[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4875 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.4875
One Hundred Fourteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen
An Act
To establish the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, and for
other purposes.
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 ``United States Semiquincentennial
Commission Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that July 4, 2026, the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the United States, as marked by the
Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the historic events preceding
that anniversary--
(1) are of major significance in the development of the
national heritage of the United States of individual liberty,
representative government, and the attainment of equal and
inalienable rights; and
(2) have had a profound influence throughout the world.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish a Commission
to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events
through local, State, national, and international activities planned,
encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission
representative of appropriate public and private authorities and
organizations.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the United
States Semiquincentennial Commission established by section 4(a).
(2) Private citizen.--The term ``private citizen'' means an
individual who is not an officer or employee of--
(A) the Federal Government; or
(B) a State or local government.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
the Interior.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established a commission, to be known as
the ``United States Semiquincentennial Commission'', to plan,
encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the history of
the United States leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding
of the United States.
(b) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of the following
members:
(1) Four members of the Senate, of whom--
(A) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate; and
(B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(2) Four members of the House of Representatives, of whom--
(A) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Sixteen members who are private citizens, of whom--
(A) four shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate;
(B) four shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate;
(C) four shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(D) four shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives; and
(E) one of whom shall be designated by the President as the
Chairperson.
(4) The following nonvoting ex officio members:
(A) The Secretary.
(B) The Secretary of State.
(C) The Attorney General.
(D) The Secretary of Defense.
(E) The Secretary of Education.
(F) The Librarian of Congress.
(G) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
(H) The Archivist of the United States.
(I) The presiding officer of the Federal Council on the
Arts and the Humanities.
(c) Term; Vacancies.--
(1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
(2) Vacancies.--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.
(d) Meetings.--All meetings of the Commission shall be convened at
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to honor the
historical significance of the building as the site of deliberations
and adoption of both the United States Declaration of Independence and
Constitution.
(e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) prepare an overall program for commemorating the 250th
anniversary of the founding of the United States and the historic
events preceding that anniversary; and
(2) plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate observances and
activities commemorating the historic events that preceded, and are
associated with, the United States Semiquincentennial.
(b) Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In preparing plans and an overall program, the
Commission--
(A) shall give due consideration to any related plans and
programs developed by State, local, and private groups; and
(B) may designate special committees with representatives
from groups described in subparagraph (A) to plan, develop, and
coordinate specific activities.
(2) Emphasis.--The Commission shall--
(A) emphasize the planning of events in locations of
historical significance to the United States, especially in
those locations that witnessed the assertion of American
liberty, such as--
(i) the 13 colonies; and
(ii) leading cities, including Boston, Charleston, New
York City, and Philadelphia; and
(B) give special emphasis to--
(i) the role of persons and locations with significant
impact on the history of the United States during the 250-
year period beginning on the date of execution of the
Declaration of Independence; and
(ii) the ideas associated with that history, which have
been so important in the development of the United States,
in world affairs, and in the quest for freedom of all
mankind.
(3) Infrastructure.--The Commission shall--
(A) evaluate existing infrastructure;
(B) include in the report required under subsection (c)
recommendations for what infrastructure should be in place for
the successful undertaking of an appropriate celebration in
accordance with this Act; and
(C) coordinate with State and local bodies to make
necessary infrastructure improvements.
(c) Report Submitted to the President.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President
a comprehensive report that includes the specific recommendations
of the Commission for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary
and related events.
(2) Recommended activities.--The report may include recommended
activities such as--
(A) the production, publication, and distribution of books,
pamphlets, films, and other educational materials focusing on
the history, culture, and political thought of the period of
the American Revolution;
(B) bibliographical and documentary projects and
publications;
(C) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, and
other programs, especially those located in the 13 colonies,
including the major cities and buildings of national historical
significance of the 13 colonies;
(D) the development of libraries, museums, historic sites,
and exhibits, including mobile exhibits;
(E) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific
events, such as--
(i) the signing of the Declaration of Independence;
(ii) programs and activities focusing on the national
and international significance of the United States
Semiquincentennial; and
(iii) the implications of the Semiquincentennial for
present and future generations; and
(F) encouraging Federal agencies to integrate the
celebration of the Semiquincentennial into the regular
activities and execution of the purpose of the agencies through
such activities as the issuance of coins, medals, certificates
of recognition, stamps, and the naming of vessels.
(3) Requirements.--The report shall include--
(A) the recommendations of the Commission for the
allocation of financial and administrative responsibility among
the public and private authorities and organizations
recommended for participation by the Commission; and
(B) proposals for such legislative enactments and
administrative actions as the Commission considers necessary to
carry out the recommendations.
(d) Report Submitted to Congress.--The President shall submit to
Congress a report that contains--
(1) the complete report of the Commission; and
(2) such comments and recommendations for legislation and such
a description of administrative actions taken by the President as
the President considers appropriate.
(e) Point of Contact.--The Commission, acting through the
secretariat of the Commission described in section 9(b), shall serve as
the point of contact of the Federal Government for all State, local,
international, and private sector initiatives regarding the
Semiquincentennial of the founding of the United States, with the
purpose of coordinating and facilitating all fitting and proper
activities honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United
States.
SEC. 6. COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission shall
consult and cooperate with, and seek advice and assistance from,
appropriate Federal agencies, State and local public bodies, learned
societies, and historical, patriotic, philanthropic, civic,
professional, and related organizations.
(b) Responsibility of Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--Federal agencies shall cooperate with the
Commission in planning, encouraging, developing, and coordinating
appropriate commemorative activities.
