SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Commission (referred to 
in this Act as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 4. DUTIES. 
The Commission shall have the following duties: 
(1) To study activities that may be carried out 
by the Federal Government to determine whether 
the activities are fitting and proper to honor Fred-
erick Douglass on the occasion of the bicentennial 
anniversary of Douglass’ birth, including— 
(A) the issuance of a Frederick Douglass 
bicentennial postage stamp; 
(B) the convening of a joint meeting or 
joint session of Congress for ceremonies and ac-
tivities relating to Frederick Douglass; 
(C) a rededication of the Frederick Doug-
lass National Historic Site, or other activity 
with respect to the Site; and 
(D) the acquisition and preservation of ar-
tifacts associated with Frederick Douglass. 
(2) To recommend to Congress the activities 
that the Commission considers most fitting and 
proper to honor Frederick Douglass on such occa-
sion, and the entity or entities in the Federal Gov-
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ernment that the Commission considers most appro-
priate to carry out such activities. 
SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission 
shall be composed of 16 members appointed as follows: 
(1) Two members, each of whom shall be a 
qualified citizen described in subsection (b), ap-
pointed by the President. 
(2) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Maryland. 
(3) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
Massachusetts. 
(4) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Governor of 
New York. 
(5) One member, who shall be a qualified cit-
izen described in subsection (b), appointed by the 
President on the recommendation of the Mayor of 
the District of Columbia. 
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(6) Three members, at least one of whom shall 
be a Member of the House of Representatives, ap-
pointed by the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(7) Three members, at least one of whom shall 
be a Senator, appointed by the majority leader of 
the Senate. 
(8) Two members, at least one of whom shall 
be a Member of the House of Representatives, ap-
pointed by the minority leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(9) Two members, at least one of whom shall 
be a Senator, appointed by the minority leader of 
the Senate. 
(b) QUALIFIED CITIZEN.—A qualified citizen de-
scribed in this subsection is a private citizen of the United 
States with— 
(1) a demonstrated dedication to educating oth-
ers about the importance of historical figures and 
events; and 
(2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of 
Frederick Douglass. 
(c) TIME OF APPOINTMENT.—Each initial appoint-
ment of a member of the Commission shall be made before 
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the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
(d) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a member 
of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as 
a Member of Congress, and ceases to be a Member of Con-
gress, that member may continue to serve on the Commis-
sion for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on 
the date that member ceases to be a Member of Congress. 
(e) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. 
(f) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission shall 
not affect the powers of the Commission but shall be filled 
in the manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
(g) BASIC PAY.—Members shall serve on the Com-
mission without pay. 
(h) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(i) QUORUM.—Six members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hear-
ings. 
(j) CHAIR.—The Commission shall select a Chair 
from among the members of the Commission. 
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(k) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chair. Periodically, the Commission shall hold 
a meeting in Rochester, New York. 
SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—The Commission may appoint and 
fix the pay of a Director and such additional personnel 
as the Commission considers to be appropriate. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE 
LAWS.— 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Commis-
sion may be appointed without regard to the provi-
sions of title 5, United States Code, governing ap-
pointments in the competitive service, and may be 
paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relat-
ing to classification and General Schedule pay rates. 
(2) STAFF.—The staff of the Commission shall 
be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, 
United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance 
with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III 
of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates. 
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(c) DONATIONS.—The Commission may accept dona-
tions of supplies, money, and services to carry out its re-
sponsibilities. 
SEC. 7. POWERS. 
(a) HEARINGS
AND SESSIONS.—The Commission 
may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any mem-
ber or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the 
Commission, take any action that the Commission is au-
thorized to take by this Act. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commission 
may secure directly from any department or agency of the 
United States information necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chair 
of the Commission, the head of that department or agency 
shall furnish that information to the Commission. 
(d) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as other departments and agencies of the United 
States. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
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eral Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reim-
bursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
SEC. 8. REPORTS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission may sub-
mit to Congress such interim reports as the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall submit 
a final report to Congress not later than the expiration 
of the 3-year period beginning on the date of the formation 
of the Commission or December 1, 2017, whichever is 
sooner. The final report shall contain— 
(1) a detailed statement of the findings and 
conclusions of the Commission; 
(2) the recommendations of the Commission; 
and 
(3) any other information that the Commission 
considers to be appropriate. 
SEC. 9. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate 120 days after sub-
mitting the final report of the Commission pursuant to 
section 8. 
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SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act. 
Æ 
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