[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 356 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 356

To establish a National Commission on the Bicentennial of the Louisiana 
                               Purchase.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 15, 2001

Ms. Landrieu (for herself, Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr. Breaux) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                             the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish a National Commission on the Bicentennial of the Louisiana 
                               Purchase.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial 
Commission Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase occurs in 
        2003, 200 years after the United States, under the leadership 
        of President Thomas Jefferson and after due consideration and 
        approval by Congress, paid $15,000,000 to France in order to 
        acquire the vast area in the western half of the Mississippi 
        River Basin;
            (2) the Louisiana Purchase was the largest peaceful land 
        transaction in history, virtually doubling the size of the 
        United States;
            (3) the Louisiana Purchase opened the heartland of the 
        North American continent for exploration, settlement, and 
        achievement to the people of the United States;
            (4) in the wake of the Louisiana Purchase, the new frontier 
        attracted immigrants from around the world and became 
        synonymous with the search for spiritual, economic, and 
        political freedom;
            (5) today the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, 
        Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North 
        Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming make up what 
        was the Louisiana Territory; and
            (6) commemoration of the Louisiana Purchase and the opening 
        of the West would--
                    (A) enhance public understanding of the impact of 
                westward expansion on the society of the United States; 
                and
                    (B) provide lessons for continued democratic 
                governance in the United States.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Bicentennial.--The term ``Bicentennial'' means the 
        200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase.
            (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the National 
        Commission on the Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase 
        established under section 4(a).

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``National Commission on the Bicentennial of the Louisiana 
Purchase''.
    (b) Duties.--The Commission shall plan, encourage, coordinate, and 
conduct the commemoration of the Bicentennial.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 24 
        members, of which 12 members shall be Republicans and 12 
        members shall be Democrats, including--
                    (A) 12 members, of which 6 members shall be 
                Republicans and 6 members shall be Democrats, appointed 
                by the President to represent the United States;
                    (B) 6 members, of which 3 members shall be 
                Republicans and 3 members shall be Democrats, appointed 
                by the President, on the recommendation of the majority 
                and minority leaders of the Senate; and
                    (C) 6 members, of which 3 members shall be 
                Republicans and 3 members shall be Democrats, appointed 
                by the President, on the recommendation of the Speaker 
                of the House of Representatives, in consultation with 
                the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
            (2) Criteria.--A member of the Commission shall be chosen 
        from among individuals that have demonstrated a strong sense of 
        public service, expertise in the appropriate professions, 
        scholarship, and abilities likely to contribute to the 
        fulfillment of the duties of the Commission.
            (3) Prohibition on federal government employment.--A member 
        of the Commission shall not be an employee or former employee 
        of the Federal Government.
            (4) International participation.--The President shall 
        invite the Governments of France and Spain to appoint, not 
        later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 1 
        individual to serve as a nonvoting member of the Commission.
            (5) Date of appointments.--The appointment of a member of 
        the Commission described in paragraph (1) shall be made not 
        later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (d) Term; Vacancies.--
            (1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Vacancy.--A vacancy on the Commission--
                    (A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; 
                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 at the call of the Co-
Chairpersons described under subsection (h).
    (g) Quorum.--A quorum of the Commission for decision-making 
purposes shall be 13 members, except that a lesser number of members, 
as determined by the Commission, may conduct meetings.
    (h) Co-Chairpersons and Vice Co-Chairpersons.--
            (1) Co-chairpersons.--The President shall designate 2 of 
        the members, 1 of which shall be a Republican and 1 of which 
        shall be a Democrat, to be Co-Chairpersons of the Commission.
            (2) Co-vice-chairpersons.--The Commission shall select 2 
        Co-Vice-Chairpersons, 1 of which shall be a Republican and 1 of 
        which shall be a Democrat, from among the members of the 
        Commission.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
            (1) plan and develop activities appropriate to commemorate 
        the Bicentennial including a limited number of proposed 
        projects to be undertaken by the appropriate Federal 
        departments and agencies that commemorate the Bicentennial by 
        seeking to harmonize and balance the important goals of 
        ceremony and celebration with the equally important goals of 
        scholarship and education;
            (2) consult with and encourage Indian tribes, appropriate 
        Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, 
        elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, 
        foreign governments, and private organizations to organize and 
        participate in Bicentennial activities commemorating or 
        examining--
                    (A) the history of the Louisiana Territory;
                    (B) the negotiations of the Louisiana Purchase;
                    (C) voyages of discovery;
                    (D) frontier movements; and
                    (E) the westward expansion of the United States; 
                and
            (3) coordinate activities throughout the United States and 
        internationally that relate to the history and influence of the 
        Louisiana Purchase.
    (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 Congress a comprehensive report that includes 
        specific recommendations for--
                    (A) the allocation of financial and administrative 
                responsibility among participating entities and persons 
                with respect to commemoration of the Bicentennial; and
                    (B) the commemoration of the Bicentennial and 
                related events through programs and activities, such 
                as--
                            (i) the production, publication, and 
                        distribution of books, pamphlets, films, 
                        electronic publications, and other educational 
                        materials focusing on the history and impact of 
                        the Louisiana Purchase on the United States and 
                        the world;
                            (ii) bibliographical and documentary 
                        projects, publications, and electronic 
                        resources;
                            (iii) conferences, convocations, lectures, 
                        seminars, and other programs;
                            (iv) the development of programs by and for 
                        libraries, museums, parks and historic sites, 
                        including international and national traveling 
                        exhibitions;
                            (v) ceremonies and celebrations 
                        commemorating specific events;
                            (vi) the production, distribution, and 
                        performance of artistic works, and of programs 
                        and activities, focusing on the international 
                        and national significance of the Louisiana 
                        Purchase and the westward movement opening the 
                        frontier for present and future generations; 
                        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;
                    (B) the Senate; and
                    (C) the House of Representatives.
            (3) Final report.--Not later than March 31, 2005, the 
        Commission shall submit a final report that describes the 
        activities, programs, expenditures, and donations of or 
        received by the Commission to--
                    (A) the President;
                    (B) the Senate; and
                    (C) the House of Representatives.
    (c) Assistance.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission shall 
consult, cooperate with, and seek advice and assistance from 
appropriate Federal departments and agencies.

