§3702 Organization of Commission

Summary

Creates a 15-member commission. It includes the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Education, the Librarian of Congress (or each person they pick), the President of the Association for the Study of Afro‑American Life and History, the presidents of Wilberforce University and Central State University, and nine people the President appoints who are especially qualified. No more than two of those nine appointees can be from the same state. The first five listed serve for the life of the commission, but if one of them leaves their named office they may stay no longer than the 30‑day period after leaving. The nine presidential appointees serve four‑year terms, except that the first group is staggered so three serve one year, three serve two years, and three serve four years. Vacancies are filled the same way the original spot was filled and replacements finish the old term. Members may be reappointed. Six members make a quorum and the commission acts by majority vote. The commission must pick a chair and other officers from its members for terms it decides. It meets when the chair or a majority calls a meeting, but at least two times each year. Its headquarters is in Wilberforce, Ohio, and meetings are held there unless needed elsewhere. The commission may adopt a seal and make bylaws, rules, and regulations. Members are unpaid. The commission may hire temporary help as allowed by section 3109(b) of title 5 if funds are available. If asked and money is available, federal agencies may temporarily assign staff to assist and must be reimbursed. The Administrator of the General Services Administration must provide requested administrative support if reimbursed.