To establish a commission for the purpose of encouraging and providing for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
PL 107-41 (H.R.2133), enacted 09/18/2001

115 STAT. 226 
PUBLIC LAW 107-41—SEPT. 18, 2001 
Public Law 107-41 
107th Congress 
An Act 
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To establish a commission for the piirpose of encouraging and providing for the 
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commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown 
[H.R. 2133] 
V. Board of Education. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
36 use note 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
prec. 101. 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds that as the Nation approaches May 17, 
2004, marking the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision 
in Oliver L. Brown et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas 
et al., it is appropriate to establish a national commission to plan 
and coordinate the commemoration of that anniversary. 
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT. 
There is established a commission to be known as the "Brown 
V. Board of Education 50th Anniversary Commission" (referred to 
in this Act as the "Commission"). 
SEC. 3. DUTIES. 
In order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown 
decision, the Commission shall— 
(1) in conjunction with the Department of Education, plan 
and coordinate public education activities and initiatives, 
including public lectures, writing contests, and public aware-
ness campaigns, through the Department of Education's ten 
regional offices; and 
(2) in cooperation with the Brown Foundation for Edu-
cational Equity, Excellence, and Research in Topeka, Kansas 
(referred to in this Act as the "Brown Foundation"), and such 
other public or private entities as the Commission considers 
appropriate, encourage, plan, develop, and coordinate observ-
ances of the anniversary of the Brown decision. 
SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP. 
(a) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commission shall be com-
posed as follows: 
(1) Two representatives of the Department of Education 
appointed by the Secretary of Education, one of whom shall 
serve as one of two Co-chairpersons of the Commission. 
(2) Two representatives of the Department of Justice 
appointed by the Attorney General, one of whom shall serve 
as one of two Co-chairpersons of the Commission. 
President. 
(3) Eleven individuals appointed by the President after 
receiving recommendations as follows: 
PUBLIC LAW 107-41—SEPT. 18, 2001 
115 STAT. 227 
(A)(i) The Members of the Senate from each State 
described in clause (iii) shall each submit the name of 
one individual from the State to the majority leader and 
minority leader of the Senate. 
(ii) After review of the submissions made under clause 
(i), the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with 
the minority leader of the Senate, shall recommend to 
the President five individuals, one from each of the States 
described in clause (iii). 
(iii) The States described in this clause are the States 
in which the lawsuits decided by the Brown decision were 
originally filed (Delaware, Kansas, South Carolina, and 
Virginia), and the State of the first legal challenge involved 
(Massachusetts). 
(B)(i) The Members of the House of Representatives 
from each State described in subparagraph (A)(iii) shall 
each submit the name of one individual from the State 
to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
minority leader of the House of Representatives. 
(ii) After review of the submissions made under clause 
(i), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in con-
sultation with the minority leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives, shall recommend to the President five individ-
uals, one from each of the States described in subparagraph 
, (A)(iii). 
(C) The Delegate to the House of Representatives from 
the District of Columbia shall recommend to the President 
one individual from the District of Columbia. 
(4) Two representatives of the judicial branch of the Federal 
Government appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States 
Supreme Court. 
(5) Two representatives of the Brown Foundation. 
(6) Two representatives of the NAACP Legal Defense and 
Education Fund. 
(7) One representative of the Brown v. Board of Education 
National Historic Site. 
(b) TERMS.—Members of the Commission shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission. 
(c) VACANCIES.—^A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
in the same manner as the original appointment. 
(d) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^Members of the Commission shall serve 
without pay. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall receive travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accord-
ance with appUcable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 
57 of title 5, United States Code. 
(e) QUORUM.—A majority of members of the Commission shall 
constitute a quorum. 
(f) MEETINGS.—^The Commission shall hold its first meeting 
not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. The Commission shall subsequently meet at the call of a 
Co-chairperson or a majority of its members. 
(g) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND STAFF.—The Commission may 
secure the services of an executive director and staff personnel 
as it considers appropriate. 
115 STAT. 228 
PUBLIC LAW 107-41—SEPT. 18, 2001 
Deadline. 
SEC. 5. POWERS. 
(a) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—^Any member or agent 
of the Commission may, if so authorized by the Commission, take 
any action which the Commission is authorized to take under 
this Act. 
(b) GIFTS AND DONATIONS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT.—The Commission may accept 
and use gifts or donations of money, property, or personal 
services. 
(2) DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY.—^Any books, manuscripts, 
miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, or other 
materials donated to the Commission which relate to the Brown 
decision, shall, upon termination of the Commission— 
(A) be deposited for preservation in the Brown Foimda-
tion Collection at the Spencer Research Library at the 
University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas; or 
(B) be disposed of by the Commission in consultation 
with the Librarian of Congress, and with the express con-
sent of the Brown Foundation and the Brown v. Board 
of Education National Historic Site. 
(c) MAILS.—The Commission may use the United States mails 
in the same manner and under the same conditions as other depart-
ments and agencies of the United States. 
SEC. 6. REPORTS. 
(a) INTERIM REPORTS.—The Commission shall transmit interim 
reports to the President and the Congress not later than December 
31 of each year. Each such report shall include a description of 
the activities of the Commission during the year covered by the 
report, an accoimting of any funds received or expended by the 
Commission during such year, and recommendations for any legisla-
tion or administrative action which the Commission considers 
appropriate. 
(b) FINAL REPORT.—The Commission shall transmit a final 
report to the President and the Congress not later than December 
31, 2004. Such report shall include an accounting of any funds 
received or expended, and the disposition of any other properties, 
not previously reported. 
SEC. 7. TERMINATION. 
(a) DATE.—The Commission shall terminate on such date as 
the Commission may determine, but not later than February 1, 
2005. 
(b) DISPOSITION OF FUNDS.—Any funds held by the Commission 
on the date the Commission terminates shall be deposited in the 
general fund of the Treasury. 
PUBLIC LAW 107-41—SEPT. 18, 2001 
115 STAT. 229 
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated $250,000 for the period 
encompassing fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to carry out this Act, 
to remain available until expended. 
Approved September 18, 2001. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2133 (S. 1046): 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 147 (2001): 
June 27, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 3, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Sept. 10, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 37 (2001): 
Sept. 19, Presidential statement.