I 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5310 
To establish a National Commission on the Quincentennial of the discovery 
of Florida by Ponce de Leon. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 8, 2004 
Mr. CRENSHAW introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Government Reform 
A BILL 
To establish a National Commission on the Quincentennial 
of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon. 
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 ‘‘Ponce de Leon Dis-
covery of Florida Quincentennial Commission Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) the Quincentennial of the founding of Flor-
ida by Ponce de Leon occurs in 2013, 500 years
after Ponce de Leon landed on its shores and ex-
plored the Keys and the west coast of Florida; 
(2) evidence supports the theory that Ponce de 
Leon was the first European to land on the shores 
of Florida; 
(3) Florida means ‘‘the land of flowers’’ and 
the State owes its name to Ponce de Leon; 
(4) Ponce de Leon’s quest for the ‘‘fountain of 
youth’’ has become an established legend which has 
drawn fame and recognition to Florida and the 
United States; 
(5) the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, 
the myth of the ‘‘fountain of youth’’, and the subse-
quent colonization of Florida encouraged other Eu-
ropean countries to explore the New World and to 
establish settlements in the territory that is cur-
rently the United States; 
(6) Florida was colonized under 5 flags; and 
(7) commemoration of the arrival in Florida of 
Ponce de Leon and the beginning of the colonization 
of the Americas would— 
(A) enhance public understanding of the 
impact of the discovery of Florida on the his-
tory of the United States; and
(B) provide lessons about the importance 
of exploration and discovery. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the National Commission on the Quincenten-
nial of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon es-
tablished under section 4(a). 
(2) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of the State of Florida. 
(3) 
QUINCENTENNIAL.—The 
term 
‘‘Quin-
centennial’’ means the 500th anniversary of the dis-
covery of Florida by Ponce de Leon. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘National Commission on the 
Quincentennial of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de 
Leon’’. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Commission shall plan, encourage, 
coordinate, and conduct the commemoration of the Quin-
centennial. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 10 members, including—
(A) 2 members, to be appointed by the 
President, on the recommendation of the Major-
ity Leader and the Minority Leader of the Sen-
ate; 
(B) 2 members, to be appointed by the 
President, on the recommendation of the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and 
the Minority Leader of the House of Represent-
atives; and 
(C) 4 members, to be appointed by the 
President, taking into consideration the rec-
ommendations of the Governor, the Director of 
the National Park Service, and the Secretary of 
the Smithsonian Institution. 
(2) CRITERIA.—A member of the Commission 
shall be chosen from among individuals that have 
demonstrated a strong sense of public service, exper-
tise in the appropriate professions, scholarship, and 
abilities likely to contribute to the fulfillment of the 
duties of the Commission. 
(3) DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—Not later than 
60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
members of the Commission described in paragraph 
(1) shall be appointed. 
(d) TERM; VACANCIES.—
(1) TERM.—A member shall be appointed for 
the life of the Commission. 
(2) VACANCY.—A vacancy on 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. 
(e) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial 
meeting of the Commission. 
(f) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet annually 
at the call of the co-chairpersons described under sub-
section (h). 
(g) QUORUM.—A quorum of the Commission for deci-
sion making purposes shall be 5 members, except that a 
lesser number of members, as determined by the Commis-
sion, may conduct meetings. 
(h) CO-CHAIRPERSONS.—The President shall des-
ignate 2 of the members of the Commission as co-chair-
persons of the Commission. 
