Volume 71 · 587
Public Law 85–262
To establish a Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission.
Approved September 2, 1957
Statutory text
JOINT RESOLUTION
To establish a Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission.
Whereas the year 1959 marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln on February 12, 1809; and
Whereas Abraham Lincoln served as the sixteenth President of the United States; and
Whereas his life and ideals played an important part in the history of the United States during a critical period of its history: and
Whereas his spoken and written words and his philosophy of government have continued to have influence in our Government and in our daily way of life; and
Whereas the United States observed with appropriate ceremonies the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln in 1909; and
Whereas the interest in, and respect for, Abraham Lincoln is demonstrated by over one million eight hundred and fifty thousand people from all parts of the Nation visiting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. District of Columbia, during the year 1956, making it the most visited memorial in the world: and
Whereas it is appropriate that his ideals and accomplishments be re-emphasized and be given wider public knowledge on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of his birth: and
Whereas it is incumbent upon us as a nation to provide for the proper observance of the birth of this great man who has continued to be a force in our history: Therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That
in order to provide
Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission.
for appropriate and nationwide observances and the coordination of ceremonies, there is hereby established a commission to be known as the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission, hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Commission”, which shall be composed of twenty-eight members, as follows:
The President of the United States, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be ex officio members of the Commission;
Six Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate;
Six Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives:
Twelve members to be appointed by the President of the United States; and
One member from the Department of the Interior who shall be the Director of the National Park Service or his representative.
The Director of the National Park Service snail call the first meeting for the purpose of electing a Chairman. The Commission, at its discretion, may appoint honorary members, and may establish an Advisory Council to assist it in its work.
Appointments provided for in this section, with the exception of honorary members, shall be made within ninety days from the date of enactment of this resolution. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.
Sec. 2.
It shall be the duty of the Commission to prepare an overall
Program.
program to include specific plans for commemorating the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. In preparing its plans and programs, the Commission shall give due consideration to any similar and related plans advanced by State, civic, patriotic, hereditary, and historical bodies, and may designate special committees with representation from the abovementioned bodies to plan and
Awards.
conduct specific ceremonies. The Commission may give suitable recognition such as the award of medals and certificates or by other appropriate means to persons and organizations for outstanding accomplishments in preserving the writings and ideals of Abraham Lincoln, or historical locations connected with his life.
Sec. 3.
The President of the United States is authorized and
Proclamations.
requested to issue proclamations inviting the people of the United States to participate in and observe the anniversary of the nationally significant historic event, the commemoration of which is provided for herein.
Sec. 4.
The Commission is authorized to accept donations of
Donations.
money, property, or personal services; to cooperate with State, civic, patriotic, hereditary, and historical groups and with institutions of learning; and to call upon other Federal departments or agencies for their advice and assistance in carrying out the purposes of this resolution.
All books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics and other materials relating to Abraham Lincoln and donated to the Commission may be deposited for permanent preservation in a National, State, or local library or museum or be otherwise disposed of by the Commission in consultation with the Librarian of Congress or the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Commission, to such extent as it finds to be necessary, may, without regard to the laws and procedures applicable to Federal agencies, procure supplies, services, and property and make contracts, expend in furtherance of this resolution funds donated or funds received in pursuance of contracts hereunder, and may exercise those powers that are necessary to enable it to carry out efficiently and in the public interest the purposes of this resolution.
The National Park Service is designated to provide all general
Administrative services.
administrative services.
Sec. 5.
The Commission may employ, without regard to civil
Employees.
service laws or the Classification Act of 1949, an executive
director and such employees as may be necessary to carry out its functions.
Expenditures of the Commission shall be paid by the National Park Service as general administrative agent, which shall keep complete records of such expenditures and shall account also for all funds received by the Commission.
A report shall be submitted to the Congress, presenting the preliminary
Report to Congress.
plans of the Commission not later than March 1, 1958, in order that further enabling legislation may be enacted. A final report shall be made to the Congress no later than March 1, 1960, upon which date the Commission shall terminate.
Any property acquired by the Commission remaining upon its termination may be used by the Secretary of the Interior for purposes of the National Park System or may be disposed of as surplus property. The net revenues, after payment of Commission expenses, derived from Commission activities, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States.
Sec. 6.
The members of the Commission shall serve without
Compensation; transportation.
compensation, but shall be furnished transportation and be reimbursed at not to exceed $20 per diem, in lieu of subsistence, while engaged in the discharge of their duties provided for in this resolution.
Service of an individual as a member of the Commission shall not be considered as service or employment bringing such individual
within the provisions of sections 216, 281,283, 284, 434, or 1914 of title 18 of the United States Code, or section 190 of the Revised Statutes (5 U. S. C. 99); nor shall any member of the Commission by reason of his status as such be deemed to be an “officer of the Government” within the meaning of the Act of April 27, 1916 (5 U. S. C. 101).
Sec. 7.
Notwithstanding section 2 of the Act of July 31, 1894 (28
Employment of retired officers.
Stat. 205), as amended (5 17. S. C. 62), or section 6 of the Act of May 10, 1916 (39 Stat. 120), as amended (5 U. S. C. 58, 59), the Chairman of the Commission may appoint to, and employ in, any civilian office or position in the Commission, and pay, any retired commissioned officer, or retired warrant officer, of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, or Public Health Service. The retired status, office, rank, and grade of retired commissioned officers or retired warrant officers, so appointed or employed and, except as provided in section 212 of the Act of June 30, 1932 (47 Stat. 406), as amended (5 U. S. C. 59a), any emolument, perquisite, right, privilege, or benefit incident to or arising out of any such status, office, rank, or grade, shall be in no way affected by reason of such appointment to or employment in, or by reason of service in, or acceptance or holding of, any civilian office or position in the Commission or the receipt of the pay thereof.
Sec. 8.
There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such funds
Appropriation.
as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution, including an appropriation of not to exceed $10,000 to prepare the preliminary report and plans of the Commission described in section 5 (c).
Approved September 2, 1957.