Chapter 157

2004 -- H 8271 AS AMENDED

Enacted 06/26/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ABRAHAM LINCOLN

BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

Introduced By: Representatives Murphy, Fox, Menard, and Lima

Date Introduced: March 10, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is

hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 138

THE RHODE ISLAND ABRAHAM LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

42-138-1. Legislative findings. – It is found and declared by the general assembly as

follows:

That Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, was one of this

nation’s most outstanding leaders;

That Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Thomas and Nancy Hanks

Lincoln, and rose from humble circumstances to steer this nation through the Civil War, one of

the greatest crises of its history;

That President Lincoln was instrumental in ending slavery in these United States;

That in 2009, this nation will celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth;

That the United States Congress has passed legislation to create the Abraham Lincoln

Bicentennial Commission to study and recommend suitable federal activities to honor Abraham

Lincoln during his bicentennial year; and

That it is appropriate for the State of Rhode Island to honor and create activities relating

to Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Providence and Woonsocket, Rhode Island in 1860, to plan and

carry out its own bicentennial tributes to Abraham Lincoln, and to coordinate those activities with

those of the federal government.

42-138-2. Establishment of commission. – There is created the State of Rhode Island

Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, which shall be associated with the Rhode Island

Historical Society for administrative purposes. The commission shall be composed of twenty-one

(21) members, as follows:

Two (2) members of the House of Representatives, not more than one (1) from the same

political party appointed by the Speaker of the House;

Two (2) members of the Senate, not more than one (1) from the same political party

appointed by the President of the Senate;

One (1) member from the Rhode Island Council on the Humanities, appointed by the

Executive Director of the Council;

One (1) member from the Economic Development Corporation, appointed by the

Executive Director;

One (1) member from the Rhode Island Historical Society, appointed by the Executive

Director of that organization;

One (1) member from the Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, appointed

by the Executive Director of the Commission;

One (1) member from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, appointed by the

Executive Director;

One (1) member from the Heritage Harbor Museum, appointed by the Executive Director

of the museum;

One (1) member from the Rhode Island Civil Rights Roundtable, appointed by the

Executive Director of that organization;

One (1) member from the Lincoln Group of Boston, appointed by the President of that

organization;

One (1) member from the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission established by the

United States Congress, appointed by the concurrence of the chairs of that Commission;

One (1) member from the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education,

appointed by the Chairperson of the Board;

One (1) member from the Board of Governors for Higher Education, appointed by the

Chairperson of the Board;

One (1) member from the John Hay Library of Special Collections at Brown University

which houses the McLellan Lincoln Collection, appointed by the President of Brown University;

One (1) member from the Providence Chapter of the NAACP, appointed by the

Executive Director of that organization; and

Four (4) public members from the state at large with a demonstrated interest in history

and substantial knowledge and appreciation of Abraham Lincoln, appointed by the Governor.

The chair of the commission shall be elected from among the membership by the

commission members.

42-138-3. Powers and duties of commission. – The State of Rhode Island Abraham

Lincoln Bicentennial Commission shall:

(a) Study and recommend activities that may be carried out by the State of Rhode Island

to honor Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth;

(b) Educate Rhode Island residents and the nation about the life of Abraham Lincoln and

his visit to the State of Rhode Island;

(c) Assist local governments and organizations with planning, preparation, and grant

applications for bicentennial events and projects;

(d) Coordinate federal, state, and local bicentennial activities occurring in Rhode Island;

(e) Plan and implement appropriate events, including celebrations and educational

initiatives to commemorate the bicentennial;

(f) Perform other duties as necessary to highlight Rhode Island’s role in the life of

Abraham Lincoln; and

(g) Seek federal grants and philanthropic support for bicentennial activities.

42-138-4. Sunset. – The provisions of this chapter shall be repealed effective June 30,

2010.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall expire on June 30, 2010.

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LC02928

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