. 

4 (6) In 1909, the Congress authorized a Cham5 plain Tercentennial Commission and supported its 

6 activities. The Congress recognized the 350th anni7 versary by establishing a similar commission to co8 ordinate Federal participation in the 1959 celebra9 tion of Hudson’s and Champlain’s discoveries. 

10 (7) The National Park Service owns and oper11 ates significant resources in New York related to the 

12 early history of the Nation and the Hudson River 

13 Valley. 

14 (8) In 2000, Canada’s Province of Quebec es15 tablished a Quebec 400 Commission with a budget 

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

17 the 1609 Champlain voyage into the Lake Cham18 plain region is a part. 

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

20 a Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission. 

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

22 a Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. 

23 (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to estab24 lish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
5 

HR 1520 PCS

1 Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemora2 tion Commission, to— 

3 (1) ensure a suitable national observance of the 

4 Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 

5 Champlain 2009 commemorations through coopera6 tion with and assistance to the programs and activi7 ties of New York, Vermont, and the commemorative 

8 commissions formed by these States; 

9 (2) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton10 Champlain 2009 observances provide an excellent 

11 visitor experience and beneficial interaction between 

12 visitors and the natural and cultural resources of the 

13 New York and Vermont sites; 

14 (3) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton15 Champlain 2009 observances are inclusive and ap16 propriately recognize the diverse Hudson River and 

17 Lake Champlain Valley communities that developed 

18 over four centuries; 

19 (4) facilitate international involvement, includ20 ing the involvement of the commemorative commis21 sion formed by Canada, in the Hudson-Fulton22 Champlain 2009 observances; 

23 (5) support and facilitate marketing efforts for 

24 a commemorative coin, a commemorative stamp, and 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
6 

HR 1520 PCS

1 related activities for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 

2 2009 observances; 

3 (6) assist in the appropriate development of 

4 heritage tourism and economic benefits to the 

5 United States; and 

6 (7) support and facilitate the related efforts of 

7 the Lake Champlain Basin Program in the coordina8 tion of efforts to commemorate the voyage of Samuel 

9 de Champlain. 

10 SEC. 102. COORDINATION. 

11 The two commissions established under this Act shall 

12 ensure coordination of their activities to achieve seamless 

13 and successful commemorations, and ensure consistency 

14 with the plans and programs of the commemorative com15 missions established by the States of New York and 

16 Vermont. 

17 TITLE II—CHAMPLAIN 

18 QUADRICENTENNIAL COM19 MEMORATION COMMISSION 

20 SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 

21 In this title: 

22 (1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo23 ration’’ means the commemoration of the 400th an24 niversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
7 

HR 1520 PCS

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

2 means the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemo3 ration Commission established by section 202(a). 

4 (3) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The 

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

6 partnership with Federal agencies established by the 

7 States of New York and Vermont under section 120 

8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 

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

10 management plan entitled ‘‘Opportunities for Ac11 tion’’. 

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

13 the Secretary of the Interior. 

14 (5) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’— 

15 (A) means the States of New York and 

16 Vermont; and 

17 (B) includes agencies and other entities of 

18 each such State. 

19 SEC. 202. CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORA20 TION COMMISSION. 

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

22 commission to be known as the ‘‘Champlain 

23 Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission’’. 

24 (b) MEMBERSHIP.— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
8 

HR 1520 PCS

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

2 composed of 11 members, of whom— 

3 (A) 2 members shall be employees of the 

4 National Park Service, of whom— 

5 (i) one shall be the Director of the 

6 National Park Service (or a designee of the 

7 Director); and 

8 (ii) one shall be an employee of the 

9 National Park Service having experience 

10 relevant to the commemoration, who shall 

11 be appointed by the Secretary; 

12 (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the 

13 Secretary from among individuals who, on the 

14 date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 

15 as members of the State of New York’s Hud16 son-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Com17 mission and are residents of the Champlain 

18 Valley; 

19 (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the 

20 Secretary from among individuals who, on the 

21 date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 

22 as members of the State of Vermont’s Lake 

23 Champlain Quadricentennial Commission and 

24 are residents of Vermont; and 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
9 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (D) one member shall be appointed by the 

2 Secretary from among individuals who have an 

3 interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 

4 demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com5 memoration, and are knowledgeable of the 

6 Champlain Valley. 

7 (2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 

8 (A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis9 sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com10 mission. 

