    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [September 18, 2001]
    [Page 1128]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Legislation To Create the Brown v. Board of
    Education 50th Anniversary Commission
    September 18, 2001

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 2133, to create the ``Brown v.
    Board of Education 50th Anniversary Commission.'' The Commission will
    advise the Secretary of Education on activities to help celebrate one of
    the most important decisions ever issued by the U.S. Supreme Court--the
    decision that recognized the constitutional right to freedom from racial
    discrimination in our public schools. Establishing a commission to help
    celebrate the decision is particularly appropriate as we work to secure
    passage by the Congress of my Administration's educational initiatives,
    so that we leave no child behind.
        Consistent with the requirements of the Appointments Clause of the
    Constitution, I welcome the participation, in an advisory capacity on
    the commission, of representatives of the Judiciary; the Brown
    Foundation for Education Equity, Excellence, and Research; the NAACP
    Legal Defense and Education Fund; and the Brown v. Board of Education
    National Historic Site in the activities of the commission. While the
    Constitution does not permit them to participate in the performance of
    executive functions, their advice will be crucial to the effective
    functioning of the commission. As I exercise my constitutional power of
    appointment to name 11 members of the commission, under the Appointments
    Clause and the enabling legislation, I welcome, as a matter of comity,
    the suggestions of the congressional leadership for those positions.
        I look forward to the national celebration in 2004 of the 50th
    anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of
    Education.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     September 18, 2001.

    Note: H.R. 2133, approved September 18, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
    41. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    September 19.