[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7354-H7357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HUDSON-FULTON-CHAMPLAIN 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION ACT OF 2004
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2528) to establish the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th
Commemorative Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2528
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 ``Hudson-Fulton-Champlain
400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2004''
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) The first European exploration of the Hudson River and
Lake Champlain and the introduction of steam navigation to
maritime commerce were events of major historical importance,
both in the United States and internationally.
(2) In 1609, Englishman Henry Hudson, acting in service of
the Dutch East India Company, was the first European to sail
up the river later named for him in the vessel HALF MOON, and
French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to
see the lake later named for him.
(3) These voyages were two of the most significant passages
in the European exploration and discovery of America, and
began two of the earliest contacts in the New World between
Native Americans and Europeans.
(4) These explorations led to the establishment of Fort
Orange, a Dutch (and later English) settlement of what is now
the capital city of the State of New York, and settlement of
French Quebec settlements as far south as Lake George. From
these early settlements came an influence on the Nation's
history, culture, law, commerce, and traditions of liberty
which extends to the present day, and which is constantly
reflected in the position of the United States as the leader
of the nations of the free world.
(5) In 1807, Robert Fulton navigated the Hudson River from
the city of New York to Albany in the steamboat CLERMONT,
successfully inaugurating steam navigation on a commercial
basis. This event is one of the most important events in the
history of navigation. It revolutionized waterborne commerce
on the great rivers of the United States, transformed naval
warfare, and fostered international relations through
transoceanic travel and trade.
(6) The National Park Service owns and operates significant
resources in New York related to the early history of the
nation and the Hudson River Valley.
(7) In 2002, the State of New York established a Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain Commission.
(8) In 2003, the State of Vermont established a Lake
Champlain Quadricentennial Commission.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission to--
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the Henry
Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain 2009
anniversaries through
[[Page H7355]]
cooperation with and assistance to the programs and
activities of New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and the
commemorative commissions formed by the States;
(2) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009
observances provide an excellent visitor experience and
beneficial interaction between visitors and the natural and
cultural resources of the New York, New Jersey, and Vermont
sites;
(3) assist in ensuring that Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009
observances are inclusive and appropriately recognize the
diverse Hudson River and Lake Champlain communities that
developed over four centuries;
(4) facilitate international involvement in the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances;
(5) support and facilitate marketing efforts for a
commemorative coin, a commemorative stamp, and related
activities for the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances;
and
(6) assist in the appropriate development of heritage
tourism and economic benefits to the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the
commemoration of--
(A) the 200th anniversary of Robert Fulton's voyage in the
CLERMONT;
(B) the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage in the
HALF MOON; and
(C) the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain's voyage.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission established
by section 4(a).
(3) Governors.--The term ``Governors'' means the Governors
of the States of New York, New Jersey, and Vermont.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) States.--The term ``States''--
(A) means the States of New York, New Jersey, and Vermont;
and
(B) includes agencies and entities of each such State.
SEC. 4. HUDSON-FULTON-CHAMPLAIN 400TH COMMEMORATION
COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a commission
to be known as the ``Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th
Commemoration Commission''.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 31
members, of whom--
(A) 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after
consideration of the recommendations of the Governors;
(B) 13 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after
consideration of the recommendations from the Members of the
House of Representatives whose districts encompass the Hudson
River Valley and Champlain Valley;
(C) 6 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after
consideration of the recommendations from the Members of the
Senate from New York, New Jersey, and Vermont;
(D) 2 members shall be employees of the National Park
Service, of whom--
(i) one shall be the Director of the National Park Service
(or a designee); and
(ii) one shall be an employee of the National Park Service
having experience relevant to the commemoration, who shall be
appointed by the Secretary;
(E) one member shall be appointed by the Secretary, and
shall be an individual knowledgeable of the Hudson River
Valley National Heritage Area;
(F) 6 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, and
shall be individuals that have an interest in, support for,
and expertise appropriate to, the commemoration;
(G) one member shall be the chairperson of any
commemorative commission formed by New York, or the designee
of the chairperson;
(H) one member shall be the chairperson of any
commemorative commission formed by New Jersey, or the
designee of the chairperson; and
(I) one member shall be the chairperson of any
commemorative commission formed by Vermont, or the designee
of the chairperson.
