Joint resolution designating the month of September 1955 as John Marshall Bicentennial Month, and creating a commission to supervise and direct the observance of such month
PL 83-581 (S.J.Res.149), enacted 08/13/1954

702 
PUBLIC LAW 581-AUG. 13, 1954 
[68 S T A T . 
August 13, 1954 
[S. J. Res. 149] 
Public Law 581 
CHAPTER 726 
JOINT RESOLUTION 
Designating the month of September 1955 as John Marshall Bicentennial Month, 
and creating a commission to supervise and direct the observance of such 
month. 
John Marshall Bi-
centennial Months 
Commission* 
Members* 
Duties. 
C h a i r m a n 
and 
Vice Chairman. 
Compensation. 
Whereas September 24,1955, will mark the two hundredth anniversary 
of the birth of John Marshall, who has been rightly called "the 
Great Chief Justice"; and 
Whereas the work of John Marshall in expounding constitutional 
principles has been one of the most important factors in developing 
and maintaining the liberties of the people of the United States; 
and 
Whereas a wider public knowledge and appreciation of the achieve-
ments of the great Chief Justice, John Marshall, is highly desirable 
in order to strengthen the moral, social, and political structure of 
our Nation, and as a means of helping to preserve and protect the 
lives, liberties, and property of all our people: Therefore be it 
Resolved hy the Setwte and House of Representatives 
of the, United 
States of America in Congress assembled^ That the month of Septem-
ber 1955 is hereby set aside and designated as "John Marshall Bicen-
tennial Mouth", in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary 
of the birth of John Marshall, and in recognition of the vital part 
which he played in the development of our Nation. 
The President 
is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon appropriate agencies 
and organizations throughout the United States to unite in observing 
such bicentennial month with suitable activities and ceremonies, and 
inviting all the people of the United States to join therein. 
SEC. 2. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the 
United States Commission for the Celebration of the Two Hundredth 
Anniversary of the Birth of John Marshall (hereinafter referred to 
as the "Commission"), and to be composed of nineteen members as 
follows : 
(1) The President of the United States, the President pro tempore 
of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex 
officio; 
(2) Eight persons to be appointed by the President of the United 
States; 
(3) Four Members of the Senate to be appointed by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate; and 
(4) Four Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
SEC. 3, The Commission shall have the duty of supervising and 
directing the observance of John Marshall Bicentennial Month, and 
shall prepare appropriate plans and programs for the celebration 
of such month, giving due consideration to any proposed plans and 
programs which may be submitted to it. 
The Commission shall 
receive and coordinate any plans which may be prepared by State and 
local agencies, and by representative civic bodies, in connection with 
the celebration of such month. 
The Commission shall submit to the 
Congress at the earliest practicable time a full report of its activities 
together with a detailed statement of the plans and programs to be 
used in such celebration. 
SEC. 4. (a) The Commission shall select a Chairman and a Vice 
Chairman from among its members. Members of the Commission 
shall receive no compensation for their services as such, but shall be 
reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their 
duties under this joint resolution.