[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[Â§ 2. Commemorative Occasions]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 137-139]
 
                               CHAPTER 36
 
                         Ceremonies and Awards
 
Sec. 2. Commemorative Occasions

    The House has marked a number of important national anniversaries 
and notable events with ceremonies and observations. Among these have 
been ceremonies commemorating events in American history, such as the 
anniversaries of the Constitution(1) and the First 
Congress;(2) commemorations marking historically significant 
dates of other nations;(3) observances of a religious 
nature;(4) observances of Pan American Day and Flag 
Day;(5) and ceremonies commemorating 
Presidents.(6)
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 1. See Sec. 4.5, infra.
 2. See Sec. Sec.  4.1-4.4, infra.
 3. See Sec.  5, infra.
 4. See Sec.  6, infra.
 5. See Sec. Sec.  7 and 8, infra.
 6. See Sec.  9, infra.
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    On two occasions Congress has engaged in ceremonial functions

[[Page 138]]

outside the seat of government to mark significant events in the 
Nation's history. The first occurred in 1987, when it participated in a 
ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to commemorate the bicentennial 
of the Constitution;(7) the second occurred in 2002 when it 
held a ceremonial meeting in Federal Hall in New York to mark the 
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.(8)
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 7. See Sec.  4.5, infra.
 8. See Sec.  16.4, infra.
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    The 104th Congress added a prohibition against commemorative 
legislation within the House rules.(9) The rule prohibits 
the introduction of any bill or resolution or amendment if it 
establishes a commemoration. The rule defines a commemoration as a 
``remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the 
designation of a specified period of time.''
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 9. Rule XII clause 5, House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007). Prior to 
        the 106th Congress, this rule was found under former clause 
        2(b) of Rule XXII.
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    This prohibition, does not apply to measures that do not specify a 
specific date in the resolving clause.(10) For example, a 
resolution may declare in its resolving clause support for the goals 
and ideas of such a commemoration.(11)
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10. See Sec. Sec. 2.1, infra.
11. Id.
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    The ban on commemoratives was waived in 2001 for the designation of 
Patriot Day.(12)
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12. See Sec. Sec. 3.1, 3.2, 
        infra.                          -------------------
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Sec. 2.1 Form of resolution, averring in its preamble the meaning of a 
    specified week of celebration, and declaring in its resolving 
    clause support for the goals and ideas of such a week; and 
    containing a request that the President proclaim that the people 
    should celebrate those goals and ideas, without specifying a date 
    for such celebrations or otherwise ``designating a specified period 
    of time'' within the meaning of Rule XII clause 5(1) 
    (proscribing ``commemoratives'').
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 1. House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007).
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    On Sept. 22, 1999,(2) Mr. Doug Ose, of California, asked 
for unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be 
discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 293. The 
proceedings were as follows:
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 2. 146 Cong. Rec. 22269, 22270, 22273, 106th Cong., 1st Sess.

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[[Page 139]]

         SENSE OF THE HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK 
                         COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK

        Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the 
    Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further 
    consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 293), expressing the sense 
    of the House of Representatives in support of ``National 
    Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week,'' and ask for 
    its immediate consideration in the House.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(3) Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from California?
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 3. John Cooksey (LA).
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        Mr. [Elijah] CUMMINGS [of Maryland]. Mr. Speaker, reserving the 
    right to object, under my reservation, I yield to the gentleman 
    from California (Mr. Ose) to explain the bill  . . .
        The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cooksey). Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from California?
        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                                  H. Res. 293

            Whereas there are 105 historically black colleges and 
        universities in the United States;
            Whereas black colleges and universities provide the quality 
        education so essential to full participation in a complex, 
        highly technological society;
            Whereas black colleges and universities have a rich 
        heritage and have played a prominent role in American history;
            Whereas black colleges and universities have allowed many 
        underprivileged students to attain their full potential through 
        higher education;
            Whereas the achievements and goals of historically black 
        colleges and universities are deserving of national 
        recognition; and
            Whereas Senate Resolution 178 would designate the week 
        beginning September 19, 1999, as ``National Historically Black 
        Colleges and Universities Week'': Now, therefore be it
            Resolved,
            The the House of Representatives-
            (1) supports the goals and ideas of National Historically 
        Black Colleges and Universities Week; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling on the people of the United States and interested 
        groups to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and 
        programs to demonstrate support for historically black colleges 
        and universities in the United States.
            The resolution was agreed to.
            A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

    Parliamentarian's Note: It was important that the identification of 
the week beginning Sept. 19, 1999, was confined to the preamble.