A joint resolution to extend the term of the Presidential Commission for the German-American Tricentennial, and for other purposes.
PL 98-197 (H.J.Res.405), enacted 12/01/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-197—DEC. 1, 1983 
97 STAT. 1353 
Public Law 98-197 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To extend the term of the Presidential Commission for the German-American 
Tricentennial, and for other purposes. 
Whereas in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of 
German settlement in America at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 
October 6, 1683, the Congress passed Senate Joint Resolution 260, 
Ninety-seventh Congress, which was signed into law by the Presi-
dent on January 14, 1983, as Public Law 97-472 (hereinafter in 
this resolution referred to as the "Act"); 
Whereas the Act established the Presidential Commission for the 
German-American Tricentennial (hereinafter in this resolution 
referred to as the "Commission") to plan, encourage, develop, and 
coordinate the commemoration of the German-American Tricen-
tennial, and provided for the termination of the Commission on 
January 31,1984; 
Whereas the Act authorizes the Commission to encourage the par-
ticipation of, and receive donations of money, property, and 
personal services from, public and private organizations and 
individuals to assist the Commission in carrying out its responsi-
bilities, and provides that all expenditures of the Commission are 
to be made from donated funds; 
Whereas one of the key projects undertaken by the Commission is to 
oversee the planning and establishment of a German-American 
Friendship Garden in the District of Columbia as an enduring 
symbol of German-American contributions to this country and the 
lasting friendship between the United States and the Federal 
Republic of Germany; and 
Whereas the President and the Congress are of the opinion that 
more time will be needed by the Commission beyond its presently 
scheduled expiration date of January 31, 1984, to complete its 
work on the German-American Friendship Garden: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the term of the 
Commission is hereby extended to October 31, 1984, and the dead-
line for the report of the Commission's activities to the Congress 
required by the Act is hereby also extended to that date. 
SEC. 2. After December 31, 1983, the Commission shall not incur 
any obligations other than in connection with its work on the 
German-American Friendship Garden, or the carrying out of neces-
sary administrative functions, nor shall the Commission solicit, 
receive, or use any donated funds or the support or assistance of any 
Dec. 1, 1983 
[H.J. Res. 405] 
96 Stat. 2603. 
Presidential 
Commission for 
the German-
American 
Tricentennial. 
Term and report 
deadline, 
extension. 
97 STAT. 1354 
PUBLIC LAW 98-197—DEC. 1, 1983 
other executive agency or department after December 31, 1983, 
except for the purposes of its work on the German-American Friend-
ship Garden, the liquidation of financial obligations incurred prior 
to January 1,1984, and the carrjdng out of necessary administrative 
functions. 
SEC. 3. Except as otherwise provided in this resolution, the provi-
sions of the Act shall remain in effect. 
Approved December 1, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.J. Res. 405: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Nov. 4, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 18, considered and passed Senate.