12 2 STA T .609PUBLIC LA W 110 – 1 83—FE B. 5, 2008 (A)plan,dev el o p,ande x e cut ep r o g ra ms and act i vities appropriate to commemorate t h e b icentennial anniversar y o f the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade
( B ) facilitate commemoration - related activities throughout the U nited S tates; ( C ) encourage civic, historical, educational, religious, economic, and other organi z ations, as w ell as State and local governments, throughout the United States to orga- nize and participate in anniversary activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; ( D ) coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly research on, publication about, and interpretation of, the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; ( E ) assist in the development of appropriate programs and facilities to ensure that the bicentennial anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit; ( F ) support and facilitate mar k eting efforts for the issuance of a commemorative coin, postage stamp, and related activities for observances; ( G ) facilitate the convening of a j oint meeting or joint session of the Congress for ceremonies and activities relating to the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; ( H ) promote the sponsorship of conferences, exhibi- tions, or public meetings concerning the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particularly as it relates to the United States; ( I ) coordinate and facilitate the sponsorship of high school and collegiate essay contests concerning the trans- atlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery, particu- larly as it relates to the United States; and ( J ) examine reports of modern-day slavery and human trafficking to raise the public ’ s awareness of these matters and ensure such atrocities do not go unnoticed by the people of the United States . ( 2 )I NIT I ALREPO RT. —N ot later than M arch 31 ,2 0 0 9 , the Commission shall submit to the Congress a report containing a summary of the activities of the Commission for 200 8 . (c) P O W ER S O F T H ECO M MISSION.— T he Commission may— (1) accept donations and gift items related to the trans- atlantic slave trade, the institution of slavery, and the signifi- cance of slavery to the history of the United States; (2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission determines necessary to carry out this Act; (3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to take any action that the Commission is authorized to take under this Act; ( 4 ) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to carry out this Act (except that any contracts, leases, or other legal agreements made or entered into by the Commission shall not extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commis- sion); and
�
