I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2895
To provide for the establishment of the National Lighthouse Museum.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 7, 1997
Mr. KILDEE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To provide for the establishment of the National Lighthouse
Museum.
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 ‘‘National Lighthouse
Museum Act’’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
There is established a commission to be known as the
‘‘National Lighthouse Museum Commission’’ (in this Act
referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall—
(1) develop a fundraising plan, acquire a site,
and draft an operational proposal for establishing a
National Lighthouse Museum at a lighthouse-related
site that is within the United States and listed on
the National Register of Historic Places; and
(2) establish the National Lighthouse Museum
Corporation in accordance with this Act.
(b) REPORTS.—The Commission shall submit an an-
nual report to the Congress describing the activities of the
Commission during the preceding year.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP OF COMMISSION.
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission
shall be composed of 19 members appointed as follows:
(1) 1 by the National Conference of State His-
toric Preservation Officers.
(2) 13 by the National Lighthouse Museum
Feasibility Steering Committee.
(3) 1 by the Coast Guard.
(4) 1 by the Secretary of the Interior.
(5) 1 by the Secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution.
(6) 1 by the National Trust for Historic Preser-
vation.
(7) 1 by the American Association of Museums.
(b) TERMS; VACANCIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Commission
shall serve for the life of the Commission.
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(c) RATES OF PAY.—Members of the Commission
shall serve without pay.
(d) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall receive travel expenses, including per diem
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702
and 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
(e) BYLAWS.—The Commission shall adopt bylaws to
carry out its functions under this Act.
(f) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Commis-
sion shall be elected by the Commission from among its
members.
(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the
call of the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall convene the
first meeting for not later than January 1, 1999. One-
third of the members of the Commission shall constitute
a quorum, and any vacancy in the Commission shall not
affect its powers to function. The Commission may adopt
rules to govern its proceedings.
(h) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate
on the earlier of—
(1) 5 years after the date of completion of ap-
pointment of the members of the Commission; or
(2) the completion of appointment of the initial
board of directors of the National Lighthouse Cor-
poration under section 6(d).
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR COMMISSION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may accept from
the National Lighthouse Museum Feasibility Steering
Committee such administrative support as may be nec-
essary to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
(b) ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES.—Upon
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of Gen-
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. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE MU-
SEUM CORPORATION.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall estab-
lish, under the laws of the State in which is located
the site acquired under section 3(a)(1) for the Na-
tional Lighthouse Museum and in accordance with
this section, the National Lighthouse Museum Cor-
poration (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Corpora-
tion’’). Subject to paragraph (2), the Corporation is
a federally chartered corporation.
(2) EXPIRATION OF CHARTER.—If the Corpora-
tion does not comply with any provision of this sec-
tion, the charter granted by this section expires.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of the Corporation is
to establish the National Lighthouse Museum as provided
for by the Commission under section 3(a)(1).
(c) BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.—
(1) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of di-
rectors of the Corporation and the responsibilities of
the board shall be as provided in its articles of incor-
poration. The Commission shall appoint the initial
members of the board of directors by not later than
5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) OFFICERS.—The officers of the Corporation
and the election of its officers shall be as provided
in the articles of incorporation.
(d) POWERS.—The Corporation shall have only the
powers provided in its bylaws and articles of incorporation
filed in each State in which it is incorporated.
(e) RESTRICTIONS.—
(1) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The Corporation
may not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend.
(2) POLITICAL
ACTIVITIES.—The Corporation
or a director or officer as such may not contribute
to, support, or participate in any political activity or
in any manner attempt to influence legislation.
(3) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS.—
The income or assets of the Corporation may not
inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, a direc-
tor, officer, or member during the life of the charter
granted by this section. This paragraph does not
prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to
an officer or reimbursement for actual necessary ex-
penses in amounts approved by the board of direc-
tors.
(4) LOANS.—The Corporation may not make a
loan to a director, officer, or employee.
(5) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR
AUTHORIZATION.—The Corporation may not claim
congressional approval or the authority of the Unit-
ed States Government for any of its activities.
(f) DUTY TO MAINTAIN CORPORATE AND TAX-EX-
EMPT STATUS.—
(1) CORPORATE
STATUS.—The Corporation
shall maintain its status as a corporation incor-
porated under the laws of the State referred to in
subsection (a)(1).