“To establish a National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes in the National Endowment for the Humanities a National Council on African American History and Culture (referred to as the Council) composed of 12 members appointed by the President with Senate advice and consent. Members must be private citizens with expertise in African American history and culture who are not federal employees; appointments must balance party affiliation (six Democrats and six Republicans), provide equitable representation of women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities, and ensure comprehensive viewpoints; the President designates the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson (of different parties) from among members; terms are five years (with initial staggered three- and five-year terms balanced by party), vacancies are filled for the remainder of the term, and no reappointment is allowed for two years after a term expires; members receive compensation at 50% of the daily rate of the highest basic pay for senior-level positions above GS-15 under 5 U.S.C. §5108 for days of service, plus travel expenses; nine members constitute a quorum, and the Council meets at least twice annually at the Chairperson's call. The Council's duties include (1) submitting an annual report to the NEH Chairperson on NEH efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture; (2) gathering and analyzing information on relevant historical, cultural, and institutional developments to assess the need for national policy; (3) evaluating NEH programs for their contributions to such preservation and celebration and recommending changes to the President; (4) developing national policies to promote understanding of African American history and culture; and (5) providing studies and recommendations as requested by the NEH Chairperson. This section exempts the Council from the Federal Advisory Committee Act's automatic termination provision (5 U.S.C. §1013(a)(2)) and terminates the Council 10 years after enactment.