Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 71.djvu/663

 71

STAT.]

627

PUBLIC LAW 8 5 - 3 0 5 - S E P T. 7, 1957

and related plans advanced by State, civic, patriotic, hereditary, and historical bodies, and may designate special committees with representation from the above-mentioned bodies to plan and conduct specific ceremonies. The Connnission may give suitable recognition such as the award of medals and certificates or by other appropriate means to persons and organizations for outstanding accomplishments in preserving and writing the history of the Civil AVar. SEC. 8, In order to conduct eflectively centennial observances on the Civil W a r battlefields and related historic sites included within the National Park System, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the National Park Service, is authorized to undertake as a part of the Mission 66 program, the further preservation and development of such battlefields and sites, at such time and in such manner as will insure that a fitting observance nuiy be held at each such battlefield or site as its centennial occurs during the period 1961-1965. SEC. 4. The President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue proclamations inviting the people of the United States to participate in and observe the centennial anniversaries of the nationally significant historic events, the commemorations of which are provided for herein. SEC. 5. (a) The Commission is authorized to accept donations of money, property, or personal services; to cooperate with State, civic, patriotic, hereditary, and historical groups and M'ith institutions of learning; and to call upon other Federal departments or agencies for their advice and assistance in carrying out the purposes of this resolution. All books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, lelics, and other materials relating to the Civil W a r and donated to the Commission may be deposited for permanent preservation in a national. State, or local library or museum or be otherwise disposed of by the (Commission in consultation with the Librarian of Congress or the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. (b) The Commission, to such extent as it finds to be necessary, may, without regard to the laws and procedures applicable to Federal agencies, procure supplies, services, and property and make contracts, expend in furtherance of this resolution funds donated or funds received in pursuance of contracts hereunder, and may exercise those powers that are necessary to enable it to carry out efficiently and in the public interest the purposes of this resolution. (c) The National Park Service is designated to provide all general administrative services. SEC. 6. (a) The Commission may employ, without regard to civil service laws or the Classification Act of 1949, an executive director and such employees as may be necessary to carry out its functions. (b)(1) Expenditures of the Commission shall be paid by the National Park Service as general administrative agent, which shall keep complete records of such expenditures and shall account also for all funds received by the Commission. (2) The Commission shall call, at a place of meeting generally convenient, and not later than January 15, 1958, a national assembly of representatives of civic, patriotic, and historical groups whose duty it shall be to consider and make recommendations to the Commission for the most fitting and appi('priate way to commemorate the observances of the centennial of the Civil 'War. The Governors of each of the several States and noncontiguous Territories of the United States shall be invited to appoint representatives to the assembly. When this assembly shall have made its recommendations, it shall be adjourned subject to the call of the Commission. (c) A report shall be submitted to the Congress, presenting the preliminary plans of the Commission not later than 5larch 1, 1958.

Awards.

Preservation historic s i t e s.

of

Proclamations.

Donations.

Administrative services. Employees. 63 Stat. 954. 5 USC 1071 note.

Report to Congress.

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