I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1520 
To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission, 
the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 14, 2007 
Mr. HINCHEY (for himself, Mr. MCHUGH, Mr. WELCH of Vermont, Mr. ACK-
ERMAN, Mr. ARCURI, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. CROW-
LEY, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. HALL of New 
York, Mr. HIGGINS, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. KUHL of 
New York, Mrs. LOWEY, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York, Mr. MCNULTY, 
Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr. NADLER, 
Mr. RANGEL, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. 
TOWNS, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Mr. WALSH of New York, and Mr. WEINER) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform 
A BILL 
To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemora-
tion Commission, the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemora-
tion 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, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemo-
ration Act of 2007’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—FINDINGS AND PURPOSE 
Sec. 101. Findings and purpose. 
Sec. 102. Coordination. 
TITLE II—CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION 
COMMISSION 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission. 
Sec. 203. Audit of Commission. 
Sec. 204. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE III—HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION 
COMMISSION 
Sec. 301. Definitions. 
Sec. 302. Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission. 
Sec. 303. Audit of Commission. 
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE I—FINDINGS AND 
PURPOSE 
SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The first European exploration of the Hud-
son River and Lake Champlain and the introduction 
of steam navigation to maritime commerce were 
events of major historical importance, both in the 
United States and internationally. 
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(2) In 1609, Englishman Henry Hudson, acting 
in the 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. Also in 
1609, French explorer Samuel de Champlain was 
the first European to see the lake later named for 
him, as well as the shores of Northern New York 
and Vermont. 
(3) These voyages were two of the most signifi-
cant passages in the European exploration and dis-
covery of America, and included two of the earliest 
contacts in the New World between Native Ameri-
cans and Europeans. 
(4) These explorations led to the establishment 
of Fort Orange, a Dutch (and later English) settle-
ment of what is now the capital city of the State of 
New York, as well as the establishment of French 
trading posts, military posts, and settlements as far 
south as Lake George. From these early establish-
ments came trade, commerce, cultural, and religious 
impact deep into the Mohawk Valley and as far west 
as Lake Erie. These settlements influenced the Na-
tion’s history, culture, law, commerce, and traditions 
of liberty that extend to the present day, and that 
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are constantly reflected 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) In 1909, the Congress authorized a Cham-
plain Tercentennial Commission and supported its 
activities. The Congress recognized the 350th anni-
versary by establishing a similar commission to co-
ordinate Federal participation in the 1959 celebra-
tion of Hudson’s and Champlain’s discoveries. 
(7) 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. 
(8) In 2000, Canada’s Province of Quebec es-
tablished a Quebec 400 Commission with a budget 
in excess of $1,000,000, of which commemoration of 
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the 1609 Champlain voyage into the Lake Cham-
plain region is a part. 
(9) In 2002, the State of New York established 
a Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission. 
(10) In 2003, the State of Vermont established 
a Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to estab-
lish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration 
Commission and the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemora-
tion Commission, to— 
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the 
Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de 
Champlain 2009 commemorations through coopera-
tion with and assistance to the programs and activi-
ties of New York, Vermont, and the commemorative 
commissions formed by these States; 
(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 and Vermont sites; 
(3) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton- 
Champlain 2009 observances are inclusive and ap-
propriately recognize the diverse Hudson River and 
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Lake Champlain Valley communities that developed 
over four centuries; 
(4) facilitate international involvement, includ-
ing the involvement of the commemorative commis-
sion formed by Canada, 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; 
(6) assist in the appropriate development of 
heritage tourism and economic benefits to the 
United States; and 
(7) support and facilitate the related efforts of 
the Lake Champlain Basin Program in the coordina-
tion of efforts to commemorate the voyage of Samuel 
de Champlain. 
SEC. 102. COORDINATION. 
The two commissions established under this Act shall 
ensure coordination of their activities to achieve seamless 
and successful commemorations, and ensure consistency 
with the plans and programs of the commemorative com-
missions established by the States of New York and 
Vermont. 
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TITLE 
II—CHAMPLAIN 
QUADRICENTENNIAL 
COM-
MEMORATION COMMISSION 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo-
ration’’ means the commemoration of the 400th an-
niversary of Samuel de Champlain’s voyage. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemo-
ration Commission established by section 202(a). 
(3) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘Lake Champlain Basin Program’’ means the 
partnership with Federal agencies established by the 
States of New York and Vermont under section 120 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1270) to implement the Lake Champlain 
management plan entitled ‘‘Opportunities for Ac-
tion’’. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’— 
(A) means the States of New York and 
Vermont; and 
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(B) includes agencies and other entities of 
each such State. 
