(2) There is no major museum in the District
of Columbia that is dedicated to recording and cele-
brating these contributions and educating the public
about the heritage of the Jewish people.
(3) Such a museum would educate the public on
the artistic, scientific, intellectual, and cultural con-
tributions that the Jewish people have made to the
United States and the world and would record these
contributions for posterity.
(4) Such a museum would be operated and
maintained by private citizens.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE.
The Congress recognizes the National Museum of
Jewish Heritage established by the Board under section
4 as a national museum.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE BOARD
OF DIRECTORS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a board
of directors to be known as the National Museum of Jew-
ish Heritage Board of Directors.
(b) DUTIES.—The Board shall—
(1) identify a site in the District of Columbia
for a National Museum of Jewish Heritage;
(2) establish and construct the Museum;
(3) operate and maintain the Museum;
(4) establish annual budgets for the Museum;
(5) adopt bylaws to carry out the functions of
the Board; and
(6) establish policy on the utilization of the col-
lections of the Museum, including policy on pro-
gramming, education, exhibitions, and research re-
garding the life and culture of the Jewish people and
the contributions of the Jewish people to the United
States and the world.
(c) APPROVAL.—The siting of the Museum shall be
subject to the approval of the Director of the National
Park Service.
(d) MEMBERS.—
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Board shall be com-
posed of 25 voting members and 10 ex officio non-
voting members, as follows:
(A) 5 members appointed by the President.
(B) The Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation.
(C) 19 members appointed by the Chair of
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(D) 5 ex officio nonvoting members ap-
pointed by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
(E) 5 ex officio nonvoting members ap-
pointed by the President pro tempore of the
Senate, on recommendation of the majority
leader and the minority leader of the Senate.
(2) TERMS.—Each member of the Board ap-
pointed under paragraph (1) shall serve for a term
of 2 years and may be reappointed.
(3) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Board shall
be filled in the manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. Any member appointed to fill a va-
cancy occurring before the expiration of the term for
which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall
be appointed only for the remainder of that term.
(4) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Board
shall serve without pay.
(5) QUORUM.—8 of the voting members of the
Board shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number
may hold hearings.
(6) CHAIR.—
(A) INITIAL
CHAIR.—During the 2-year
period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Chair of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall serve as the Chair of
the Board of the Museum.
(B) SUBSEQUENT CHAIRS.—The Chair of
the Board of the Museum after such period
shall be elected by the Board from among its
members.
(e) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.—The Board may appoint
and fix the pay of a Director to manage the Museum, and
any additional personnel as the Board considers appro-
priate.
(f) POWERS.—
(1) HEARINGS.—The Board may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings and sit
and act at such times and places as the Board con-
siders appropriate.
(2) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any
member or agent of the Board may, if authorized by
the Board, take any action which the Board is au-
thorized to take by this section.
(3) OPERATION
OF
MUSEUM.—The Board
may—
(A) loan, exchange, sell, or otherwise dis-
pose of any part of the collections of the Mu-
seum;
(B) purchase, accept, borrow, or otherwise
acquire other property for the collections of the
Museum; and
(C) provide for restoration, preservation,
and maintenance of the collections of the Mu-
seum.
(4) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—The
Board may request the Administrator of General
Services to provide to the Board, on a reimbursable
basis, the administrative support services necessary
for the Board to carry out its responsibilities. Upon
the request of the Board, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide such services to the Board
on a reimbursable basis.
(5) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Board may
contract with and compensate government and pri-
vate agencies or persons for supplies and services.
(6) FUNDING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the Board shall fund the
Museum solely through private contributions.
(B) FEDERALLY OWNED OR LEASED PROP-
ERTY.—In consultation with the Director of the
National Park Service, the Board may accept
any contribution of Federally owned or leased
property in the District of Columbia for the
purpose of carrying out this Act.