A bill to establish the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, and for other purposes.
PL 93-179 (H.R.7446), enacted 12/11/1973

87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93.179-DEC. 11, 1973 
697 
(c) Payment authorized to be made under this section in the case 
'
^ 
of any veteran or widow shall be made by the Secretary of the Army, 
out o,f funds available for the payment of retired pay to Army per-
sonnel, upon certification by the Administrator of veterans' Affairs 
of the entitlement of such veteran or widow to receive such payment. 
In no case may any payment be made to any veteran or widow under 
this section unless application for such payment is made within five 
years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect on January 1,1974. 
Approved December 6, 1973. 
Effective date. 
Public Law 93-178 
AN ACT 
December 10, 1973 
FH 
RI117101 
To insure that the compensation and other emoluments attached to the Ofllce of 
'•—'• 
Attorney General are those which were in effect on January 1,1969. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and Home of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the compensa- ^°"J^^ °Ge'nerai 
tion and other emoluments attached to the Office of Attorney General 
compensation 
shall be those which were in effect on January 1,1969, notwithstanding and other emoiu-
the provisions of the salary recommendations for 1969 increases trans- "^"^ *
" 
mitted to the Congress on January 15,1969, and notwithstanding any 
ss stat. sea. 
other provision of law, or provision which has the force and effect of nou"^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 
law, which is enacted or becomes effective during the period from 
noon, January 3,1969, through noon, January 2,1975. 
SEC. 2. (a) Any person aggrieved by an action of the Attorney 
General may bring a civil action in the appropriate district court to 
contest the constitutionality of the appointment and continuance in 
office of the Attorney General on the ground that such appointment 
and continuance in office is in violation of article I, section 6, clause 2, 
of the Constitution. The United States district courts shall have ^ use prec titie 
exclusive jurisdiction, without regard to the sum or value of the matter 
in controversy, to determine the validity of such appointment and 
continuance in office. 
(b) Any action brought under this section shall be heard and 
determined by a panel of three judges in accordance with the pro-
visions of section 2284 of title 28, United States Code. Any appeal ^/^tf[^*2o?*' 
from the action of a court convened pursuant to such section shall lie 
to the Supreme Court. 
(c) Any judge designated to hear any action brought under this 
section shall cause such action to be in every way expedited. 
Approved December 10, 1973. 
Public Law 93-179 
AN ACT 
December 11,1973 
To establish the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, and for 
[H. R. 7446] 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That as this Nation 
American Revo-
approaches the bicentennial of its birth and the historic events pre- n"iai°A?mini"8t«iI 
ceding and associated with the American Eevolution which are of tion. 
Establishment. 
698 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179-DEC. 11, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Administrator. 
80 Stat. 460; 
83 Stat. 864. 
5 u s e 5314. 
neputy Admin-
istrator. 
5 u s e 5315. 
Administrative 
authority. 
5 u s e 5332 
nottt. 
80 Stat. 453; 
84 Stat. 1955; 
86 Stat. 112. 
Experts and 
consultants. 
80 Stat. 416. 
such major significance in the development of our national heritage 
of individual liberty, representative government, and the attainment 
of equal and inalienable rights and which also had so profound an 
influence throughout the world, it is appropriate and desirable to 
provide for the observance and commemoration of this anniversary 
and for those activities of local. State, National, and international 
significance to be coordinated, scheduled, and facilitated by a govern-
mental unit, drawing on the resources of public, private, civic, and 
other organizations for planning and implementation, to insure that 
the appropriate observances take place. 
SEC. 2, (a) There is hereby established an independent establish-
ment to be known as the American Revolution Bicentennial Adminis-
tration 
(hereinafter 
referred 
to as the "Administration") 
to 
coordinate, to facilitate, and to aid in the scheduling of events, 
activities, and projects of local. State, National, and international 
significance sponsored by both governmental and nongovernmental 
entities in commemoration of the American Revolution Bicentennial. 
