Ponce de Leon Discovery of Florida Quincentennial Commission Act - Establishes the National Commission on the Quincentennial of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct the commemoration of the Quincentennial (500th anniversary) of the discovery of Florida by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.
Sets forth the membership composition of the Commission. Requires the appointment of Commission members not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
Directs the Commission to: (1) plan and develop activities for commemorating the Quincentennial; (2) consult with public and private agencies to organize and participate in Quincentennial activities; and (3) coordinate activities throughout the United States and internationally that relate to the history and influence of the discovery of Florida.
Directs the Commission to submit a comprehensive report to the President, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives not later than one year after the enactment of this Act, that includes specific recommendations for: (1) the allocation of financial and administrative responsibility among entities participating in the commemoration; and (2) the commemoration of the Quincentennial and related events through various publications, programs, and activities. Requires the Commission to submit annual reports on activities, programs, expenditures and donations, and a final report by December 31, 2013.
Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including powers to: (1) prepare and disseminate historical, commemorative, and informational materials and objects to promote awareness of, and interest in, the Quincentennial; (2) create competitions and awards for historical, artistic, and other works relating to the Quincentennial; and (3) establish a central clearinghouse for information relating to the Quincentennial.
Sets forth administrative provisions for the Commission, including the establishment of a principal office in St. Augustine, Florida, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C. Provides for the staffing of the Commission, compensation of Commission employees, procurement authority, and authority to solicit donations.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for designating an area in the State of Florida as a unit of the National Park System to commemorate the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, and to submit a report to Congress, with recommendations, on the findings of the study.
Authorizes appropriations.
Terminates the authority provided by this Act on December 31, 2013.
[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2656 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2656
To establish a National Commission on the Quincentennial of the
discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 14, 2004
Mr. Graham of Florida (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Florida)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a National Commission on the Quincentennial of the
discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon.
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 ``Ponce de Leon Discovery of Florida
Quincentennial Commission Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the Quincentennial of the founding of Florida by Ponce
de Leon occurs in 2013, 500 years after Ponce de Leon landed on
its shores and explored the Keys and the west coast of Florida;
(2) evidence supports the theory that Ponce de Leon was the
first European to land on the shores of Florida;
(3) Florida means ``the land of flowers'' and the State
owes its name to Ponce de Leon;
(4) Ponce de Leon's quest for the ``fountain of youth'' has
become an established legend which has drawn fame and
recognition to Florida and the United States;
(5) the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon, the myth of
the ``fountain of youth'', and the subsequent colonization of
Florida encouraged other European countries to explore the New
World and to establish settlements in the territory that is
currently the United States;
(6) Florida was colonized under 5 flags; and
(7) commemoration of the arrival in Florida of Ponce de
Leon and the beginning of the colonization of the Americas
would--
(A) enhance public understanding of the impact of
the discovery of Florida on the history of the United
States; and
(B) provide lessons about the importance of
exploration and discovery.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the National
Commission on the Quincentennial of the discovery of Florida by
Ponce de Leon established under section 4(a).
(2) Quincentennial.--The term ``Quincentennial'' means the
500th anniversary of the discovery of Florida by Ponce de Leon.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``National Commission on the Quincentennial of the discovery of
Florida by Ponce de Leon''.
(b) Duties.--The Commission shall plan, encourage, coordinate, and
conduct the commemoration of the Quincentennial.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 12
members--
(A) of whom 5 members shall be Republicans and 5
members shall be Democrats, including--
(i) 6 members, of whom 3 members shall be
Republicans and 3 members shall be Democrats,
appointed by the President;
(ii) 2 members, of whom 1 member shall be a
Republican and 1 member shall be a Democrat,
appointed by the President, on the
recommendation of the Majority Leader and the
Minority Leader of the Senate; and
(iii) 2 members, of whom 1 member shall be
a Republican and 1 member shall be a Democrat,
appointed by the President, on the
recommendation of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, in consultation with the
Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and
(B) including the Director of the National Park
Service and the Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution.
