[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 5, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H4258-H4260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT OF 2016
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4875) to establish the United States Semiquincentennial
Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4875
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) 4 members of the Senate, of whom--
(A) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate; and
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(2) 4 members of the House of Representatives, of whom--
(A) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives.
(3) 16 members who are private citizens, of whom--
(A) 4 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate;
(B) 4 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate;
(C) 4 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(D) 4 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives; and
(E) 1 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
[[Page H4259]]
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
[[Page H4260]]
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brendan F.
Boyle) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
General Leave
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4875, as
introduced by Congressman Patrick Meehan of Pennsylvania.
I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan) to talk about this bill.
Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, one of my favorite Founding Fathers,
Benjamin Franklin, once said that ``by failing to prepare, you are
preparing to fail.''
H.R. 4875, the United States Semiquincentennial Act of 2016
establishes a commission to facilitate the national plans leading up to
America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. This is the same process that
was used in planning for the bicentennial celebrations all across the
Nation in 1976.
There is much to do, so we are following Ben Franklin's advice here
and starting the planning 10 years ahead of what should be an historic
celebration.
To develop these plans, the 32-member body of private citizens and
public officials will meet in historic Independence Hall in
Philadelphia, the very place where our new Nation was declared. Within
2 years of its formation, the commission is charged with reporting
recommendations on plans to the President and to Congress. Importantly,
this legislation does not appropriate any funds toward the commission
activities. The commission will rely solely on generous donations from
private citizens.
{time} 2100
While the United States was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
the commission will not be limited to planning events just in our great
city. H.R. 4875 encourages the commission to develop event plans at
sites of historical significance, at battlefields and important
locations all across the Nation that will truly celebrate the birth of
the United States of America.
I want to thank my colleague Bob Brady for his leadership and the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for their work on the
measure.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself
such time as I may consume.
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4875, the United States
Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016. The bill, as we just heard,
was introduced in the House by my colleague and friend, Representative
Patrick Meehan, and I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this
legislation.
Yesterday in my district, in Philadelphia, like all of the districts
around the country, we were proudly celebrating the 240th birthday of
the United States. On July 4, 2026, we will be celebrating the 250th
anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the
founding of our country.
H.R. 4875 would establish a commission to plan, develop, and
coordinate the commemoration of this important anniversary across the
country. The commission's events would highlight locations of
historical significance, including key cities such as Boston,
Charleston, New York, and of course the Nation's birthplace of
Philadelphia, my hometown.
The commission would also emphasize the roles of individuals who have
made significant impacts on American history.
Under this legislation, the Department of the Interior would be
required to study and report on actions to further the preservation of
historic sites and develop fitting commemoration exhibits.
Other Federal agencies would coordinate the development of scholarly
works on, and artistic expressions of, American history, culture, and
political thought; and the Secretary of State would facilitate the
participation of foreign countries in the celebration.
Mr. Speaker, we should pass this bill to begin the planning of this
special event only a decade away. I urge Members to support this
resolution.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I would urge the passage of H.R. 4875. I
appreciate the good work of Mr. Meehan, who helped champion this
through in a bipartisan way. I appreciate Mr. Boyle and his passion on
this issue as well.
All Americans are grateful for this Nation. And certainly celebrating
its history is appropriate. I urge the passage of this bill.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 4875, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________