I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1977
To establish a commission to investigate the expulsion of African-American 
residents of the Missouri cities of Aurora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce 
City, Cassville, and Webb City from their homes that occurred between 
August 1894 and August 1901, and make recommendations regarding 
the feasibility and appropriateness of providing reparations to such resi-
dents. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 28, 2005
Mr. CLAY (for himself, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. OWENS, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. 
KILPATRICK of Michigan, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. 
LEE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. CLEAVER, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. CONYERS, 
Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, and Mr. CUMMINGS) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to investigate the expulsion of 
African-American residents of the Missouri cities of Au-
rora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce City, Cassville, and Webb 
City from their homes that occurred between August 
1894 and August 1901, and make recommendations re-
garding the feasibility and appropriateness of providing 
reparations to such residents.
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 ‘‘1901 Missouri African 
American Expulsion Commission Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the 
‘‘1901 Missouri African American Expulsion Commission’’ 
(in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. 
The Commission shall—
(1) investigate the expulsion of any African-
American resident in or around the Missouri cities 
of Aurora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce City, Cassville, 
or Webb City from the home or farm of such resi-
dent occurring between August 1894 and August 
1901, including—
(A) any cause for the expulsion; 
(B) any burning or vandalism of the home 
of such resident; 
(C) any tortuous or criminal conduct com-
mitted against such resident; and 
(D) any mob activity directed against such 
resident; 
(2) identify any person—
(A) who is a relative of a resident de-
scribed in paragraph (1); or
(B) whom the Commission determines sus-
tained an identifiable loss, including a loss to 
the personal relations, real property, or per-
sonal property of such person, because of con-
duct described in paragraph (1), whether or not 
such conduct has previously been the subject of 
a legal proceeding; 
(3) research and develop a historical record of 
the expulsion described in paragraph (1); and 
(4) make recommendations regarding—
(A) the feasibility of providing reparations 
to any person identified under paragraph (2); 
and 
(B) the appropriate method to provide 
such reparations. 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—
(1) The Commission shall be composed of seven 
members as follows: 
(A) Four members appointed by the House 
of Representatives, in the manner prescribed by 
the House of Representatives. 
(B) Three members appointed by the Sen-
ate, in the manner prescribed by the Senate.
(2) Of the three members appointed under 
paragraph (1)(B), one shall be a member of the Mis-
souri Historical Society. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—In making appointments 
under this section, the appointing authorities shall make 
a special effort to appoint individuals who are particularly 
qualified to perform the functions of the Commission, by 
reason of either practical experience or academic expertise 
in politics or government. 
(c) TERMS AND VACANCIES.—Each member shall be 
appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in 
the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. Any member appointed 
to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the 
term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed 
shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. 
A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s 
term until a successor has taken office. 
(d) BASIC PAY.—
(1) RATES OF PAY.—To the extent or in the 
amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, 
except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of 
the Commission shall be paid the daily equivalent of 
the annual rate of basic pay payable for level V of 
the Executive Schedule for each day (including trav-
el time) during which the member is engaged in the 
actual performance of duties of the Commission. 
(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FED-
ERAL
EMPLOYEES.—Members of the Commission 
who are full-time officers or employees of the United 
States or Members of Congress may not receive ad-
ditional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of 
their service on the Commission. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive 
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter 
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. 
(f) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction 
of business. 
(g) CHAIRMAN.—The Chairman of the Commission 
shall be elected by the members. 
(h) MEETINGS.—
(1) FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS.—The Commis-
sion shall meet as often as the Chairman determines 
is necessary to perform the duties of the Commis-
sion. 
(2) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the 
Commission. 
SEC. 5. STAFF OF COMMISSION AND EXPERTS AND CON-
SULTANTS. 
(a) STAFF.—Subject to rules prescribed by the Com-
mission, the Chairman may appoint and fix the pay of per-
sonnel as the Chairman considers appropriate. 
(b) EXPERTS
AND CONSULTANTS.—With the ap-
proval of the Commission, the Chairman may procure tem-
porary and intermittent services in the manner prescribed 
in 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 payable for grade 
GS–15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of 
such title. 
(c) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon the re-
quest of the Commission, the head of any Federal depart-
ment or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any 
of the personnel of that department or agency to the Com-
mission to assist it in performing its duties under this Act. 
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act 
at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence 
as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commis-
sion may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses ap-
pearing before it. 
(b) MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any member or agent 
of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, 
take any action that the Commission is authorized to take 
by this section. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—Subject to sections 
552, 552a, and 552b of title 5, United States Code, the 
Commission may secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information necessary to en-
able it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chair-
man of the Commission, the head of that department or 
agency shall furnish the information to the Commission. 
(d) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.—To the extent 
or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation 
Acts, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real 
and personal, for the purposes of aiding or facilitating the 
work of the Commission. 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 disbursement upon 
order of the Commission.
(e) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same con-
ditions as departments and agencies of the United States. 
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the 
request of the Commission, the Administrator of General 
Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimburs-
able basis, the administrative support services necessary 
for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under 
this Act. 
SEC. 7. REPORT. 
The Commission shall submit to Congress a report 
not later than 18 months after the date of the first meet-
ing of the Commission. The report shall contain a detailed 
statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commis-
sion, together with such recommendations as the Commis-
sion considers appropriate. 
SEC. 8. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate 10 days after sub-
mitting its report under section 7. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
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