SEC. 5. DUTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(3) coordinate activities throughout the United 
States and internationally that relate to the history 
and influence of the discovery of Florida. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
shall submit to the President and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and 
the Committee on Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives a comprehensive report that includes 
specific recommendations for— 
(A) the allocation of financial and adminis-
trative responsibility among participating enti-
ties and persons with respect to commemoration 
of the Quincentennial; and 
(B) the commemoration of the Quincenten-
nial and related events through programs and 
activities, including— 
(i) the production, publication, and 
distribution of books, pamphlets, films, 
electronic publications, and other edu-
cational materials focusing on the history 
and impact of the discovery of Florida on 
the United States and the world;
(ii) bibliographical and documentary 
projects, publications, and electronic re-
sources; 
(iii) conferences, convocations, lec-
tures, seminars, and other programs; 
(iv) the development of programs by 
and for libraries, museums, parks and his-
toric sites, including international and na-
tional traveling exhibitions; 
(v) ceremonies and celebrations com-
memorating specific events; 
(vi) the production, distribution, and 
performance of artistic works, and of pro-
grams and activities, focusing on the na-
tional and international significance of the 
discovery of Florida; and 
(vii) the issuance of commemorative 
coins, medals, certificates of recognition, 
and stamps. 
(2) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Commission shall 
submit an annual report that describes the activities, 
programs, expenditures, and donations of or received 
by the Commission to— 
(A) the President; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives. 
(3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than December 
31, 2013, the Commission shall submit a final re-
port that describes the activities, programs, expendi-
tures, and donations of or received by the Commis-
sion to— 
(A) the President; and 
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate and the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives. 
(c) ASSISTANCE.—In carrying out this Act, the Com-
mission shall consult, cooperate with, and seek advice and 
assistance from appropriate Federal departments and 
agencies, including the Department of the Interior. 
(d) COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out 
the duties of the Commission, the Commission, in con-
sultation with the Secretary of State, may coordinate with 
the Government of Spain and political subdivisions in 
Spain for the purposes of exchanging information and re-
search and otherwise involving the Government of Spain, 
as appropriate, in the commemoration of the Quincenten-
nial.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may provide 
for— 
(1) the preparation, distribution, dissemination, 
exhibition, and sale of historical, commemorative, 
and informational materials and objects that will 
contribute to public awareness of, and interest in, 
the Quincentennial, except that any commemorative 
coin, medal, or postage stamp recommended to be 
issued by the United States shall be sold only by a 
Federal department or agency; 
(2) competitions and awards for historical, 
scholarly, artistic, literary, musical, and other works, 
programs, and projects relating to the Quincenten-
nial; 
(3) a Quincentennial calendar or register of 
programs and projects; 
(4) a central clearinghouse for information and 
coordination regarding dates, events, places, docu-
ments, artifacts, and personalities of Quincentennial 
historical and commemorative significance; and 
(5) the design and designation of logos, sym-
bols, or marks for use in connection with the com-
memoration of the Quincentennial and shall estab-
lish procedures regarding their use.
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Commission may 
appoint such advisory committees as the Commission de-
termines necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) LOCATION OF OFFICE.— 
(1) PRINCIPAL OFFICE.—The principal office of 
the Commission shall be in St. Augustine, Florida. 
(2) SATELLITE OFFICE.—The Commission may 
establish a satellite office in Washington, D.C. 
(b) STAFF.— 
(1) APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY 
DIRECTOR.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The co-chairpersons, 
with the advice of the Commission, may appoint 
and terminate a director and deputy director 
without regard to the civil service laws (includ-
ing regulations). 
(B) DELEGATION
TO
DIRECTOR.—The 
Commission may delegate such powers and du-
ties to the director as may be necessary for the 
efficient operation and management of the 
Commission. 
(2) STAFF PAID FROM FEDERAL FUNDS.—The 
Commission may use any available Federal funds to 
appoint and fix the compensation of not more than
4 additional personnel staff members, as the Com-
mission determines necessary. 
(3) STAFF PAID FROM NON-FEDERAL FUNDS.— 
The Commission may use any available non-Federal 
funds to appoint and fix the compensation of addi-
tional personnel. 
(4) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) MEMBERS.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—A member of the 
Commission shall serve without compensa-
tion. 
(ii) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—A member 
of the Commission shall be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of sub-
sistence, at rates authorized for an em-
ployee of an agency under subchapter I of 
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
while away from the home or regular place 
of business of the member in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
(B) STAFF.— 
(i) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
co-chair-
persons of the Commission may fix the 
compensation of the director, deputy direc-
tor, and other personnel without regard to