I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1596 
To establish the Commission to study the potential creation of a National 
Museum of Irish American History, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 17, 2017 
Mr. BYRNE (for himself, Mr. KING of New York, Mr. NEAL, Mr. MEEHAN, 
Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Mr. FITZPATRICK, Mr. LYNCH, and Mr. 
MCGOVERN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on House 
Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speak-
er, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the ju-
risdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Commission to study the potential creation 
of a National Museum of Irish American History, 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 ‘‘Commission to Study 
the Creation of a National Museum of Irish American His-
tory’’. 
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(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Members of the Com-
mission shall be chosen from individuals, or rep-
resentatives of institutions or entities, who possess 
either— 
(A) a demonstrated commitment to the re-
search, study, or promotion of Irish-American 
life, art, history, political or economic status, or 
culture, together with— 
(i) expertise in museum administra-
tion; 
(ii) expertise in fundraising for non-
profit or cultural institutions; 
(iii) experience in the study and 
teaching of Irish-American culture and his-
tory at the post-secondary level; 
(iv) experience in studying the issue of 
the Smithsonian Institution’s representa-
tion of Irish-American art, life, history, 
and culture; or 
(v) extensive experience in public or 
elected service; or 
(B) experience in the administration of, or 
the planning for the establishment of, museums 
devoted to the study and promotion of the role 
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of ethnic, racial, or cultural groups in American 
history. 
(4) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commis-
sion— 
(A) shall not affect the powers of the Com-
mission; and 
(B) shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment was made. 
(5) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall, by 
majority vote of all of the members, select 1 member 
of the Commission to serve as the Chairperson of 
the Commission. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) REPORTS.— 
(1) PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT 
AND MAINTENANCE OF MUSEUM.—The Commission 
shall submit a report to the President and the Con-
gress containing its recommendations with respect to 
a plan of action for the establishment and mainte-
nance of an Irish-American Museum in Washington, 
D.C. 
(2) REPORT ON ISSUES.—The Commission shall 
examine, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution, and submit a report to the 
President and the Congress on the following issues: 
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(A) The availability and cost of collections 
to be acquired and housed in the Museum. 
(B) The impact of the Museum on regional 
Irish-American-related museums. 
(C) Possible locations for the Museum in 
Washington, D.C. and its environs, to be con-
sidered in consultation with the National Cap-
ital Planning Commission and the Commission 
of Fine Arts, the Department of the Interior, 
and Smithsonian Institution. 
(D) Whether the Museum should be lo-
cated within the Smithsonian Institution. 
(E) The governance and organizational 
structure from which the Museum should oper-
ate. 
(F) How to engage the Irish-American 
community in the development and design of 
the Museum. 
(G) The cost of constructing, operating, 
and maintaining the Museum. 
(b) FUNDRAISING PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall de-
velop a fundraising plan to support the establish-
ment, operation, and maintenance of the Museum 
through contributions from the public. 
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(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the fund-
raising plan under paragraph (1), the Commission 
shall consider issues relating to funding the oper-
ations and maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity 
without reliance on appropriations of Federal funds. 
(c) INDEPENDENT REVIEW.—The Commission shall 
obtain an independent review of the viability of the plan 
developed under subsection (b)(1) and such review shall 
include an analysis as to whether the plan is likely to 
achieve the level of resources necessary to fund the con-
struction of the Museum and the operations and mainte-
nance of the Museum in perpetuity without reliance on 
appropriations of Federal funds. 
(d) SUBMISSION.—The Commission shall submit the 
plan developed under subsection (b)(1) and the review con-
ducted under paragraph (3) to the Committees on Trans-
portation and Infrastructure, House Administration, Nat-
ural Resources, and Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committees on Rules and Adminis-
tration, Energy and Natural Resources, and Appropria-
tions of the Senate. 
(e) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR
LEGISLATION
TO 
CARRY OUT PLAN
OF ACTION.—Based on the rec-
ommendations contained in the report submitted under 
subsection (a), the Commission shall submit for consider-
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ation recommendations for a legislative plan of action to 
create and construct the Museum to— 
(1) the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure of the House of Representatives; 
(2) the Committee on House Administration of 
the House of Representatives; 
(3) the Committee on Rules and Administration 
of the Senate; 
(4) the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives; 
(5) the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate; and 
(6) the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives and the Senate 
(f) DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF REPORTS.—The 
Commission shall submit final versions the reports and 
plans required— 
(1) under subsection (a) and (b) not later than 
24 months after the date of the Commission’s first 
meeting; and 
(2) under subsection (e) not later than 12 
months after the date that the reports and plans re-
ferred to in paragraph (1) are submitted. 
(g) NATIONAL CONFERENCE.—In carrying out its 
functions under this section, not later than 18 months 
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after the commission members are selected, the Commis-
sion may host a national conference on the Museum, com-
prised of individuals committed to the advancement of 
Irish-American life, art, history, and culture. 
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION. 
(a) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may em-
ploy and compensate an executive director and any 
other additional personnel that are necessary to en-
able the Commission to perform the duties of the 
Commission. 
(2) RATES OF PAY.—Rates of pay for persons 
employed under paragraph (1) shall be consistent 
with the rates of pay allowed for employees of a tem-
porary organization under section 3161 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(b) NOT FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT.—Any individual 
employed under this Act shall not be considered a Federal 
employee for the purpose of any law governing Federal 
employment. 
(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), on 
request of the Commission the head of a Federal 
agency may provide technical assistance to the Com-
mission. 
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