[Senate Report 106-456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 903
106th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 106-456
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JAMESTOWN 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION ACT OF 2000
_______
October 2 (legislative day, September 22), 2000.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 2885]
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was
referred the bill (S. 2885) to establish the Jamestown 400th
Commemoration Commission, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments
and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
The amendments are as follows:
1. On page 3, line 11, strike ``State'' and insert
``Commonwealth''.
2. On page 4, line 19, strike ``the State.'' and insert
``Virginia.''.
3. Strike page 4, line 22, through page 5, line 2, and
insert in lieu thereof the following:
``(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the
Commonwealth of Virginia, including agencies and
entities of the Commonwealth.''.
4. On page 5, line 10, strike ``16 members,'' and insert
``15 members''.
purpose of the measure
The purpose of S. 2885 is to establish the Jamestown 400th
Commemoration Commission to assist State and local efforts in
the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the landing at
Jamestown, Virginia.
background and need
On May 13, 1607, 104 English settlers landed at Jamestown,
founding the first permanent English settlement in America. The
settlement brought together people from many different cultures
and nations--English, Native Americans, Africans, and other
Europeans, and the economic, political, religious, and social
institutions that developed during the first nine decades of
the existence of Jamestown continue to have profound effects on
the United States.
The celebration in 2007 of the 400th anniversary of the
landing at Jamestown will involve coordination between many
partners on the Federal, State, and local level, and with the
private sector. In 1996, the Commonwealth of Virginia
designated the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as the State
agency responsible for planning and implementing the
Commonwealth's portion of the commemoration.
S. 2885 establishes a Federal commission to assist in the
coordination of the 400th anniversary commemoration of the
landing at Jamestown. The purpose of the commission is to bring
national and international attention to the significance of the
landing at Jamestown. The commission would coordinate events,
activities, fundraising, and capital improvements related to
the Jamestown 2007 anniversary. The role of the commission
would includegarnering assistance from other Federal agencies
for anniversary events; establishing and overseeing a non-profit
organization to raise funds for necessary capital improvements; and
coordinating activities with the State's commission. Members of the
commission would be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
legislative history
S. 2885 was introduced by Senators Warner and Robb on July
18, 2000. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Historic
Preservation and Recreation held a hearing on S. 2885 on
September 14, 2000. At the business meeting on September 20,
2000, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources ordered S.
2885, as amended, favorably reported.
committee recommendation
The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in open
business session on September 20, 2000, by a unanimous voice
vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S.
2885, if amended as described herein.
committee amendments
During the consideration of S. 2885, the Committee adopted
technical and clarifying amendments to the bill.
section-by-section analysis
Section 1 designates the short title of the bill.
Section 2(a) contains congressional findings.
Subsection (b) describes the purposes of the legislation,
which are to establish the Jamestown 400th Commemoration
Commission to: (1) ensure a suitable national observance of the
Jamestown 2007 anniversary by complementing the programs and
activities of the Commonwealth of Virginia; (2) cooperate with
and assist the programs and activities of the Commonwealth of
Virginia in observance of the Jamestown 2007 anniversary; (3)
assist in ensuring that Jamestown 2007 observances provide an
excellent visitor experience and beneficial interaction between
visitors and the natural and cultural resources of the
Jamestown sites; (4) assist in ensuring that the Jamestown 2007
observances are inclusive and appropriately recognize the
experiences of all people present in 17th century Jamestown;
(5) provide assistance to the development of Jamestown-related
programs and activities; (6) facilitate international
involvement in the Jamestown 2007 observances; (7) support and
facilitate marketing efforts for a commemorative coin, stamp,
and related activities for the Jamestown observances; and (8)
assist in the appropriate development of heritage tourism and
economic benefits to the United States.
Section 3 provides definitions for key terms used in the
legislation.
Section 4(a) establishes the Jamestown 400th Commemoration
Commission (Commission).
Subsection (b) describes the membership of the Commission,
the length of appointments and procedures for filling
vacancies, meeting requirements, and voting procedures. Members
of the Commission are appointed by the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) for terms whose length are the life of the
Commission. The Commission is required to meet at least twice
each year, the first meeting to occur within 30 days after the
date on which all members have been appointed.
