National Moment of Remembrance Act
PL 106-579 (S.3181), enacted 12/28/2000

114 STAT. 3078 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
Public Law 106-579 
106th Congress 
An Act 
Dec. 28, 2000 
To establish the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance, 
[S 3181] 
^^^ ^°^ other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
National Moment the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
of Remembrance 
Act. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
This Act may be cited as the "National Moment of Remem-
brance Act". 
36 u s e 116 note. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) it is essential to remember and renew the legacy of 
Memorial Day, which was established in 1868 to pay tribute 
to individuals who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service 
to the United States and their families; 
(2) greater strides must be made to demonstrate apprecia-
tion for those loyal people of the United States whose values, 
represented by their sacrifices, are critical to the future of 
the United States; 
(3) the Federal Government has a responsibility to raise 
awareness of and respect for the national heritage, and to 
encourage citizens to dedicate themselves to the values and 
principles for which those heroes of the United States died; 
(4) the relevance of Memorial Day must be made more 
apparent to present and future generations of people of the 
United States through local and national observances and 
ongoing activities; 
(5) in House Concurrent Resolution 302, agreed to May 
25, 2000, Congress called on the people of the United States, 
in a symbolic act of unity, to observe a National Moment 
of Remembrance to honor the men and women of the United 
States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace; 
(6) in Presidential Proclamation No. 7315 of May 26, 2000 
(65 Fed. Reg. 34907), the President proclaimed Memorial Day, 
May 29, 2000, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and 
designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as the time to 
join in prayer and to observe the National Moment of Remem-
brance; and 
(7) a National Moment of Remembrance and 
other 
commemorative events are needed to reclaim Memorial Day 
as the sacred and noble event that that day is intended to 
be. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3079 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
36 USC 116 note. 
In this Act: 
(1) ALLIANCE.—^The term "Alliance" means the Remem-
brance Alliance established by section 9(a). 
(2) COMMISSION.—^The term "Commission" means the White 
House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance 
established by section 5(a). 
(3) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND WHITE HOUSE LIAISON.—^The 
term "Executive Director and White House Liaison" means 
the Executive Director and White House Liaison appointed 
under section 10(a)(1). 
(4) MEMORIAL DAY.—The term "Memorial Day" means the 
legal public holiday designated as Memorial Day by section 
6103(a) of title 5, United States Code. 
(5) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—^The term "tribal government" 
means the governing body of an Indian tribe (as defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). 
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE. 
36 USC 116 note. 
The minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial 
Day each year is designated as the "National Moment of Remem-
brance". 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ON THE 
36 USC 116 note. 
NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There is established a commission to be 
known as the "White House Commission on the National Moment 
of Remembrance". 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—^The Commission shall be composed of 
the following: 
(A) 4 members appointed by the President, including 
at least 1 representative of tribal governments. 
(B) The Secretary of Defense (or a designee). 
(C) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or a designee). 
(D) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (or 
a designee). 
(E) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
(or a designee). 
(F) The Administrator of General Services (or a des-
ignee). 
(G) The Secretary of Transportation (or a designee). 
(H) The Secretary of Education (or a designee). 
(I) The Secretary of the Interior (or a designee). 
(J) The Executive Director of the President's Commis-
sion on White House Fellows (or a designee). 
(K) The Secretary of the Army (or a designee). 
(L) The Secretary of the Navy (or a designee). 
(M) The Secretary of the Air Force (or a designee). 
(N) The Commandant of the Marine Corps (or a des-
ignee). 
(O) The Commandant of the Coast Guard (or a des-
ignee). 
(P) The Executive Director and White House Liaison 
(or a designee). 
(Q) The Chief of Staff of the Army. 
114 STAT. 3080 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
(R) The Chief of Naval Operations. 
(S) The Chief of Staff of the Air Force. 
(T) Any other member, the appointment of whom the 
Commission determines is necessary to carry out this Act, 
(2) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The members appointed to the 
Commission under subparagraphs (K) through (T) of paragraph 
(1) shall be nonvoting members. 
Deadline. 
(3) DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—^All appointments under para-
graph (1) shall be made not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(1) TERM.—^A member shall be appointed to the Commission 
for the life of the Commission. 
(2) VACANCIES.—^A vacancy on the Commission— 
(A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; 
and 
(B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment was made. 