(b) The Administration shall be headed by an Administrator (here-
inafter referred to as the "Administrator") who shall be nominated 
by the President within sixty days after the effective date of this Act 
and appointed by and with advice and consent of the Senate. The 
Administrator shall serve at the pleasure of the President and shall 
be compensated at the rate now or hereafter prescribed for offices or 
positions at level III of the Executive Schedule. 
(c) The President shall appoint a Deputy Administrator by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate who shall be compensated 
at the rate now or hereafter prescribed for offices or positions at level 
IV of the Executive Schedule. The Deputy Administrator shall per-
form such duties as the Administrator may prescribe. The Deputy 
Administrator shall act for and perform the functions of the Admin-
istrator during any absence or disability of the Administrator or 
during a vacancy in the office of the Administrator. 
(d) The Administrator shall have power to appoint and fix the 
compensation of such personnel as he deems advisable, however, not 
more than five such appointments may be placed in grades GS-16, 
GS-17, and GS-18, to carry out the functions of the Administration. 
The authority with reference to appointments in grades GS-16, GS-17, 
and GS-18 will be subject to the procedures prescribed under section 
5108 of title 5 of the United States Code, and shall continue only for 
the duration of the exercise of functions of the Administration. The 
Administrator shall have power to appoint such advisory committees 
as he deems necessary. 
(e) The Administrator may procure services as authorized by sec-
tion 3109, of title 5, United States Code. 
(f) The Administrator, to such extent as he deems necessary, may 
procure supplies, services, and personal property; make contracts; 
expend funds appropriated, donated, or received in pursuance of 
contracts hereunder in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; and 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179-DEC. 11, 1973 
699 
exercise those powers that are necessary to enable him to carry out 
efficiently and in the public interest the purposes of this Act. 
(g) Financial and administrative services (including those related admuitsuravr"^ 
to budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and procure- services. 
ment) shall be provided the Administration by the Department of 
the Interior, for which payment shall be made in advance, or by reim-
bursement, from funds of the Administration in such amounts as may 
be agreed upon by the Administrator and the Secretarv of the Interior: 
Provided^ That the regulations of the Department of the Interior for 
the collection of indebtedness of personnel resulting from erroneous 
payments made to or on behalf of an Administration employee 
and regulations of said Secretary for the administrative control of 
funds (31 U.S.C. 665 (g)) shall apply to appropriations of the Admin-
istration : And provided further, That the Administrator shall not be 
required to prescribe such regulations. 
(h) Any property acq[uired by the Administration and which 
^J'^ert^^*'^ °^ 
remains upon its termination shall be transferred to the Secretary of 
the Interior for use by him under section 7(b) of this Act, or shall 
be disposed of by the Secretary as excess or surplus property as other- 
, 
wise provided by law. 
(i) Whoever, except as authorized under rules and regulations issued 
official sym-
by the Administrator, knowingly manufactures, reproduces, or uses fzid'uTerpinaity. 
any logos, symbols, or marks originated under authority of and certi-
fied by the Administrator for use in connection with the commem-
oration of the American Revolution Bicentennial, or any facsimile 
thereof, or holds out to the public objects in such a manner as to sug-
gest any such logos, symbols, or marks not officially authorized by the 
Administrator, shall be fined not more than $250 or imprisoned not 
more than six months or both: Provided, That this section shall be 
Publication in 
applicable upon publication in the Federal Register of notification of 
^ ^"^^ egis er. 
certification hereunder by the Administrator with respect to each such 
logo, symbol, or mark. 
