of steam navigation to maritime commerce were 
events of major historical importance, both in the 
United States and internationally. 
(2) In 1609, Englishman Henry Hudson, acting 
in service of the Dutch East India Company, was 
the first European to sail up the river later named 
for him in the vessel HALF MOON, and French ex-
plorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European 
to see the lake later named for him.
(3) These voyages were 2 of the most signifi-
cant passages in the European exploration and dis-
covery of America, and began 2 of the earliest con-
tacts in the New World between Native Americans 
and Europeans. 
(4) These explorations led to the establishment 
of Fort Orange, Dutch and later English settlement 
of what is now the capital city of the State of New 
York, and settlement of French Quebec settlements 
as far south as Lake George. From these early set-
tlements came an influence on our history, culture, 
law, commerce, and traditions of liberty which ex-
tends to the present day, and which is constantly re-
flected in the position of the United States as the 
leader of the nations of the free world.
(5) In 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hud-
son River from the city of New York to Albany in 
the steamboat CLERMONT, successfully inau-
gurating steam navigation on a commercial basis. 
This event is one of the most important events in 
the history of navigation. It revolutionized water-
borne commerce on the great rivers of the United 
States, transformed naval warfare, and fostered 
international relations through transoceanic travel 
and trade. 
(6) The National Park Service owns and oper-
ates significant resources in New York related to the 
early history of the nation and the Hudson River 
Valley.
(7) In 2002 the State of New York enacted leg-
islation establishing a State Hudson-Fulton-Cham-
plain Commission. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to estab-
lish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemora-
tion Commission to—
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the 
Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 
Champlain 2009 anniversaries through cooperation 
with and assistance to the programs and activities of 
New York, New Jersey, and Vermont;
(2) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-
Champlain 2009 observances provide an excellent 
visitor experience and beneficial interaction between 
visitors and the natural and cultural resources of the 
New York, New Jersey, and Vermont sites; 
(3) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-
Champlain 2009 observances are inclusive and ap-
propriately recognize the diverse Hudson River and 
Lake Champlain communities that developed over 4 
centuries; 
(4) facilitate international involvement in the 
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances; 
(5) support and facilitate marketing efforts for 
a commemorative coin, a commemorative stamp, and 
related activities for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 
2009 observances; and 
(6) assist in the appropriate development of 
heritage tourism and economic benefits to the 
United States. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo-
ration’’ means the commemoration of—
(A) the 200th anniversary of Robert Ful-
ton’s voyage in the CLERMONT;
(B) the 400th anniversary of Henry Hud-
son’s voyage in the HALF MOON; and 
(C) the 400th anniversary of Samuel de 
Champlain’s voyage. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Com-
memoration Commission established by section 4(a). 
(3) 
GOVERNORS.—The 
term 
‘‘Governors’’ 
means the Governors of the States of New York, 
New Jersey, and Vermont. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’— 
(A) means the States of New York, New 
Jersey, and Vermont; and 
(B) includes agencies and entities of each 
such State. 
SEC. 4. HUDSON-FULTON-CHAMPLAIN 400TH COMMEMORA-
TION COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commission 
to be known as the ‘‘Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th 
Commemoration Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 31 members, of whom—
(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations of the Governors; 
(B) 13 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the House 
of Representatives whose districts encompass 
the Hudson River Valley and Champlain Valley; 
(C) 6 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the Senate 
from New York, New Jersey, and Vermont; 
(D) 2 members shall be employees of the 
National Park Service, of whom—
(i) one shall be the Director of the 
National Park Service (or a designee); and 
(ii) one shall be an employee of the 
National Park Service having experience 
relevant to the commemoration, who shall 
be appointed by the Secretary; 
(E) one member shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, and shall be an individual knowledge-
able of the Hudson River Valley National Herit-
age Area; and