(2) Term; vacancies.--
(A) Term.--Each member of the Commission shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission.
(B) Vacancies.--
(i) In general.--A vacancy on the Commission shall be
filled in the same manner in which the original appointment
was made.
(ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to fill a vacancy on
the Commission shall serve for the remainder of the term for
which the predecessor of the member was appointed.
(3) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall meet--
(i) at least twice each year; or
(ii) at the call of the Chairperson or the majority of the
members of the Commission.
(B) 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.
(4) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--(A) The Commission
shall elect the chairperson and the vice chairperson of the
Commission on an annual basis.
(B) The vice chairperson shall serve as the chairperson in
the absence of the chairperson.
(5) Quorum.--A majority of voting members shall constitute
a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
(6) Voting.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall act only on an
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the
Commission.
(B) Nonvoting members.--The individuals appointed under
subparagraphs (G), (H), and (I) of paragraph (1) shall be
nonvoting members, and shall serve only in an advisory
capacity.
(c) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall--
(A) plan, develop, and execute programs and activities
appropriate to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the
voyage of Henry Hudson, the first European to sail up the
Hudson River, the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert
Fulton, the first person to use steam navigation on a
commercial basis, the 400th anniversary of the voyage of
Samuel de Champlain, the first European to discover and
explore Lake Champlain;
(B) facilitate Hudson-Fulton-Champlain-related activities
throughout the United States;
(C) coordinate its activities with State commemoration
commissions and appropriate Federal Government agencies,
including the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, State, and
Transportation, the National Park Service with respect to the
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, and the American
Heritage Rivers Initiative Interagency Committee established
by Executive Order 13061, dated September 11, 1997;
(D) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational,
religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the
United States to organize and participate in anniversary
activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of
the significance of the voyages of Henry Hudson, Robert
Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain;
(E) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and
nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration;
(F) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly
research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the
voyages of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, and Samuel de
Champlain; and
(G) ensure that the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009
anniversaries provide a lasting legacy and long-term public
benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate
programs and facilities.
(2) Strategic plan and annual performance plans.--The
Commission shall prepare a strategic plan in accordance with
section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and annual
performance plans in accordance with section 1115 of title
31, United States Code, for the activities of the Commission
carried out under this Act.
(3) Reports.--
(A) Annual report.--The Commission shall submit to Congress
an annual report that contains a list of each gift, bequest,
or devise with a value of more than $250, together with the
identity of the donor of each such gift, bequest, or devise.
(B) Final report.--Not later than September 30, 2010, the
Commission shall submit to the Secretary a final report that
contains--
(i) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
(ii) a final accounting of funds received and expended by
the Commission; and
(iii) the findings and recommendations of the Commission.
(d) Powers of the Commission.--The Commission may--
(1) solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests,
or devises of money or other real or personal property for
the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the
Commission;
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission
determines to be necessary to carry out this Act;
(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to
take any action that the Commission is authorized to take by
this Act;
(4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or
enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to
carry out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or
other legal agreements made or entered into by the Commission
shall not extend beyond the date of the termination of the
Commission);
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
(6) subject to approval by the Commission, make grants in
amounts not to exceed $20,000 to communities, nonprofit
organizations, and commemorative commissions formed by the
States to develop programs to assist in the commemoration;
and
(7) make grants in amounts not to exceed $20,000 to
research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or
distribute information relating to the early history of the
voyages of Hudson, Fulton, and Champlain.
(e) Commission Personnel Matters.--
(1) Compensation of members of the commission.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a
member of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
(B) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission who is
an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve
without compensation in addition to the compensation received
for the services of the member
[[Page H7356]]
as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
(C) 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.
(2) Staff.--
(A) 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.
(B) 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.
(4) Detail of government employees.--
(A) Federal employees.--
(i) In general.--At the request of the Commission, the head
of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable or
nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to
the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out the
duties of the Commission under this Act.
(ii) Civil service status.--The detail of an employee under
clause (i) shall be without interruption or loss of civil
service status or privilege.
