An Act to provide for Federal Government recognition of and participation in international expositions proposed to be held in the United States, and for other purposes
PL 91-269 (S.856), enacted 05/27/1970

84 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 91-269-MAY 27, 1970 
271 
Public Law 91-269 
AN ACT 
To provide for Federal Government recognition of and participation in inter-
national expositions proposed to he held in the United States, and for other 
purposes. 
May 27, 1970 
[S. 856] 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
T'nltcd States of America in Comgress assembled. That the Congress 
finds that— 
(a) 
international 
expositions, 
when 
properly 
organized, 
financed, and executed, have a significant impact on the economic 
growth of the region surrounding the exposition and, under 
appropriate international sanction, are important instruments of 
national policy, particularly in the exchange of ideas and the 
demonstration of cultural achievements between peoples; 
(b) in view of the widely varying circumstances under which 
international expositions haxe developed in the Imited States, 
the different degrees to which the Federal Government has as-
sisted and particijiated in such expositions, and the increasing 
number of proposals for future expositions, the national interest 
requires that Federal action concerning such expositions be given 
orderly consideration; and 
(c) such orderly consideration is best achieved by the develop-
ment of uniform standards, criteria, and procedures to establish 
the conditions under which the Government hereafter will (A) 
recognize international expositions proposed to be held in the 
United States, and (B) take part in such expositions. 
International 
expositions. 
U.S. recognition 
and participation. 
Uniform 
standards. 
FEDERAI. RKCOGNITTON 
SEC. 2. (a) Any international exposition proposed to be held in 
the L^nited States shall be eligible on ai)plication from its sponsors 
to receive the recognition of the Federal Government upon a finding 
of the President that recognition will be in tlie national interest. In 
making such a finding the President shall consider— 
(1) a report by the Secretary of Commerce which shall in-
clude (A) an evaluation of purposes and reasons for the exposi-
tion, and (B) a determination that guaranteed financial and 
other support has been secured by the exposition from affected 
State and local governments and from business and civic leader-
ship of the region and others, in amounts sufficient in his judg-
ment to assure the successful development and progress of the 
exposition; 
(2) a report by the Secretary of State that the proposed ex-
position qualifies for consideration of registration by the Bureau 
of International Expositions (herpafter referred to as B I E ) ; and 
(3) such other evidence as the President may consider to be 
appropriate. 
(b) t^pon a finding by the President that an international exposi-
tion is eligible for Federal recognition, the President may take such 
measures recognizing the exposition as he deems proper, including, 
but not limited to— 
(1) presenting of an official request by the United States for 
registration of the exposition by the BIE; 
(2) providing for fulfillment of the requirements of the Con-
vention of November 22, 1928, as amended, relating to inter-
national expositions; and 
19 UST 5927. 
272 
PUBLIC LAW 91-269-MAY 27, 1970 
[84 STAT. 
(3) extending invitations, by proclamation or by such other 
manner he deems proper, to the several States of the Union and 
to foreign governments to take part in the exposition, provided 
that he shall not extend such an invitation until he has been noti-
fied officially of BIE registration for the exposition. 
con^^e°sl'° 
(^) '^^^ President shall report his actions under this section 
promptly to the Congress. 
' ' - 
FEDERAL PARTICIPATION 
Congressional 
SEC. 3. The Federal Government may participate in an international 
authorization. 
expositlou pToposed to be held in the United States oiily upon the 
authorization of the Congress. If the President finds that Federal 
participation is in the national interest, he shall transmit to the Con-
gress his proposal for such participation, which proposal shall 
include— 
(a) evidence that the international exposition has met the 
criteria for Federal recognition and, pursuant to section 2 of this 
Act, it has been so recognized; 
(b) a statement that the international exposition has been 
registered by the B I E ; and 
(c) a plan prepared by the Secretary of Commerce in coopera-
tion with other interested departments and agencies of the Federal 
Government for Federal participation in the exposition. In devel-
oping such a plan, the Secretary shall give due consideration to 
whether or not the plan should include the construction of a Fed-
eral pavilion and, if so, whether or not the Government would 
have need for a permanent structure in the area of the exposition. 
In the event such need is established, the Secretary may include in 
his plan a recommendation that, as a condition of participation, 
the Government should be deeded a satisfactory site for the Fed-
eral pavilion, in fee simple and free of liens or other encumbrances. 
The Secretary shall seek the advice of the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration to the extent necessary in carry-
ing out the provisions of this subsection. 
ESTABLISHMENT AND PUBLICATION OF STANDARDS AND CRITERIA 
SEC. 4. (a) The Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized and 
directed to establish and maintain standards, definitions, and criteria 
which are adequate to carry out the purposes of section 2(a) (1) and 
section 3(a) of this Act; and 
Fe^"^i\'^Re'Tster 
(^) Staudards, definitions, and criteria established by the Secretary 
and such revisions in them as he may make from time to time shall 
be published in the Federal Eegister. 
SEC. 5. The President may withdraw Federal recognition or partici-
pation whenever he finds that continuing recognition or participation 
would be inconsistent with the national interest and with the purposes 
of this Act. 
SKC. (). Nothing in this Act shall affect or limit tlie authority of Fed-
eral (lepartnientK and agencies to participate in international exposi-
tions or o\ents otherwise authorized by law. 
fo^ltlt' 974 
'^''''* • ^* Section S of Public Law Si)-(»^;^) is liereby re{)ealed. 
22 use 24sia. 
SK(". S. There are authorized to be approi)riate(l such sums, not to 
Appropriation. 
(.xceed $2()0,(K)() ill aiiv fiscal yeai', as may l>e necessary to carry out 
(he pur|)oses of this Act. 
Approved May 27, 1970. 
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