HR 2030 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a commission to investigate the expulsion of African-American residents of the Missouri cities of Aurora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce City, Cassville, and Webb City from their homes that occurred between August 1894 and August 1901, and make recommendations regarding the feasibility and appropriateness of providing reparations to such residents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

April 25, 2007

Mr. CLAY (for himself, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Ms. KILPATRICK, Ms. LEE, Mr. PAYNE, and Mr. RANGEL) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To establish a commission to investigate the expulsion of African-American residents of the Missouri cities of Aurora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce City, Cassville, and Webb City from their homes that occurred between August 1894 and August 1901, and make recommendations regarding the feasibility and appropriateness of providing reparations to such residents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `1901 Missouri African American Expulsion Commission Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT.

There is established a commission to be known as the `1901 Missouri African American Expulsion Commission' (in this Act referred to as the `Commission').CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

The Commission shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) investigate the expulsion of any African-American resident in or around the Missouri cities of Aurora, Monett, Newburg, Pierce City, Cassville, or Webb City from the home or farm of such resident occurring between August 1894 and August 1901, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) any cause for the expulsion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) any burning or vandalism of the home of such resident;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) any tortuous or criminal conduct committed against such resident; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) any mob activity directed against such resident;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) identify any person--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) who is a relative of a resident described in paragraph (1); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) whom the Commission determines sustained an identifiable loss, including a loss to the personal relations, real property, or personal property of such person, because of conduct described in paragraph (1), whether or not such conduct has previously been the subject of a legal proceeding;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) research and develop a historical record of the expulsion described in paragraph (1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) make recommendations regarding--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the feasibility of providing reparations to any person identified under paragraph (2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the appropriate method to provide such reparations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. MEMBERSHIP.

(a) Number and Appointment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The Commission shall be composed of seven members as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Four members appointed by the House of Representatives, in the manner prescribed by the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Three members appointed by the Senate, in the manner prescribed by the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Of the three members appointed under paragraph (1)(B), one shall be a member of the Missouri Historical Society.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Qualifications- In making appointments under this section, the appointing authorities shall make a special effort to appoint individuals who are particularly qualified to perform the functions of the Commission, by reason of either practical experience or academic expertise in politics or government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Terms and Vacancies- Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Basic Pay-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) RATES OF PAY- To the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Commission shall be paid the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the actual performance of duties of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PROHIBITION OF COMPENSATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES- Members of the Commission who are full-time officers or employees of the United States or Members of Congress may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Travel Expenses- Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Quorum- A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Chairman- The Chairman of the Commission shall be elected by the members.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Meetings-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS- The Commission shall meet as often as the Chairman determines is necessary to perform the duties of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) INITIAL MEETING- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. STAFF OF COMMISSION AND EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.

(a) Staff- Subject to rules prescribed by the Commission, the Chairman may appoint and fix the pay of personnel as the Chairman considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Experts and Consultants- With the approval of the Commission, the Chairman may procure temporary and intermittent services in the manner prescribed in section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of such title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Staff of Federal Agencies- Upon the request of the Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in performing its duties under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings- The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before it.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Members and Agents- Any member or agent of the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any action that the Commission is authorized to take by this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Obtaining Official Data- Subject to sections 552, 552a, and 552b of title 5, United States Code, the Commission may secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon request of the Chairman of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish the information to the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises- To the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purposes of aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Mails- The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments and agencies of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Administrative Support Services- Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. REPORT.

The Commission shall submit to Congress a report not later than 18 months after the date of the first meeting of the Commission. The report shall contain a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

The Commission shall terminate 10 days after submitting its report under section 7.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink