[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.