I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2362
To establish the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 28, 2001
Mr. BORSKI (for himself, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. COYNE, Mr.
DOYLE, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. GEKAS, Mr. GREENWOOD, Ms.
HART, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. KANJORSKI, Mr. MASCARA, Mr.
MURTHA, Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. PLATTS, Mr. SHERWOOD,
Mr. SHUSTER, Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania, and Mr. PITTS) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government
Reform
A BILL
To establish the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Commission.
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 referred to as the ‘‘Benjamin Frank-
lin Tercentenary Commission Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Benjamin Franklin was one of the most ex-
traordinary men of the generation that founded the
United States. Around the world, he remains one of
the best-known Americans who has ever lived.
(2) Benjamin Franklin’s achievements include
his literary work, his creation of philanthropic and
educational institutions, his significant scientific ex-
plorations, and his service to the Nation as a states-
man and diplomat.
(3) Benjamin Franklin was the only American
to sign all 5 enabling documents of the United
States.
(4) All people in the United States could benefit
from studying the life of Benjamin Franklin and
gaining a deeper appreciation of his legacy to the
Nation.
(5) January 17, 2006 is the 300th anniversary
of the birth of Benjamin Franklin, and a commis-
sion should be established to study and recommend
to the Congress activities that are fitting and proper
to celebrate that anniversary in a manner that ap-
propriately honors Benjamin Franklin.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is established a commission to be known as the
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission (referred to
in this Act as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 4. DUTIES.
(a) STUDY.—The Commission shall have the fol-
lowing duties:
(1) To study activities by the Government that
would be fitting and proper to honor Benjamin
Franklin on the occasion of the tercentenary of his
birth, including the following:
(A) The minting of a Benjamin Franklin
tercentenary coin.
(B) The issuance of a Benjamin Franklin
tercentenary postage stamp.
(C) The convening of a joint meeting or
joint session of the Congress for ceremonies and
activities commemorating Benjamin Franklin.
(D) The rededication of the Benjamin
Franklin National Memorial at the Franklin In-
stitute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or other
activities with respect to that memorial.
(E) The acquisition and preservation of ar-
tifacts associated with Benjamin Franklin.
(F) The sponsorship of publications, in-
cluding catalogs and scholarly work, concerning
Benjamin Franklin.
(G) The sponsorship of conferences, exhibi-
tions, or other public meetings concerning Ben-
jamin Franklin.
(H) The sponsorship of high school and
collegiate essay contests concerning the life and
legacy of Benjamin Franklin.
(2) To recommend to the Congress in one or
more interim reports submitted under section 9(a)—
(A) the activities that the Commission con-
siders most fitting and proper to honor Ben-
jamin Franklin on the occasion of the tercente-
nary of his birth; and
(B) the entity or entities in the Federal
Government that the Commission considers
most appropriate to carry out such activities.
(b) POINT OF CONTACT.—The Commission, acting
through its secretariat, shall serve as the point of contact
of the Government for all State, local, international, and
private sector initiatives regarding the tercentenary of
Benjamin Franklin’s birth, with the purpose of coordi-
nating and facilitating all fitting and proper activities hon-
oring Benjamin Franklin.
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 15 members as follows:
(1) The Librarian of Congress.
(2) 14 qualified citizens, appointed as follows:
(A) 2 members appointed by the President.
(B) 2 members appointed by the President
on the recommendation of the Governor of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(C) 2 members appointed by the President
on the recommendation of the Governor of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(D) 2 members, at least 1 of whom shall
be a Senator, appointed by the majority leader
of the Senate.
(E) 2 members, at least 1 of whom shall
be a Senator, appointed by the minority leader
of the Senate.
(F) 2 members, at least 1 of whom shall
be a Member of the House of Representatives,
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives.
(G) 2 members, at least 1 of whom shall
be a Member of the House of Representatives,
appointed by the minority leader of the House
of Representatives.
(b) QUALIFIED CITIZEN.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, a qualified citizen is a citizen of the United States
with—
(1) a substantial knowledge and appreciation of
the work and legacy of Benjamin Franklin; and
(2) a commitment to educating people in the
United States about the historical importance of
Benjamin Franklin.
(c) TIME OF APPOINTMENT.—Each initial appoint-
ment of a member of the Commission shall be made before
the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date
of the enactment of this Act.
(d) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member
of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as
a Member of the Congress, and ceases to be a Member
of the Congress, that member may continue to serve on
the Commission for not longer than the 30-day period be-
ginning on the date on which that member ceases to be
a Member of the Congress.
(e) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the
life of the Commission.
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall
not affect the powers of the Commission and shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was
made.
(g) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve on the Com-
mission without pay.
(h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(i) QUORUM.—5 members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings.
(j) CHAIR.—The Commission shall select a Chair
from among the members of the Commission.
(k) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the
call of the Chair.
SEC. 6. ORGANIZATION.
(a) HONORARY MEMBERS.—The President—
(1) shall serve as an honorary, nonvoting mem-
ber of the Commission; and
(2) shall invite the President of France and the
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to serve as
honorary, nonvoting members of the Commission.
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Commission shall
form an advisory committee, to be composed of represent-
atives of the major extant institutions founded by or dedi-
cated to Benjamin Franklin, including the following:
(1) The Executive Director of the American
Philosophical Society.
(2) The President of the Franklin Institute.
(3) The Librarian of the Library Company.
(4) The Director and Chief Executive Officer of
the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
(5) The President of the University of Pennsyl-
vania.
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARIAT.—The Commis-
sion shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the
Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under
which the Institute shall do the following:
(1) Serve as the secretariat of the Commission,
including by serving as the point of contact under
section 4(b).
(2) House the administrative offices of the
Commission.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission
considers appropriate.
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the
Commission, take any action that the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this Act.
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission
may secure directly from any department or agency of the
United States information necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chair
of the Commission, the head of that department or agency
shall furnish that information to the Commission.
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United
States.
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities
under this Act.
(f) PROCUREMENT.—The Commission may enter into
contracts for supplies, services, and facilities to carry out
the Commission’s duties under this Act.
(g) DONATIONS.—The Commission may accept and
use donations of—
(1) money;
(2) personal services; and
(3) real or personal property related to Ben-
jamin Franklin or the occasion of the tercentenary
of his birth.
SEC. 8. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.
(a) APPOINTMENT.—The Commission may appoint a
Director and such additional personnel as the Commission
considers to be appropriate.
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE
LAWS.—
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Commis-
sion may be appointed without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap-
pointments in the competitive service, and may be
paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relat-
ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(2) STAFF.—The staff of the Commission shall
be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5,
United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III
of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification
and General Schedule pay rates.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission shall sub-
mit to the Congress such interim reports as the Commis-
sion considers to be appropriate.
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall submit
a final report to the Congress not later than January 16,
2007. The final report shall contain—
(1) a detailed statement of the activities of the
Commission; and
(2) any other information that the Commission
considers to be appropriate.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate 120 days after sub-
mitting its final report pursuant to section 9(b).
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
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