I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5501 
To establish the Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission, 
the Hudson-Fulton 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 25, 2006 
Mr. MCHUGH (for himself, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr. 
WALSH, Mr. KUHL of New York, Mr. REYNOLDS, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. 
FOSSELLA, Mr. SWEENEY, Mr. KING of New York, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. 
MCNULTY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. HIGGINS, and Mrs. MCCARTHY) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 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, 
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 2006’’. 
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(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. 
(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 
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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 
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. 
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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 
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. 
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(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 
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; 
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(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. 
TITLE 
II—CHAMPLAIN 
QUADRICENTENNIAL 
COM-
MEMORATION COMMISSION 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
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(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 
(B) includes agencies and other entities of 
each such State. 
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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-
mission and are residents of the Champlain 
Valley; 
(C) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from among individuals who, on the 
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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-
sion shall serve for the remainder of the 
term for which the predecessor of the 
member was appointed. 
(3) MEETINGS.— 
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(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. 
(6) VOTING.—The Commission shall act only 
on an affirmative vote of a majority of the voting 
members of the Commission. 
(c) DUTIES.— 
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(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 
appreciation of the significance of the voyage of 
Samuel de Champlain; 
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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 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. 
(2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM-
ANCE
PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 
strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 
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