II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 761 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 1, 2009 Mr. Bond (for himself and Mrs. McCaskill) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To establish the World War I Centennial Commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, and for other purposes.

1.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)More than 400,000 men and women from the United States served in uniform in the defense of liberty during World War I, among them 2 future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. (2)Two million individuals from the United States served overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who served on the seas. (3)The United States suffered 375,000 casualties during World War I. (4)The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the United States, and the lives of millions of people in countless ways. (5)The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for people in the United States to learn about the sacrifices of their predecessors. (6)Commemorative programs and activities allow people in the United States to gain a historical understanding of the type of conflicts that cause countries to go to war and how those conflicts are resolved. (7)Kansas City is home to America’s National World War I Museum, as so recognized by Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 2045). (8)America’s National World War I Museum seeks— (A)to preserve the history of World War I; and (B)to educate and enlighten people about this significant event, the consequences of which still affect the United States. (9)Kansas City is home to the national headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. (10)Missouri is the home State of General John Joseph Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. (11)The Kansas City area is the home of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. (12)The Dwight David Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is located close to Kansas City in the neighboring State of Kansas.

2.

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to establish a commission, in Kansas City, Missouri, on the centennial of World War I to ensure a suitable observance of such centennial that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the Liberty Memorial Monument at America’s National World War I Museum.

3.

Establishment of Commission

(a)

Establishment

There is established a commission to be known as the World War I Centennial Commission. (b)

Membership

(1)

Composition

The Commission shall be composed of 24 members as follows: (A)Four members who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (B)Three members who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (C)Four members who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (D)Three members who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (E)Seven members who shall be appointed by the President from among persons who are broadly representative of the people of the United States (including members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and representatives of veterans service organizations). (F)One member who shall be appointed by the executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. (G)One member who shall be appointed by the executive director of the American Legion. (H)One member who shall be appointed by the president of the Liberty Memorial Association. (2)

Period of appointment

Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (3)

Vacancies

A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (4)

Initial meeting

(A)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting. (B)

Location

The location for the meeting held under subparagraph (A) shall be America’s National World War I Museum. (5)

Meetings

(A)

In general

The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair. (B)

Frequency

The Chair shall call a meeting of the members of the Commission not less frequently than once each year. (C)

Location

Not less frequently than once each year, the Commission shall meet at America’s National World War I Museum. (6)

Quorum

Thirteen members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (7)

Chair and Vice Chair

The Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.

4.

Duties

(a)

In general

The duties of the Commission are as follows: (1)To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. (2)To encourage private organizations and State and local governments to organize and participate in activities commemorating the centennial of World War I. (3)To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the United States relating to the centennial of World War I. (4)To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about events and plans for the centennial of World War I. (5)To develop recommendations for Congress and the President for commemorating the centennial of World War I. (b)

Reports

(1)

Periodic report

Beginning not later than the last day of the 3-month period beginning on the date described in section 9 and the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report on the activities and plans of the Commission. (2)

Recommendations

Not later than 2 years after the date described in section 9, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report containing specific recommendations for commemorating the centennial of World War I and coordinating related activities.

5.

Powers of the commission

(a)

Hearings

The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. (b)

Powers of member and agents

If authorized by the Commission, any member or agent of the Commission may take any action which the Commission is authorized to take under this Act. (c)

Information from Federal agencies

The Commission shall secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon the request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission. (d)

Administrative support services

Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. (e)

Contract authority

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Commission is authorized— (A)to procure supplies, services, and property; and (B)to make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements. (2)

Limitation

The Commission may not enter into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond the date of the termination of the Commission under section 7(a). (f)

Postal services

The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government. (g)

Gifts, bequests, and devises

(1)

Acceptance by commission

The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. (2)

Deposit and availability

Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall de deposited in the Treasury of the United States and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the Commission.

6.

Commission personnel matters

(1)

Compensation of members

Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation for such service. (2)

Travel expenses

Each member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5, United States Code. (3)

Staff

(A)

In general

The Chair of the Commission shall, in consultation with the members of the Commission, appoint an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties. (B)

Compensation

(i)

In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel appointed under subparagraph (A). (ii)

Limitation

The Chair of the Commission may not fix the compensation of the executive director or other personnel appointed under subparagraph (A) at a rate that exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. (C)

Work location

If the city government for Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial Association make space available in the building in which the America’s National World War I Museum is located, the executive director of the Commission and other personnel appointed under subparagraph (A) shall work in such building to the extent practical. (4)

Detail of Government employees

Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. (5)

Procurement of temporary and intermittent services

The Chair of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

7.

Termination of the Commission

(a)

In general

The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of— (1)the date that is 30 days after the date the completion of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial observation of World War I; and (2)July 28, 2019. (b)

Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the activities of the Commission under this Act. (2)

Exception

Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not apply to the Commission.

8.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

America's National World War I Museum

The term America’s National World War I Museum means the Liberty Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 2045). (2)

Commission

The term Commission means the World War I Centennial Commission established by section 3(a). (3)

Veterans service organization

The term veterans service organization means any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.

9.

Effective date

This Act takes effect on January 1, 2010.