Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Act
PL 98-375 (H.R.1492), enacted 08/07/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
98 STAT. 1257 
Public Law 98-375 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Act". 
FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS 
SEC. 2. The Congress finds and declares that— 
(1) October 12, 1992, marks the five hundredth anniversary of 
the voyages of discovery of Christopher Columbus; 
(2) the governments and people of Spain and Italy should be 
recognized and commended for their historic role and contribu-
tion to those voyages; 
(3) all persons in this country should look with pride on the 
achievements and contributions of their ancestors with respect 
to those historic voyages; and 
(4) as the Nation approaches the quincentennial of the voy-
ages of discovery of Christopher Columbus, it is appropriate to 
celebrate and commemorate this anniversary through local, 
national, and international observances and activities planned, 
encouraged, coordinated, and conducted by a national commis-
sion representative of appropriate individuals and public and 
private authorities and organizations. 
ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION 
SEC. 3. (a) There is established a commission to be known as the 
Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission (herein-
after in this Act referred to as the "Commission") to plan, encour-
age, coordinate, and conduct the commemoration of the voyages of 
discovery of Christopher Columbus. 
(b) The Commission shall be composed of thirty members as 
follows: 
(1) seven members appointed by the President upon the rec-
ommendation of the majority leader of the Senate in consulta-
tion with the minority leader of the Senate; 
(2) seven members appointed by the President upon the rec-
ommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
in consultation with the minority leader of the House of 
Representatives; 
(3) ten members appointed by the President, which members 
shall be broadly representative of the people of the United 
States, and not otherwise officers or employees of the United 
States; 
(4) the Secretary of State; 
(5) the Archivist of the United States; 
(6) the Librarian of Congress; 
(7) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts; 
Aug. 7, 1984 
[H.R. 1492] 
Christopher 
Columbus 
Quincentenary 
Jubilee Act. 
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31-194 - 0 - 86 - 4 : QL. 3 Part 2 
98 STAT. 1258 
PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
(8) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Human-
ities; and 
(9) the Secretary of Commerce. 
(c) The President is hereby authorized and requested to invite the 
governments of Spain and Italy each to appoint, within ninety days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, one individual to serve 
as a nonvoting participant in the activities of the Commission. 
(d) The Secretary of State shall call the first meeting for the 
purpose of electing a Chairman and Vice Chairman, both of whom 
shall be from among the members of the Commission appointed 
under subsection (b)(3). The Commission may appoint honorary 
members, and may establish an Advisory Council to assist the 
Commission in its work. 
(e) Appointments under subsection (b) shall be made within ninety 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. Vacancies shall be 
filled in the same manner in which the original appointments were 
made. 
DUTIES 
SEC. 4. (a) It shall be the duty of the Commission to prepare a 
comprehensive program for commemorating the quincentennial of 
the voyages of discovery of Christopher Columbus, and to plan, 
encourage, coordinate, and conduct observances and activities com-
Spain. 
memorating the historic events associated with those voyages. In 
carrying out this subsection, the Commission shall particularly 
examine the historic role of the government and people of Spain in 
order to promote a greater public awareness, understanding, and 
appreciation of the contributions made by Spain with respect to 
those voyages. 
Report. 
(b) Within two years after the date of the first meeting called 
pursuant to section 3(d) of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
Congress a comprehensive report incorporating its recommenda-
tions for the commemoration of the quincentennial of the voyages of 
discovery of Christopher Columbus. The report required by this 
subsection shall include— 
(1) recommendations for appropriate activities for the com-
memoration, including— 
(A) the production, publication, and distribution of books, 
pamphlets, films, and other educational materials focusing 
on the history, culture, and political thought of the lands 
Christopher Columbus traveled from and to during the 
voyages of discovery; 
(B) bibliographical and documentary projects and publica-
tions; 
(C) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and 
other similar programs; 
(D) the development of libraries, museums, and exhibits, 
including mobile exhibits; 
(E) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific 
events; 
(F) programs focusing on the international significance of 
the voyages of discovery of Christopher Columbus; and 
(G) the design, inscriptions, and other specifications relat-
ing to the issuance of commemorative coins, medals, and 
stamps, by the United States; 
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PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
98 STAT. 1259 
(2) recommendations for the allocation of financial and ad-
ministrative responsibility among the public agencies and pri-
vate organizations recommended for participation by the Com-
mission; and 
(3) recommendations for such legislation and administrative 
actions as the Commission deems necessary to carry out the 
commemoration of the voyages of discovery. 
