I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4875 
To establish the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 23, 2016 
Mr. MEEHAN (for himself and Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Gov-
ernment Reform 
A BILL 
To establish the United States Semiquincentennial 
Commission, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘United States Semi-
quincentennial Commission Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that July 4, 2026, 
the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United 
States, as marked by the Declaration of Independence in 
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1776, and the historic events preceding that anniver-
sary— 
(1) are of major significance in the development 
of the national heritage of the United States of indi-
vidual liberty, representative government, and the 
attainment of equal and inalienable rights; and 
(2) have had a profound influence throughout 
the world. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to estab-
lish a Commission to provide for the observance and com-
memoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of 
the United States and related events through local, State, 
national, and international activities planned, encouraged, 
developed, and coordinated by a national commission rep-
resentative of appropriate public and private authorities 
and organizations. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the United States Semiquincentennial Com-
mission established by section 4(a). 
(2) PRIVATE CITIZEN.—The term ‘‘private cit-
izen’’ means an individual who is not an officer or 
employee of— 
(A) the Federal Government; or 
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(B) a State or local government. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commis-
sion, to be known as the ‘‘United States Semiquincenten-
nial Commission’’, to plan, encourage, develop, and coordi-
nate the commemoration of the history of the United 
States leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding 
of the United States. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of the following members: 
(1) 4 members of the Senate, of whom— 
(A) 2 shall be appointed by the majority 
leader of the Senate; and 
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the Senate. 
(2) 4 members of the House of Representatives, 
of whom— 
(A) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives; and 
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives. 
(3) 16 members who are private citizens, of 
whom— 
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(A) 4 shall be appointed by the majority 
leader of the Senate; 
(B) 4 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the Senate; 
(C) 4 shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives; 
(D) 4 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives; and 
(E) 1 of whom shall be designated by the 
President as the Chairperson. 
(4) The following nonvoting ex officio members: 
(A) The Secretary. 
(B) The Secretary of State. 
(C) The Attorney General. 
(D) The Secretary of Defense. 
(E) The Secretary of Education. 
(F) The Librarian of Congress. 
(G) The Secretary of the Smithsonian In-
stitution. 
(H) The Archivist of the United States. 
(I) The presiding officer of the Federal 
Council on the Arts and the Humanities. 
(c) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(1) TERM.—A member shall be appointed for 
the life of the Commission. 
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riod beginning on the date of execution of 
the Declaration of Independence; and 
(ii) the ideas associated with that his-
tory, which have been so important in the 
development of the United States, in world 
affairs, and in the quest for freedom of all 
mankind. 
(3) 
INFRASTRUCTURE.—The 
Commission 
shall— 
(A) evaluate existing infrastructure; 
(B) include in the report required under 
subsection (c) recommendations for what infra-
structure should be in place for the successful 
undertaking of an appropriate celebration in ac-
cordance with this Act; and 
(C) coordinate with State and local bodies 
to make necessary infrastructure improvements. 
(c) REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
shall submit to the President a comprehensive report 
that includes the specific recommendations of the 
Commission for the commemoration of the 250th 
anniversary and related events. 
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(2) RECOMMENDED
ACTIVITIES.—The report 
may include recommend activities such as— 
(A) the production, publication, and dis-
tribution of books, pamphlets, films, and other 
educational materials focusing on the history, 
culture, and political thought of the period of 
the American Revolution; 
(B) 
bibliographical 
and 
documentary 
projects and publications; 
(C) conferences, convocations, lectures, 
seminars, and other programs, especially those 
located in the 13 colonies, including the major 
cities and buildings of national historical signifi-
cance of the 13 colonies; 
(D) the development of libraries, museums, 
historic sites, and exhibits, including mobile ex-
hibits; 
(E) ceremonies and celebrations commemo-
rating specific events, such as— 
(i) the signing of the Declaration of 
Independence; 
(ii) programs and activities focusing 
on the national and international signifi-
cance of the United States Semiquincen-
tennial; and 
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(iii) the implications of the Semiquin-
centennial for present and future genera-
tions; and 
(F) encouraging Federal agencies to inte-
grate the celebration of the Semiquincentennial 
into the regular activities and execution of the 
purpose of the agencies through such activities 
as the issuance of coins, medals, certificates of 
recognition, stamps, and the naming of vessels. 
(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The report shall in-
clude— 
(A) the recommendations of the Commis-
sion for the allocation of financial and adminis-
trative responsibility among the public and pri-
vate authorities and organizations recommended 
for participation by the Commission; and 
(B) proposals for such legislative enact-
ments and administrative actions as the Com-
mission considers necessary to carry out the 
recommendations. 
(d) REPORT SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS.—The Presi-
dent shall submit to Congress a report that contains— 
(1) the complete report of the Commission; and 
(2) such comments and recommendations for 
legislation and such a description of administrative 
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actions taken by the President as the President con-
siders appropriate. 
(e) POINT OF CONTACT.—The Commission, acting 
through the secretariat of the Commission described in 
section 9(b), shall serve as the point of contact of the Fed-
eral Government for all State, local, international, and pri-
vate sector initiatives regarding the Semiquincentennial of 
the founding of the United States, with the purpose of 
coordinating and facilitating all fitting and proper activi-
ties honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the 
United States. 
SEC. 6. COORDINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this Act, the Com-
mission shall consult and cooperate with, and seek advice 
and assistance from, appropriate Federal agencies, State 
and local public bodies, learned societies, and historical, 
patriotic, philanthropic, civic, professional, and related or-
ganizations. 
