Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 68 Part 1.djvu/734

 702

PUBLIC LAW 581-AUG. 13, 1954

Public Law 581 August 13, 1954 [S. J. R e s. 149]

[68

STAT.

CHAPTER 726

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating the month of September 1955 as John Marshall Bicentennial Month, and creating a commission to supervise and direct the observance of such month.

Whereas September 24, 1955, will mark the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Marshall, who has been rightly called "the Great Chief Justice"; and Whereas the work of John Marshall in expounding constitutional principles has been one of the most important factors in developing and maintaining the liberties of the people of the United States; and Whereas a wider public knowledge and appreciation of the achievements of the great Chief Justice, John Marshall, is highly desirable in order to strengthen the moral, social, and political structure of our Nation, and as a means of helping to preserve and protect the lives, liberties, and property of all our people: Therefore be it J o h n Marshall Bic e n t e n n i a l Months

Commission*

Members*

Duties.

C h a i r m a n and Vice Chairman. Compensation.

Resolved by the Setwte and House of Representatives of the, United States of America in Congress assembled, That the month of September 1955 is hereby set aside and designated as "John Marshall Bicentennial Mouth", in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Marshall, and in recognition of the vital part which he played in the development of our Nation. The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon appropriate agencies and organizations throughout the United States to unite in observing such bicentennial month with suitable activities and ceremonies, and inviting all the people of the United States to join therein. SEC. 2. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the United States Commission for the Celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of John Marshall (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission"), and to be composed of nineteen members as follows: (1) The President of the United States, the President pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex officio; (2) Eight persons to be appointed by the President of the United States; (3) Four Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate; and (4) Four Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. SEC. 3, The Commission shall have the duty of supervising and directing the observance of John Marshall Bicentennial Month, and shall prepare appropriate plans and programs for the celebration of such month, giving due consideration to any proposed plans and programs which may be submitted to it. The Commission shall receive and coordinate any plans which may be prepared by State and local agencies, and by representative civic bodies, in connection with the celebration of such month. The Commission shall submit to the Congress at the earliest practicable time a full report of its activities together with a detailed statement of the plans and programs to be used in such celebration. SEC. 4. (a) The Commission shall select a Chairman and a Vice Chairman from among its members. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services as such, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their duties under this joint resolution.