The President shall transmit the Commission's report to the Con-
gress together with such comments and additional recommendations 
for legislation and administrative actions as the President deems 
appropriate. 
(c) The Commission shall prepare and submit to the Congress an 
annual report on the activities of the Commission, including an 
accounting of funds received and expended. 
(d) In preparing its plans and programs, the Commission shall 
consider any related plans and programs developed by State and 
local, and foreign governments, and private groups, including the 
1992 World's Fair to be held in Chicago, Illinois, and in Seville, 
Spain. The Commission shall endeavor to plan and conduct its 
activities in such manner as to ensure that activities conducted 
pursuant to this Act do not duplicate activities of the 1992 World's 
Fair, which the Commission recognizes to be a major highlight of 
the quincentenary celebration. 
(e) The Commission may designate special committees and invite 
representatives from such public agencies and private organizations 
to assist the Commission in carrying out this section as the Commis-
sion deems appropriate. 
President of U.S. 
Report. 
1992 World's 
Fair. 
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS 
SEC. 5. In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Commission is 
authorized to provide for— 
(1) the preparation, distribution, dissemination, exhibition, 
and sale of historical, commemorative, and informational mate-
rials and objects which will contribute to public awareness of, 
and interest in, the quincentennial, except that any commemo-
rative coins, medals, or stamps issued by the United States shall 
be sold only by an agency of the United States; 
(2) competitions, commissions, and awards for historical, 
scholarly, artistic, literary, musical, and other works, programs, 
and projects relating to the quincentennial; and 
(3) a quincentennial calendar or register of programs and 
projects, and in other ways provide a central clearinghouse for 
information and coordination regarding dates, events, places, 
documents, artifacts, and personalities of quincentennial histor-
ical and commemorative significance. 
COORDINATION OF EFFORTS 
SEC. 6. (a) In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Commis-
sion shall consult, cooperate with, and seek adyice and assistance 
from appropriate Federal departments and agencies. State and local 
public bodies, foreign governments, learned societies, and historical, 
patriotic, philanthropic, civic, professional, and related organiza-
tions. Such Federal departments and agencies are authorized and 
requested to cooperate with the Commission in planning, encourag-
98 STAT. 1260 
PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
ing, coordinating, and conducting appropriate commemorative 
activities. 
Study. 
(b) The Secretary of State shall undertake a study of appropriate 
cooperative actions which might be taken with foreign governments 
to preserve and develop historic sites related to the voyages of 
discovery of Christopher Columbus, at such time and in such 
manner as will ensure that fitting observances and exhibits may be 
held at each such site during the commemoration. (In particular, the 
Secretary may consult with the governments of the nations of the 
Western Hemisphere which share the Columbian heritage and with 
the governments of Spain and Italy with respect to joint participa-
tion in events in the United States and in such nations.) The 
Secretary shall submit the results of the study to the Commission, 
together with his recommendations, affording the Commission an 
opportunity to review the study, and to incorporate such of its 
findings and recommendations as the Commission may deem appro-
priate in the report required by section 4 of this Act. 
(c) The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and 
the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities shall 
cooperate with the Commission, especially in the encouragement 
and coordination of scholarly works and presentations focusing on 
the history, culture, and political thought of the period surrounding 
the voyages of discovery. 
(d) The Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and the Archivist of the United States shall cooperate 
with the Commission, especially in the development and display of 
exhibits and collections, and in the development and distribution of 
bibliographies, catalogs, and other materials relevant to the period. 
1992 World's 
(e) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict, abridge, or 
Fair. 
otherwise limit the planning, development, conduct, operations, or 
activities of the 1992 World's Fair to be held in Chicago, Illinois, and 
in Seville, Spain, nor shall any provision of this Act be construed to 
vest in the Commission any right or responsibility to regulate or 
otherwise oversee the planning, development, conduct, operations, 
or activities of such Fair. 
DONATIONS 
SEC. 7. (a) The Commission may accept donations of money, 
property, or personal services, except that the Commission may not 
accept donations— 
(1) the aggregate value of which exceeds $25,000, in the case of 
donations from an individual; or 
(2) the aggregate of which exceeds $50,000, in the case of 
donations from a foreign government, a corporation, a partner-
ship, or any other person. 
Ot)) All books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memo-
rabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the period and dona-
ted to the Commission may be deposited for preservation in national. 
