I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4516 
To establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commemoration 
Commission, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 13, 2005 
Mr. MCHUGH (for himself, Mr. SWEENEY, Mrs. KELLY, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. 
KUHL of New York, Mr. WALSH, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. REY-
NOLDS, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. ENGEL, and 
Mr. CROWLEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Government Reform 
A BILL 
To establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial 
Commemoration 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. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hudson-Fulton-Cham-
plain Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission Act 
of 2005’’. 
SEC. 2. 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 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 which extends to the present day, and 
which is 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 the 1609 Cham-
plain voyage into the Lake Champlain 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 
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 
Quadricentennial 
Commemoration 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, Vermont, and the commemorative com-
missions formed by the States and Canada; 
(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 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. 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 
Quadricentennial Commemoration Commission es-
tablished by section 4(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 entities of each 
such State.