I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4402 
To establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration 
Commission, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2005 
Mr. HINCHEY (for himself and Mr. SANDERS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
A BILL 
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 2005’’. 
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, Vermont, and the commemorative com-
missions 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 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; 
(6) assist in the appropriate development of 
heritage tourism and economic benefits to the 
United States; and 
(7) support and facilitate the related efforts of 
the Lake Champlain Basin Program in the coordina-
tion of efforts to commemorate the voyage of Samuel 
de Champlain. 
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 and 
Vermont. 
(4) LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘Lake Champlain Basin Program’’ means the 
partnership with Federal agencies established by the 
States of New York and Vermont under section 120 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1270) to implement the Lake Champlain 
management plan entitled ‘‘Opportunities for Ac-
tion’’. 
(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(6) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’—
(A) means the States of New York 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 23 members, of whom— 
(A) 2 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations of the Governors; 
(B) 8 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) 4 members shall be appointed by the 
Secretary, after consideration of the rec-
ommendations from the Members of the Senate 
from New York and Vermont;