SEC. 3. (a) There is hereby established an American Revolution lu^^n'slcen^e^n-"" 
Bicentennial Advisory Council (hereinafter referred to as the "Coun- niai Advisory 
cil") to be composed of twenty-five members appointed by the Presi- '^"^"t^abiishment-
dent, no more than fifteen of whom shall be appointed from the same membership. 
political party. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Presi-
dent, and their terms of office shall not extend beyond the termination 
date of the Administration. Members of the Council shall be chosen 
from private life and shall be broadly representative of the Nation's 
people. In appointing persons to the Council, the President shall give 
due consideration to the contributions, among others, of the Nation's 
youth, women, elders, racial and ethnic minorities, artists and crafts-
men, and learned professions. The Administrator shall serve as an ex 
officio member of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once 
Meetings. 
every two months and shall hold other meetings at the call of the 
Chairman, the Administrator, or a majority of its members, and shall 
render advice to the Administrator on all matters relating to the pur-
poses of this Act. 
(b) Vacancies on the Council shall be filled in the same manner in 
vacancies. 
which original appointments were made. 
(c) The Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for 
Expenses. 
their services as such, but shall be allowed such necessary travel 
expenses and per diem as are authorized for individuals serving with-
out pay under section 5703, of title 5, United States Code. 
sa^stat^^'go^^' 
(d) The chairman and vice chairman and other appropriate officers 
of the Council shall be elected by and from members of the Council 
other than the Administrator. 
700 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179-DEC. 11, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Master calendar 
QEC. 4. (a) In Order to Rssure a balanced program for the bicenten-
o
f events. 
^^^^ commemoration, encompassing the themes of "Heritage '76", 
"Festival USA", and "Horizons '76", and in furtherance of the pur-
poses outlined in section 2(a) of this Act, the Administration as a 
primary function shall prepare the master calendar of events of local. 
State, National, and international significance which will take place 
Duties. 
between March 1975 and December 31,1976. In carrying out the pur-
poses of this subsection, the Administrator shall— 
(1) provide for the bicentennial master calendar or register of 
programs and projects, and in other ways provide a central clear-
inghouse for information and coordination regarding dates, 
events, places, documents, artifacts, and personalities of bicenten-
nial historical and commemorative significance; 
(2) coordinate, facilitate, and aid in the scheduling of events, 
programs, and projects of States and private citizens, and national 
and international programs, which commemorate the bicenten-
nial; and 
(3) develop standards for, and evaluate the feasibility, rele-
vance, status, and desirability of various programs and projects 
associated with the bicentennial commemoration, acting in con-
junction with the Office of Management and Budget in cases where 
Federal department or agency activities are involved. 
(b) In addition the Administrator shall— 
(1) provide for the coordination of non-Federal bicentennial 
programs and projects with appropriate Federal programs and 
projects; 
(2) provide recognition as deemed appropriate in connection 
with bicentennial related programs or projects; 
(3) provide for competitions and similar projects relating to 
the bicentennial; 
(4) provide for the preparation, distribution, dissemination, 
exhibition, and sale of commemorative medals and other histori-
cal, commemorative, and informational materials and objects 
which will contribute to public information, awareness, and 
interest in the bicentennial. In preparing the Administration's 
plans and programs, the Administrator shall give due considera-
tion to any related plans and programs developed by State, local, 
and private groups, and he may designate special committees with 
representatives from such bodies to plan, develop, and coordinate 
specific activities. 
(c) In performing the duties set forth in subsections (a) and (b) 
of this section, the Administrator shall not operate any programs 
unless specifically authorized by law, but shall limit his functions to 
stimulating and encouraging appropriate public and private authori-
ties and organizations to assume operational responsibility for partic-
ular programs. 
(d) In the Administration's planning activities, the Administrator 
shall give special emphasis to the ideas associated with the Revolution 
which have been so important in the development of the United States 
in world affairs and in mankind's quest for freedom. 
SEC. 5. (a) In fulfilling his responsibilities, the Administrator is 
authorized to consult, cooperate with, and seek advice and assistance 
from (1) the American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Council 
and the American Revolution Bicentennial Board, (2) appropriate 
Federal departments and agencies. State and local public bodies, 
learned societies, and historical, patriotic, philanthropic, civic, pro-
fessional, and related organizations, and (3) bicentennial commissions 
87 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179-DEC. 11, 1973 
701 
of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Eico and the territories, either collectively or individually. 