(B) State employees.--The Commission may--
(i) accept the services of personnel detailed from States
(including subdivisions of States); and
(ii) reimburse States for services of detailed personnel.
(5) Volunteer and uncompensated services.--Notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission
may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as
the Commission determines necessary.
(6) Support services.--The Director of the National Park
Service shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable
basis, such administrative support services as the Commission
may request.
(f) 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.
(g) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Commission.
(h) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section
supersedes the authority of the States or the National Park
Service concerning the commemoration.
(i) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on
December 31, 2010, and shall transfer all documents and
materials of the Commission to the National Archives or other
appropriate Federal entity.
SEC. 5. AUDIT OF COMMISSION.
The Inspector General of the Department of the Interior
shall perform an annual audit of the Commission and shall
make the results of the audit available to the public.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for each of
fiscal years 2005 through 2011 to carry out this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).
General Leave
Mr. Ose. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 2528.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself of such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2528, a bill that creates
another important congressional commission. This measure, introduced by
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), establishes the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission.
Mr. Speaker, many outside of the northeast may be unfamiliar with the
honorees of the commission, Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, Samuel de
Champlain. But this commemoration aims to raise awareness of their
pioneering contributions.
In 1609, Henry Hudson of England was the first European to sail up
the river that would later bear his name. That same year, French
explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to come across the
lake that is named after him. Nearly 200 years later, in 1807, Robert
Fulton navigated the Hudson River from the city of New York to Albany
aboard the steamboat Clermont. This voyage successfully inaugurated
steam navigation, and is one of the most important events in the
history of navigation.
These three events that occurred on these significant waterways
greatly contributed to western expansion across the New World. I know
the distinguished Members from New York, New Jersey and Vermont
strongly support the establishment of this commission, and as a student
of history, I am pleased to join them today in favor of passage of H.R.
2528.
I want to congratulate the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr.
Hinchey) for advancing this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey), the author of
this legislation.
Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to also express my appreciation to
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the chairman for their work
on this legislation and for the way in which it has been brought to the
floor. I very much appreciate all the consideration that has been given
to it and the attention it has received.
Mr. Speaker, the legislation, as we have heard, will establish a
Federal commission to plan, develop and execute programs and activities
to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson, the
400th anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain, and the 200th
anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton. These are events of major
historical importance both for the United States and for many other
nations as well.
In 1609, Englishman Henry Hudson, acting in the service of the Dutch
East India Company, was the first European to sail up the river later
named for him in the vessel Half Moon, and French explorer Samuel de
Champlain was the first European to see the lake that was later named
for him. These voyages were two of the most important passages in the
European exploration and discovery of North America, and they began two
of the earliest contacts in the New World between Europeans and Native
Americans.
These explorations led to the establishment of Fort Orange by the
Dutch, which later became the English settlement of Albany, which later
became the capital of New York State. It also led to French settlements
as far south as Lake George in New York. From these early settlements
came an influence on our history, law, culture, commerce and traditions
of liberty, which extends right down to the present day.
Furthermore, in 1807, Robert Fulton navigated 150 miles of the Hudson
River from New York City to Albany in the steamboat Clermont,
successfully inaugurating steam navigation on a commercial basis. This
is one of the most important events in the history of naval travel. The
trip had previously consumed an average of 4 days. The Clermont under
Fulton made the same trip in about 32 hours.
Steam navigation revolutionized waterborne commerce on the great
rivers of the United States, such as the Hudson, the Missouri and
Mississippi River systems; it transformed transoceanic travel and naval
warfare and fostered international relations through travel and trade.
The Hudson, Fulton and Champlain anniversaries have a rich tradition
of commemoration, as well, by our Nation. In 1909, Americans celebrated
the 300th anniversary of these events with maritime celebrations and
art exhibitions. New York and New Jersey created a Hudson-Fulton
Celebration Commission, and there was a Champlain Tercentenary in the
Champlain Valley. These celebrations were extensive and international
in scope. The Dutch built the first replica of Hudson's ship, the Half
Moon, and sent it
[[Page H7357]]
up the Hudson River for that observance.