SEC. 202. CHAMPLAIN QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORA-
TION COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
commission 
to 
be 
known 
as 
the 
‘‘Champlain 
Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 11 members, of whom— 
(A) 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 of the 
Director); 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; 
(B) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from among individuals who, on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 
as members of the State of New York’s Hud-
son-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Com-
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mission and are residents of the Champlain 
Valley; 
(C) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from among individuals who, on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, are serving 
as members of the State of Vermont’s Lake 
Champlain Quadricentennial Commission and 
are residents of Vermont; and 
(D) one member shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from among individuals who have an 
interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 
demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com-
memoration, and are knowledgeable of the 
Champlain Valley. 
(2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis-
sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission. 
(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-
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sion shall serve for the remainder of the 
term for which the predecessor of the 
member was appointed. 
(3) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet— 
(i) at least twice each year; 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 the initial meeting of the Com-
mission. 
(4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 
of the Commission on an annual basis. 
(B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair-
person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab-
sence of the chairperson. 
(5) QUORUM.—A majority of voting members of 
the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a 
lesser number may hold meetings. 
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(6) VOTING.—The Commission shall act only 
on an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting 
members of the Commission. 
(c) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs 
and activities appropriate to commemorate the 
400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de 
Champlain, the first European to discover and 
explore Lake Champlain; 
(B) facilitate Champlain-related activities 
throughout the United States; 
(C) coordinate its activities with State 
commemoration commissions and appropriate 
Federal Government entities, including the De-
partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 
Transportation, the Lake Champlain Basin 
Program, the National Endowment for the Hu-
manities and the National Endowment for the 
Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 
(D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 
educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 
other organizations throughout the United 
States to organize and participate in anniver-
sary activities to expand the understanding and 
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appreciation of the significance of the voyage of 
Samuel de Champlain; 
(E) provide technical assistance to States, 
localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 
the commemoration; 
(F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 
scholarly research on, publication about, and in-
terpretation of, the voyage of Samuel de Cham-
plain; 
(G) ensure that the Champlain 2009 anni-
versary provides a lasting legacy and long-term 
public benefit by assisting in the development of 
appropriate programs and facilities; 
(H) assist in ensuring that the observances 
of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain are in-
clusive and appropriately recognize the experi-
ences and heritage of all people present when 
Samuel de Champlain arrived in the Champlain 
Valley; and 
(I) consult and coordinate with the Lake 
Champlain Basin Program and other relevant 
organizations in the planning and development 
of programs and activities for the commemora-
tion of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain. 
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(2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM-
ANCE
PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 
strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 
5, United States Code, and annual performance 
plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 
United States Code, for the activities of the Com-
mission carried out under this Act. 
(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) ANNUAL
REPORT.—The Commission 
shall submit to the Congress an annual report 
that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de-
vise with a value of more than $250, together 
with the identity of the donor of each such gift, 
bequest, or devise. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 
to the Secretary a final report that contains— 
(i) a summary of the activities of the 
Commission; 
(ii) a final accounting of funds re-
ceived and expended by the Commission; 
and 
(iii) the findings and recommenda-
tions of the Commission. 
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may— 
(A) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 
real or personal property for the purpose of aid-
ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 
(B) appoint such advisory committees as 
the Commission determines to be necessary to 
carry out this Act; 
(C) authorize any member or employee of 
the Commission to take any action that the 
Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 
(D) subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, 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 Com-
mission directly or with administrative assist-
ance from the Lake Champlain Basin Program 
shall not extend beyond the date of the termi-
nation of the Commission; 
(E) use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as 
other Federal agencies; 
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(F) subject to approval by the Commission 
and the availability of appropriations, make 
grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
communities, nonprofit organizations, and com-
memorative commissions formed by the States 
to develop programs to assist in the commemo-
ration; 
(G) subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 
$20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 
to research, publish, or distribute information 
relating to the early history of the voyage of 
Champlain; and 
(H) provide technical assistance to the 
States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 
develop programs and facilities to further the 
commemoration. 
(2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION WITH 
LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The Commis-
sion shall coordinate and consult with the Lake 
Champlain Basin Program in providing grants and 
technical assistance under subparagraphs (F), (G), 
and (H) of paragraph (1) for the conduct of activi-
ties relating to the commemoration of the voyage of 
Samuel de Champlain. 
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(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM-
MISSION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), a member of the Commis-
sion shall serve without compensation. 
(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Commission who is an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government shall serve without 
compensation in addition to the compensation 
received for the services of the member as an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government. 
(C) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in-
cluding 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 per-
formance of the duties of the Commission. 
(2) STAFF.— 
(A) 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 
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other additional personnel as are necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform the duties of 
the Commission. 