The Administrator may authorize travel as he deems aj)propriate for 
Expense^. 
representatives and staff of such bicentennial commissions and ma^^ 
pay travel expenses and per diem therefor as authorized for individ-
uals serving without pay under section 5703 of title 5 of the United 
States Code. Federal departments and agencies are authorized and ga^stat^'i/o^^' 
requested to cooperate with the Administrator in carrying out his 
duties under this Act. 
(b) The Chairman of the Federal Council on the Arts and the 
Humanities, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, 
and the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities 
are authorized and requested to cooperate with the Administrator, 
especially in the encouragement and coordination of scholarly works 
and presentations focusing on the history, culture, and political 
thought of the Revolutionary War period. 
(c) The Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, and the Archivist of the United States are authorized and 
requested to cooperate with the Administrator, especially in develop-
ment and display of exhibits and collections and in the development 
of bibliographies, catalogs, and other material relevant to the period 
of the Revolutionary War. 
SEC. 6. (a) The Administrator is authorized to accept on behalf of 
donations. 
the Administration donations of money, property, or personal 
services. 
(b) Any books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memo-
rabilia, relics, and other materials donated to the Administration may 
be deposited for preservation in National, State, or local libraries, 
archives, museums, or other public or nonprofit institutions or be 
otherwise disposed of by the Administrator in consultation with the 
Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 
the Archivist of the United States, and the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services. 
SEC. 7. (a) (1) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated 
Appropriation. 
annually to carry out the provisions of this Act, except for the pro-
gram of grants-in-aid established by section 9(b) of this Act, not to 
exceed $10,000,000, of which not to exceed $1,375,000 shall be for 
grants-in-aid pursuant to section 9(a) of this Act. 
(2) For the purpose of carrying out the program of grants-in-aid 
established by section 9(b) of this Act, there are hereby authorized to 
be appropriated such sums, not to exceed $20,000,000, as may be neces-
sary, and any funds appropriated pursuant to this paragraph shall 
remain available until expended, but no later than December 31, 1976. 
(b) An annual report of the activities of the Administration, gresT'*'° ^°"" 
including an accounting of funds received and expended, shall be fur-
nished by the Administrator to the Congress and a final report shall 
be made to the Congress no later than June 30,1977. The Administra- 
Termination 
tion and the Board shall terminate on June 30, 1977, or on the date '^^^^' 
of the filing of the final report, whichever is sooner. In order to effect ^ Transfer of 
an orderly transfer, the President is authorized to transfer to the ""''*'°"^-
Secretary of the Interior on or after January 1, 1977, such powers 
and functions as he shall deem necessary for a continuation of 
appropriate commemoration of events relating to the American Rev-
olution until December 31, 1983. All personnel, records, property, and 
appropriations of the Administration as relate to the transferred 
functions shall be transferred to the Secretary of the Interior and 
shall be available for carrying out such transferred functions. 
SEC. 8. Appropriations or other funds available to the Administra- f 
J^s"^^" °^ 
tion for carrying out the purposes related to or in furtherance of the 
702 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179-DEC. 11, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Grants-in-aid 
program. 
American Revo-
lution Bicenten-
nial Board. 
Establishment; 
membership. 
bicentennial commemoration may be transferred to another Federal 
department or agency as may be mutually agreed upon between the 
Administration and the Federal department or agency concerned. 
