I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 992 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 11, 2009 Mr. Hill introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To establish the James Madison Memorial Commission to develop a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a James Madison memorial in Washington, DC, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the James Madison Memorial Commission Act of 2009.

2.

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)President James Madison is often referred to as Father of the Constitution for his influence on the Nation's fundamental laws. (2)At age 29, James Madison was the youngest delegate at the Continental Congress. (3)In Congress, Representative James Madison drafted the legislation to enact the Bill of Rights. (4)President James Madison declared war on Great Britain, igniting the War of 1812. (5)President James Madison approved the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812. (6)President James Madison was the first United States Congressman to become President. (7)President James Madison signed a congressional resolution admitting Louisiana to the Union as the eighteenth State on April 30, 1812. (8)President James Madison signed a congressional resolution admitting Indiana to the Union as the nineteenth State on December 11, 1816.

3.

Establishment of commission

(a)

In General

There is established the James Madison Memorial Commission (hereafter in this Act referred to as the Commission) to plan for the design and construction of a memorial in Washington, DC to be a tribute to the many accomplishments of James Madison. (b)

Membership

The Commission shall consist of 23 members appointed not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act as follows: (1)The President shall appoint 7 voting members. (2)The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, and the minority leader of the Senate shall each appoint 3 voting members. (3)In addition to the members appointed under paragraph (2), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, and the minority leader of the Senate shall each appoint 1 nonvoting member. (c)

Qualifications

Members of the Commission shall be chosen from among individuals, or representatives of institutions or entities, who possess either— (1)a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or promotion of the work and life of former President James Madison or Presidential history in general, and— (A)expertise in museum administration; (B)expertise in fundraising for nonprofit or cultural institutions; (C)experience in the study and teaching of Presidential history at the post-secondary level; or (D)extensive experience in public or elected service; or (2)experience in the administration of, or the planning for the establishment of, museums devoted to the study and promotion of the history of Government.

4.

Report; termination

(a)

Deadline

Not later than 24 months after the date of the Commission’s first meeting, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary of the Interior a report containing a plan for the design and construction of a memorial in Washington, DC to be a tribute to the many accomplishments of James Madison. (b)

Termination

The Commission shall terminate not later than 30 days after submitting the report pursuant to subsection (a).

5.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior such funds as are necessary to carrying out the activities of the Commission.