EXECUTIVE ORDER
08-09

WHEREAS, DURING 1861-1865, the nation was engulfed in a great Civil War to determine whether the union of states established by the founding fathers following the American Revolution would endure or be sundered into two nations; and

WHEREAS, Missouri experienced fully the "hard hand of war," and ranked third among states participating in the Civil War with over 1,162 engagements fought on her soil; and

WHEREAS, some 160,000 Missourians fought in the war on both sides with an average of 122 men killed for every county in the state; and

WHEREAS, the Civil War and Reconstruction have left a lasting legacy that continues to influence our state in many ways; and

WHEREAS, there is an enduring interest in the Civil War that is seen in numerous Civil War organizations, a multitude of publications, exhibits, reenactments, internet and multimedia resources, historic sites, and battlefield preservation associations; and

WHEREAS, the years 2011 through 2015 mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War; and

WHEREAS, the sesquicentennial of the Civil War presents a significant opportunity for Missourians to recall the sacrifice and service of all Missourians who participated in the Civil War and to reflect upon its legacy.

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 the Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, whose composition will be as follows:

The Governor or his designee; the Secretary of State or her designee; the directors or their designees of the Department of Natural Resources, the Division of Tourism, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Department of Transportation, and the Missouri National Guard; the director or his designee of the State Historical Society of Missouri; and nine persons appointed by the Governor and such other members as the Governor may from time to time appoint. The Governor will designate two members of the commission as co-chairs.

The commission's purpose is to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of all Missourians who participated in the Civil War and to foster an inclusive spirit of reconciliation that appropriately recognizes the experiences and points of view of all people affected by the Civil War and its aftermath.

The commission will recommend to the Governor and the citizens of Missouri effective means by which to observe the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Missouri.

The commission will promote public awareness of the important historical significance of the Civil War in Missouri, as well as cultural tourism in and around the state of Missouri in relation to the Civil War and its legacies.

The commission will serve as the official liaison between other states and other public and private sesquicentennial committees to coordinate and plan activities that foster recognition of the Civil War in Missouri.

The commission will report to the Governor in December of each year.

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 6th day of March, 2008.

[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
Governor

ATTEST:

[Robin Carnahan's signature]
Robin Carnahan
Secretary of State

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