CHAPTER 698

An Act to create a Preliminary Commission to commemorate the bicen-
tennial of the War of American Independence; to provide for the
selection and terms of office of the members of such Commission; to
provide for the powers and duties of such Commission; and to appro-
priate funds for the use of such Commission. TH 560]

Approved April 6, 1966

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. There is hereby created the Virginia Independence Bicentennial
Preliminary Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”.
The Commission shall be composed of thirteen members who shall be
appointed as follows:

(a) Three members shall be appointed by the President of the Senate
from the membership thereof ;

(b) Five members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House
of Delegates from the membership thereof ; and

(c) Five members shall be appointed by the Governor from the State

The members shall be appointed for terms to expire December 31,
1978. Any member may be removed by the appointing authority for cause.
Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.

: The Commission may appoint honorary members, and may
establish an Advisory Council, composed of such persons as it deems
especially interested in the commemoration to assist in its work. The Com-
mission shall name seven of its members to constitute an executive com-
mittee, which shall act for the Commission pursuant to its direction.

§ 8. It shall be the duty of the Commission to develop and coordinate
plans of public and private agencies for commemorating the bicentennial
of the War of American Independence. All agencies of the State and all
political subdivisions are authorized to cooperate with the Commission
for the furtherance of the commemoration. In planning and organizing the
commemoration, the Commission shall give emphasis to the following:

(a) Significant events preceding the War of American Independence;

(b) Coordination of its activities with similar activities of other states
and the federal government, as well as local, public and private agencies;

(c) Encouragement and assistance to local governing bodies, patriotic
societies, historical societies and other interested groups and organizations
in developing commemorative programs;

(d) Development of a program of scholarly publications, including
source materials from the public records of Virginia, which should be
published in popular editions, where appropriate and practicable;

(e) Encouragement, where possible, of the development of scenic
parkways to promote the preservation and appreciation of Virginia’s
shrines and historic sites;

(f) Promotion of educational activities of interest to young people.

8 4. The Commission is empowered to adopt an official flag, seal
and other emblems for such celebration, and to copyright the same in the
name of the Commonwealth. With the approval of the Governor, the Com-
mission may lease the right to use such seal and other emblems upon such
terms and conditions as to it seems proper.

§ 5. The Governor is authorized and requested to issue proclamations
inviting the people of the Commonwealth and of these United States and
foreign countries to participate in and observe the bicentennial anniver-
saries of significant historic events, the commemoration of which are pro-
vided for herein.

The members of the Commission and Advisory Councils shall
serve without compensation, but shall receive their necessary expenses in-
cident to the discharge of their duties as provided for herein.

A report shall be submitted to the Governor and General As-
sembly presenting the preliminary plans of the Commission, not later than
October one, nineteen hundred sixty-seven. Thereafter, an annual report
of the activities of the Commission shall be furnished by the Commission
to the Governor and the General Assembly.

2. There is hereby appropriated to the Commission from the General
Fund in the State treasury the sum of $1,000 for the first year of the
biennium beginning July one, nineteen hundred sixty-six, and $1,500 for
the second year of such biennium, for the expenses and operation of the
Commission. Any unexpended balance from the first year of the biennium
shall be available to the Commission for expenditure during the second
year of the biennium.