108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 2528
AN ACT
To establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th
Commemoration Commission, and for other pur-
poses.
108TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 2528
AN ACT
To establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th
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 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2004’’
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, and French ex-
plorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European
to see the lake later named for him.
(3) These voyages were two of the most signifi-
cant passages in the European exploration and dis-
covery of America, and began 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, and settlement of French Quebec settle-
ments as far south as Lake George. From these
early settlements came an influence on the Nation’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) 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.
(7) In 2002, the State of New York established
a Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission.
(8) 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 400th Commemora-
tion 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, New Jersey, Vermont, and the com-
memorative commissions formed by the States;
(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, New Jersey, 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 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; and
(6) 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 ‘‘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 400th Com-
memoration Commission established by section 4(a).
(3) 
GOVERNORS.—The 
term 
‘‘Governors’’
means the Governors of the States of New York,
New Jersey, and Vermont.
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior.
(5) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’—
(A) means the States of New York, New
Jersey, and Vermont; and
(B) includes agencies and entities of each
such State.
SEC. 4. HUDSON-FULTON-CHAMPLAIN 400TH COMMEMORA-
TION COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a
commission to be known as the ‘‘Hudson-Fulton-Cham-
plain 400th Commemoration Commission’’.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be
composed of 31 members, of whom—
(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations of the Governors;
(B) 13 members shall be appointed by the
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the House
of Representatives whose districts encompass
the Hudson River Valley and Champlain Valley;
(C) 6 members shall be appointed by the
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the Senate
from New York, New Jersey, and Vermont;
(D) 2 members shall be employees of the
National Park Service, of whom—
(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 commemoration, who shall
be appointed by the Secretary;
(E) one member shall be appointed by the
Secretary, and shall be an individual knowledge-
able of the Hudson River Valley National Herit-
age Area;
(F) 6 members shall be appointed by the
Secretary, and shall be individuals that have an
interest in, support for, and expertise appro-
priate to, the commemoration;
(G) one member shall be the chairperson
of any commemorative commission formed by
New York, or the designee of the chairperson;
(H) one member shall be the chairperson
of any commemorative commission formed by
New Jersey, or the designee of the chairperson;
and
(I) one member shall be the chairperson of
any commemorative commission formed by
Vermont, or the designee of the chairperson.
(2) TERM; VACANCIES.—
(A) TERM.—Each member of the Commis-
sion shall be appointed for the life of the Com-
mission.
(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 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) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—
(A) The Commission shall elect the chairperson and
the vice chairperson of the Commission on an annual
basis.
(B) The vice chairperson shall serve as the
chairperson in the absence of the chairperson.
(5) QUORUM.—A majority of voting members
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may
hold meetings.
(6) VOTING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall
act only on an affirmative vote of a majority of
the voting members of the Commission.
(B) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The individ-
uals appointed under subparagraphs (G), (H),
and (I) of paragraph (1) shall be nonvoting
members, and shall serve only in an advisory
capacity.
(c) DUTIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs
and activities appropriate to commemorate the
400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hud-
son, the first European to sail up the Hudson
River, the 200th anniversary of the voyage of