(b) RESPONSIBILITY
OF OTHER FEDERAL AGEN-
CIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Federal agencies shall co-
operate with the Commission in planning, encour-
aging, developing, and coordinating appropriate com-
memorative activities. 
(2) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall un-
dertake a study of appropriate actions that 
might be taken to further preserve and develop 
historic sites and battlefields, at such time and 
in such manner as will ensure that fitting ob-
servances and exhibits may be held at appro-
priate sites and battlefields during the 250th 
anniversary celebration. 
(B) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit 
to the Commission a report that contains the 
results of the study and the recommendations 
of the Secretary, in time to afford the Commis-
sion an opportunity— 
(i) to review the study; and 
(ii) to incorporate in the report de-
scribed in section 5(c) such findings and 
recommendations as the Commission con-
siders appropriate. 
(3) ARTS AND HUMANITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The presiding officer of 
the Federal Council on the Arts and the Hu-
manities, the Chairperson of the National En-
dowment for the Arts, and the Chairperson of 
the National Endowment for the Humanities 
shall cooperate with the Commission, especially 
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in the encouragement and coordination of schol-
arly works and artistic expressions focusing on 
the history, culture, and political thought of the 
period predating the United States Semiquin-
centennial. 
(B) LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, SMITHSONIAN 
INSTITUTION, AND ARCHIVES.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Librarian of 
Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and the Archivist of the United 
States shall cooperate with the Commis-
sion, especially in the development and dis-
play of exhibits and collections and in the 
development of bibliographies, catalogs, 
and other materials relevant to the period 
predating the United States Semiquincen-
tennial. 
(ii) LOCATION.—To the maximum ex-
tent practicable, displays described in sub-
paragraph (A) shall be located in, or in fa-
cilities near to, buildings of historical sig-
nificance to the American Revolution, so as 
to promote greater public awareness of the 
heritage of the United States. 
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(C) 
SUBMISSION
OF
RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—Each of the officers described in this 
paragraph shall submit to the Commission a re-
port containing recommendations in time to af-
ford the Commission an opportunity— 
(i) to review the reports; and 
(ii) to incorporate in the report de-
scribed in section 5(c) such findings and 
recommendations as the Commission con-
siders appropriate. 
(4) DEPARTMENT OF STATE.—The Secretary of 
State shall coordinate the participation of foreign 
nations in the celebration of the United States 
Semiquincentennial, including by soliciting the erec-
tion of monuments and other cultural cooperations 
in founding cities of the United States so as— 
(A) to celebrate the shared heritage of the 
United States with the many peoples and na-
tions of the world; and 
(B) to provide liaison and encouragement 
for the erection of international pavilions to 
showcase the spread of democratic institutions 
abroad in the period following the American 
Revolution. 
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SEC. 7. POWERS. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, meet and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers advisable to carry out this Act. 
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may secure 
directly from a Federal agency such information as 
the Commission considers necessary to carry out this 
Act. 
(2) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—On request 
of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of 
the agency shall provide the information to the Com-
mission. 
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Gov-
ernment. 
(d) GIFTS.—The Commission may accept, use, and 
dispose of gifts or donations of money, property, or per-
sonal services. 
(e) ADDITIONAL POWERS.—As determined necessary 
by the Commission, the Commission may— 
(1) procure supplies, services, and property; 
(2) make contracts; 
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(3) expend in furtherance of this Act funds ap-
propriated, donated, or received in pursuance of con-
tracts entered into under this Act; and 
(4) take such actions as are necessary to enable 
the Commission to carry out efficiently and in the 
public interest the purposes of this Act. 
(f) USE OF MATERIALS.— 
(1) TIME CAPSULE.—A representative portion 
of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed 
matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials re-
lating to the United States Semiquincentennial shall 
be deposited in a time capsule— 
(A) to be buried in Independence Mall, 
Philadelphia, on July 4, 2026; and 
(B) to be unearthed on the occasion of the 
500th anniversary of the United States of 
America on July 4, 2276. 
(2) OTHER
MATERIALS.—All other books, 
manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memora-
bilia, relics, and other materials relating to the 
United States Semiquincentennial, whether donated 
to the Commission or collected by the Commission, 
may be deposited for preservation in national, State, 
or local libraries or museums or be otherwise dis-
posed of by the Commission, in consultation with the 
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Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithso-
nian Institution, the Archivist of the United States, 
and the Administrator of General Services. 
(g) PROPERTY.—Any property acquired by the Com-
mission remaining on termination of the Commission may 
be— 
(1) used by the Secretary for purposes of the 
National Park Service; or 
(2) disposed of as excess or surplus property. 
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—The members of 
the Commission shall receive no compensation for service 
on the Commission. 
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Commis-
sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee 
of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 
5, United States Code, while away from the home or reg-
ular place of business of the member in the performance 
of the duties of the Commission. 
(c) STAFF.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission may, without regard to the civil service 
laws (including regulations), appoint and terminate 
an executive director and such other additional per-
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sonnel as are necessary to enable the Commission to 
perform the duties of the Commission. 
(2) CONFIRMATION
OF
EXECUTIVE
DIREC-
TOR.—The employment of an executive director shall 
be subject to confirmation by the Commission. 
(3) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Chairperson of the Com-
mission may fix the compensation of the execu-
tive director and other personnel without regard 
to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter 
III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, 
relating to classification of positions and Gen-
eral Schedule pay rates. 
(B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate of 
pay for the executive director and other per-
sonnel shall not exceed the rate payable for 
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
(d) DETAIL OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOY-
EES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An employee of the Federal 
Government may be detailed to the Commission 
without reimbursement. 
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