11 (B) VACANCIES.— 

12 (i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

13 Commission shall be filled in the same 

14 manner in which the original appointment 

15 was made. 

16 (ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member ap17 pointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis18 sion shall serve for the remainder of the 

19 term for which the predecessor of the 

20 member was appointed. 

21 (3) MEETINGS.— 

22 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

23 meet— 

24 (i) at least twice each year; or 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
10 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (ii) at the call of the chairperson or 

2 the majority of the members of the Com3 mission. 

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

5 days after the date on which all members of the 

6 Commission have been appointed, the Commis7 sion shall hold the initial meeting of the Com8 mission. 

9 (4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 

10 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

11 elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 

12 of the Commission on an annual basis. 

13 (B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair14 person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab15 sence of the chairperson. 

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

17 the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 

18 lesser number may hold meetings. 

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

20 on an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting 

21 members of the Commission. 

22 (c) DUTIES.— 

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

24 (A) plan, develop, and execute programs 

25 and activities appropriate to commemorate the 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
11 

HR 1520 PCS

1 400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de 

2 Champlain, the first European to discover and 

3 explore Lake Champlain; 

4 (B) facilitate Champlain-related activities 

5 throughout the United States; 

6 (C) coordinate its activities with State 

7 commemoration commissions and appropriate 

8 Federal Government entities, including the De9 partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 

10 Transportation, the Lake Champlain Basin 

11 Program, the National Endowment for the Hu12 manities and the National Endowment for the 

13 Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 

14 (D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 

15 educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 

16 other organizations throughout the United 

17 States to organize and participate in anniver18 sary activities to expand the understanding and 

19 appreciation of the significance of the voyage of 

20 Samuel de Champlain; 

21 (E) provide technical assistance to States, 

22 localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 

23 the commemoration; 

24 (F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 

25 scholarly research on, publication about, and inVerDate Aug 31 2005 23:46 Sep 25, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1520.PCS H1520

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
12 

HR 1520 PCS

1 terpretation of, the voyage of Samuel de Cham2 plain; 

3 (G) ensure that the Champlain 2009 anni4 versary provides a lasting legacy and long-term 

5 public benefit by assisting in the development of 

6 appropriate programs and facilities; 

7 (H) assist in ensuring that the observances 

8 of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain are in9 clusive and appropriately recognize the experi10 ences and heritage of all people present when 

11 Samuel de Champlain arrived in the Champlain 

12 Valley; and 

13 (I) consult and coordinate with the Lake 

14 Champlain Basin Program and other relevant 

15 organizations in the planning and development 

16 of programs and activities for the commemora17 tion of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain. 

18 (2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM19 ANCE PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 

20 strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 

21 5, United States Code, and annual performance 

22 plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 

23 United States Code, for the activities of the Com24 mission carried out under this Act. 

25 (3) REPORTS.— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
13 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (A) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Commission 

2 shall submit to the Congress an annual report 

3 that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de4 vise with a value of more than $250, together 

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

6 bequest, or devise. 

7 (B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep8 tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 

9 to the Secretary a final report that contains— 

10 (i) a summary of the activities of the 

11 Commission; 

12 (ii) a final accounting of funds re13 ceived and expended by the Commission; 

14 and 

15 (iii) the findings and recommenda16 tions of the Commission. 

17 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

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

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

20 gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 

21 real or personal property for the purpose of aid22 ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 

23 (B) appoint such advisory committees as 

24 the Commission determines to be necessary to 

25 carry out this Act; 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
14 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (C) authorize any member or employee of 

2 the Commission to take any action that the 

3 Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 

4 (D) subject to the availability of appropria5 tions, procure supplies, services, and property, 

6 and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 

7 other legal agreements, to carry out this Act, 

8 except that any contracts, leases, or other legal 

9 agreements made or entered into by the Com10 mission directly or with administrative assist11 ance from the Lake Champlain Basin Program 

12 shall not extend beyond the date of the termi13 nation of the Commission; 

14 (E) use the United States mails in the 

15 same manner and under the same conditions as 

16 other Federal agencies; 

17 (F) subject to approval by the Commission 

18 and the availability of appropriations, make 

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

20 communities, nonprofit organizations, and com21 memorative commissions formed by the States 

22 to develop programs to assist in the commemo23 ration; 

24 (G) subject to the availability of appropria25 tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
15 

HR 1520 PCS

1 $20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 

2 to research, publish, or distribute information 

3 relating to the early history of the voyage of 

4 Champlain; and 

5 (H) provide technical assistance to the 

6 States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 

7 develop programs and facilities to further the 

8 commemoration. 

