§ 469j. — Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC469j]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1A--HISTORIC SITES, BUILDINGS, OBJECTS, AND ANTIQUITIES
SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 469j. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage
Abroad
(a) Purpose
Because the fabric of a society is strengthened by visible reminders
of the historical roots of the society, it is in the national interest
of the United States to encourage the preservation and protection of the
cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings associated with the
foreign heritage of United States citizens.
(b) Establishment
There is established a commission to be known as the Commission for
the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad (hereafter in this section
referred to as the ``Commission'').
(c) Duties
The Commission shall--
(1) identify and publish a list of those cemeteries, monuments,
and historic buildings located abroad which are associated with the
foreign heritage of United States citizens from eastern and central
Europe, particularly those cemeteries, monuments, and buildings
which are in danger of deterioration or destruction;
(2) encourage the preservation and protection of such
cemeteries, monuments, and historic buildings by obtaining, in
cooperation with the Department of State, assurances from foreign
governments that the cemeteries, monuments, and buildings will be
preserved and protected; and
(3) prepare and disseminate reports on the condition of and the
progress toward preserving and protecting such cemeteries,
monuments, and historic buildings.
(d) Membership
(1) The Commission shall consist of 21 members appointed by the
President, 7 of whom shall be appointed after consultation with the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and 7 of whom shall be appointed
after consultation with the President pro tempore of the Senate.
(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), members of
the Commission shall be appointed for terms of 3 years.
(B) Of the members first appointed after consultation with the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, 5 shall be appointed for a term
of 2 years. Of the members first appointed after consultation with the
President pro tempore of the Senate, 5 shall be appointed for 2 years.
(C) A member appointed to fill a vacancy on the Commission shall
serve for the remainder of the term for which the member's predecessor
was appointed.
(D) A member may retain membership on the Commission until the
member's successor has been appointed.
(3) The President shall designate the Chairman of the Commission
from among its members.
(e) Meetings
The Commission shall meet at least once every six months.
(f) Compensation and per diem
(1) Members of the Commission shall receive no pay on account of
their service on the Commission.
(2) While away from their homes or regular places of business in the
performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in
the Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title
5.
(g) Authorities
(1) The Commission or any member it authorizes may, for the purposes
of carrying out this section, hold such hearings, sit and act at such
times and places, request such attendance, take such testimony, and
receive such evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate.
(2) The Commission may appoint such personnel (subject to the
provisions of title 5 which govern appointments in the competitive
service) and may fix the pay of such personnel (subject to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title,
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates) as the
Commission deems desirable.
(3) The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services
to the same extent as is authorized by section 3109(b) of title 5, but
at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the
maximum annual rate of basic pay then in effect for grade GS-18 of the
General Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5332(a)).
(4) Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal
department or agency, including the Secretary of State, may detail, on a
reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such department or agency to
the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this
section.
(5) The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency
of the United States, including the Department of State, any information
necessary to enable it to carry out this section. Upon the request of
the Chairman of the Commission, the head of such department or agency
shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(6) The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of money or property.
(7) The Commission may use the United States mails in the same
manner and upon the same conditions as other departments and agencies of
the United States.
(8) The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the
Commission on a reimbursable basis such administrative support services
as the Commission may request.
(h) Reports
The Commission shall transmit an annual report to the President and
to each House of Congress as soon as practicable after the end of each
fiscal year. Each report shall include a detailed statement of the
activities and accomplishments of the Commission during the preceding
fiscal year and any recommendations by the Commission for legislation
and administrative actions.
(Pub. L. 99-83, title XIII, Sec. 1303, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 280; Pub.
L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(b) [title VI, Sec. 620], Oct. 21, 1998, 112
Stat. 2681-50, 2681-115.)
References in Text
The provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive
service, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), are classified generally to
section 3301 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
The General Schedule, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), is set out
under section 5332 of Title 5.
Amendments
1998--Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105-277 substituted ``six'' for
``three''.
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 1985, see section 1301 of Pub. L. 99-83,
set out as an Effective Date of 1985 Amendment note under section 2151-1
of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Termination of Reporting Requirements
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec.
(h) of this section relating to transmittal of annual report to
Congress, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as amended, set out as a
note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 157 of
House Document No. 103-7.
References in Other Laws to GS-16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or to
maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered
references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5,
Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I,
Sec. 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note under section 5376
of Title 5.