Deadline. 
(d) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after the date 
specified in subsection (b)(3) for completion of appointments, the 
Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission. 
(e) MEETINGS.—^The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson. 
(f) QUORUM.—^A majority of the voting members of the Commis-
sion shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members 
may hold hearings. 
(g) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission 
shall select a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among 
the members of the Commission at the initial meeting of the 
Commission. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
SEC. 6. DUTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Commission shall— 
(1) encourage the people of the United States to give some-
thing back to their country, which provides them so much 
freedom and opportunity; 
(2) encourage national. State, local, and tribal participation 
by individuals and entities in commemoration of Memorial Day 
and the National Moment of Remembrance, including participa-
tion by— 
(A) national humanitarian and patriotic organizations; 
(B) elementary, 
secondary, and higher 
education 
institutions; 
(C) veterans' societies and civic, patriotic, educational, 
sporting, artistic, cultural, and historical organizations; 
(D) Federal departments and agencies; and 
(E) 
museums, 
including 
cultural 
and 
historical 
museums; and 
(3) provide national coordination for commemorations in 
the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment 
of Remembrance. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^For each fiscal year in which the Commis-
sion is in existence, the Commission shall submit to the Presi-
dent and Congress a report describing the activities of the 
Commission during the fiscal year. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3081 
(2) 
CONTENTS.—^A report 
under 
paragraph 
(1) may 
include— 
(A) recommendations regarding appropriate activities 
to commemorate Memorial Day and the National Moment 
of Remembrance, including— 
(i) the production, publication, and distribution of 
books, pamphlets, films, and other educational mate-
rials; 
(ii) bibliographical and documentary projects and 
publications; 
(iii) conferences, convocations, lectures, seminars, 
and other similar programs; 
(iv) the development of exhibits for libraries, 
museums, and other appropriate institutions; 
(v) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating 
specific events that relate to the history of wars of 
the United States; and 
(vi) 
competitions, 
commissions, 
and 
awards 
regarding 
historical, 
scholarly, 
artistic, 
literary, 
musical, and other works, programs, and projects 
related to commemoration of Memorial Day and the 
National Moment of Remembrance; 
(B) recommendations 
to appropriate 
agencies 
or 
advisory bodies regarding the issuance by the United States 
of commemorative coins, medals, and stamps relating to 
Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance; 
(C) recommendations for any legislation or administra-
tive action that the Commission determines to be appro-
priate regarding the commemoration of Memorial Day and 
the National Moment of Remembrance; 
(D) an accounting of funds received and expended by 
the Commission in the fiscal year covered by the report, 
including a detailed description of the source and amount 
of any ftmds donated to the Commission in that fiscal 
year; and 
(E) a description of cooperative agreements and con-
tracts entered into by the Commission. 
SEC. 7. POWERS. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
(a) HEARINGS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may hold such hearings, 
sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, 
and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advis-
able to carry out this Act. 
(2) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—The Commission shall provide 
for reasonable public participation in matters before the 
Commission. 
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Commission may secure directly from 
a Federal agency such information as the Commission considers 
necessary to carry out this Act. 
(2) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—On request of the Chair-
person of the Commission, the head of the agency shall provide 
the information to the Commission. 
(c) POSTAL SERVICES.—^The Commission may use the United 
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
as other agencies of the Federal Government. 
114 STAT. 3082 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
(d) GIFTS.—^The Commission may solicit, accept, use, and dis-
pose of, without further Act of appropriation, gifts, bequests, 
devises, and donations of services or property. 
(e) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—Any member or agent 
of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take 
any action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 
Act. 
(f) AUTHORITY TO PROCURE AND TO MAKE LEGAL AGREE-
MENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availabiUty of appropria-
tions, to carry out this Act, the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson 
of the Commission or the Executive Director and White House 
Liaison may, on behalf of the Commission— 
(A) procure supplies, services, and property; and 
(B) enter into contracts, leases, and other legal agree-
ments. 
(2) RESTRICTIONS.— 
(A) WHO MAY ACT ON BEHALF OF COMMISSION.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (1), nothing in this Act authorizes 
a member of the Commission to procure any item or enter 
into any agreement described in that paragraph. 
(B) DURATION OF LEGAL AGREEMENTS.—^A contract, 
lease, or other legal agreement entered into by the Commis-
sion may not extend beyond the date of termination of 
the Commission. 