In 1959, Congress created the Hudson-Champlain Celebration Commission
to recognize the 350th anniversary and coordinate Federal participation
in those commemoration events. New York, New Jersey and Vermont all
participated in the anniversaries.
Then-Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York proclaimed 1959 the Year
of History. Events occurred day and night, such as art exhibits,
performance of music, drama and historic reenactments. The Netherlands,
Canada, Great Britain and France were all enthusiastically involved.
In order for our country to showcase to the world the monumental
effect that exploration has had on today's society and to celebrate the
beauty, history and culture of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain,
Federal planning for the 400th anniversary must start now. The States
are already planning for these anniversaries.
In 2002, the State of New York established a State Hudson-Fulton-
Champlain Commission; and in 2003, the State of Vermont established a
Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission.
A Federal commission is important to expand the scope of these State
celebrations, attracting and organizing a national and indeed an
international organization for these celebrations. The commission
established by this bill will coordinate educational, cultural and
historic projects, while cooperating in assisting the programs and
activities conceived by New York, New Jersey and Vermont.
Specifically, the legislation will do the following: It will ensure a
suitable national observance of the anniversary through cooperation
with and assistance to the programs and activities of New York, New
Jersey and Vermont.
It will cultivate international involvement in celebration activities
and provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen our historic and
cultural ties to nations such as the Netherlands, Canada, Great Britain
and France.
It will also coordinate the activities of Federal Government agencies
such as the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, State, Transportation,
as well as the National Park Service, all of which have significant
resources in the Hudson and Champlain Valleys.
It will encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational,
religious, economic and other organizations throughout the United
States to organize and participate in anniversary activities that
expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of these
voyages.
It will provide technical assistance to States, localities, nonprofit
organizations to further the commemoration.
It will coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly research
on publication about and interpretation of the voyages of Henry Hudson,
Samuel de Champlain and Robert Fulton.
{time} 1400
It will support and facilitate marketing efforts for a commemorative
coin, a commemorative stamp, and related activities for the Hudson-
Fulton-Champlain 2009 observances. And it will also ensure that the
Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 2009 anniversaries provide a lasting legacy and
long-term public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate
programs and facilities.
I urge all Members to join me in supporting this legislation, and
again, I express my appreciation to the gentleman here today for
bringing this legislation to the floor.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with the gentleman from California
(Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Hinchey) in support of
this legislation. The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Commission, as
established in this act, will plan and develop programs in 2009 that
will celebrate the voyages of discovery made by Henry Hudson, Robert
Fulton, and Samuel de Champlain.
The programs and activities will mark the 400th anniversary of the
voyage of Henry Hudson, the first European to sail up the Hudson River;
the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton, the first person
to use steam navigation on a commercial basis; and the 400th
anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain, the first European to
discover and to explore Lake Champlain.
The exploration of the Hudson River and Lake Champlain and the
introduction of steam navigation in maritime commerce played an
important role in shaping New York State. In addition, these early
explorers opened a part of North America that was crucial to
international trade throughout eastern New York, the North Country and
the Lake Champlain region.
The Hudson-Fulton-Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission represents
a unique opportunity to celebrate New York, its history and its
heritage.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support the Hudson-Fulton-
Champlain 400th Commemoration Commission Act, and I thank my colleague
Maurice Hinchey for his leadership on this issue.
I am pleased that the bill under consideration today will establish a
Commission charged with planning, developing and executing programs and
activities appropriate to commemorate the voyages of three explorers.
From these early explorations and ``The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'' to
today's waterfront development projects, the Hudson River has enriched
life in New York for centuries. Safeguarding the rich historical legacy
of these natural resources is a commitment we must all make, and we
have an obligation to educate the public on the three explorers and
their voyages.
As the co-founder of the Hudson River Caucus, I have worked to help
realize the full educational, environmental, and economic potential of
the Hudson River and its waterfront. The event that will take place in
2009, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage, the
200th anniversary of the voyage of Robert Fulton, and the 400th
anniversary of the voyage of Samuel de Champlain, will help to achieve
these goals. This legislation will celebrate and cherish these
significant explorers and voyages, and help ensure historic
preservation and increase public awareness for generations to come.
I am happy to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to
support it.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2528, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________