Congress Appoints Panel to Plan Nation’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

In July 2016, Congress passed legislation (Public Law 114-196) establishing the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to begin planning for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Nearly a year later, Congress has finally completed the task of naming the private sector members of the panel. To see the roster of the panel, click here.

The 33-member body is comprised of 8 Members of Congress, 16 private citizens, and 9 federal officials. Unfortunately, the law did  not delineate the qualifications for the private citizen representatives who were named by the Speaker, House Minority Leader, and the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders.

The Commission’s charge is to, “plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the history of the United States leading up to the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.” The Commission is to develop a report with recommendations to the President and to Congress within two years of its formation.