A bill to establish a commission to assist in the first observance of the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
PL 98-399 (H.R.5890), enacted 08/27/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-399—AUG. 27, 1984 
98 STAT. 1473 
Public Law 98-399 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To establish a commission to assist in the first observance of the Federal legal holiday 
honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Congress 
finds that— 
(1) January 20, 1986, marks the first observance of the 
Federal legal holiday, established by Public Law 98-144, honor-
ing the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; 
(2) such holiday should serve as a time for Americans to 
reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social 
change espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr.; and 
(3) it is appropriate for the Federal Government to coordinate 
efforts with Americans of diverse backgrounds and with private 
organizations in the first observance of the Federal legal holi-
day honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. 
SEC. 2. There is established a commission to be known as the 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday Commission (hereinafter 
in this Act referred to as the "Commission"). 
SEC. 3. The purposes of the Commission are— 
(1) to encourage appropriate ceremonies and activities 
throughout the United States relating to the first observance of 
the Federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., 
which occurs on January 20,1986; and 
(2) to provide advice and assistance to Federal, State, and 
local governments and to private organizations with respect to 
the observance of such holiday. 
SEC. 4. (a) The Commission shall be composed of— 
(1) four officers from the executive branch, appointed by the 
President; 
(2) four Members of the House of Representatives, appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation 
with the minority leader of the House of Representatives; 
(3) four Senators, appointed by the President pro tempore of 
the Senate in consultation with the majority and minority 
leaders of the Senate; 
(4) Coretta Scott King and two other members of the family 
surviving Martin Luther King, Jr., appointed by such family; 
(5) two individuals representing the Martin Luther King, Jr. 
Center for Non-Violent Social Change (a not-for-profit organiza-
tion incorporated in the State of Georgia), appointed by such 
organization; and 
(6) fourteen individuals other than officers or employees of 
the United States or Members of Congress, appointed by the 
members of the Commission under paragraphs (1) through (5) of 
this subsection from among individuals representing diverse 
interest groups, including individuals representing labor, busi-
ness, civil rights, and religious groups, and entertainers. 
Aug. 27, 1984 
[H.R. 5890] " 
97 Stat. 917. 
5 u s e 6103. 
Martin Luther 
King, Jr. 
Federal 
Holiday 
Commission, 
establishment. 
98 STAT. 1474 
PUBLIC LAW 98-399—AUG. 27, 1984 
(b) Not more than half of the members of the Commission 
appointed under each of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), and (6) of subsection 
(a) shall be of the same political party. 
(c) Members shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. Any 
vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers, but shall be 
filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. 
(d) Members of the Commission shall serve without pay, but may, 
subject to section 7, be allowed travel expenses, including per diem 
in lieu of subsistence, while away from their homes or regular places 
of business in the performance of services for the Commission. 
SEC. 5. (a) The Commission shall first meet within 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. At this first meeting the 
Commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members and 
shall meet thereafter at the call of the chairperson. 
(b) The Commission may encourage the participation of, and 
accept, use, and dispose of donations of money, property, and per-
sonal services from, individuals and public and private organizations 
to assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities under 
this Act. 
5 use app. 
(c) The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall 
not apply to the Commission established under this Act. 
SEC. 6. (a) The Commission may appoint a director and a staff of 
not more than five persons, without regard to the provisions of title 
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service. Subject to section 7, the Commission shall set the rates of 
pay for the director and staff, except that the director may not be 
paid at a rate in excess of the maximum rate of pay payable for 
grade GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, 
United States Code, and no staff member may be paid at a rate in 
excess of the maximum rate of pay payable for grade GS-13 of such 
General Schedule. 
(b)(1) Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any 
department or agency of the United States may detail, on a non-
reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such department or 
agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its responsibil-
ities under this Act. 
(2) Each head of such department or agency is authorized to 
cooperate with and assist the Commission in carrying out its respon-
sibilities under this Act. 
SEC. 7. All expenditures of the Commission shall be made from 
donated funds. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-399—AUG. 27, 1984 
98 STAT. 1475 
SEC. 8. Not later than April 20, 1986, the Commission shall submit Report. 
a report to the President and the Congress concerning its activities 
under this Act. 
SEC. 9. The Commission shall cease to exist after submitting its Termination. 
report under section 8. 
Approved Aug. 27, 1984. 
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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 5890: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-893 (Comm. on Post Office and Civil Service). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
July 24, considered and passed House. 
Aug. 1, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Aug. 8, House concurred in Senate amendments. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 20, No. 35 (1984): 
Aug. 27, Presidential statement.