Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission
STATE OF VERMONT
Executive Department
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R
[Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission]
WHEREAS, the quadricentennial of Samuel de Champlain's 1609 arrival to the lake that now bears his name is six years away; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Champlain region has a rich natural and cultural heritage from its formation, to the earliest human inhabitants, to the coming of Samuel de Champlain and subsequent European settlement, to the present; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Champlain region played a significant role in the early military history of the formation of the United States and therefore has national significance; and
WHEREAS, this 400th anniversary offers the State of Vermont an opportunity to acknowledge all aspects of the heritage of the Lake Champlain region, and to inspire and educate Vermonters and visitors of all ages; and
WHEREAS, this opportunity to acknowledge, inspire and educate has the potential to provide long-term benefits to the Lake Champlain regionŐs cultural heritage tourism, recreation and economic development; and
WHEREAS, the Lake Champlain region includes our neighbors to the west, the State of New York, and to our north, the Province of Quebec, Canada, who also look forward to marking this important occasion and to celebrating our shared heritage.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, James H. Douglas, Governor of Vermont, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor, do hereby order as follows:
1. The Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission is hereby established to advise, assist and support the Governor with respect to all matters related to commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Samuel de Champlain in 1609.
2. The Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission shall be composed of not more than 26 persons to include a representative from the GovernorŐs Office, the Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture; the Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development; the Secretary of the Agency of Transportation; the Commissioner of the Department of Tourism and Marketing; the State Historic Preservation Officer; the Chair of the GovernorŐs Advisory Commission on Native American Affairs; a member of the Vermont House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; a member of the Vermont Senate to be appointed by the Committee on Committees; the Manager of the Lake Champlain Basin Program; the Chair of the Vermont Lake Champlain Byways Partnership; the Chair of the Cultural Heritage Tourism Advisory Council; the Chair of the Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee of the Lake Champlain Basin Program; the Director of the Vermont Historical Society; the Director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum; the Executive Director of the Lake Champlain Committee; and ten individuals appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint a Chair from the membership to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
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3. The Commission shall advise the Governor on the direction, planning, promotion and implementation of heritage tourism activities and programs in the Lake Champlain region, in coordination with similar efforts on the part of New York State and the Province of Quebec, in order to commemorate the arrival of Samuel de Champlain in 1609 and to celebrate the natural and cultural history of the Lake.
4. The Commission is charged with the following responsibilities:
a. To make recommendations as to policy to guide decisions on the use and manner of distribution of public and private funds for appropriate support of Quadricentennial activities, related economic development, and related heritage tourism activities; and
b. To represent the State of Vermont in collaborative efforts with New York State and the Province of Quebec to commemorate the Quadricentennial. In so doing, the Commission shall evaluate the various Quadricentennial activities and programs which may develop in the region and make recommendations as to which are appropriate for VermontŐs support; and
c. To make recommendations as to coordination of efforts with New York State and the Province of Quebec to implement such activities and programs, and as to appropriate allocation of resources; and
d. To solicit and accept private and public funds, grants, and donations in order to carry out its purposes. Any such funds shall be administered by the Department of Tourism and Marketing, subject to the provisions of 32 V.S.A. ¤5.
5. The Commission shall meet at least quarterly. The Commission shall be attached to the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, which shall provide administrative support for the CommissionŐs work and cultural heritage tourism in Vermont.
This Executive Order shall sunset on June 30, 2010.
Witness my name hereunto subscribed and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont hereunto affixed at Montpelier this 16th day of October, 2003.
James H. Douglas
Governor
By the Governor:
Neale F. Lunderville
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Executive Order No. 16-03
16-03