9 (2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION WITH

10 LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The Commis11 sion shall coordinate and consult with the Lake 

12 Champlain Basin Program in providing grants and 

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

14 and (H) of paragraph (1) for the conduct of activi15 ties relating to the commemoration of the voyage of 

16 Samuel de Champlain. 

17 (e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

18 (1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM19 MISSION.— 

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

21 subparagraph (B), a member of the Commis22 sion shall serve without compensation. 

23 (B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 

24 the Commission who is an officer or employee 

25 of the Federal Government shall serve without 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
16 

HR 1520 PCS

1 compensation in addition to the compensation 

2 received for the services of the member as an 

3 officer or employee of the Federal Government. 

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

5 Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in6 cluding per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 

7 authorized for an employee of an agency under 

8 subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 

9 States Code, while away from the home or reg10 ular place of business of the member in the per11 formance of the duties of the Commission. 

12 (2) STAFF.— 

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

14 Commission may, without regard to the civil 

15 service laws (including regulations), appoint 

16 and terminate an executive director and such 

17 other additional personnel as are necessary to 

18 enable the Commission to perform the duties of 

19 the Commission. 

20 (B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC21 TOR.—The employment of an executive director 

22 shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis23 sion. 

24 (3) COMPENSATION.— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
17 

HR 1520 PCS

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

2 subparagraph (B), the chairperson of the Com3 mission may fix the compensation of the execu4 tive director and other personnel without regard 

5 to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter 

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

7 relating to classification of positions and Gen8 eral Schedule pay rates. 

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

10 pay for the executive director and other per11 sonnel shall not exceed the rate payable for 

12 level V of the Executive Schedule under section 

13 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 

14 (4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT AND LAKE CHAM15 PLAIN BASIN PROGRAM EMPLOYEES.— 

16 (A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 

17 (i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 

18 the Commission, the head of any Federal 

19 agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 

20 nonreimbursable basis, any of the per21 sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 

22 assist the Commission in carrying out the 

23 duties of the Commission under this Act. 

24 (ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de25 tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
18 

HR 1520 PCS

1 be without interruption or loss of civil serv2 ice status or privilege. 

3 (B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 

4 may— 

5 (i) accept the services of personnel de6 tailed from States (including subdivisions 

7 of States); and 

8 (ii) reimburse States for services of 

9 detailed personnel. 

10 (C) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM

11 EMPLOYEES.—The Commission may— 

12 (i) accept the services of personnel 

13 from the Lake Champlain Basin Program; 

14 and 

15 (ii) reimburse the Lake Champlain 

16 Basin Program for services of detailed per17 sonnel. 

18 (5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV19 ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 

20 United States Code, the Commission may accept and 

21 use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 

22 Commission determines necessary. 

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

24 National Park Service shall provide to the CommisVerDate Aug 31 2005 23:46 Sep 25, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1520.PCS H1520

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
19 

HR 1520 PCS

1 sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 

2 support services as the Commission may request. 

3 (f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT4 TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria5 tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 

6 temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 

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

8 for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 

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

10 Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 

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

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

13 apply to the Commission. 

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

15 section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na16 tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 

17 (i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

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

19 and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 

20 or other appropriate Federal entity. 

21 SEC. 203. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 

22 The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte23 rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 

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


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
20 

HR 1520 PCS

1 and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov2 ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 

3 SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

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

5 each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this 

6 title, of which— 

7 (1) 45 percent shall be for New York activities 

8 relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora9 tion; 

10 (2) 45 percent shall be for Vermont activities 

11 relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora12 tion; and 

13 (3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 

14 Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 

15 relating to the commemoration. 

16 TITLE III—HUDSON-FULTON 

17 400TH COMMEMORATION 

18 COMMISSION 

19 SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 

20 In this title: 

21 (1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo22 ration’’ means the commemoration of— 

23 (A) the 200th anniversary of Robert Ful24 ton’s voyage in the CLERMONT; and 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
21 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (B) the 400th anniversary of Henry Hud2 son’s voyage in the HALF MOON. 

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

4 means the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration 

5 Commission established by section 302(a). 

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

7 the Governor of the State of New York. 

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

9 the Secretary of the Interior. 