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 Bicentennial, 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 Bicentennial;
            (3) a Bicentennial 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 Bicentennial 
        historical and commemorative significance; and
            (4) the design and designation of logos, symbols, or marks 
        for use in connection with the commemoration of the 
        Bicentennial shall establish procedures regarding their use.
    (b) Advisory Committee.--The Commission may appoint such advisory 
committees as the Commission determines 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 New Orleans, Louisiana.
            (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 (including regulations).
                    (B) Delegation to director.--The Commission may 
                delegate such powers and duties 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 10 additional personnel staff members, as the 
        Commission 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 additional personnel.
            (4) Compensation.--
                    (A) Members.--
                            (i) In general.--A member of the Commission 
                        shall serve without compensation.
                            (ii) Travel expenses.--A member of the 
                        Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, 
                        including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at 
                        rates authorized for an employee 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 
                        performance of the duties of the Commission.
                    (B) Staff.--
                            (i) In general.--The Co-Chairpersons of the 
                        Commission may fix the compensation of the 
                        director, deputy director, and other personnel 
                        without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
                        and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, 
                        United States Code, relating to classification 
                        of positions and General Schedule pay rates.
                            (ii) Maximum rate of pay.--
                                    (I) Director.--The rate of pay for 
                                the director shall not exceed the rate 
                                payable for level IV of the Executive 
                                Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, 
                                United States Code.
                                    (II) Deputy director.--The rate of 
                                pay for the deputy director shall not 
                                exceed the rate payable for level V of 
                                the Executive Schedule under section 
                                5316 of title 5, United States Code.
                                    (III) Staff members.--The rate of 
                                pay for staff members appointed under 
                                paragraph (2) shall not exceed the rate 
                                payable for grade GS-15 of the General 
                                Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, 
                                United States Code.
    (c) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
            (1) In general.--On request of the Commission, the head of 
        any Federal agency or department may detail any of the 
        personnel of the agency or department to the Commission to 
        assist the Commission in carrying out this Act.
            (2) Reimbursement.--A detail of personnel under this 
        subsection shall be without reimbursement by the Commission to 
        the agency from which the employee was detailed.
            (3) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall 
        be without interruption or loss of civil service status or 
        privilege.
    (d) Other Revenues and Expenditures.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission may procure supplies, 
        services, and property, enter into contracts, and expend funds 
        appropriated, donated, or received to carry out contracts.
            (2) Donations.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission may solicit, 
                accept, use, and dispose of donations of money, 
                property, or personal services.
                    (B) Limitations.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the 
                Commission shall not accept donations--
                            (i) the value of which exceeds $50,000 
                        annually, in the case of donations from an 
                        individual; or
                            (ii) the value of which exceeds $250,000 
                        annually, in the case of donations from a 
                        person other than an individual.
                    (C) Nonprofit organization.--The limitations in 
                subparagraph (B) shall not apply in the case of an 
                organization that is--
                            (i) described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
                        Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
                            (ii) exempt from taxation under section 
                        501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
            (4) Acquired items.--Any book, manuscript, miscellaneous 
        printed matter, memorabilia, relic, and other material or 
        property relating to the time period of the Louisiana Purchase 
        acquired by the Commission may be deposited for preservation in 
        national, State, or local libraries, museums, archives, or 
        other agencies with the consent of the depositary institution.
    (e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States mail 
to carry out this Act in the same manner and under the same conditions 
as other agencies of the Federal Government.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Subject to subsections (b) and (c), there are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this Act--
            (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
            (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2003 through 2005.
    (b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated under this section 
for any fiscal year shall remain available until March 31, 2005.
    (c) Limitation.--The total amount of funds made available under 
this section shall not exceed $4,000,000.

SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

    The authority provided by this Act terminates effective March 31, 
2005.
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