H. R. 3432—4 
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities 
appropriate to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary 
of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade; 
(B) 
facilitate 
commemoration-related 
activities 
throughout the United States; 
(C) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, 
economic, and other organizations, as well as State and 
local governments, throughout the United States to orga-
nize and participate in anniversary activities to expand 
the understanding and appreciation of the significance of 
the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly 
research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the 
transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, 
particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(E) assist in the development of appropriate programs 
and facilities to ensure that the bicentennial anniversary 
of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade provides 
a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit; 
(F) support and facilitate marketing efforts for the 
issuance of a commemorative coin, postage stamp, and 
related activities for observances; 
(G) facilitate the convening of a joint meeting or joint 
session of the Congress for ceremonies and activities 
relating to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution 
of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; 
(H) promote the sponsorship of conferences, exhibi-
tions, or public meetings concerning the transatlantic slave 
trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it 
relates to the United States; 
(I) coordinate and facilitate the sponsorship of high 
school and collegiate essay contests concerning the trans-
atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particu-
larly as it relates to the United States; and 
(J) examine reports of modern-day slavery and human 
trafficking to raise the public’s awareness of these matters 
and ensure such atrocities do not go unnoticed by the 
people of the United States. 
(2) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2009, the 
Commission shall submit to the Congress a report containing 
a summary of the activities of the Commission for 2008. 
(c) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission may— 
(1) accept donations and gift items related to the trans-
atlantic slave trade, the institution of slavery, and the signifi-
cance of slavery to the history of the United States; 
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission 
determines 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 
under 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 the termination of the Commis-
sion); and
H. R. 3432—5 
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and 
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies. 
(d) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(A) BASIC PAY.—Members of the Commission shall not 
receive compensation for the performance of their duties 
on behalf of the Commission. 
(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Upon approval of the Chair-
person, 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 their homes or regular place of business 
in the performance of their duties on behalf of the Commis-
sion. 
(2) STAFF.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the Commission 
shall, without regard to the civil service laws (including 
regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director 
and such other additional personnel as are necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform its duties. 
(B) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.— 
(i) QUALIFICATIONS.—The person appointed execu-
tive director shall have demonstrated expertise or 
experience in the study and program facilitation on 
the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of 
slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States. 
(ii) CONFIRMATION.—The employment of an execu-
tive director shall be subject to confirmation by the 
members of the Commission. 
(C) COMPENSATION.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion may fix the compensation of the executive director 
and other personnel without regard to the provisions of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
United States Code, relating to classification of positions 
and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of 
pay for the executive director and other personnel may 
not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5316 of such title. 
(D) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERVICES.—Not-
withstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, 
the Commission may accept and use voluntary and 
uncompensated services as the Commission determines nec-
essary. 
(e) 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. 
(f) NON-APPLICABILITY OF FACA.—Section 14(b) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
Commission.
H. R. 3432—6 
SEC. 5. TERMINATION. 
(a) DATE OF TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on December 31, 2009. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—Upon termination, the Commission shall 
submit to the Congress a report containing— 
(1) a detailed statement of the activities of the Commission; 
and 
(2) a final accounting of the funds received and expended 
by the Commission. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.