10 (5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’— 

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

12 (B) includes agencies and entities of each 

13 such State. 

14 SEC. 302. HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION COM15 MISSION. 

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

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

18 Commemoration Commission’’. 

19 (b) MEMBERSHIP.— 

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

21 composed of 16 members, of whom— 

22 (A) 1 member shall be appointed by the 

23 Secretary, after consideration of the rec24 ommendation of the Governor; 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
22 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (B) 6 members shall be appointed by the 

2 Secretary, after consideration of the rec3 ommendations from the Members of the House 

4 of Representatives whose districts encompass 

5 the Hudson River Valley; 

6 (C) 2 members shall be appointed by the 

7 Secretary, after consideration of the rec8 ommendations from the Members of the Senate 

9 from New York; 

10 (D) 2 members shall be employees of the 

11 National Park Service, of whom— 

12 (i) one shall be the Director of the 

13 National Park Service (or a designee of the 

14 Director); and 

15 (ii) one shall be an employee of the 

16 National Park Service having experience 

17 relevant to the commemoration, who shall 

18 be appointed by the Secretary; 

19 (E) 2 members shall be appointed by the 

20 Secretary from among individuals who have an 

21 interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 

22 demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com23 memoration, of whom— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
23 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (i) one shall be knowledgeable of the 

2 Hudson River Valley National Heritage 

3 Area; and 

4 (ii) one shall be knowledgeable of New 

5 York City as it relates to the commemora6 tion; 

7 (F) one member shall be the chairperson of 

8 any commemorative commission formed by New 

9 York, or the designee of the chairperson; and 

10 (G) two members shall be appointed by the 

11 Secretary, after consideration of the rec12 ommendation of the mayor of the City of New 

13 York and after consultation with Members of 

14 the House of Representatives whose districts 

15 encompass the City of New York. 

16 (2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 

17 (A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis18 sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com19 mission. 

20 (B) VACANCIES.— 

21 (i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 

22 Commission shall be filled in the same 

23 manner in which the original appointment 

24 was made. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
24 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member ap2 pointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis3 sion shall serve for the remainder of the 

4 term for which the predecessor of the 

5 member was appointed. 

6 (3) MEETINGS.— 

7 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

8 meet— 

9 (i) at least twice each year; or 

10 (ii) at the call of the chairperson or 

11 the majority of the members of the Com12 mission. 

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

14 days after the date on which all members of the 

15 Commission have been appointed, the Commis16 sion shall hold the initial meeting of the Com17 mission. 

18 (4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 

19 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

20 elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 

21 of the Commission on an annual basis. 

22 (B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair23 person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab24 sence of the chairperson. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
25 

HR 1520 PCS

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

2 shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may 

3 hold meetings. 

4 (6) VOTING.— 

5 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 

6 act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of 

7 the voting members of the Commission. 

8 (B) NONVOTING MEMBER.—The individual 

9 appointed under subparagraph (D)(ii) of para10 graph (1) shall be a nonvoting member, and 

11 shall serve only in an advisory capacity. 

12 (c) DUTIES.— 

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

14 (A) plan, develop, and execute programs 

15 and activities appropriate to commemorate the 

16 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hud17 son, the first European to sail up the Hudson 

18 River, and the 200th anniversary of the voyage 

19 of Robert Fulton, the first person to use steam 

20 navigation on a commercial basis; 

21 (B) facilitate Hudson-Fulton-related activi22 ties throughout the United States; 

23 (C) coordinate its activities with the State 

24 commemoration commission and appropriate 

25 Federal Government agencies, including the DeVerDate Aug 31 2005 23:46 Sep 25, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1520.PCS H1520

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
26 

HR 1520 PCS

1 partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 

2 Transportation, the National Park Service with 

3 respect to the Hudson River Valley National 

4 Heritage Area, and the American Heritage Riv5 ers Initiative Interagency Committee estab6 lished by Executive Order 13061, dated Sep7 tember 11, 1997, the National Endowment for 

8 the Humanities and the National Endowment 

9 for the Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 

10 (D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 

11 educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 

12 other organizations throughout the United 

13 States to organize and participate in anniver14 sary activities to expand the understanding and 

15 appreciation of the significance of the voyages 

16 of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton; 

17 (E) provide technical assistance to States, 

18 localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 

19 the commemoration; 

20 (F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 

21 scholarly research on, publication about, and in22 terpretation of, the voyages of Henry Hudson 

23 and Robert Fulton; 

24 (G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton 2009 

25 commemorations provide a lasting legacy and 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
27 

HR 1520 PCS

1 long-term public benefit by assisting in the de2 velopment of appropriate programs and facili3 ties; and 

4 (H) assist in ensuring that the observances 

5 of the voyage of Henry Hudson are inclusive 

6 and appropriately recognize the experiences and 

7 heritage of all people present when Henry Hud8 son sailed the Hudson River. 