Funds so transferred may be used for direct expenditure or as a work-
ing fund, and any such expenditures may be made under the authori-
ties governing the activities of the transferee department or agency 
or under the authorities of this Act, providing that the activities so 
funded come within the purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 9. (a) The Administrator is authorized to carry out a pro-
gram of grants-in-aid in accordance with and in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act. The Administrator may, subject to such regula-
tions as may be prescribed— 
(1) make equal grants of appropriated funds in each fiscal 
year of not to exceed $25,000 to Bicentennial Commissions of each 
State, territory, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, upon application therefor; 
(2) make grants of nonappropriated funds to nonprofit entities, 
including States, territories, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (or subdivisions thereof), to assist 
in developing or supporting bicentennial programs or projects. 
Such grants may be up to 50 per centum of the total cost of the 
program or project to be assisted. 
(3) in any case where money or property is donated, bequeathed, 
or devised to the Administration, and accepted by it for the pur-
pose of assisting a nonprofit entity, including States, territories, 
the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
(or subdivision thereof), for a specific bicentennial program or 
project, make a grant of the money or property for the purpose 
specified, plus an amount from otherwise available nonappropri-
ated funds not to exceed the value of the donation, bequest, or 
devise: Provided^ That the recipient agrees to match the total 
value of the grant for such bicentennial program or project. 
(b) For the purpose of further assisting each of the several States, 
the Territories, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico in developing and supporting bicentennial programs and 
projects, the Administrator is authorized, out of funds appropriated 
pursuant to section 7(a) (2) of this Act, to carry out a program of 
grants-in-aid in accordance with this subsection. Subject to such regu-
lations as may be prescribed and approved by the Board, the Admin-
istrator may make grants to each of the several States, Territories, the 
District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to assist 
them in developing and supporting bicentennial programs and proj-
ects. Each such recipient shall be entitled to not less than $200,000 
under this subsection. In no event shall any such grant be made unless 
matched by the recipient. 
SEC. 10. (a) There is hereby established the American Revolution 
Bicentennial Board (hereina:fter referred to as the "Board"). The 
Board shall be composed of eleven members as follows: 
(1) the Administrator; 
(2) two Members of the House of Representatives appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ^lembers 
appointed under this paragraph shall not be of the same political 
party; 
(3) two Members of the Senate appointed by the President 
of the Senate. Members appointed under this paragraph shall 
not be of the same political party; 
(4) the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the Council; 
(5) the Secretary of the Interior; and 
87 
STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 93-179~DEC. 11, 1973 
703 
(6) three members appointed by the President from officers 
or staff of State bicentennial commissions or comparable State 
bodies. 
(b) The members of the Board shall serve for the length of time 
the Board is in existence. 
(c) Any person appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board shall be 
appointed in the same manner as the member whose vacancy he is 
filling. 
(d) Members of the Board shall be reimbursed for travel, subsis-
tence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of 
duties vested in the Board, but not exceeding the maximum amounts 
authorized under section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code, and, 
in addition thereto, each member of the Board shall receive $100 per 
day for each day he is engaged in the performance of duties vested 
in the Board, including traveltime; however, members of the Board 
who are officers or employees of the United States shall receive no 
additional compensation for their services. 
^e^ Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. 
(f) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board shall be elected 
by members of the Board from members of the Board other than the 
Administrator. 
(g) The Board shall meet at least once each month and shall hold 
other meetings at the call of the Chairman, the Administrator, or a 
majority of its members. 
(h) The Board shall be empowered to— 
(1^ receive advice and information from the Council and the 
Administrator with respect to the development of policy and 
guidelines to carry out the purposes of this Act; and 
(2) give final approval to grants to be made under the authority 
of section 9 of this Act; 
(3) review, approve, disapprove, or ratify from time to time, 
all basic policy and guidelines, including the proposed annual 
budget to be presented by the Administrator, in carrying out the 
purposes of this Act. 
(i) It shall be a duty of the Board to make a continuing study of 
the activities of the American Eevolution Bicentennial Administra-
tion. The Board shall, from time to time, but not less than every six 
months, report to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives, and to the Senate and the House of 
Representatives concerning the results of its studies, together with 
such recommendations as it may deem desirable. It shall make a final 
report thereon by June 30,1977. 
