[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[§ 2. Commemorative Occasions]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 137-139]
CHAPTER 36
Ceremonies and Awards
Sec. 2. Commemorative Occasions
The House has marked a number of important national anniversaries
and notable events with ceremonies and observations. Among these have
been ceremonies commemorating events in American history, such as the
anniversaries of the Constitution(1) and the First
Congress;(2) commemorations marking historically significant
dates of other nations;(3) observances of a religious
nature;(4) observances of Pan American Day and Flag
Day;(5) and ceremonies commemorating
Presidents.(6)
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1. See Sec. 4.5, infra.
2. See Sec. Sec. 4.1-4.4, infra.
3. See Sec. 5, infra.
4. See Sec. 6, infra.
5. See Sec. Sec. 7 and 8, infra.
6. See Sec. 9, infra.
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On two occasions Congress has engaged in ceremonial functions
[[Page 138]]
outside the seat of government to mark significant events in the
Nation's history. The first occurred in 1987, when it participated in a
ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to commemorate the bicentennial
of the Constitution;(7) the second occurred in 2002 when it
held a ceremonial meeting in Federal Hall in New York to mark the
terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.(8)
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7. See Sec. 4.5, infra.
8. See Sec. 16.4, infra.
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The 104th Congress added a prohibition against commemorative
legislation within the House rules.(9) The rule prohibits
the introduction of any bill or resolution or amendment if it
establishes a commemoration. The rule defines a commemoration as a
``remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the
designation of a specified period of time.''
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9. Rule XII clause 5, House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007). Prior to
the 106th Congress, this rule was found under former clause
2(b) of Rule XXII.
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This prohibition, does not apply to measures that do not specify a
specific date in the resolving clause.(10) For example, a
resolution may declare in its resolving clause support for the goals
and ideas of such a commemoration.(11)
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10. See Sec. Sec. 2.1, infra.
11. Id.
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The ban on commemoratives was waived in 2001 for the designation of
Patriot Day.(12)
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12. See Sec. Sec. 3.1, 3.2,
infra. -------------------
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Sec. 2.1 Form of resolution, averring in its preamble the meaning of a
specified week of celebration, and declaring in its resolving
clause support for the goals and ideas of such a week; and
containing a request that the President proclaim that the people
should celebrate those goals and ideas, without specifying a date
for such celebrations or otherwise ``designating a specified period
of time'' within the meaning of Rule XII clause 5(1)
(proscribing ``commemoratives'').
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1. House Rules and Manual Sec. 823 (2007).
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On Sept. 22, 1999,(2) Mr. Doug Ose, of California, asked
for unanimous consent that the Committee on Government Reform be
discharged from further consideration of House Resolution 293. The
proceedings were as follows:
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2. 146 Cong. Rec. 22269, 22270, 22273, 106th Cong., 1st Sess.
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[[Page 139]]
SENSE OF THE HOUSE IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL HISTORICALLY BLACK
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WEEK
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the
Committee on Government Reform be discharged from further
consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 293), expressing the sense
of the House of Representatives in support of ``National
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week,'' and ask for
its immediate consideration in the House.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(3) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from California?
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3. John Cooksey (LA).
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Mr. [Elijah] CUMMINGS [of Maryland]. Mr. Speaker, reserving the
right to object, under my reservation, I yield to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Ose) to explain the bill . . .
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Cooksey). Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 293
Whereas there are 105 historically black colleges and
universities in the United States;
Whereas black colleges and universities provide the quality
education so essential to full participation in a complex,
highly technological society;
Whereas black colleges and universities have a rich
heritage and have played a prominent role in American history;
Whereas black colleges and universities have allowed many
underprivileged students to attain their full potential through
higher education;
Whereas the achievements and goals of historically black
colleges and universities are deserving of national
recognition; and
Whereas Senate Resolution 178 would designate the week
beginning September 19, 1999, as ``National Historically Black
Colleges and Universities Week'': Now, therefore be it
Resolved,
The the House of Representatives-
(1) supports the goals and ideas of National Historically
Black Colleges and Universities Week; and
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States and interested
groups to conduct appropriate ceremonies, activities, and
programs to demonstrate support for historically black colleges
and universities in the United States.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Parliamentarian's Note: It was important that the identification of
the week beginning Sept. 19, 1999, was confined to the preamble.