(B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC-
TOR.—The employment of an executive director 
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis-
sion. 
(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. 
(4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT AND LAKE CHAM-
PLAIN BASIN PROGRAM EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
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(i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 
the Commission, the head of any Federal 
agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 
nonreimbursable basis, any of the per-
sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 
assist the Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission under this Act. 
(ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de-
tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 
be without interruption or loss of civil serv-
ice status or privilege. 
(B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 
may— 
(i) accept the services of personnel de-
tailed from States (including subdivisions 
of States); and 
(ii) reimburse States for services of 
detailed personnel. 
(C) LAKE
CHAMPLAIN
BASIN
PROGRAM 
EMPLOYEES.—The Commission may— 
(i) accept the services of personnel 
from the Lake Champlain Basin Program; 
and 
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(ii) reimburse the Lake Champlain 
Basin Program for services of detailed per-
sonnel. 
(5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV-
ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 
United States Code, the Commission may accept and 
use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 
Commission determines necessary. 
(6) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Director of the 
National Park Service shall provide to the Commis-
sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 
support services as the Commission may request. 
(f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT-
TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 
temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 
(g) FACA NONAPPLICABILITY.—Section 14(b) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission. 
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(h) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 
section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na-
tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents 
and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 
or other appropriate Federal entity. 
SEC. 203. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 
The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte-
rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 
shall make the results of the audit available to the public, 
and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov-
ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this 
title, of which— 
(1) 45 percent shall be for New York activities 
relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora-
tion; 
(2) 45 percent shall be for Vermont activities 
relating to the Samuel de Champlain commemora-
tion; and 
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(3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 
Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 
relating to the commemoration. 
TITLE 
III—HUDSON-FULTON 
400TH 
COMMEMORATION 
COMMISSION 
SEC. 301. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo-
ration’’ means the commemoration of— 
(A) the 200th anniversary of Robert Ful-
ton’s voyage in the CLERMONT; and 
(B) the 400th anniversary of Henry Hud-
son’s voyage in the HALF MOON. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration 
Commission established by section 302(a). 
(3) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of the State of New York. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’— 
(A) means the State of New York; and 
(B) includes agencies and entities of each 
such State. 
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SEC. 302. HUDSON-FULTON 400TH COMMEMORATION COM-
MISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
commission to be known as the ‘‘Hudson-Fulton 400th 
Commemoration Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 16 members, of whom— 
(A) 1 member shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendation of the Governor; 
(B) 6 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; 
(C) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the Senate 
from New York; 
(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 of the 
Director); and 
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(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) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from among individuals who have an 
interest in, demonstrated their support for, and 
demonstrated expertise appropriate to, the com-
memoration, of whom— 
(i) one shall be knowledgeable of the 
Hudson River Valley National Heritage 
Area; and 
(ii) one shall be knowledgeable of New 
York City as it relates to the commemora-
tion; 
(F) one member shall be the chairperson of 
any commemorative commission formed by New 
York, or the designee of the chairperson; and 
(G) two members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendation of the mayor of the City of New 
York and after consultation with Members of 
the House of Representatives whose districts 
encompass the City of New York. 
(2) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
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(A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis-
sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission. 
(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. 
(3) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet— 
(i) at least twice each year; 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 the initial meeting of the Com-
mission. 
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(4) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson 
of the Commission on an annual basis. 
(B) VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The vice chair-
person shall serve as the chairperson in the ab-
sence of the chairperson. 
(5) QUORUM.—A majority of voting members 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may 
hold meetings. 
(6) VOTING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of 
the voting members of the Commission. 
(B) NONVOTING MEMBER.—The individual 
appointed under subparagraph (D)(ii) of para-
graph (1) shall be a nonvoting member, and 
shall serve only in an advisory capacity. 
(c) DUTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall— 
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs 
and activities appropriate to commemorate the 
400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hud-
son, the first European to sail up the Hudson 
River, and the 200th anniversary of the voyage 
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of Robert Fulton, the first person to use steam 
navigation on a commercial basis; 
(B) facilitate Hudson-Fulton-related activi-
ties throughout the United States; 
(C) coordinate its activities with the State 
commemoration commission and appropriate 
Federal Government agencies, including the De-
partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 
Transportation, the National Park Service with 
respect to the Hudson River Valley National 
Heritage Area, and the American Heritage Riv-
ers Initiative Interagency Committee estab-
lished by Executive Order 13061, dated Sep-
tember 11, 1997, the National Endowment for 
the Humanities and the National Endowment 
for the Arts, and the Smithsonian Institution; 
(D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 
educational, artistic, religious, economic, and 
other organizations throughout the United 
States to organize and participate in anniver-
sary activities to expand the understanding and 
appreciation of the significance of the voyages 
of Henry Hudson and Robert Fulton; 
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(E) provide technical assistance to States, 
localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 
the commemoration; 
(F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 
scholarly research on, publication about, and in-
terpretation of, the voyages of Henry Hudson 
and Robert Fulton; 
(G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton 2009 
commemorations provide a lasting legacy and 
long-term public benefit by assisting in the de-
velopment of appropriate programs and facili-
ties; and 
(H) assist in ensuring that the observances 
of the voyage of Henry Hudson are inclusive 
and appropriately recognize the experiences and 
heritage of all people present when Henry Hud-
son sailed the Hudson River. 
