PUBLIC LAW 97-472—JAN. 14, 1983
96 STAT. 2603
Public Law 97-472 97th Congress Joint Resolution To designate the period commencing January 1, 1983, and ending December 31, 1983, as the "Tricentennial Anniversary Year of German Settlement in America".
Jan. 14, 1983 [S.J. Res. 260]
Whereas October 6, 1983, is the three hundredth anniversary of German settlement in America at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Whereas such date marks the beginning of the immeasurable human, economic, political, social, and cultural contributions to this country by millions of German immigrants over the past three centuries; Whereas today the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Germany continue their close friendship based on the common values of democracy, guaranteed individual liberties, tolerance of personal differences, and opposition to totalitarianism; and Whereas it is fitting that this historic event be commemorated in such a manner as to celebrate German-American friendship and to focus on the democratic values that bind us together: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the period commenc- Tricentennial ing January 1, 1983, and ending December 31, 1983, is hereby Anniversary designated as the "Tricentennial Anniversary Year of German Set- Year of German Settlement in tlement in America", and the President is authorized and requested America. to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the year with appropriate ceremonies and activities. SEC. 2. AS a concrete demonstration of our commitment to the enduring United State&<jerman relationship, and as an act of celebration to inaugurate the Tricentennial Year, we express our strong support for the President's Youth Exchange Initiative, and especially the concept of a United StatesGerman teenage exchange sponsored by the Members of the United States Congress and the West German Bundestag, and emphasizing home stays with families. SEC. 3. (a) There ia hereby established a Commission to be known Presidential as the Presidential Commission for the German-American Tricen- Commission for tennial (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission*') to plan, the GermanAmerican encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the Tricentennial. German-American Tricentennial. In preparing its plans and carry- Establishment. ing out its program, the Commission shall give due consideration to any related plans and programs developed by State, local, private, and foreign groups. (b) The Commission shall be composed of not more than 40 members, appointed by the President, ten of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and ten of whom shall be appointed upon the recommendation of the President pro tempore of the Senate, in consultation with the majority leader and minority leader of the Senate. One member shall be the Chief Justice of the United States
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