Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘World War I Memorial 
and Centennial Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) More than 4,000,000 men and women from 
the United States served in uniform in the defense 
of liberty during World War I, among them two fu-
ture presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. 
Eisenhower. 
(2) 2,000,000 individuals from the United 
States served overseas during World War I, includ-
ing 200,000 naval personnel who served on the seas. 
(3) The United States suffered 375,000 casual-
ties during World War I. 
(4) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped 
the world, our country, and the lives of millions of 
people in countless ways. 
(5) The centennial of World War I offers an op-
portunity for people in the United States to learn 
about the sacrifices of their predecessors. 
(6) Commemorative efforts allow people in the 
United States to gain a historical understanding of
the type of conflicts that cause countries to go to 
war and how those conflicts are resolved. 
(7) Kansas City is home to the Liberty Memo-
rial and America’s National World War I Museum 
(as so recognized in the Ronald W. Reagan National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 
(Public Law 108–375)). 
(8) America’s National World War I Museum 
seeks— 
(A) to preserve the history of World War 
I; and 
(B) to educate and enlighten people about 
this significant event, the consequences of which 
are still with us. 
(9) Kansas City is home to the national head-
quarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 
(10) Missouri is the home State of General 
John Joseph Pershing, who commanded the Amer-
ican Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World 
War I. 
(11) The Kansas City area is the home of the 
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. 
(12) The Dwight David Eisenhower Presi-
dential Library and Museum is located close to Kan-
sas City in the neighboring State of Kansas.
(13) There is no nationally recognized memorial 
honoring the service of Americans who served in 
World War I. 
(14) In 1919, the people of Kansas City, Mis-
souri, expressed an outpouring of support and raised 
more than $2,000,000 in two weeks for a memorial 
to the service of Americans in World War I. That 
fundraising was an accomplishment unparalleled by 
any other city in the United States irrespective of 
population and reflected the passion of public opin-
ion about World War I, which had so recently ended. 
(15) Following the drive, a national architec-
tural competition was held by the American Institute 
of Architects for designs for a memorial to the serv-
ice of Americans in World War I, and the competi-
tion yielded a design by architect H. Van Buren 
Magonigle. 
(16) On November 1, 1921, more than 100,000 
people witnessed the dedication of the site for the 
Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. That 
dedication marked the only time in history that the 
five allied military leaders; Lieutenant General 
Baron Jacques of Belgium, General Armando Diaz 
of Italy, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, Gen-
eral John J. Pershing of the United States, and Ad-
miral Lord Earl Beatty of Great Britain, were to-
gether at one place. 
(17) General Pershing noted at the November 
1, 1921, dedication that ‘‘[t]he people of Kansas 
City, Missouri, are deeply proud of the beautiful me-
morial, erected in tribute to the patriotism, the gal-
lant achievements, and the heroic sacrifices of their 
sons and daughters who served in our country’s 
armed forces during the World War. It symbolized 
their grateful appreciation of duty well done, an ap-
preciation which I share, because I know so well how 
richly it is merited’’. 
(18) During an Armistice Day ceremony in 
1924, President Calvin Coolidge marked the begin-
ning of a three-year construction project for the Lib-
erty Memorial by the laying of the cornerstone of the 
memorial. 
(19) The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower has 
an inscription that reads ‘‘In Honor of Those Who 
Served in the World War in Defense of Liberty and 
Our Country’’ as well as four stone ‘‘Guardian Spir-
its’’ representing courage, honor, patriotism, and 
sacrifice, which rise above the observation deck, 
making the Liberty Memorial a noble tribute to all 
who served in World War I.
(20) During a rededication for the Liberty Me-
morial in 1961, World War I veterans and former 
Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisen-
hower recognized the memorial as a constant re-
minder of the sacrifices during World War I and the 
progress that followed. 
(21) The 106th Congress recognized the Lib-
erty Memorial as a national symbol of World War I. 
(22) The National World War I Museum is the 
only public museum in the United States specifically 
dedicated to the history of World War I. 
(23) The National World War I Museum is 
known throughout the world as a major center of 
World War I remembrance. 
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERTY MEMORIAL AT THE 
NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM IN KANSAS 
CITY, MISSOURI, AS THE NATIONAL WORLD 
WAR I MEMORIAL. 
The Liberty Memorial at the National World War I 
Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby designated 
as the ‘‘National World War I Memorial’’. No Federal 
funds may be used for the annual operation or mainte-
nance of such Memorial.
SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 
CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the World War I Centennial Com-
mission (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Commission is to 
ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World 
War I that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriot-
ism, and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of 
these values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted 
on the Liberty Memorial Monument at America’s National 
World War I Museum. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Commission shall have the fol-
lowing duties: 
(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, 
projects, and activities to commemorate the centen-
nial of World War I. 
(2) To encourage private organizations and 
State and local governments to organize and partici-
pate in activities commemorating the centennial of 
World War I. 
(3) To facilitate and coordinate activities 
throughout the United States related to the centen-
nial of World War I.
the management of America’s National World 
War I Museum (or the president’s delegate). 
(2) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The Archivist of 
the United States and the Secretary of the Smithso-
nian Institution shall serve in an ex officio capacity 
on the Commission to provide advice and informa-
tion to the Commission. 
(3) CONTINUATION
OF
MEMBERSHIP.—If a 
member of the Commission under subparagraph (F), 
(G), or (H) of paragraph (1) ceases to hold a posi-
tion named in such subparagraph, that member 
must resign from the Commission as of the date 
that the member ceases to hold that position. 
(4) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission. 
(5) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All mem-
bers of the Commission shall be appointed not later 
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(6) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission 
shall— 
(A) not affect the powers of the Commis-
sion; and 
(B) be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made.
(7) PAY.—Members shall not receive compensa-
tion for the performance of their duties on behalf of 
the Commission. 
(8) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member shall 
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provi-
sions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(9) QUORUM.—A majority of members of the 
Commission plus one shall constitute a quorum, but 
a lesser number may hold hearings. 
(10) CHAIRPERSON; VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Commission shall elect the Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson of the Commission by a majority vote of 
the members of the Commission. 
(11) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet at the call of the Chairperson, except that 
the first meeting shall be held before the end of 
the 120-day period beginning on the effective 
date of this Act. 
(B) LOCATION.—The Commission shall 
hold the first meeting at America’s National 
World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri,
and thereafter shall hold at least one meeting 
per year at such location. 
(e) DIRECTOR AND ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL OF THE 
COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.— 
(1) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
(A) APPOINTMENT.—The Chairperson of 
the Commission shall, in consultation with the 
members of the Commission, appoint an execu-
tive director and such other additional per-
sonnel as may be necessary to enable the Com-
mission to perform its duties. 
(B) PAY.—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 sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating 
to classification and General Schedule pay 
rates, except that the rate of pay for the execu-
tive director and other staff may not exceed the 
rate payable for level V of the Executive Sched-
ule under section 5316 of such title. 
(C) WORK LOCATION.—If the city govern-
ment for Kansas City, Missouri, and the non-
profit organization which administers America’s 
National World War I Museum make space 
available, the executive director and any addi-
tional personnel appointed under subparagraph 
(A) shall work in the building that houses that 
museum. 
(2) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Com-
mission may procure temporary and intermittent 
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(3) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Commission, the head of any Federal 
department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any personnel of that department or agency to 
the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties 
under this Act. 
(f) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—For the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, the Commission may 
hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take 
testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate. 
(2) POWERS
OF
MEMBERS
AND
AGENTS.—If 
authorized by the Commission, any member or agent
of the Commission may take any action which the 
Commission is authorized to take by this section. 
(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion shall secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information necessary 
to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request 
of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of 
that department or agency shall furnish that infor-
mation to the Commission. 
(4) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE
BY
COMMISSION.—The 
Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, or devises of services or prop-
erty, both real and personal, for the purpose of 
aiding or facilitating the work of the Commis-
sion. 
(B) DEPOSIT
AND
AVAILABILITY.—Gifts, 
bequests, or devises of money and proceeds 
from sales of other property received as gifts, 
bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the 
Treasury and shall be available for disburse-
ment upon order of the Commission. 
(5) MAILS.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the United States. 
(6) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT
SERVICES.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services necessary for the Commission to 
carry out its responsibilities under this Act. 
(7) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission 
is authorized to procure supplies, services, and prop-
erty and to make or enter in contracts, leases, or 
other legal agreements; except that any contract, 
lease, or other legal agreement made or entered into 
by the Commission may not extend beyond the date 
of termination of the Commission. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) PERIODIC
REPORT.—Beginning not later 
than the last day of the 3-month period beginning 
on the effective date of this Act, and the last day of 
each 3-month period thereafter, the Commission 
shall submit to Congress and the President a report 
on the activities and plans of the Commission. 
(2) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Commission shall 
submit to the President and Congress annual re-
ports on the revenue and expenditures of the Com-