I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5015
To establish a Commission to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the 
arrival of Samuel de Champlain in the Champlain Valley and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 7, 2004
Mr. MCHUGH (for himself, Mr. SANDERS, and Mr. SWEENEY) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
A BILL 
To establish a Commission to commemorate the 400th anni-
versary of the arrival of Samuel de Champlain in the 
Champlain Valley 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 ‘‘Samuel de Champlain 
400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2004’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) Samuel de Champlain (1567–1635) was a 
French explorer and navigator who mapped much of
northeastern North America and established a set-
tlement in Quebec; 
(2) in 1609, Champlain entered the valley 
where he observed the lake that today carries his 
name, Lake Champlain, which borders the States of 
Vermont and New York and a portion of the border 
between Canada and the United States; 
(3) the 8,234 square mile Lake Champlain 
Basin is an extraordinary cultural, historical, and 
recreational resource that had a significant role in 
the history and culture of pre-European America, 
colonial North America, and the formation and early 
development of the United States; 
(4) Lake Champlain has a recognized national 
significance, not only for scenic beauty, but also for 
the impact of the lake on the local, regional, and na-
tional economy; 
(5) Lake Champlain is supported by a water-
shed of more than 8,200 square miles and supports 
a regional economy of more than $9,000,000,000; 
(6) the importance of Lake Champlain spreads 
throughout the Northeast, because residents of New 
England and the Mid-Atlantic States cherish the 
lake and the resources of the lake for recreational, 
ecological, and scenic values; and
(6) the States of Vermont and New York have 
both established Champlain 400th Commemoration 
Commissions. 
(b) PURPOSE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The purpose of this Act is to 
establish the Samuel de Champlain 400th Com-
memoration Commission to provide technical and fi-
nancial assistance to the States of Vermont and New 
York and communities in the States to commemo-
rate—
(A) the arrival of Samuel de Champlain 
into the Champlain Valley; and 
(B) the heritage of the greater Lake 
Champlain Basin. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The assistance described in 
paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum—
(A) ensure a suitable national observance, 
in 2009, of the Samuel de Champlain anniver-
sary by complementing the programs and activi-
ties of the States of Vermont and New York; 
(B) cooperate with and assist the programs 
and activities of the States in commemorating 
the Samuel de Champlain 2009 anniversary; 
(C) assist in ensuring that the commemo-
ration provides an excellent visitor experience
and beneficial interaction between visitors and 
the natural and cultural resources of the Cham-
plain Valley; 
(D) assist in ensuring that the Samuel de 
Champlain 2009 observances are inclusive and 
appropriately recognize the experiences and her-
itage of all peoples present when Samuel de 
Champlain arrived in the Champlain Valley; 
(E) provide assistance to States, localities, 
and nonprofit organizations in the development 
of programs, activities, and facilities to recog-
nize the cultural and historical significance of 
Lake Champlain; 
(F) facilitate international involvement in 
the Samuel de Champlain 2009 commemora-
tion; 
(G) support and facilitate marketing ef-
forts for a commemorative coin, stamp, and re-
lated activities for the Samuel de Champlain 
commemoration; 
(H) support and facilitate the related ef-
forts of the Lake Champlain Basin Program 
and the Champlain 400th Commemoration 
Commissions established by the States of 
Vermont and New York; and
(i) the State of Vermont; and 
(ii) the State of New York. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘State’’ in-
cludes agencies and entities of each State speci-
fied in subparagraph (A). 
SEC. 4. SAMUEL DE CHAMPLAIN 400TH COMMEMORATION 
COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commission 
to be known as the ‘‘Samuel de Champlain 400th Com-
memoration Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 13 members, of whom—
(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary from the Champlain 400th Com-
memoration Commission established by the 
State of Vermont, after consideration of the 
recommendations of the Governor of Vermont; 
(B) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, from the Champlain 400th Com-
memoration Commission established by the 
State of New York, after consideration of the 
recommendations of the Governor of New York; 
(C) 2 members shall be employees of the 
National Park Service, of whom—
(i) 1 member shall be the Director of 
the National Park Service (or a designee); 
and 
(ii) 1 member shall be an employee of 
the National Park Service having experi-
ence relevant to the commemoration, to be 
appointed by the Secretary; and 
(D) 3 members shall be individuals that 
have an interest in, support for, and expertise 
appropriate to, the commemoration, to be ap-
pointed by the Secretary. 
(2) 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 
manner as 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. 
(4) VOTING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of 
the members of the Commission. 
(B) QUORUM.—A majority of the members 
of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. 
(5) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
annually elect the Chairperson and the Vice 
Chairperson of the Commission from among the 
members of the Commission.
(B) AUTHORITY.—The Vice Chairperson 
shall serve as the Chairperson in the absence of 
the Chairperson. 
(c) DUTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs 
and activities appropriate for the commemora-
tion; 
(B) generally facilitate activities relating to 
the commemoration throughout the United 
States; 
(C) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, 
educational, religious, economic, and other or-
ganizations throughout the United States to or-
ganize and participate in anniversary activities 
to expand the understanding and appreciation 
of the significance of Lake Champlain; 
(D) consult with the Lake Champlain 
Basin Program and other relevant organiza-
tions to plan and develop programs and activi-
ties for the commemoration; 
(E) provide technical assistance to States, 
localities, and nonprofit organizations to carry 
out activities relating to the commemoration;
(F) coordinate and facilitate public schol-
arly research on the history of Samuel de 
Champlain and the Lake Champlain basin; and 
(G) ensure that the commemoration pro-
vides a lasting legacy and long-term public ben-
efit by assisting in the development of appro-
priate programs, projects, and facilities. 
(2) PLANS; REPORTS.—
(A) STRATEGIC PLAN; ANNUAL PERFORM-
ANCE PLANS.—In accordance with section 306 
of title 5, United States Code, and section 1115 
of title 31, United States Code, the Commission 
shall prepare a strategic plan and annual per-
formance plans for the activities of the Commis-
sion carried out under this Act. 
(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.