H. R. 4907
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
An Act
To establish the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Jamestown 400th Commemora-
tion Commission Act of 2000’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) the founding of the colony at Jamestown, Virginia in
1607, the first permanent English colony in the New World,
and the capital of Virginia for 92 years, has major significance
in the history of the United States;
(2) the settlement brought people from throughout the
Atlantic Basin together to form a multicultural society,
including English, other Europeans, Native Americans, and
Africans;
(3) the economic, political, religious, and social institutions
that developed during the first 9 decades of the existence of
Jamestown continue to have profound effects on the United
States, particularly in English common law and language, cross
cultural relationships, and economic structure and status;
(4) the National Park Service, the Association for the
Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Jamestown-York-
town Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia collectively
own and operate significant resources related to the early his-
tory of Jamestown; and
(5) in 1996—
(A) the Commonwealth of Virginia designated the
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as the State agency
responsible for planning and implementing the Common-
wealth’s portion of the commemoration of the 400th
anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown settlement;
(B) the Foundation created the Celebration 2007
Steering Committee, known as the Jamestown 2007
Steering Committee; and
(C) planning for the commemoration began.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to establish the James-
town 400th Commemoration Commission to—
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the Jamestown
2007 anniversary by complementing the programs and activities
of the State of Virginia;
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(2) cooperate with and assist the programs and activities
of the State in observance of the Jamestown 2007 anniversary;
(3) assist in ensuring that Jamestown 2007 observances
provide an excellent visitor experience and beneficial interaction
between visitors and the natural and cultural resources of
the Jamestown sites;
(4) assist in ensuring that the Jamestown 2007 observances
are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences of
all people present in 17th century Jamestown;
(5) provide assistance to the development of Jamestown-
related programs and activities;
(6) facilitate international involvement in the Jamestown
2007 observances;
(7) support and facilitate marketing efforts for a commemo-
rative coin, stamp, and related activities for the Jamestown
2007 observances; and
(8) assist in the appropriate development of heritage
tourism and economic benefits to the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) COMMEMORATION.—The term ‘‘commemoration’’ means
the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding
of the Jamestown settlement.
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the
Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission established by
section 4(a).
(3) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means the Governor
of the State.
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) STATE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State
of Virginia.
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘State’’ includes agencies
and entities of the State.
SEC. 4. JAMESTOWN 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commission to be
known as the ‘‘Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission’’.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be composed of
16 members, of whom—
(A) four members shall be appointed by the Secretary,
taking into consideration the recommendations of the
Chairperson of the Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee;
(B) four members shall be appointed by the Secretary,
taking into consideration the recommendations of the Gov-
ernor;
(C) two members shall be employees of the National
Park Service, of which—
(i) one shall be the Director of the National Park
Service (or a designee); and
(ii) one shall be an employee of the National Park
Service having experience relevant to the commemora-
tion, to be appointed by the Secretary; and
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(D) five members shall be individuals that have an
interest in, support for, and expertise appropriate to, the
commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary.
(2) TERM; VACANCIES.—
(A) TERM.—A member of the Commission shall be
appointed for the life of the Commission.
(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 appointed to fill
a vacancy on the Commission 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 Commission.
(B) 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.
(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 Commission shall con-
stitute a quorum.
(5) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall appoint a Chair-
person of the Commission, taking into consideration any rec-
ommendations of the Governor.
(c) DUTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities
appropriate to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the
founding of Jamestown;
(B) generally facilitate Jamestown-related activities
throughout the United States;
(C) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational,
religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the
United States to organize and participate in anniversary
activities to expand the understanding and appreciation
of the significance of the founding and early history of
Jamestown;
(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly
research on, publication about, and interpretation of,
Jamestown; and
(E) ensure that the 400th anniversary of Jamestown
provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by
assisting in the development of appropriate programs and
facilities.
(2) PLANS; REPORTS.—
(A) STRATEGIC PLAN; ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLANS.—
In accordance with the Government Performance and
Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103–62; 107 Stat. 285),
the Commission shall prepare a strategic plan and annual
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performance plans for the activities of the Commission
carried out under this Act.
(B) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2008,
the Commission shall complete a final report that
contains—
(i) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
(ii) a final accounting of funds received and
expended by the Commission; and
(iii) the findings and recommendations of the
Commission.
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission may—
(1) accept donations and make dispersions of money, per-
sonal services, and real and personal property related to James-
town and of the significance of Jamestown in the history of
the United States;
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission
determines to be necessary to carry out this Act;
(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission
to take any action that the Commission is authorized to take
by this Act;
(4) 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 Commission shall
not extend beyond the date of termination of the Commission);
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
(6) subject to approval by the Commission, make grants
in amounts not to exceed $10,000 to communities and nonprofit
organizations to develop programs to assist in the commemora-
tion;
(7) make grants to research and scholarly organizations
to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the
early history of Jamestown; and
(8) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and
nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration.
(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.—
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), a member of the Commission shall serve without com-
pensation.
(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Commis-
sion who is an officer or employee of the Federal Govern-
ment 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, including 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 regular
place of business of the member in the performance 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
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and such other additional personnel as are necessary to
enable the Commission to perform the duties of the
Commission.
(B) CONFIRMATION
OF
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR.—The
employment of an executive director shall be subject to
confirmation by the Commission.
(3) COMPENSATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the com-
pensation of the executive director and other personnel
without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code,
relating to classification of positions and General Schedule
pay rates.
(B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate of pay for the
executive director and other personnel 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.—On the request of the Commis-
sion, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on
a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis, any of the
personnel 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 detail of an
employee under clause (i) shall be without interruption
or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission may—
(i) accept the services of personnel detailed from
States (including subdivisions of States); and
(ii) reimburse States for services of detailed per-
sonnel.
(5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES.—Notwith-
standing 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 Commission, on a reimbursable
basis, such administrative support services as the Commission
may request.
(f ) PROCUREMENT
OF TEMPORARY
AND INTERMITTENT SERV-
ICES.—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 pre-
scribed 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 super-
sedes the authority of the State, the National Park Service, or
the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, con-
cerning the commemoration.