(3) SUPPLIES AND PROPERTY POSSESSED BY COMMISSION AT 
TERMINATION.—^Any supply, property, or other asset that is 
acquired by, and, on the date of termination of the Commission, 
remains in the possession of, the Commission shall be consid-
ered property of the General Services Administration. 
(g) EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NAME, LOGOS, EMBLEMS, SEALS, AND 
MARKS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Commission may devise any logo, 
emblem, seal, or other designating mark that the Commission 
determines— 
(A) to be required to carry out the duties of the 
Commission; or 
(B) to be appropriate for use in connection with the 
commemoration of Memorial Day or the National Moment 
of Remembrance. 
(2) LICENSING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—^The Commission— 
(i) shall have the sole and exclusive right to use 
the name "White House Commission on the National 
Moment of Remembrance" on any logo, emblem, seal, 
or descriptive or designating mark that the Commis-
sion lawfully adopts; and 
(ii) shall have the sole and exclusive right to allow 
or refuse the use by any other entity of the name 
'WHiite House Commission on the National Moment 
of Remembrance" on any logo, emblem, seal, or descrip-
tive or designating mark. 
(B) TRANSFER ON TERMINATION.—Unless otherwise pro-
vided by law, all rights of the Commission under subpara-
graph (A) shall be transferred to the Administrator of Gen-
eral Services on the date of termination of the Commission. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3083 
(3) EFFECT ON OTHER RIGHTS.—Nothing in this subsection 
affects any right established or vested before the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.—The Commission may, without further 
Act of appropriation, use funds received from Ucensing royalties 
under this section to carry out this Act. 
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 
36 USC 116 note. 
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—^A member of the Commis-
sion who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Govern-
ment may be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which 
the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of 
the Commission. 
(2) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Commission 
who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
serve without compensation in addition to the compensation 
received for the services of the member as an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government. 
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—^A member of the Commission may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, 
at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter 
I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
the home or regular place of business of the member in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
(c) STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Chairperson of the Commission or 
the Executive Director and White House Liaison may, without 
regard to the civil service laws (including regulations), appoint 
and terminate such additional personnel as are necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform the duties of the Commis-
sion. 
(2) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the com-
pensation of the Executive Director and White House Liai-
son and other personnel without regard to the provisions 
of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 
5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions 
and General Schedule pay rates. 
(B) MAXIMUM RATE OF PAY.—-The rate of pay for the 
Executive Director and White House Liaison and other 
personnel shall not exceed the rate equal to the daily 
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for 
level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 
of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including 
travel time) during which the member is engaged in the 
performance of the duties of the Commission. 
(d) DETAIL OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the details under para-
graph (2), on request of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, 
or the Executive Director and White House Liaison, an 
employee of the Federal Government may be detailed to the 
Commission without reimbursement. 
114 STAT. 3084 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
(2) DETAIL OF SPECIFIC EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) MILITARY DETAILS.— 
(i) ARMY; AIR FORCE.—^The Secretary of the Army 
and the Secretary of the Air Force shall each detail 
a commissioned officer above the grade of captain to 
assist the Commission in carrying out this Act. 
(ii) NAVY.—The Secretary of the Navy shall detail 
a commissioned officer of the Navy above the grade 
of lieutenant and a commissioned officer of the Marine 
Corps above the grade of captain to assist the Commis-
sion in carrying out this Act. 
(B) VETERANS AFFAIRS; EDUCATION.—^The Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Education shall each 
detail an officer or employee compensated above the level 
of GS-12 in accordance with subchapter III of chapter 
53 of title 5, United States Code to assist the Commission 
in carrying out this Act. 
(3) CIVIL SERVICE STATUS.—^The detail of any officer or 
employee under this subsection shall be without interruption 
or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
(e) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMITTENT SERV-
ICES.—^The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary 
and intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of 
title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not 
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay pre-
scribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 
of that title. 
(f) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Commission may enter into a 
cooperative agreement with another entity, including any Fed-
eral agency, State or local government, or private entity, under 
which the entity may assist the Commission in— 
(A) carrying out the duties of the Commission under 
this Act; and 
(B) contributing to public awareness of and interest 
in Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remem-
brance. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—On the request 
of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall 
provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, any 
administrative support services and any property, equipment, 
or office space that the Commission determines to be necessary 
to carry out this Act. 