(2) Department of the interior.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall undertake a study of
appropriate actions that might be taken to further preserve and
develop historic sites and battlefields, at such time and in
such manner as will ensure that fitting observances and
exhibits may be held at appropriate sites and battlefields
during the 250th anniversary celebration.
(B) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Commission a
report that contains the results of the study and the
recommendations of the Secretary, in time to afford the
Commission an opportunity--
(i) to review the study; and
(ii) to incorporate in the report described in section
5(c) such findings and recommendations as the Commission
considers appropriate.
(3) Arts and humanities.--
(A) In general.--The presiding officer of the Federal
Council on the Arts and the Humanities, the Chairperson of the
National Endowment for the Arts, and the Chairperson of the
National Endowment for the Humanities shall cooperate with the
Commission, especially in the encouragement and coordination of
scholarly works and artistic expressions focusing on the
history, culture, and political thought of the period predating
the United States Semiquincentennial.
(B) Library of congress, smithsonian institution, and
archives.--
(i) In general.--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 of bibliographies,
catalogs, and other materials relevant to the period
predating the United States Semiquincentennial.
(ii) Location.--To the maximum extent practicable,
displays described in subparagraph (A) shall be located in,
or in facilities near to, buildings of historical
significance to the American Revolution, so as to promote
greater public awareness of the heritage of the United
States.
(C) Submission of recommendations.--Each of the officers
described in this paragraph shall submit to the Commission a
report containing recommendations in time to afford the
Commission an opportunity--
(i) to review the reports; and
(ii) to incorporate in the report described in section
5(c) such findings and recommendations as the Commission
considers appropriate.
(4) Department of state.--The Secretary of State shall
coordinate the participation of foreign nations in the celebration
of the United States Semiquincentennial, including by soliciting
the erection of monuments and other cultural cooperations in
founding cities of the United States so as--
(A) to celebrate the shared heritage of the United States
with the many peoples and nations of the world; and
(B) to provide liaison and encouragement for the erection
of international pavilions to showcase the spread of democratic
institutions abroad in the period following the American
Revolution.
SEC. 7. POWERS.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this Act.
(b) Information From Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a
Federal agency such information as the Commission considers
necessary to carry out this Act.
(2) Provision of information.--On request of the Chairperson of
the Commission, the head of the agency shall provide the
information to the Commission.
(c) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
agencies of the Federal Government.
(d) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of money, property, or personal services.
(e) Additional Powers.--As determined necessary by the Commission,
the Commission may--
(1) procure supplies, services, and property;
(2) make contracts;
(3) expend in furtherance of this Act funds donated or received
in pursuance of contracts entered into under this Act; and
(4) take such actions as are necessary to enable the Commission
to carry out efficiently and in the public interest the purposes of
this Act.
(f) Use of Materials.--
(1) Time capsule.--A representative portion of all books,
manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and
other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial
shall be deposited in a time capsule--
(A) to be buried in Independence Mall, Philadelphia, on
July 4, 2026; and
(B) to be unearthed on the occasion of the 500th
anniversary of the United States of America on July 4, 2276.
(2) Other materials.--All other books, manuscripts,
miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other
materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial, whether
donated to the Commission or collected by the Commission, may be
deposited for preservation in national, State, or local libraries
or museums or be otherwise disposed of by the Commission, in
consultation with the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the
Smithsonian Institution, the Archivist of the United States, and
the Administrator of General Services.
(g) Property.--Any property acquired by the Commission remaining on
termination of the Commission may be--
(1) used by the Secretary for purposes of the National Park
Service; or
(2) disposed of as excess or surplus property.
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--The members of the Commission shall
receive no compensation for service on the Commission.
(b) 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.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may, without
regard to the civil service laws (including regulations), appoint
and terminate an executive director and such other additional
personnel as are necessary to enable the Commission to perform the
duties of the Commission.
(2) Confirmation of executive director.--The employment of an
executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Commission.
(3) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of
the executive 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.
(B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the executive
director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
title 5, United States Code.
(d) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
(1) In general.--An employee of the Federal Government may be
detailed to the Commission without reimbursement.
(2) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall be
without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of that title.
(f) Advisory Committees.--The Commission may appoint such advisory
committees as the Commission determines necessary.
SEC. 9. EXPENDITURES OF COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--All expenditures of the Commission shall be made
solely from donated funds.
(b) Administrative Secretariat.--The Secretary of the Interior
shall, through a competitive process, seek to enter into an arrangement
with a nonprofit organization, the mission of which is consistent with
the purpose of this Act. Under such arrangement, such nonprofit
organization shall--
(1) serve as the secretariat of the Commission, including by
serving as the point of contact under section 5(e);
(2) house the administrative offices of the Commission;
(3) assume responsibility for funds of the Commission; and
(4) provide to the Commission financial and administrative
services, including services related to budgeting, accounting,
financial reporting, personnel, and procurement.
(c) Payment for Financial and Administrative Services.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), payment for services
provided under subsection (b)(4) shall be made in advance, or by
reimbursement, from funds of the Commission in such amounts as may
be agreed on by the Chairperson of the Commission and the
secretariat of the Commission.
(2) Relationship to regulations.--
(A) Erroneous payments.--The regulations under section 5514
of title 5, United States Code, relating to the collection of
indebtedness of personnel resulting from erroneous payments
shall apply to the collection of erroneous payments made to, or
on behalf of, a Commission employee.
(B) No promulgation by commission.--The Commission shall
not be required to prescribe any regulations relating to the
matters described in subparagraph (A).
(d) Annual Report.--Once each year during the period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2027, the
Commission shall submit to Congress a report of the activities of the
Commission, including an accounting of funds received and expended
during the year covered by the report.
SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2027.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.