9 (2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM10 ANCE PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 

11 strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 

12 5, United States Code, and annual performance 

13 plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 

14 United States Code, for the activities of the Com15 mission carried out under this Act. 

16 (3) REPORTS.— 

17 (A) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Commission 

18 shall submit to the Congress an annual report 

19 that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de20 vise with a value of more than $250, together 

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

22 bequest, or devise. 

23 (B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep24 tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 

25 to the Secretary a final report that contains— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
28 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (i) a summary of the activities of the 

2 Commission; 

3 (ii) a final accounting of funds re4 ceived and expended by the Commission; 

5 and 

6 (iii) the findings and recommenda7 tions of the Commission. 

8 (d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

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

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

11 gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 

12 real or personal property for the purpose of aid13 ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 

14 (B) appoint such advisory committees as 

15 the Commission determines to be necessary to 

16 carry out this Act; 

17 (C) authorize any member or employee of 

18 the Commission to take any action that the 

19 Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 

20 (D) subject to the availability of appropria21 tions, procure supplies, services, and property, 

22 and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 

23 other legal agreements, to carry out this Act ex24 cept that any contracts, leases, or other legal 

25 agreements made or entered into by the ComVerDate Aug 31 2005 23:46 Sep 25, 2007 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1520.PCS H1520

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
29 

HR 1520 PCS

1 mission shall not extend beyond the date of the 

2 termination of the Commission; 

3 (E) use the United States mails in the 

4 same manner and under the same conditions as 

5 other Federal agencies; 

6 (F) subject to approval by the Commission 

7 and the availability of appropriations, make 

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

9 communities, nonprofit organizations, and com10 memorative commissions formed by the State to 

11 develop programs to assist in the commemora12 tion; 

13 (G) subject to the availability of appropria14 tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 

15 $20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 

16 to research, publish, or distribute information 

17 relating to the early history of the voyages of 

18 Hudson and Fulton; and 

19 (H) provide technical assistance to the 

20 State, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 

21 develop programs and facilities to further the 

22 commemoration. 

23 (e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 

24 (1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM25 MISSION.— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
30 

HR 1520 PCS

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. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
31 

HR 1520 PCS

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 EMPLOYEES.— 

20 (A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 

21 (i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 

22 the Commission, the head of any Federal 

23 agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 

24 nonreimbursable basis, any of the per25 sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
32 

HR 1520 PCS

1 assist the Commission in carrying out the 

2 duties of the Commission under this Act. 

3 (ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de4 tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 

5 be without interruption or loss of civil serv6 ice status or privilege. 

7 (B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 

8 may— 

9 (i) accept the services of personnel de10 tailed from the State (including subdivi11 sions of the State); and 

12 (ii) reimburse the State for services of 

13 detailed personnel. 

14 (5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV15 ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 

16 United States Code, the Commission may accept and 

17 use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 

18 Commission determines necessary. 

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

20 National Park Service shall provide to the Commis21 sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 

22 support services as the Commission may request. 

23 (f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT24 TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria25 tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
33 

HR 1520 PCS

1 temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 

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

3 for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 

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

5 Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 

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

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

8 apply to the Commission. 

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

10 section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na11 tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 

12 (i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 

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

14 and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 

15 or other appropriate Federal entity. 

16 SEC. 303. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 

17 The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte18 rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 

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

20 and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov21 ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 

22 SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

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

24 each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this 

25 title, of which— 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
34 

HR 1520 PCS

1 (1) 80 percent shall be for Hudson Valley ac2 tivities relating to the commemoration; 

3 (2) 10 percent shall be for New York City ac4 tivities relating to the commemoration; and 

5 (3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 

6 Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 

7 relating to the commemoration. 

Passed the House of Representatives September 24, 

2007. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS
Calendar No. 385 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1520 

AN ACT 

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

SEPTEMBER 25, 2007 

Received; read twice and placed on the calendar 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMBILLS