Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission.
Directs the National Endowment for the Humanities: (1) in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, to award grants for activities that are determined to be appropriately related to the Civil War sesquicentennial; and (2) consider for such grants university, museum, or academic programs with national scope that sponsor multidisciplinary projects that represent the totality of the Civil War.
[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4771 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4771
To establish a commission to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the
American Civil War.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 4, 2010
Mr. Jackson of Illinois introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the
American Civil War.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Civil War Sesquicentennial
Commission Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The American Civil War was a defining experience in the
development of the United States.
(2) The people of the United States continue to struggle
with issues of race, civil rights, heritage, and the politics
of federalism, which are legacies of the Civil War and
Reconstruction.
(3) There is a resurgence of interest in the Civil War that
is evidenced by the multitude of publications, exhibits,
reenactments, research organizations, Internet and multimedia
resources, historic parks, and preservation associations
focused on the Civil War.
(4) The years 2010 through 2015 mark the sesquicentennial
of the period beginning with the election of Abraham Lincoln
and concluding with the end of the Civil War. Notable
milestones during this period include the following:
(A) On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was
elected President of the United States.
(B) On December 20, 1860, in a special convention,
the South Carolina Legislature voted to secede from the
Union following the election of Lincoln. In the early
months of the following year, Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded and
formed the Confederate States of America.
(C) In April 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort
Sumter, the first shots fired in the Civil War. In
response, President Lincoln ordered the blockade of all
Confederate ports and called for 75,000 volunteers to
enlist in the Union Army. Four more Southern States--
Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina--
seceded in the months following the attack on Fort
Sumter.
(D) The Civil War spawned numerous campaigns,
battles, and engagements, including Bull Run, the
Monitor versus the Merrimac, the Peninsula Campaign,
Shiloh, the Capture of New Orleans, the Shenandoah
Valley Campaign, Seven Pines, Seven Days, Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Siege
of Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Wilderness, the
Siege at Petersburg, the Capture of Atlanta, the March
to the Sea, Nashville, and Appomattox.
(E) In January 1863, President Lincoln issued the
Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in States
considered to be in rebellion against the Federal
Government.
(F) On June 28, 1864, President Lincoln repealed
all fugitive slave laws.
(G) On January 31, 1865, the United States Congress
passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution,
abolishing slavery and involuntary servitude.
(H) On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E.
Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.
(I) On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was shot
by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth while
attending a play at Ford's Theatre, and died the next
day.
(J) In April and May 1865, Confederate Generals
Joseph Johnson and E. Kirby Smith, leaders of the
remaining organized Confederate Forces, surrendered,
formally ending the Southern Resistance.
(K) By the end of the Civil War, an estimated
600,000 Union and Confederate soldiers had been killed
and over 471,000 wounded, making the Civil War the
bloodiest war in the history of our Nation.
(5) The sesquicentennial of the Civil War presents a
significant opportunity for Americans to recall and reflect
upon all aspects of that conflict and its legacy in a spirit of
reconciliation and honest reflection, through exploration,
interpretation, and discussion.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish a Civil War
Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission to--
(1) ensure a suitable national observance of the
sesquicentennial of the Civil War that includes recognition of
the historic, social, legal, cultural, and political forces
that caused the American Civil War and influenced its course
and outcomes;
(2) collaborate with and assist States and national
organizations with programs and activities for the observance
of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War;
(3) assist in ensuring that any observance of the
sesquicentennial of the Civil War is inclusive and
appropriately recognizes the experiences and points of view of
all people affected by the Civil War; and
(4) provide assistance for the development of programs,
projects, and activities on the Civil War that have lasting
educational value and are both national and international.
SEC. 3. CIVIL WAR SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION COMMISSION.
The Secretary of the Interior shall establish a commission to be
known as the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
SEC. 4. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall be composed of 29 members as
follows:
(1) Government members.--The Commission shall include--
(A) 2 Members of the Senate appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation
with the majority leader and the minority leader of the
Senate;
(B) 2 Members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(C) the Secretary of the Interior or the designee
of the Secretary;
(D) the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution,
or the designee of the Secretary;
(E) the Secretary of Education, or the designee of
the Secretary;
(F) the Chairman of the National Endowment for the
Humanities, or the designee of the Chairman;
(G) the Chairman of the National Endowment of the
Arts, or the designee of the Chairman;
(H) the Archivist of the United States, or the
designee of the Archivist;
(I) the Librarian of Congress, or the designee of
the Librarian; and
(J) the Director of the National Park Service, or
the designee of the Director.
(2) Private members.--The Commission shall include--
(A) 7 members appointed by the President from among
individuals who are representative of the corporate and
foundation community, including 1 individual with
specific expertise in communication and event planning;
and
(B) 10 individuals appointed by the President from
among persons who by reason of education, training, and
experience, are experts on the Antebellum, Civil War,
and Reconstruction eras, including--
(i) 6 individuals with expertise in
history;
(ii) 1 individual with specific expertise
in art history, historic preservation, or a
related field;
(iii) 1 individual with specific expertise
in the performing arts;
(iv) 1 individual with expertise in
anthropology, cultural geography, sociology, or
a related field; and
(v) 1 individual with expertise in
political science, law, economics, or a related
field.
(b) Terms.--
(1) Government members.--If any member of the Commission
who was appointed as an officer designated under subsection
(a)(1) leaves such office, the member may continue as a member
of the Commission for not longer than the 30-day period
beginning on the date the member leaves such office.
(2) Private members.--Private members under subsection
(a)(2) shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.
(c) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its
powers, and shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.
(d) Initial Appointments.--The appointment of the members of the
Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Meetings.--
(1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the
members appointed under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section
4(a)(2) shall call the first meeting of the Commission.
(2) Subsequent meetings.--The Commission shall hold
subsequent meetings at the call of the Chairperson.
(b) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--At the initial meeting, the
Commission shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among
its voting members.
(c) Quorum.--A majority of voting members shall constitute a
quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
(d) Voting.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall act only on an
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members of the
Commission.
(2) Nonvoting members.--The individuals appointed under
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 4(a)(1) shall be nonvoting
members, and shall serve only in an advisory capacity.
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Activities Related to the Sesquicentennial.--The Commission
shall--
(1) plan, develop, and carry out programs and activities
appropriate to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil
War, including activities in recognition of the historic,
social, legal, cultural, and political forces that caused the
American Civil War and influenced its course and outcomes;
(2) encourage interdisciplinary examination of the Civil
War;
(3) facilitate Civil War-related activities throughout the
United States;
(4) encourage civic, historical, educational, economic, and
other organizations throughout the United States to organize
and participate in activities to expand the understanding and
appreciation of the significance of the Civil War;
(5) coordinate and facilitate the public distribution of
scholarly research, publications, and interpretations of the
Civil War;
(6) provide assistance to States, localities, and nonprofit
organizations to further the commemoration of the
sesquicentennial of the Civil War;
(7) develop programs and facilities to ensure that the
sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War results in a
positive legacy and long-term public benefit; and
(8) encourage the development and conduct of programs
designed to involve the international community in activities
that commemorate the Civil War.
(b) Plans and Report.--
(1) Strategic plan and annual performance plans.--The
Commission shall prepare a strategic plan in accordance with
section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and annual
performance plans in accordance with section 1115 of title 31,
United States Code, for the activities of the Commission
carried out under this Act.
(2) Reports.--
(A) Annual report.--The Commission shall submit to
Congress an annual report that contains a list of each
gift, bequest, or devise with a value of more than
$250, together with the identity of the donor of each
such gift, bequest, or devise.
(B) Final report.--Not later than December 30,
2015, the Commission shall submit to Congress a final
report that contains--
(i) a summary of activities of the
Commission;
(ii) a final accounting of funds received
and expended by the Commission; and
(iii) the findings and recommendations of
the Commission.
SEC. 7. GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Grants Authorized.--The National Endowment for the Humanities,
in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, shall award
grants under this section for the uses described in subsection (b).
(b) Use of Grants.--Grants awarded under this section shall be used
for activities that are determined by the National Endowment for the
Humanities, in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts,
to be appropriately related to the sesquicentennial of the Civil War
and to further the purposes of this Act.
(c) Consideration.--In awarding grants under this section, the
National Endowment of the Humanities shall consider established
university, museum, or academic programs with national scope that
sponsor multidisciplinary projects that represent the totality of the
Civil War.
SEC. 8. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying
out this Act--
(1) accept and use gifts of money, property, and services,
and, notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States
Code, may accept and use voluntary services;
(2) appoint any advisory committee as the Commission
considers appropriate;
(3) authorize any voting 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 entered into by the Commission shall not
extend beyond the date of the termination of the Commission);
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
(6) secure directly from any department or agency of the
United States such information as the Commission deems
necessary to enable the Commission to carry out this Act, which
shall be furnished by the head of such department or agency at
the request of the Commission; and
(7) establish an independent but affiliated Foundation to
support, as the Commission deems necessary, the efforts of the
Commission.
SEC. 9. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Commission, and
members of any advisory committee appointed under section 8(a)(2),
shall serve without compensation.
(b) Travel Expenses.--Members of the Commission, and members of any
advisory committee appointed under section 8(a)(2), shall be allowed,
as the Secretary of the Interior determines appropriate to carry out
this Act, travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or
regular place of business of the member in the performance of the
duties of the Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Commission may appoint, terminate, and
fix the pay of an executive director and such other additional
personnel as are necessary and appropriate to enable the
Commission to perform its duties.
(2) Nonapplicability of civil service laws.--Consistent
with all other applicable Federal laws governing appointments
and compensation, an executive director and additional
personnel may be appointed, terminated, and paid without regard
to civil service laws (including regulations), including--
(A) the provisions of title 5, United States Code,
governing appointment in the competitive service; and
(B) chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
title 5, United States Code, relating to classification
of positions and General Schedule pay rates.
(3) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the executive
director and other personnel shall not exceed the rate payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
title 5, United States Code.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--
(1) In general.--At the request of the Commission, the head
of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable or
nonreimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to
the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out the
duties of the Commission under this Act.
(2) Civil service status.--The detail of an employee under
paragraph (1) shall be without interruption or loss of civil
service status or privilege.
(e) Support Services.--Upon request of the Commission, the
Department of the Interior shall provide to the Commission, on a
reimbursable basis, administrative support services necessary for the
Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act, including
the disbursement of funds available to the Commission, and the
computation and disbursement of the basic pay for Commission personnel.
(f) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at daily
rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of such title.
(g) FACA Nonapplicability.--Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.
(h) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the date that
is 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits its final
report under section 6(b)(2).
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this Act (other than section 7)--
(1) $750,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through
2012;
(2) $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2013 through
2015; and
(3) $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 through
2017.
(b) Grants.--There is authorized to be appropriated $3,500,000 to
the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide grants under
section 7.
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Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
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