EXECUTIVE ORDER
06-24

WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was one of the Nation's most prominent leaders, demonstrating true courage during the Civil War, one of the greatest crises in the Nation's history; and

WHEREAS, born on February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln rose to the Presidency through a legacy of honesty, integrity, intelligence, and commitment to the United States; and

WHEREAS, with the belief that all men were created equal, Abraham Lincoln led the effort to free all slaves in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Congress of the United States has created the "Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission" to study and recommend worthy federal activities to honor Abraham Lincoln in 2009, the year of his bicentennial; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate for the State of Missouri to plan and carry out its own bicentennial tributes to Abraham Lincoln, and to coordinate those activities with those of the federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATT BLUNT, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby establish a commission to be known as the "Missouri Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission." The Commission shall have the following duties:

1. To study and recommend activities that may be carried out by the State of Missouri to honor Abraham Lincoln during the year of his bicentennial;
2. To educate Missourians about the life of Abraham Lincoln, most especially his years of service as the 16th President of the United States;
3. To assist local governments and organizations with planning, preparation, and grant applications for bicentennial events, programs and projects;
4. To plan and implement worthy activities to commemorate the bicentennial year; and
5. To coordinate federal, state and local bicentennial activities occurring in Missouri.

The Commission shall be composed of 10 members, as follows:

1. Two members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House. One member shall be appointed from each political party;
2. Two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate. One member shall be appointed from each political party;
3. One member who is a Missouri designated representative to the federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Governor's Council, to be appointed by the Governor; and
4. Five members with tourism, education, civil rights, economic development, historical or civic backgrounds, to be appointed by the Governor.

The Governor shall appoint one member from each political party to serve as co-chairs.

The "Missouri Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission" shall expire on December 31, 2009.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 3rd day of July, 2006.

ATTEST:

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