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2014 SESSION

14105230D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 71
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Rules
on February 28, 2014)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Carr)
Establishing a joint commission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2014 in Virginia.

WHEREAS, 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of World War I and the start of the 75th anniversary of War II; and

WHEREAS, World War I, originally known as the Great War, wrought significant and lasting changes on the entire world between 1914 and 1918; with over 37 million casualties, it was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history; and

WHEREAS, unresolved disputes and hostilities from World War I continued to simmer and after Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, another great global conflict began, World War II, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, involved more than 30 countries, and resulted in more than 50 million military and civilian deaths, making the Second World War the bloodiest and largest war in history; and

WHEREAS, many brave Virginia men and women served in the nation’s Armed Services and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom during World War I and World War II; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, the nation, many countries, and communities will commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I and the start of the 75th anniversary of World War II; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the Commonwealth establish a joint commission charged to make appropriate plans to honor and remember the patriotism and valor of its servicemen and servicewomen who served and sacrificed for their country during World War I and World War II; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint commission be established to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II in 2014 in Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the joint commission shall have a total membership of 15 members, that shall consist of eight legislative members and seven nonlegislative citizen members. Members shall be appointed as follows: four members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and seven nonlegislative citizen members, of whom one shall be a World War I historian, one shall be a representative of the Virginia War Memorial, and one shall be a representative of the Virginia Historical Society, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one of whom shall be a World War II historian, one shall be a representative of the Richmond City Council Carillon Advisory Committee, and one shall be the Librarian of Virginia, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. During its deliberations, the joint commission shall ensure that commemorative programs, events, and activities represent and reflect equally the patriotism, honor, and valor of all Virginians who served in World War I and World War II. The joint commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In its deliberations, the joint commission shall plan and implement appropriate commemorative events and activities statewide that honor and memorialize the service and sacrifices of Virginia’s men and women who served and sacrificed for their country during World War I and World War II.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint commission shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Education. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint commission, upon request.

The joint commission shall be limited to four meetings for the 2014 interim and four meetings for the 2015 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $18,440 for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. An estimated $1,000 is allocated for speakers, materials, and other resources. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint commission and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint commission shall be adopted if a majority of the House members or a majority of the Senate members of the joint commission (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint commission.

The joint commission shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2014, and for the second year by November 30, 2015, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the commemoration, or authorize additional meetings during the 2014 and 2015 interims.

The joint commission shall expire on July 1, 2016.