World War I Centennial Commission Act
PL 112-272 (H.R.6364), enacted 01/14/2013

126 STAT. 2448 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
Public Law 112–272 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of 
World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials to the service of members 
of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘World War 
I Centennial Commission Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
Sec. 4. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission. 
Sec. 5. Duties of Centennial Commission. 
Sec. 6. Powers of Centennial Commission. 
Sec. 7. Centennial Commission personnel matters. 
Sec. 8. Termination of Centennial Commission. 
Sec. 9. Prohibition on obligation of Federal funds. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations 
around the world will mark the centennial of World War I, 
including the entry of the United States into the war in April 
1917. 
(2) America’s support of Great Britain, France, Belgium, 
and its other allies in World War I marked the first time 
in United States history that American soldiers went abroad 
in defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked 
the true beginning of the ‘‘American century’’. 
(3) Although World War I was at the time called ‘‘the 
war to end all wars’’, in fact the United States would commit 
its troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in 
the 20th century. 
(4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United 
States served in uniform during World War I, among them 
2 future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisen-
hower. Two million individuals from the United States served 
overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel 
who served on the seas. The United States suffered 375,000 
casualties during World War I, including 116,516 deaths. 
(5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, 
the United States, and the lives of millions of people. 
World War I 
Centennial 
Commission Act. 
36 USC prec. 101 
note. 
Jan. 14, 2013 
[H.R. 6364] 
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126 STAT. 2449 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
(6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity 
for people in the United States to learn about and commemorate 
the sacrifices of their predecessors. 
(7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow 
people in the United States to learn about the history of World 
War I, the United States involvement in that war, and the 
war’s effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and to 
commemorate and honor the participation of the United States 
and its citizens in the war effort. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
(1) AMERICA’S NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM.—The term 
‘‘America’s National World War I Museum’’ means the Liberty 
Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized 
by Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan 
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public 
Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 2045). 
(2) 
CENTENNIAL
COMMISSION.—The 
term 
‘‘Centennial 
Commission’’ means the World War I Centennial Commission 
established by section 4(a). 
(3) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘veterans 
service organization’’ means any organization recognized by 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commission to be 
known as the ‘‘World War I Centennial Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Centennial Commission shall be 
composed of 12 members as follows: 
(A) Two members who shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(B) One member who shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representatives. 
(C) Two members who shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
(D) One member who shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate. 
(E) Three members who shall be appointed by the 
President from among persons who are broadly representa-
tive of the people of the United States (including members 
of the Armed Forces, veterans, and representatives of vet-
erans service organizations). 
(F) One member who shall be appointed by the execu-
tive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United 
States. 
(G) One member who shall be appointed by the execu-
tive director of the American Legion. 
(H) One member who shall be appointed by the presi-
dent of the Liberty Memorial Association. 
(2) TIME FOR APPOINTMENT.—The members of the Centen-
nial Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(3) PERIOD
OF
APPOINTMENT.—Each member shall be 
appointed for the life of the Centennial Commission. 
President. 
Appointments. 
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126 STAT. 2450 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
(4) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Centennial Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment 
was made. 
(c) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date on which all members of the Centennial Commission 
have been appointed, the Centennial Commission shall hold 
its first meeting. 
(B) LOCATION.—The location for the meeting held 
under subparagraph (A) shall be the America’s National 
World War I Museum. 
(2) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Centennial Commission shall 
meet at the call of the Chair. 
(B) FREQUENCY.—The Chair shall call a meeting of 
the members of the Centennial Commission not less fre-
quently than once each year. 
(C) LOCATION.—Not less frequently than once each 
year, the Centennial Commission shall meet at the Amer-
ica’s National World War I Museum. 
(3) QUORUM.—Seven members of the Centennial Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
hearings. 
(d) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Centennial Commission shall 
select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. 
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The duties of the Centennial Commission 
are as follows: 
(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and 
activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. 
(2) To encourage private organizations and State and local 
governments to organize and participate in activities commemo-
rating the centennial of World War I. 
(3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the 
United States relating to the centennial of World War I. 