(2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM-
ANCE
PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 
strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 
5, United States Code, and annual performance 
plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 
United States Code, for the activities of the Com-
mission carried out under this Act. 
(3) REPORTS.— 
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(A) ANNUAL
REPORT.—The Commission 
shall submit to the Congress an annual report 
that contains a list of each gift, bequest, or de-
vise with a value of more than $250, together 
with the identity of the donor of each such gift, 
bequest, or devise. 
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2010, the Commission shall submit 
to the Secretary a final report that contains— 
(i) a summary of the activities of the 
Commission; 
(ii) a final accounting of funds re-
ceived and expended by the Commission; 
and 
(iii) the findings and recommenda-
tions of the Commission. 
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may— 
(A) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 
real or personal property for the purpose of aid-
ing or facilitating the work of the Commission; 
(B) appoint such advisory committees as 
the Commission determines to be necessary to 
carry out this Act; 
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(C) authorize any member or employee of 
the Commission to take any action that the 
Commission is authorized to take by this Act; 
(D) subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, procure supplies, services, and property, 
and make or enter into contracts, leases, or 
other legal agreements, to carry out this Act ex-
cept that any contracts, leases, or other legal 
agreements made or entered into by the Com-
mission shall not extend beyond the date of the 
termination of the Commission; 
(E) use the United States mails in the 
same manner and under the same conditions as 
other Federal agencies; 
(F) subject to approval by the Commission 
and the availability of appropriations, make 
grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to 
communities, nonprofit organizations, and com-
memorative commissions formed by the State to 
develop programs to assist in the commemora-
tion; 
(G) subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, make grants in amounts not to exceed 
$20,000 to research and scholarly organizations 
to research, publish, or distribute information 
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relating to the early history of the voyages of 
Hudson and Fulton; and 
(H) provide technical assistance to the 
State, localities, and nonprofit organizations to 
develop programs and facilities to further the 
commemoration. 
(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM-
MISSION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), a member of the Commis-
sion shall serve without compensation. 
(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Commission who is an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government shall serve without 
compensation in addition to the compensation 
received for the services of the member as an 
officer or employee of the Federal Government. 
(C) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, in-
cluding 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-
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ular place of business of the member in the per-
formance of the duties of the Commission. 
(2) STAFF.— 
(A) 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 personnel as are necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform the duties of 
the Commission. 
(B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC-
TOR.—The employment of an executive director 
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis-
sion. 
(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-
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sonnel shall not exceed the rate payable for 
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
(4) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—At the request of 
the Commission, the head of any Federal 
agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 
nonreimbursable basis, any of the per-
sonnel of the agency to the Commission to 
assist the Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission under this Act. 
(ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de-
tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 
be without interruption or loss of civil serv-
ice status or privilege. 
(B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 
may— 
(i) accept the services of personnel de-
tailed from the State (including subdivi-
sions of the State); and 
(ii) reimburse the State for services of 
detailed personnel. 
(5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV-
ICES.—Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, 
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United States Code, the Commission may accept and 
use voluntary and uncompensated services as the 
Commission determines necessary. 
(6) SUPPORT SERVICES.—The Director of the 
National Park Service shall provide to the Commis-
sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 
support services as the Commission may request. 
(f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT-
TENT SERVICES.—Subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, the chairperson of the Commission may procure 
temporary and intermittent services in accordance with 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates 
for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title. 
(g) FACA NONAPPLICABILITY.—Section 14(b) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission. 
(h) NO EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this 
section supersedes the authority of the States or the Na-
tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents 
and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 
or other appropriate Federal entity. 
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SEC. 303. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 
The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte-
rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission, 
shall make the results of the audit available to the public, 
and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Gov-
ernment Reform of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this 
title, of which— 
(1) 80 percent shall be for Hudson Valley ac-
tivities relating to the commemoration; 
(2) 10 percent shall be for New York City ac-
tivities relating to the commemoration; and 
(3) 10 percent shall be for distribution by the 
Commission in accordance with this Act for activities 
relating to the commemoration. 
Æ 
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