WASHINGTON - Congress on Wednesday overwhelmingly agreed to extend the life of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission by six years so its members can implement plans for Lincoln's 200th birthday celebration in 2009.

The commission initially was scheduled to expire in 2004 after it delivers formal recommendations to Congress on how best to honor the 16th president.

But its work will continue until 2010 under the bill approved 409 to 2 by the House Wednesday. The Senate gave unanimous approval last month.

The two House opponents protested the cost, which could increase from an estimated $2 million to $5 million.

The commission currently is funded at $500,000 a year, but that annual cost may increase as the celebration time draws near, executive director Michael Bishop said. Its funding is subject to annual appropriations bills by Congress.

The cost is justified by the lessons that can be learned from Lincoln, said a spokesman for Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Illinois.

"The significance of Abraham Lincoln cannot be understated," LaHood spokesman Tim Butler said. "People around the world view Lincoln as our greatest president, and the citizens of the United States are indebted to him for his leadership in the struggle for liberty and individual freedom."

The commission was created by Congress in 2000 to honor Lincoln's legacy by educating the public on his accomplishments and leadership.

The commission kicked off its work in February with a brainstorming session by advisory committee made up of 50 Lincoln scholars, actors, novelists and business leaders. Ideas are still being accepted at the commission's Web site, www.lincolnbicentennial.gov, Bishop said.

Commission members met in Kentucky in April where they toured Lincoln's childhood home. On July 7, they plan to meet at Hildene, the home of Robert Todd Lincoln, Lincoln's oldest son, in Manchester, Vt. The historic home is operated by a nonprofit group.

There, they will discuss a possible academic conference on Lincoln to be held next year in North Carolina, an attempt to include the South in the commemoration of Lincoln, Bishop said.

By law, the commission is to consider minting a Lincoln bicentennial penny. Proposals include changing the penny's color, Bishop said.

The 15-member commission includes: Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill.; former Rep. David Phelps, D-Ill.; former Gov. Jim Thompson and Lura Lynn Ryan, wife of former Gov. George Ryan.

Durbin authored the Senate bill, which was approved by the House. The two House members opposing the extension said the cost isn't justified.

"We have a significant deficit and Congress has got to stop the spending sometime," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wisc., who said the Lincoln bicentennial "is the perfect example of a celebration that ought to be privatized."

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a former Libertarian candidate for president, favors a limited government and frequently votes against spending bills.

"We're not big fans of Lincoln anyway," his spokesman Jeff Deist said.

There were 23 House members not voting.

Dori Meinert is a reporter in Copley News Service's Washington bureau..