US Codex
Bill
Notes

S. 2548 — what changed

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act

From Introduced in Senate to Reported in Senate. 1 section amended between Introduced in Senate and Reported in Senate.

Sec. 3 Establishment

(a)
In general— There is established a commission, to be known as the “400 Years of African-American History Commission”.
(b)
Membership—
(1)
Composition— The Commission shall be composed of 15 members, of whom—
(A)
3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of the Governor of Virginia;
(B)
1 member shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of the Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;
(C)
4 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of—
(i)
civil rights organizations; and
(ii)
historical organizations;
(D)
1 member shall be an employee of the National Park Service having experience relevant to the historical resources relating to the commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary;
(E)
2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; and
(F)
4 members shall be individuals who have an interest in, support for, and expertise appropriate to the commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of Members of Congress.
(1)
added Composition— The Commission shall be composed of 15 members, of whom—
(A)
added 3 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of Governors of States, including the Governor of Virginia;
(B)
added 6 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of civil rights organizations and historical organizations;
(C)
added 1 member shall be an employee of the National Park Service having experience relating to the historical and cultural resources related to the commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary;
(D)
added 2 members shall be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; and
(E)
added 3 members shall be individuals who have an interest in, support for, and expertise appropriate to the commemoration, to be appointed by the Secretary, after considering the recommendations of Members of Congress.
(2)
renumbered was (3)(3) Time of appointment— Each appointment of an initial member of the Commission shall be made before the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.
(3)
added Term; vacancies—
(3)
removed Term; vacancies—
(A)
renumbered was (3)(4)(2) Term— A member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.
(B)
added Vacancies—
(B)
removed Vacancies—
(i)
renumbered was (3)(4)(3)(2) In general— A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(ii)
renumbered was (3)(4)(3)(3) 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.
(C)
renumbered was (3)(4)(4) Continuation of membership— If a member of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as an employee of the National Park Service, and ceases to be an employee of the National Park Service, that member may continue to serve on the Commission for not longer than the 30-day period beginning on the date on which that member ceases to be an employee of the National Park Service.
(c)
Duties— The Commission shall—
(1)
plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities throughout the United States—
(A)
appropriate for the commemoration;
(B)
to recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619;
(C)
to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States; and
(D)
to educate the public about—
(i)
the arrival of Africans in the United States; and
(ii)
the contributions of African-Americans to the United States;
(2)
encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, economic, and other organizations throughout the United States to organize and participate in anniversary activities to expand understanding and appreciation of—
(A)
the significance of the arrival of Africans in the United States; and
(B)
the contributions of African-Americans to the United States;
(3)
provide technical assistance to States, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration;
(4)
coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly research on, publication about, and interpretation of—
(A)
the arrival of Africans in the United States; and
(B)
the contributions of African-Americans to the United States;
(5)
ensure that the commemoration provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate programs; and
(6)
help ensure that the observances of the commemoration are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences and heritage of all individuals present at the arrival of Africans in the United States.