Philadelphia Campaign Two Hundred and Fiftieth Commemoration Commission Act

The Congress finds as follows:

(1) The Philadelphia Campaign of 1777–1778, involving events in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, was among the most significant set of events in the American Revolution. It convinced France to ally with the American cause and resulted in the development of the continental army into a professionally disciplined force.

(2) Along with the American victory at the nearby battle of Saratoga, which occurred concurrently, the continental army’s ability to fight throughout the Philadelphia campaign, helped convince France that the American side could win the war. The French officially entered the war as American allies in February 1778.

(3) Following the French entry into the war, the British retreated from Philadelphia in June 1778 to avoid a potential confrontation with the French navy. The continental army was then able to follow and engaged British forces at the Battle of Monmouth.

(4) The Philadelphia campaign included tactical losses for the American side, most notably America’s first September 11th at the Battle of Brandywine, but the survival of the American force was a testament to General Washington’s strategy and the subsequent winter encampment at Valley Forge allowed the army to be trained by Barron Von Steuben, transforming it into a more professional and disciplined fighting force. Simultaneously the Philadelphia campaign highlighted weaknesses and missteps by British commanders, particularly General William Howe, and contributed to the understanding that the British military could be defeated.

(5) The people of the United States can benefit from gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Philadelphia Campaign and the entire early period of the American war for independence.

It is the sense of Congress that the 250th anniversary of the Philadelphia Campaign should be officially recognized.

There is established a commission to be known as the Philadelphia Campaign Two Hundred and Fiftieth Commemoration Commission (referred to in this Act as the Commission).

The Commission shall submit to Congress a report on activities that the Commission recommends be carried out by the Federal Government to observe the 250th anniversary of the Philadelphia Campaign that—

(A) identifies any such activities that the Commission considers most fitting and proper to commemorate such anniversary; and

(B) includes any legislative proposals, including any proposals for appropriations, related to such activities.

In recommending activities under the report required by paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider whether to recommend that the Federal Government—

(A) acquire and preserve artifacts associated with the Philadelphia Campaign; or

(B) sponsor—

(i) a publicly available interactive digital resource the Philadelphia Campaign that including scholarly work concerning the Philadelphia Campaign;

(ii) conferences, exhibitions, or other public meetings concerning the Philadelphia Campaign; or

(iii) nationally accessible educational resources concerning the Philadelphia Campaign.

In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Commission shall consult with representatives of historical and cultural institutions able to contribute the mission of the Commission, including the following:

(A) Maryland Center for History and Culture.

(B) Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

(C) Salem County Historical Society.

(D) Chester County Historical Society.

(E) Brandywine Conservancy.

(F) Delaware Historical Society.

The Commission—

(A) shall seek to encourage coordination among State, local, international and private sector entities with initiatives to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Philadelphia Campaign; and

(B) acting through the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, establish a voluntary registry of such initiatives.

The Commission shall be composed of 14 voting members as follows:

(i) The Librarian of Congress.

(ii) The Chief Operating Officer of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(iii) Twelve qualified citizens, appointed as follows:

(I) Two members appointed by the President.

(II) Two members, at least one of whom shall be a Senator, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate.

(III) Two members appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

(IV) Two members, at least one of whom shall be a Senator, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

(V) Two members, at least one of whom shall be a Member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(VI) Two members, at least one of whom shall be a Member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

Each initial appointment of a member of the Commission shall be made before the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

If a member of the Commission was appointed to the Commission as a Member of the Congress, and ceases to be a Member of the Congress, 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 a Member of the Congress.

In this subsection, the term qualified citizen means a citizen of the United States with—

(i) a substantial knowledge and appreciation of the history of the American war for independence; and

(ii) a commitment to educating people of the United States about the historical importance of the Philadelphia Campaign and the early years of the American Revolution.

The President—

(i) shall serve as an honorary, nonvoting member of the Commission; and

(ii) may invite the President of France and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to serve as honorary, nonvoting members of the Commission.

The Commission shall seek to enter into an arrangement with the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Museum to provide to the Commission any administrative support as may be determined necessary, including by providing administrative offices for the Commission at the Museum.

The Commission shall select a voting member of the Commission to serve as the Chair the Commission.

Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission, except that a member shall be removed from the Commission for malfeasance or dereliction of duty, as determined by a majority vote of the other members of the Commission.

A vacancy in the Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

Members shall serve on the Commission without pay.

Each voting member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

Five voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.

The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair.

The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.

Any voting member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action that the Commission is authorized to take by this Act.

The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.

Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.

The Commission may enter into contracts for supplies, services, and facilities to carry out the duties of the Commission under this Act.

The Commission may accept and use donations of—

(1) money; and

(2) personal services.

The Commission may appoint a Director and such additional personnel as the Commission considers to be appropriate.

The Director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.

The Commission shall submit to Congress interim reports on the activities of the Commission on the dates that are 6 months and 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Not later than September 30, 2028, the Commission shall submit a final report to Congress that contains—

(1) a detailed statement of all activities carried out by the Commission preceding the submission of the report; and

(2) any other information that the Commission considers to be appropriate.