(2) Criteria.--A member of the Commission shall be chosen
from among individuals that have demonstrated a strong sense of
public service, expertise in the appropriate professions,
scholarship, and abilities likely to contribute to the
fulfillment of the duties of the Commission.
(3) International participation.--Not later than 60 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall
invite the Government of Spain to appoint 1 individual to serve
as a nonvoting member of the Commission.
(4) Date of appointments.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the members of the Commission
described in paragraph (1) shall be appointed.
(d) Term; Vacancies.--
(1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the
Commission.
(2) Vacancy.--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.
(e) 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.
(f) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the co-
chairpersons described under subsection (h).
(g) Quorum.--A quorum of the Commission for decision making
purposes shall be 7 members, except that a lesser number of members, as
determined by the Commission, may conduct meetings.
(h) Co-Chairpersons and Vice Co-Chairpersons.--
(1) Co-chairpersons.--The President shall designate 2 of
the members of the Commission, 1 of whom shall be a Republican
and 1 of whom shall be a Democrat, to be co-chairpersons of the
Commission.
(2) Co-vice-chairpersons.--The Commission shall select 2
co-vice-chairpersons, 1 of whom shall be a Republican and 1 of
whom shall be a Democrat, from among the members of the
Commission.
SEC. 5. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall--
(1) conduct a study regarding the feasibility of creating a
National Heritage Area or National Monument to commemorate the
discovery of Florida;
(2) plan and develop activities appropriate to commemorate
the Quincentennial including a limited number of proposed
projects to be undertaken by the appropriate Federal
departments and agencies that commemorate the Quincentennial by
seeking to harmonize and balance the important goals of
ceremony and celebration with the equally important goals of
scholarship and education;
(3) consult with and encourage appropriate Federal
departments and agencies, State and local governments,
elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities,
foreign governments, and private organizations to organize and
participate in Quincentennial activities commemorating or
examining--
(A) the history of Florida;
(B) the discovery of Florida;
(C) the life of Ponce de Leon;
(D) the myths surrounding Ponce de Leon's search
for gold and for the ``fountain of youth'';
(E) the exploration of Florida; and
(F) the beginnings of the colonization of North
America; and
(4) coordinate activities throughout the United States and
internationally that relate to the history and influence of the
discovery of Florida.
(b) Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the
President and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of
the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives a comprehensive report that includes specific
recommendations for--
(A) the allocation of financial and administrative
responsibility among participating entities and persons
with respect to commemoration of the Quincentennial;
and
(B) the commemoration of the Quincentennial and
related events through programs and activities,
including--
(i) the production, publication, and
distribution of books, pamphlets, films,
electronic publications, and other educational
materials focusing on the history and impact of
the discovery of Florida on the United States
and the world;
(ii) bibliographical and documentary
projects, publications, and electronic
resources;
(iii) conferences, convocations, lectures,
seminars, and other programs;
(iv) the development of programs by and for
libraries, museums, parks and historic sites,
including international and national traveling
exhibitions;
(v) ceremonies and celebrations
commemorating specific events;
(vi) the production, distribution, and
performance of artistic works, and of programs
and activities, focusing on the national and
international significance of the discovery of
Florida; and
(vii) the issuance of commemorative coins,
medals, certificates of recognition, and
stamps.
(2) Annual report.--The Commission shall submit an annual
report that describes the activities, programs, expenditures,
and donations of or received by the Commission to--
(A) the President; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the
House of Representatives.
(3) Final report.--Not later than December 31, 2013, the
Commission shall submit a final report that describes the
activities, programs, expenditures, and donations of or
received by the Commission to--
(A) the President; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the
House of Representatives.