Subsection (c) describes the duties of the Commission,
which are: (1) to plan, develop, and execute programs and
activities appropriate to commemorate the 400th anniversary of
the founding of Jamestown; (2) facilitate Jamestown-related
activities throughout the United States; (3) encourage civic,
patriotic, historical, educational, religious, economic, and
other organizations throughout the United States to organize
and participate in anniversary activities; (4) coordinate and
facilitate scholarly research on, publication about, and
interpretation of, Jamestown; and (5) ensure that the 400th
anniversary of Jamestown provides a lasting legacy and long-
term public benefit by assisting in the development of
appropriate programs and facilities. The Commission must
prepare a strategic plan and annual performance plans in
accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act of
1993 (Public Law 103-62; 107 Stat. 285). A final report on the
Commission's activities must be completed by September 30,
2008.
Subsection (d) sets forth the powers of the Commission. The
Commission may: (1) accept donations and make dispersions of
money, personal services, and real and personal property
related to Jamestown; (2) appoint advisory committees; (3)
authorize members of the Commission to take any action that the
Commission is authorized to take; (4) procure supplies,
services, and property, and enter into contracts, leases, or
other legal agreements; (5) use theU.S. mail in the same way as
other Federal agencies; (6) make grants of up to $10,000 to communities
and nonprofit organizations; (7) make grants to research and scholarly
organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating
to the early history of Jamestown; and (8) provide technical assistance
to States, localities, and nonprofit organizations.
Subsection (e) describes compensation and other personnel
matters pertaining to the Commission. Members of the Commission
will serve without compensation, except that they will be
allowed travel expenses while away from home or regular place
of business. The Commission may appoint an executive director,
to be compensated at no more than the rate of pay for level V
of the Executive Schedule. Federal employees may be detailed on
a reimbursable basis to serve on the staff of the Commission.
The Commission may also reimburse State employees for their
services, and may accept voluntary and uncompensated services.
The National Park Service will provide administrative support
services on a reimbursable basis.
Subsection (f) authorizes the Commission to procure
temporary and intermittent services at rates that do not exceed
the rate of pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.
Subsection (g) exempts the Commission from section 14(b) of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App).
Subsection (h) states that nothing in this section
supersedes the authority of the State, the National Park
Service, or the Association for the Preservation of Virginia
Antiquities.
Subsection (i) terminates the Commission on December 31,
2008.
Section 5 authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are
necessary to carry out the legislation.
COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS
The following estimate of the cost of this measure has been
provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2000.
Hon. Frank H. Murkowski,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 2885, the Jamestown
400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2000.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Deborah Reis.
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
S. 2885--Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2000
S. 2885 would establish the Jamestown 400th Commemoration
Commission. The 15-member commission would plan and execute
programs to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding
of Jamestown, Virginia. For this purpose, the commission would
be authorized to accept and spend private donations. Members of
the commission would not be paid for this service, and any
federal employees who are appointed would not receive
additional federal salaries. All members of the commission
would be reimbursed for expenses. The commission would be
allowed to hire staff or use personnel from other federal
agencies. For these purposes, the bill would authorize the
appropriation of whatever amounts are necessary.
Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts and based
on information provided by the National Park Service, CBO
estimates that the commission would spend about $300,000
annually over the 2001-2008 period. After December 31, 2008,
the commission would terminate. The $300,000 would be used to
develop strategic plans, make grants to communities and
nonprofit organizations, and carry out other activities related
to the commemoration.
Because S. 2885 would allow the commission to accept and
spend contributed funds, pay-as-you-go procedures would apply
to the bill. CBO estimates, however, that any revenues from
contributions and subsequent direct spending would be less than
$500,000 annually and would offset each other over the six
years of the commission's activities. S. 2885 contains no
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on
state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Deborah Reis.
The estimate was approved by Robert A. Sunshine, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
regulatory impact evaluation
In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in
carrying out S. 2885. The bill is not a regulatory measure in
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals
and businesses.
No personal information would be collected in administering
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal
privacy.
Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the
enactment of S. 2885, as ordered reported.
executive communications
On September 15, 2000, the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources requested legislative reports from the Department of
the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget setting
forth Executive agency recommendations on S. 2885. These
reports had not been received at the time the report on S. 2885
was filed. When the reports become available, the Chairman will
request that they be printed in the Congressional Record for
the advice of the Senate. The testimony provided by the
National Park Service at the Subcommittee hearing follows:
Statement of Donald J. Hellmann, Deputy Assistant Director, Legislative
and Congressional Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the
Interior
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear
before you today to present the view of the Department of the
Interior on S. 2885, a bill that would establish the Jamestown
400th Commemoration Commission. The National Park Service
supports enactment of this commission to commemorate the 1607
founding of Jamestown, Virginia, and believes that
establishment of this commission would help ensure that we
leave a lasting inheritance worthy of Jamestown's significant
place in history.
Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North
America, lives today in the language we speak, our common law,
and our representative government. The first representative
assembly held in these English colonies occurred at Jamestown
in July 1619. We can trace our legislative history directly
from that first assembly to here in the United States Congress
today--truly a living legacy. Jamestown was Virginia's capital
for 92 years, its port, and its social and commercial center.
Here the society we know today began to take shape.
Since at least 1807, Jamestown's founding has been
commemorated every 50 years. In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II
visited Jamestown as part of major festivities celebrating the
350th anniversary. The Commonwealth of Virginia's preparations
for that anniversary included building reconstructions of the
three ships that brought the 1607 colonists, the Jamestown
Fort, and an Indian village. The National Park Service
constructed the Jamestown Visitor Center, completed the
Colonial Parkway to Jamestown, conducted archaeological
research, and provided visitors with paintings depicting early
settlers' activities. The federal commission complemented the
Commonwealth of Virginia's state commission.
Planning for commemorative activities in 2007 has been
underway for several years. The state's Jamestown 2007 has held
roundtables throughout Virginia to get citizen input to design
a statewide commemoration. The reconstructed ships, fort, and
Indian village are being rebuilt to reflect current research.
Special events and outreach to schools across the nation are
also being planned.
Under the Association for the Preservation of Virginia's
Antiquities' project ``Jamestown Rediscovery,'' the original
1607 fort, long thought to be lost to the Jamestown River, has
been found. The National Park Service has undertaken massive
historical, archeological, and scientific research under its
Jamestown Archeological Assessment. Together, the Association
for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the National
Park Service have preserved nearly a million artifacts in their
collections. They are now jointly planning a revitalized
Jamestown Island to improve visitor experiences and
understanding, and to increase protection for irreplaceable
museum collections. Finally, an Internet web site has been set
up to provide information to a wide range of audiences both
within and outside the United States at: http://
www.Jamestown2007.org/
S. 2885 would establish the Jamestown 400th Commemoration
Commission, a federal commission to ensure a suitable national
observance of Jamestown's 400th anniversary in 2007. The
Commission would complement and coordinate the programs of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, provide excellent visitor
experiences, hold appropriate observances, and assist in
Jamestown-related programs and activities while also
facilitating international involvement. Jamestown 400th should
be a truly national event so that all Americans understand the
challenges our predecessors faced. Because its story has
meaning outside the United States, it should be an
international event as well. The commission would also support
efforts for a commemorative coin, stamp, and similar efforts,
and assist in the development of heritage tourism. Having a
federal commission that could help coordinate all the different
aspects of the commemoration would help ensure their success.
S. 2885 establishes a 16-member commission to plan,
develop, and hold programs and commemorative activities for the
400th anniversary of Jamestown's founding, facilitate
Jamestown-related activities throughout the United States, and
encourage other groups such as civic, educational, patriotic,
and historic organizations to participate in the 400th
anniversary activities. The commission would coordinate and
facilitate scholarly research on and publication about
Jamestown, it would assist in developing appropriate programs
and facilities, and it would provide for hiring staff, using
state staff, and accepting volunteers. S. 2885 provides for the
commission to terminate on December 31, 2008. We estimate that
the commission could make a considerable contribution towards
our common understanding of this shared legacy. We also believe
it would facilitate fundraising by encouraging public-private
partnerships. Finally, we believe the commission would help
make the experiences of Jamestown's first 92 years relevant
today, to Americans who immigrated here as well as those who
descended from those early inhabitants.
Establishing the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission
would ensure that this 400th commemoration will have lasting
value for all Americans by engaging the largest segment
possible of this nation in this commemoration of our common
heritage.
This concludes my prepared testimony, Mr. Chairman. I would
be pleased to answer any questions you or the committee might
have.
changes in existing law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee notes that no
changes in existing law are made by the bill S. 2885, as
ordered reported.