A joint resolution to commemorate the centennial of Eleanor Roosevelt's birth.
PL 98-162 (S.J.Res.139), enacted 11/21/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-162—NOV. 21, 1983 
97 STAT. 1013 
Public Law 98-162 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To commemorate the centennial of Eleanor Roosevelt's birth. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled. That the Congress finds 
and declares that— 
(1) Eleanor Roosevelt, who was First Lady of the United 
States from 1933 to 1945, was one of the country's great First 
Ladies; 
(2) born into wealth and privilege, herself, Eleanor Roosevelt 
nevertheless worked tirelessly to secure opportunities for disad-
vantaged Americans and to improve the lot of the needy else-
where, and particularly in developing countries; 
(3) both during and after her service in the White House, 
Eleanor Roosevelt campaigned indefatigably for human rights 
in the United States and throughout the world; 
(4) Eleanor Roosevelt devoted her efforts especially to promot-
ing the welfare of children; 
(5) for this service, for her articulate and compassionate 
advocacy of the highest American ideals, and for demonstrating 
by personal example the capacities of American women to 
succeed in areas of daily life and work from which they were 
frequently excluded in her day, Eleanor Roosevelt earned a 
place of honor and respect in the hearts of the American people; 
and 
(6) October 11, 1984, marks the centennial of Eleanor Roose-
velt's birth, and it is appropriate for Americans to mark this 
occasion with appropriate commemorations during 1984. 
SEC. 2. (a) There is hereby established a Commission on the 
Eleanor Roosevelt Centennial. 
(b) The membership of the Commission shall consist of the 
following— 
(1) two Members of the House of Representatives, designated 
by the Speaker of the House; 
(2) two Members of the Senate, designated by the President 
pro tempore of the Senate after consultation with the majority 
leader and the minority leader; 
(3) the Director of the National Park Service, ex officio; 
(4) the Archivist of the United States, ex officio; 
(5) the Librarian of Congress, ex officio; 
(6) the Governor of the State of New York, ex officio; 
(7) the County Executive of Dutchess County, New York, ex 
officio; 
(8) the surviving children of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt; and 
(9) the chairman of the Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, ex officio. 
For a particular meeting of the Commission any member of the 
Commission may appoint another individual to serve in his stead. 
(c) Commission members shall designate one of their number as 
Chairman. 
Nov. 21, 1983 
[S.J. Res. 139] 
Eleanor 
Roosevelt, biri;h 
centennial 
commemoration. 
Commission on 
the Eleanor 
Roosevelt 
Centennial. 
Establishment. 
97 STAT. 1014 
PUBLIC LAW 98-162—NOV. 21, 1983 
Termination 
date. 
Donations. 
77 Stat. 8. 
Pay and 
expenses. 
SEC. 3. The Commission established by section 2 of this resolution 
is authorized to— 
(1) encourage and recognize appropriate observances and com-
memorations, throughout the United States, of the one hun-
dredth anniversary of the birth of Eleanor Roosevelt; and 
(2) provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and local 
government agencies and to private organizations in establish-
ing such observances and commemorations. 
SEC. 4. (a) The Commission shall meet no later than thirty days 
after enactment of this resolution at a date and location determined 
by the Librarian of Congress, and at such locations and intervals 
thereafter as the Commission may decide. Unless otherwise pro-
vided by the Commission, a majority of the Commission shall consti-
tute a quorum. The Commission shall cease to exist on January 1, 
1986. 
(b) The Commission may adopt such rules and regulations as may 
be necessary to conduct meetings and carry out its duties under this 
resolution. 
(c) The Administrator of General Services and the Director of the 
National Park Service shall provide the Commission such assistance 
and facilities as may be necessary to carry out its proceedings. 
(d) The Commission may accept donations of money, supplies, and 
services to carry out its responsibilities. 
(e) The Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, a not-for-profit organization 
incorporated in the State of New York, and successor organization 
to the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Foundation, chartered pursuant 
to Public Law 88-11, shall provide staff assistance to, and coordinate 
policies and events for, the Commission. 
(f) Members of the Commission shall serve without pay. While 
away from their homes or regular places of business in the perform-
ance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently 
in Government service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of 
title 5 of the United States Code, except that the total of payments 
made under this subsection for per diem in lieu of subsistence shall 
not exceed $10,000. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-162—NOV. 21, 1983 
97 STAT. 1015 
SEC. 5. In commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of Eleanor 
the birth of Eleanor Roosevelt, the Secretary of the Interior, acting N^ionai 
through the Director of the National Park Service, shall complete Historic Site. 
such improvements and development in the Eleanor Roosevelt 
National Historic Site at Val-Kill in Hyde Park, New York, in fiscal 
year 1984, as will assure improved access and availability suffi-
ciently to open the site to extensive public visitation. 
Approved November 21, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 139: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Nov. 2, considered and passed Senate. 
Nov. 4, considered and passed House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 19, No. 47 (1983): 
Nov. 21, Presidential statement.