(1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemo-
ration’’ means the commemoration of the 400th an-
niversary of the arrival of Africans in the English 
colonies, at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the 400 Years of African-American History 
Commission established by section 3(a). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commis-
sion, to be known as the ‘‘400 Years of African-American 
History Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 15 members, of whom— 
(A) three members shall be appointed by 
the Secretary after considering recommenda-
tions of Governors, including the Governor of 
Virginia; 
(B) six members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary after considering recommendations of 
civil rights organizations and historical organi-
zations; 
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(C) one member shall be an employee of 
the National Park Service having experience 
relative to the historical and cultural resources 
related to the commemoration, to be appointed 
by the Secretary; 
(D) two members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary after considering the recommenda-
tions of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution; and 
(E) three members shall be individuals who 
have an interest in, support for, and expertise 
appropriate to the commemoration, appointed 
by the Secretary after considering the rec-
ommendations of Members of Congress. 
(2) TIME
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Each appoint-
ment of an initial member of the Commission shall 
be made before the expiration of the 120-day period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(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 
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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. 
(C) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If 
a member of the Commission was appointed to 
the Commission as an employee of the National 
Park Service, and ceases to be an employee of 
the National Park Service, that member may 
continue to serve on the Commission for not 
longer than the 30-day period beginning on the 
date on which that member ceases to be an em-
ployee of the National Park Service. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Commission shall— 
(1) plan, develop, and carry out programs and 
activities throughout the United States— 
(A) appropriate for the commemoration; 
(B) to recognize and highlight the resil-
ience and contributions of African-Americans 
since 1619; 
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(C) to acknowledge the impact that slavery 
and laws that enforced racial discrimination 
had on the United States; and 
(D) to educate the public about— 
(i) the arrival of Africans in the 
United States; and 
(ii) the contributions of African-Amer-
icans to the United States; 
(2) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, edu-
cational, artistic, religious, economic, and other or-
ganizations throughout the United States to orga-
nize and participate in anniversary activities to ex-
pand understanding and appreciation of— 
(A) the significance of the arrival of Afri-
cans in the United States; and 
(B) the contributions of African-Americans 
to the United States; 
(3) provide technical assistance to States, local-
ities, and nonprofit organizations to further the com-
memoration; 
(4) coordinate and facilitate for the public 
scholarly research on, publication about, and inter-
pretation of— 
(A) the arrival of Africans in the United 
States; and 
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(B) the contributions of African-Americans 
to the United States; 
(5) ensure that the commemoration provides a 
lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by assist-
ing in the development of appropriate programs; and 
(6) help ensure that the observances of the 
commemoration are inclusive and appropriately rec-
ognize the experiences and heritage of all individuals 
present at the arrival of Africans in the United 
States. 
SEC. 4. COMMISSION MEETINGS. 
(a) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial 
meeting of the Commission. 
(b) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet— 
(1) at least three times each year; or 
(2) at the call of the Chairperson or the major-
ity of the members of the Commission. 
(c) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
meetings. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
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(1) ELECTION.—The Commission shall elect the 
Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the Com-
mission on an annual basis. 
(2) ABSENCE OF THE CHAIRPERSON.—The Vice 
Chairperson shall serve as the Chairperson in the 
absence of the Chairperson. 
(e) VOTING.—The Commission shall act only on an 
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Com-
mission. 
SEC. 5. COMMISSION POWERS. 
(a) GIFTS.—The Commission may solicit, accept, use, 
and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money or other 
property for aiding or facilitating the work of the Commis-
sion. 
(b) APPOINTMENT OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—The 
Commission may appoint such advisory committees as the 
Commission determines to be necessary to carry out this 
Act. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF ACTION.—The Commission 
may authorize any member or employee of the Commission 
to take any action that the Commission is authorized to 
take under this Act. 
(d) PROCUREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may pro-
cure supplies, services, and property, and make or 
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