SEC. 11. At the request of the Board, the President may, when he 
determines it to be in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, direct 
that the functions authorized under this Act may be performed with-
out regard to such provisions of law or limitations or authority regu-
lating or relating to the making, performance, amendment, or 
modification of contracts, and the expenditure of Government funds 
as he may specify. 
SEC. 12. Except for members of the Commission, the personnel, prop-
erty, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, 
and other funds employed, used, held available or to be made available 
to the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, established by 
Public Law 89-491, approved July 4, 1966, and the amendments 
thereto, shall be transferred to the Administration upon the effective 
date of this Act to be used for the purposes of this Act and to liquidate 
Term. 
Vacancies. 
Expenses. 
80 Stat. 499; 
83 Stat. 190. 
Quorum. 
Meetings. 
Study. 
Reports to Con-
gress and congres-
sional committees. 
Transfer of 
property. 
80 Stat. 259. 
704 
PUBLIC L
A
W 93-180-DEC. 13, 1973 
[87 STAT. 
Interim appoint-
ment. 
Repeal. 
80 Stat. 259. 
86 Stat. 37. 
Effective date. 
any oustanding obligations of the American Kevolution Bicentennial 
Commission. 
SEC. 13. (a) The President may authorize any person, including any 
person who immediately prior to the effective date of this Act held 
a position in the executive branch of the Government, to act as Admin-
istrator during the sixty-day period referred to in subsection (b) of 
section 2 of this Act, or until the office of Administrator is for the first 
time filled pursuant to the provisions of this Act. 
(h) The President may authorize any person who previously held a 
position in the executive branch of the Government who serves in an 
acting capacity under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section 
to receive the compensation attached to the office in respect of which he 
so serves. Such compensation, if authorized, shall be in lieu of, but 
not in addition to, other compensation from the United States to 
which such person may be entitled. 
SEC. 14. The joint resolution entitled "Joint resolution to establish 
the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, and for other 
purposes", Public Law 89-491, approved July 4,1966, as amended, is 
hereby repealed, and the American Revolution Bicenntenial Commis-
sion is hereby abolished. 
SEC. 15. The Act entitled "An Act to provide for the striking of 
medals in commemoration of the bicentennial of the American Revolu-
tion", Public 92-228, approved February 15, 1972, is amended as 
follows: 
(a) Section 1 of such Act is amended by striking out "American 
Revolution Bicentennial Commission (hereinafter referred to as the 
'Commission')" and inserting in lieu thereof "American Revolu-
tion Bicentennial Administration (hereinafter referred to as the 
'Administration')". 
(b) Section 3 of such Act is amended— 
(1} by striking out, in the first and second sentences, "Commis-
sion'' and inserting in lieu thereof "Administration", and 
(2) by striking out, in the second sentence, "December 31,1983" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "June 30,1977". 
SEC._16. The provisions of this Act shall become effective thirty days 
following the date of enactment. 
Approved December 11, 1973. 
December 13, 1973 
[S. J. Res. 155] 
Public Law 93-180 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Authorizing the securing of storage space for the United States Senate, the 
United States House of Representatives, and the Office of the Architect of 
the Capitol. 
U.S. Senate, 
House of Repre-
sentatives, and 
Office of the 
Architect of the 
Capitol. 
Storage space, 
procurement au-
thorization. 
Resolved hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That, notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the Architect of the Capitol, with the approval 
of the House Office Building Commission and Senate Committee on 
Rules and Administration, is authorized to secure, through rental, 
lease, or other appropriate agreement, storage space in areas within 
the District of Columbia and its environs beyond the boundaries of 
the United States Capitol Grounds for use of the United States Senate, 
the United States House of Representatives, and the Office of the 
Architect of the Capitol, under such terms and conditions as such 
Commission and committee may authorize, and to incur any necessary 
incidental expenses in connection therewith.