IIB 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2528 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources 
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,
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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
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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.
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(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
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(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
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(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—
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(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.—
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(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.
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(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
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Robert Fulton, the first person to use steam 
navigation on a commercial basis, the 400th an-
niversary of the voyage of Samuel de Cham-
plain, the first European to discover and ex-
plore Lake Champlain; 
(B) facilitate Hudson-Fulton-Champlain- 
related activities throughout the United States; 
(C) coordinate its activities with State 
commemoration commissions and appropriate 
Federal Government agencies, including the De-
partments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and 
Transportation, the National Park Service with 
respect to the Hudson River Valley National 
Heritage Area, and the American Heritage Riv-
ers Initiative Interagency Committee estab-
lished by Executive Order 13061, dated Sep-
tember 11, 1997; 
(D) 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 the voyages of Henry 
Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de Cham-
plain;
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(E) provide technical assistance to States, 
localities, and nonprofit organizations to further 
the commemoration; 
(F) coordinate and facilitate for the public 
scholarly research on, publication about, and in-
terpretation of, the voyages of Henry Hudson, 
Robert Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain; and 
(G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton-Cham-
plain 2009 anniversaries provide a lasting leg-
acy and long-term public benefit by assisting in 
the development of appropriate programs and 
facilities. 
(2) STRATEGIC PLAN AND ANNUAL PERFORM-
ANCE
PLANS.—The Commission shall prepare a 
strategic plan in accordance with section 306 of title 
5, United States Code, and annual performance 
plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31, 
United States Code, for the activities of the Com-
mission carried out under this Act. 
(3) REPORTS.— 
(A) ANNUAL
REPORT.—The Commission 
shall submit to Congress an annual report that 
contains a list of each gift, bequest, or devise 
with a value of more than $250, together with
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the identity of the donor of each such gift, be-
quest, or devise. 
(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. 
(d) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.—The Commission 
may— 
(1) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, be-
quests, or devises of money or other real or personal 
property for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the 
work of the Commission; 
(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;
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(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 be-
yond the date of the termination of the Commis-
sion); 
(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 $20,000 to 
communities, nonprofit organizations, and com-
memorative commissions formed by the States to de-
velop programs to assist in the commemoration; and 
(7) make grants in amounts not to exceed 
$20,000 to research and scholarly organizations to 
research, publish, or distribute information relating 
to the early history of the voyages of Hudson, Ful-
ton, and Champlain. 
(e) COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS OF THE COM-
MISSION.—
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(B) CONFIRMATION OF EXECUTIVE DIREC-
TOR.—The employment of an executive director 
shall be subject to confirmation by the Commis-
sion. 
(3) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Chairperson of the Com-
mission may fix the compensation of the execu-
tive 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 Gen-
eral Schedule pay rates. 
(B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—The rate of 
pay for the executive director and other per-
sonnel 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.—At the request of 
the Commission, the head of any Federal 
agency may detail, on a reimbursable or 
nonreimbursable basis, any of the per-
sonnel of the agency to the Commission to
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assist the Commission in carrying out the 
duties of the Commission under this Act. 
(ii) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—The de-
tail of an employee under clause (i) shall 
be without interruption or loss of civil serv-
ice status or privilege. 
(B) STATE EMPLOYEES.—The Commission 
may— 
(i) accept the services of personnel de-
tailed from States (including subdivisions 
of States); and 
(ii) reimburse States for services of 
detailed personnel. 
(5) VOLUNTEER AND UNCOMPENSATED SERV-
ICES.—Notwithstanding 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 Commis-
sion, on a reimbursable basis, such administrative 
support services as the Commission may request. 
(f) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT-
TENT SERVICES.—The Chairperson of the Commission 
may procure temporary and intermittent services in ac-
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cordance 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 prescribed 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 supersedes the authority of the States or the Na-
tional Park Service concerning the commemoration. 
(i) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents 
and materials of the Commission to the National Archives 
or other appropriate Federal entity. 
SEC. 5. AUDIT OF COMMISSION. 
The Inspector General of the Department of the Inte-
rior shall perform an annual audit of the Commission and 
shall make the results of the audit available to the public.
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SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2005 through 2011 to carry out this 
Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 22, 
2004. 
Attest: 
JEFF TRANDAHL, 
Clerk.