stitution of slavery as it relates to the United States 
and the Americas. 
(3) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(A) TERM.—A member of the Commission 
shall be appointed for the life of the Commis-
sion. 
(B) VACANCIES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the 
Commission shall be filled in the same 
manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(ii) PARTIAL TERM.—A member ap-
pointed to fill a vacancy on the Commis-
sion shall serve for the remainder of the 
term for which the predecessor of the 
member was appointed. 
(4) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet— 
(i) as many times as necessary; or 
(ii) at the call of the Chairperson or 
the majority of the members of the Com-
mission. 
(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 
days after the date on which all members of the
Commission have been appointed, the Commis-
sion shall hold its initial meeting. 
(C) NOTICE OF MEETINGS.—All Commis-
sion members shall be given reasonable advance 
notice of all Commission meetings. 
(D) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSON AND 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which all members of the 
Commission have been appointed, the Commis-
sion shall— 
(i) designate 1 of the members as 
Chairperson; and 
(ii) select an executive director as de-
scribed under subsection (d)(2). 
(5) VOTING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of 
the members of the Commission. 
(B) QUORUM.—A majority of the members 
of the Commission, which includes at least 1 
member appointed pursuant to clause (iii) or 
(iv) of paragraph (1)(A), shall constitute a 
quorum for conducting business but fewer 
members may meet or hold hearings. 
(b) DUTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs 
and activities appropriate to commemorate the 
bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the 
transatlantic slave trade; 
(B) facilitate commemoration-related ac-
tivities throughout the United States; 
(C) encourage civic, historical, educational, 
religious, economic, and other organizations, as 
well as State and local governments, throughout 
the United States to organize and participate in 
anniversary activities to expand the under-
standing and appreciation of the significance of 
the transatlantic slave trade and the institution 
of slavery, particularly as it relates to the 
United States; 
(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public 
scholarly research on, publication about, and in-
terpretation of, the transatlantic slave trade 
and the institution of slavery, particularly as it 
relates to the United States; 
(E) assist in the development of appro-
priate programs and facilities to ensure that the 
bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the
transatlantic slave trade provides a lasting leg-
acy and long-term public benefit; 
(F) support and facilitate marketing ef-
forts for the issuance of a commemorative coin, 
postage stamp, and related activities for observ-
ances; 
(G) facilitate the convening of a joint 
meeting or joint session of the Congress for 
ceremonies and activities relating to the trans-
atlantic slave trade and the institution of slav-
ery, particularly as it relates to the United 
States; 
(H) promote the sponsorship of con-
ferences, exhibitions, or public meetings con-
cerning the transatlantic slave trade and the in-
stitution of slavery, particularly as it relates to 
the United States; 
(I) coordinate and facilitate the sponsor-
ship of high school and collegiate essay contests 
concerning the transatlantic slave trade and the 
institution of slavery, particularly as it relates 
to the United States; and 
(J) examine reports of modern-day slavery 
and human trafficking to raise the public’s 
awareness of these matters and ensure such
atrocities do not go unnoticed by the people of 
the United States. 
(2) INITIAL
REPORT.—Not later than March 
31, 2009, the Commission shall submit to the Con-
gress a report containing a summary of the activities 
of the Commission for 2008. 
(c) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission 
may— 
(1) accept donations and gift items related to 
the transatlantic slave trade, the institution of slav-
ery, and the significance of slavery to the history of 
the United States; 
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the 
Commission determines necessary to carry out this 
Act; 
(3) authorize any member or employee of the 
Commission to take any action that the Commission 
is authorized to take under this Act; 
(4) procure supplies, services, and property, and 
make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal 
agreements, to carry out this Act (except that any 
contracts, leases, or other legal agreements made or 
entered into by the Commission shall not extend be-
yond the date of the termination of the Commis-
sion); and
(5) use the United States mails in the same 
manner and under the same conditions as other 
Federal agencies. 
(d) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM-
MISSION.— 
(A) BASIC PAY.—Members of the Commis-
sion shall not receive compensation for the per-
formance of their duties on behalf of the Com-
mission. 
(B) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Upon approval 
of the Chairperson, a member of the Commis-
sion shall be allowed travel expenses, including 
per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates author-
ized for an employee of an agency under sub-
chapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code, while away from their homes or regular 
place of business in the performance of their 
duties on behalf of the Commission. 
(2) STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall, without regard to the civil 
service laws (including regulations), appoint 
and terminate an executive director and such
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3432 
AN ACT 
To establish the Commission on the Abolition of the 
Transatlantic Slave Trade.