(c) Assistance.--In carrying out this Act, the Commission shall
consult, cooperate with, and seek advice and assistance from
appropriate Federal departments and agencies, including the Department
of the Interior.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission may provide for--
(1) the preparation, distribution, dissemination,
exhibition, and sale of historical, commemorative, and
informational materials and objects that will contribute to
public awareness of, and interest in, the Quincentennial,
except that any commemorative coin, medal, or postage stamp
recommended to be issued by the United States shall be sold
only by a Federal department or agency;
(2) competitions and awards for historical, scholarly,
artistic, literary, musical, and other works, programs, and
projects relating to the Quincentennial;
(3) a Quincentennial calendar or register of programs and
projects;
(4) a central clearinghouse for information and
coordination regarding dates, events, places, documents,
artifacts, and personalities of Quincentennial historical and
commemorative significance; and
(5) the design and designation of logos, symbols, or marks
for use in connection with the commemoration of the
Quincentennial and shall establish procedures regarding their
use.
(b) Advisory Committee.--The Commission may appoint such advisory
committees as the Commission determines necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Location of Office.--
(1) Principal office.--The principal office of the
Commission shall be in St. Augustine, Florida.
(2) Satellite office.--The Commission may establish a
satellite office in Washington, D.C.
(b) Staff.--
(1) Appointment of director and deputy director.--
(A) In general.--The co-chairpersons, with the
advice of the Commission, may appoint and terminate a
director and deputy director without regard to the
civil service laws (including regulations).
(B) Delegation to director.--The Commission may
delegate such powers and duties to the director as may
be necessary for the efficient operation and management
of the Commission.
(2) Staff paid from federal funds.--The Commission may use
any available Federal funds to appoint and fix the compensation
of not more than 4 additional personnel staff members, as the
Commission determines necessary.
(3) Staff paid from non-federal funds.--The Commission may
use any available non-Federal funds to appoint and fix the
compensation of additional personnel.
(4) Compensation.--
(A) Members.--
(i) In general.--A member of the Commission
shall serve without compensation.
(ii) 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.
(B) Staff.--
(i) In general.--The co-chairpersons of the
Commission may fix the compensation of the
director, deputy 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.
(ii) Maximum rate of pay.--
(I) Director.--The rate of pay for
the director shall not exceed the rate
payable for level IV of the Executive
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5,
United States Code.
(II) Deputy director.--The rate of
pay for the deputy director shall not
exceed the rate payable for level V of
the Executive Schedule under section
5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(III) Staff members.--The rate of
pay for staff members appointed under
paragraph (2) shall not exceed the rate
payable for grade GS-15 of the General
Schedule under section 5332 of title 5,
United States Code.
(c) Detail of Federal Government Employees.--
(1) In general.--On request of the Commission, the head of
any Federal agency or department may detail any of the
personnel of the agency or department to the Commission to
assist the Commission in carrying out this Act.
(2) Reimbursement.--A detail of personnel under this
subsection shall be without reimbursement by the Commission to
the agency from which the employee was detailed.
(3) Civil service status.--The detail of the employee shall
be without interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(d) Other Revenues and Expenditures.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may procure supplies,
services, and property, enter into contracts, and expend funds
appropriated, donated, or received to carry out contracts.
(2) Donations.--
(A) In general.--The Commission may solicit,
accept, use, and dispose of donations of money,
property, or personal services.
(B) Limitations.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the
Commission shall not accept donations--
(i) the value of which exceeds $50,000
annually, in the case of donations from an
individual; or
(ii) the value of which exceeds $250,000
annually, in the case of donations from a
person other than an individual.
(C) Nonprofit organization.--The limitations in
subparagraph (B) shall not apply in the case of an
organization that is--
(i) described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(ii) exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) Acquired items.--Any book, manuscript, miscellaneous
printed matter, memorabilia, relic, and other material or
property relating to the time period of the discovery of
Florida acquired by the Commission may be deposited for
preservation in national, State, or local libraries, museums,
archives, or other agencies with the consent of the depositary
institution.
(e) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States mail
to carry out this Act in the same manner and under the same conditions
as other agencies of the Federal Government.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to
be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this Act such sums as may
be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2013.
(b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts appropriated under this section
for any fiscal year shall remain available until December 31, 2013.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
The authority provided by this Act terminates effective December
31, 2013.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8132)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8132-8134)
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-739.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11183-11184)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
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