(g) SUPPORT FROM NONPROFIT SECTOR.—^The Commission may 
accept program support from nonprofit organizations. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
SEC. 9. REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There is established the Remembrance 
Alliance. 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) MEMBERS.—^The Alliance shall be composed of individ-
uals, appointed by the Commission, that are representatives 
or members of— 
(A) the print, broadcast, or other media industry; 
(B) the national sports community; 
(C) the recreation industry; 
(D) the entertainment industry; 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3085 
(E) the retail industry; 
(F) the food industry; 
(G) the health care industry; 
(H) the transportation industry; 
(I) the education community; 
(J) national veterans organizations; and 
(K) families that have lost loved ones in combat. 
(2) HONORARY MEMBERS.—On recommendation of the Alli-
ance, the Commission may appoint honorary, nonvoting mem-
bers to the Alliance. 
(3) VACANCIES.—^Any vacancy in the membership of the 
Alliance shall be filled in the same manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(4) MEETINGS.—^The Alliance shall conduct meetings in 
accordance with procedures approved by the Commission. 
(c) TERM.—The Commission may fix the term of appointment 
for members of the Alliance. 
(d) DUTIES.—^The Alliance shall assist the Commission in car-
rying out this Act by— 
(1) planning, organizing, and implementing an annual 
White House Conference on the National Moment of Remem-
brance and other similar events; 
(2) promoting the observance of Memorial Day and the 
National Moment of Remembrance through appropriate means, 
subject to any guidelines developed by the Commission; 
(3) establishing necessary incentives for Federal, State, 
and local governments and private sector entities to sponsor 
and participate in programs initiated by the Commission or 
the Alliance; 
(4) evaluating the effectiveness of efforts by the Commission 
and the Alliance in carrying out this Act; and 
(5) canying out such other duties as are assigned by the 
Commission. 
(e) ALLIANCE PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—A member of the Alliance 
shall serve without compensation for the services of the member 
to the Alliance. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—^A member of the Alliance may be 
allowed reimbursement for travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee 
of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code, while away from the home or regular place of 
business of the member in the performance of the duties of 
the Commission. 
(f) TERMINATION.—^The Alliance shall terminate on the date 
of termination of the Commission. 
SEC. 10. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND WHITE HOUSE LIAISON. 
36 USC 116 note. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Director of the Committee Manage-
ment Secretariat Stgiff of the General Services Administration 
shall appoint an individual as Executive Director and White 
House Liaison. 
(2) INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE LAWS.—^The 
Executive Director and White House Liaison may be appointed 
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, 
governing appointments in the competitive service. 
114 STAT. 3086 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
(b) DUTIES.—The Executive Director and White House Liaison 
shall— 
(1) serve as a liaison between the Commission and the 
President; 
(2) serve as chief of staff of the Commission; and 
(3) coordinate the efforts of the Commission and the Presi-
dent on all matters relating to this Act, including matters 
relating to the National Moment of Remembrance. 
(c) COMPENSATION.—^The Executive Director and White House 
Liaison may be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent 
of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the Execu-
tive Director and White House Liaison is engaged in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
SEC. 11 
AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall audit, on an annual basis, the financial transactions of the 
Commission (including financial transactions involving donated 
funds) in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. 
(b) ACCESS.—The Commission shall ensure that the Comptroller 
General, in conducting an audit under this section, has— 
(1) access to all books, accounts, financial records, reports, 
files, and other papers, items, or property in use by the Commis-
sion, as necessary to facilitate the audit; and 
(2) full ability to verify the financial transactions of the 
Commission, including access to any financial records or securi-
ties held for the Commission by depositories, fiscal agents, 
or custodians. 
36 u s e 116 note. 
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act, 
to remain available until expended— 
(1) $500,000 for fiscal year 2001; and 
(2) $250,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2009. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-579—DEC. 28, 2000 
114 STAT. 3087 
SEC. 13. TERMINATION. 
36 USC 116 note. 
The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of— 
(1) a date specified by the President that is at least 2 
years after the date of enactment of this Act; or 
(2) the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
Approved December 28, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3181: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
Oct. 27, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 15, considered and passed House. 
79-194 O - 00 - 35: QL 3 Part 5