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Bill114th CongressFiled Feb 11, 2016Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
S. 2548

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act

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What it doesSummary reported to senate with amendment(s) (Sep 13, 2016)

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the 400 Years of African-American History Commission to develop and carry out activities throughout the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.

The commission must:

  • plan programs to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States;
  • encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities;
  • assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; and
  • coordinate for the public scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to this country.

(Sec. 5) The commission may provide: (1) grants to communities and nonprofit organizations for the development of programs; (2) grants to research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in the United States; and (3) technical assistance to states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration.

(Sec. 7) The commission must prepare a strategic plan and submit a final report to Congress that contains a summary of its activities, an accounting of its received and expended funds, and its recommendations.

(Sec. 9) The commission shall terminate on July 1, 2020.

What just happenedSep 13, 2016

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 626.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA](D-VA)Sponsor
6 cosponsors5 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
6cosponsors1committees7actions1related bills4subjects
  1. Sep 13, 2016Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 626.

  2. Sep 13, 2016Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment. With written report No. 114-350.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  3. Sep 13, 2016Committee14000

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with an amendment. With written report No. 114-350.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  4. Jul 13, 2016Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  5. Jun 15, 2016Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-502.

    National Parks Subcommittee
  6. Feb 11, 2016IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S879)

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  7. Feb 11, 2016IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Sep 13, 20161

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the 400 Years of African-American History Commission to develop and carry out activities throughout the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.

The commission must:

  • plan programs to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States;
  • encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities;
  • assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; and
  • coordinate for the public scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to this country.

(Sec. 5) The commission may provide: (1) grants to communities and nonprofit organizations for the development of programs; (2) grants to research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in the United States; and (3) technical assistance to states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration.

(Sec. 7) The commission must prepare a strategic plan and submit a final report to Congress that contains a summary of its activities, an accounting of its received and expended funds, and its recommendations.

(Sec. 9) The commission shall terminate on July 1, 2020.

Introduced in SenateFeb 11, 2016

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act

This bill establishes the 400 Years of African-American History Commission to develop and carry out activities throughout the United States to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.

The commission must:

  • plan programs to acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on the United States;
  • encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, and economic organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities;
  • assist states, localities, and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration; and
  • coordinate for the public scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to this country.

The commission may provide grants to: (1) communities and nonprofit organizations for the development of programs; and (2) research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in the United States.

The commission shall terminate on July 1, 2020.

400 Years of African-American History Commission Act — Informed