A new House bill is on the legislative table that would honor Ronald Reagan on the anniversary of his 100th birthday. Reagan was born February 6, 1911 and was the 40th President of the United States from 1981-1989.
The bill, H.R. 5235 and titled ‘Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act‘, was written to create a 11 member commission with the main duties of planning, developing and carrying out activities that would honor Reagan’s birthday anniversary in 2011.
There are no firm plans set out in the proposed legislation. That would be up to the commissioners. However, it is interesting to note the specific clause for a new commemorative $1 coin.
While there is mention of a stamp and other commemorative functions, only the coin language specifically states for its mintage and issuance to start an entire year before Reagan’s 100th birthday.
The coin would be minted for issuance from February 6, 2010, to February 6, 2011. Apparently the coin is meant to be a major tool in building education and excitement for the anniversary.
Introducing and cosponsoring congressman and their comments
Rep Elton Gallegly [R-CA] introduced the House bill February 6, 2008, which would have been Reagan’s 97th birthday. Mr. Gallegly commented at the time,
"While ending the Cold War and making America prosperous during his eight years in the White House, perhaps most importantly President Reagan also inspired greatness in the nation he loved. That inspiration should be remembered and celebrated."
Current cosponsors of the bill include Rep Roy Blunt [R- MO] and Rep Ken Calvert [R-CA]. Of Mr. Gallegly and former President Reagan, Mr. Blunt said:
"I want to thank Elton for his leadership in establishing this committee to honor the life and service of President Reagan. The ideals of our 40th president did more than help our nation believe it could once again be that shining City upon a Hill about which he spoke so eloquently, they told the world of America’s promise of freedom and democracy."
"President Reagan was our great communicator. But more than for their cadence and presentation, his words are remembered for their sincere, heartfelt meaning. President Reagan was a great president and even greater man. It is fitting that we form this committee to honor him."
Current status of bill
On 2/6/2008, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
On 2/14/2008 it was referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
The text of HR 5235: Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act, as introduce
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5235
A BILL
To establish the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission.
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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This Act may be cited as the `Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act’.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.
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There is established a commission to be known as the `Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission’ (in this Act referred to as the `Commission’).
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
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The Commission shall–
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(1) plan, develop, and carry out such activities as the Commission considers fitting and proper to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth;
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(2) provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, as well as civic groups to carry out activities to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth;
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(3) study activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government to determine whether the activities are fitting and proper to honor Ronald Reagan on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, including–
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(A) the issuance of a postal stamp;
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(B) the issuance of a $1 coin for 1 year (February 6, 2010, to February 6, 2011); and
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(C) the convening of a joint session of Congress; and
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(4) submit to Congress and the President reports pursuant to section 7.
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.
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(a) Number and Appointment- The Commission shall be composed of 11 members as follows:
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(1) The Archivist of the United States.
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(2) The Secretary of the Interior.
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(3) 3 members appointed by the President.
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(4) 6 members appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Library and Foundation from among individuals who have knowledge or other expertise concerning the life of Ronald Reagan, including his childhood, his career in Hollywood, and his political career and legacy.
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(b) Ex Officio Members- The Chief Justice of the United States, a Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, a Member of the House of Representatives appointed by the minority leader of the House, a Senator appointed by the Senate majority leader, and a Senator appointed by the Senate minority leader shall each serve in an ex officio capacity on the Commission to provide advice and information to the Commission.
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(c) Terms- Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.
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(d) Deadline for Appointment- All members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
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(e) Vacancies- A vacancy on the Commission shall–
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(1) not affect the powers of the Commission; and
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(2) be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
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(f) Rates of Pay- Members shall serve without pay.
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(g) Travel Expenses- Each member of the Commission shall be reimbursed for travel and per diem in lieu of subsistence expenses during the performance of duties of the Commission while away from home or his or her regular place of business, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
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(h) Quorum- Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings.
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(i) Chairperson- The chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Commission.
SEC. 5. DIRECTOR AND STAFF OF COMMISSION.
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(a) Director- The Commission may appoint an executive director. The executive director may be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS-15 of the General Schedule.
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(b) Staff- The Commission may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as it considers appropriate except that an individual so appointed may not receive pay in excess of the maximum rate of basic pay for GS-13 of the General Schedule.
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(c) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws- The executive director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except as provided in subsections (a) and (b).
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(d) Detail of Federal Employees- Upon request of the Commission, the Secretary of the Interior or the Archivist of the United States may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
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(e) Experts and Consultants- The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay for GS-14 of the General Schedule.
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(f) Volunteer and Uncompensated Services- Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission determines necessary.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.
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(a) Hearings- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate.
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(b) Mails- The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States.
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(c) Obtaining Official Data- The Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this Act. Upon request of the chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission.
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(d) Gifts, Bequests, Devises- The Commission may solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of money, services, or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating its work.
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(e) Available Space- Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall make available nationwide to the Commission, at a normal rental rate for Federal agencies, such assistance and facilities as may be necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.
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(f) Contract Authority- The Commission may enter into contracts with and compensate government and private agencies or persons to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this Act, without regard to section 3709 of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 5).
SEC. 7. REPORTS.
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(a) Annual Reports- The Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress annual reports on the revenue and expenditures of the Commission.
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(b) Interim Reports- The Commission may submit to the President and Congress interim reports as the Commission considers appropriate.
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(c) Final Report- Not later than April 30, 2011, the Commission shall submit a final report to the President and the Congress containing–
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(1) a summary of the activities of the Commission;
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(2) a final accounting of funds received and expended by the Commission; and
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(3) the findings, conclusions, and final recommendations of the Commission.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION.
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(a) In General- The Commission may terminate on such date as the Commission may determine after it submits its final report pursuant to section 7(c), but not later than May 30, 2011.
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(b) FACA Nonapplicability- Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) shall not apply to the Commission.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION AND AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.
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(a) Authorization- There is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 to carry out this Act.
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(b) Availability-
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(1) Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended.
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(2) Amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) in excess of $500,000 shall be available for obligation only to the extent matched by an equal amount of nongovernmental contributions.