State, or local libraries or museums or be otherwise disposed of by 
the Commission after consultation with the Librarian of Congress, 
the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the Archivist of the 
United States, or the Administrator of General Services, as the case 
may be. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
98 STAT. 1261 
ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 8. (a)(1) The Chairman, with the advice of the Commission, 
shall appoint, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United 
States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, a 
Director who may be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate of 
basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule established 
under section 5315 of such title and a Deputy Director who may be 
compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for 
level V of the Executive Schedule established under section 5316 of 
such title. Such officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Chairman. 
(2) The Commission shall delegate such powers and duties to the 
Director as may be necessary for the efficient operation and man-
agement of the Commission. 
(b) Subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the 
Commission, the Commission may— 
(1) appoint and fix the compensation of such additional per-
sonnel, not to exceed twenty staff members, as it deems advisa-
ble, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and 
without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
rates, but at such rates not in excess of the maximum rate for 
grade GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such 
title; 
(2) appoint such advisory committees as it deems necessary; 
(3) procure supplies, services, and property; make contracts; 
expend in furtherance of this Act funds appropriated, donated, 
or received in pursuance of contracts hereunder; 
(4) enter into agreements with the General Services Adminis-
tration for procurement of necessary financial and administra-
tive services, for which payment shall be made by reimburse-
ment from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may be 
agreed upon by the Chairman and the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration; and 
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and upon 
the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the 
United States. 
(c)(1) Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal 
agency may detail any of the personnel of such agency to the 
Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its duties 
under this Act. Details under this subsection shall be without 
reimbursement by the Commission to the agency from which the 
employee concerned was detailed. 
(2) The Commission may accept the services of not to exceed 
twenty employees under this subsection at any time. 
5 u s e 5101 et 
seq., 5331. 
Contracts with 
U.S. 
Contracts with 
U.S. 
COMPENSATION 
SEC. 9. (a) Members of the Commission appointed under section 
3(b) of this Act shall serve without compensation, but may be 
reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses 
incurred by them in the performance of their duties. 
(b) Persons appointed, designated, or invited to assist the Commis-
sion under section 3(c), the second sentence of section 3(d), section 
4(e), or section 8(b)(2) of this Act shall serve without compensation, 
98 STAT. 1262 
PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
and shall not be entitled to reimbursement for travel, subsistence, or 
other expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties. 
Logos, symbols, 
or marks. 
Regulations. 
Federal 
Register, 
publication. 
PENALTY 
SEC. 10. (a) The Commission shall prescribe rules and regulations 
regarding the use of any logos, symbols, or marks originated under 
authority of and certified by the Commission for use in connection 
with the commemoration of the quincentennial, or any facsimile 
thereof. Under the rules and regulations, the Commission may not 
sell, lease, or otherwise grant to any person the right to use any 
such logo, symbol, or mark in connection with the production or 
manufacture of any commercial goods, as part of an advertisement 
promoting any commercial goods or services, or as part of an 
endorsement for any such goods or services. 
(b) Any person who, except as authorized under rules and regula-
tions issued by the Commission, knowingly manufactures, repro-
duces, or uses any such logos, symbols, or marks, or any facsimile 
thereof, or in such a manner as suggests any such logos, symbols, or 
marks, shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more 
than one year, or both. This section shall only apply in the case of 
such logos, symbols, and marks for which the Commission has 
published in the Federal Register a notification of certification. 
AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 11. (a) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
the provisions of this Act, $220,000 per fiscal year for each of the 
fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983, and ending before 
October 1, 1992; and $20,000 for the period beginning on October 1, 
1992, and ending on November 15, 1992. 
(b) Amounts appropriated under this section for any fiscal year 
shall remain available until November 15, 1992. 
(c) The total appropriations authorized under this or any other 
Act for the purposes of this Act shall not exceed $2,000,000. 
Report. 
TERMINATION 
SEC. 12. (a) A final report shall be made to the Congress no later 
than November 15, 1992, upon which date the Commission shall 
terminate. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-375—AUG. 7, 1984 
98 STAT. 1263 
(b) Any property acquired by the Commission remaining upon its 
termination may be used by the Secretary of the Interior for pur-
poses of the National Park Service, or may be disposed of in 
accordance with the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.). 
Approved August 7, 1984. 
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1492 (S. 500): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 98-150 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service) and No. 
98-876 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-194 accompanying S. 500 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 129 (1983): June 21, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 130 (1984): Feb. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieU of S. 500. 
June 27, Senate agreed to conference report. 
July 25, House agreed to conference report.