(4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and 
dissemination of information about events and plans for the 
centennial of World War I. 
(5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the Presi-
dent for commemorating the centennial of World War I. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) PERIODIC REPORT.—Not later than the last day of the 
6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and not later than the last day of each 3-month 
period thereafter, the Centennial Commission shall submit to 
Congress and the President a report on the activities and 
plans of the Centennial Commission. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Centennial Commission 
shall submit to Congress and the President a report containing 
specific recommendations for commemorating the centennial 
of World War I and coordinating related activities. 
SEC. 6. POWERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Centennial Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, 
Deadlines. 
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126 STAT. 2451 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
and receive such evidence as the Centennial Commission considers 
appropriate to carry out its duties under this Act. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBER AND AGENTS.—If authorized by the 
Centennial Commission, any member or agent of the Centennial 
Commission may take any action which the Centennial Commission 
is authorized to take under this Act. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Centennial 
Commission shall secure directly from any Federal department 
or agency such information as the Centennial Commission considers 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon the request 
of the Chair of the Centennial Commission, the head of such depart-
ment or agency shall furnish such information to the Centennial 
Commission. 
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon the request of 
the Centennial Commission, the Administrator of the General Serv-
ices Administration shall provide to the Centennial Commission, 
on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services nec-
essary for the Centennial Commission to carry out its responsibil-
ities under this Act. 
(e) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
Centennial Commission is authorized— 
(A) to procure supplies, services, and property; and 
(B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or other 
legal agreements. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The Centennial Commission may not 
enter into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that 
extends beyond the date of the termination of the Centennial 
Commission under section 8(a). 
(f) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Centennial Commission may use 
the United States mails in the same manner and under the same 
conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Govern-
ment. 
(g) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.—The Centennial Commis-
sion shall accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises 
of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose 
of covering the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission to 
carry out its duties under this Act. 
SEC. 7. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Members of the Centennial 
Commission shall serve without compensation for such service. 
(b) TRAVEL
EXPENSES.—Each member of the Centennial 
Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions 
of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair of the Centennial Commission 
shall, in consultation with the members of the Centennial 
Commission, appoint an executive director and such other addi-
tional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Centennial 
Commission to perform its duties. 
(2) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Chair of the Centennial Commission may fix the compensa-
tion of the executive director and any other personnel 
appointed under paragraph (1). 
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126 STAT. 2452 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
(B) LIMITATION.—The Chair of the Centennial Commis-
sion may not fix the compensation of the executive director 
or other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) at a 
rate that exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(C) WORK
LOCATION.—If the city government for 
Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial Associa-
tion make space available in the building in which the 
America’s National World War I Museum is located, the 
executive director of the Centennial Commission and other 
personnel appointed under paragraph (1) shall work in 
such building to the extent practical. 
(d) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Upon request of the 
Centennial Commission, the head of any Federal department or 
agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of that 
department or agency to the Centennial Commission to assist it 
in carrying out its duties under this Act. 
(e) PROCUREMENT
OF TEMPORARY
AND INTERMITTENT SERV-
ICES.—The Chair of the Centennial Commission may procure tem-
porary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(f) SOURCE OF FUNDS.—Gifts, bequests, and devises of services 
or property, both real and personal, received by the Centennial 
Commission under section 6(g) shall be the only source of funds 
to cover the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission under 
this section. 
SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Centennial Commission shall terminate 
on the earlier of— 
(1) the date that is 30 days after the date the completion 
of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial observa-
tion of World War I; or 
(2) July 28, 2019. 
(b) APPLICATION OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) shall apply to the activities of the Centennial Commission 
under this Act. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not apply 
to the Centennial Commission. 
Missouri. 
Liberty Memorial 
Association. 
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126 STAT. 2453 
PUBLIC LAW 112–272—JAN. 14, 2013 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6364: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 112–701, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 158 (2012): 
Dec. 12, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 21, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 31, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
SEC. 9. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS. 
No Federal funds may be obligated to carry out this Act. 
Approved January 14, 2013. 
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