EXECUTIVE ORDER
10-20
WHEREAS, the American Civil War was an event of international importance from 1861 to 1865, affecting all aspects of life in Missouri during that period; and
WHEREAS, Missouri experienced firsthand some of the most widespread, prolonged, and destructive fighting of the Civil War, with more than 1,162 engagements fought on her soil, some 160,000 Missourians fighting on both sides, and an average of 122 residents lost for every county in the State; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's role as a slave state and the lasting legacy of the Civil War continue to influence and shape our state in many ways; and
WHEREAS, from 2011 through 2015, our nation will acknowledge the 150th anniversary of the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War presents a significant opportunity for Missourians to advance our understanding of our complex past; to commemorate important events that occurred in Missouri during the Civil War; and to reflect on its lasting impact on our citizens, our culture, and our landscapes.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon, 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 and constitute the Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, as follows:
The composition of the Commission shall be: 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; ten persons appointed by the Governor, including, without limitation, educators, historians, and laypersons with a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the Civil War in Missouri and representatives of the hospitality and tourism industry; and such additional members as the Governor may from time to time appoint. To the extent practicable, members shall be representative of the demographic composition of the state. The Governor will designate two members of the Commission as co-chairs.
The Commission's purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of Missouri's role in the Civil War; to encourage civic, historical, educational, economic, and other entities throughout Missouri to organize and participate in activities to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of 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 and activities by which to observe the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in Missouri.
The Commission will promote public awareness of the historical significance of Missouri in the Civil War, 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 federal agencies, other states, and public and private Sesquicentennial committees to coordinate and plan activities that foster recognition and understanding of the Civil War in Missouri.
Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Office of Administration, to the extent that funds are available for such purpose. Staff assistance for the Commission shall be provided by the Department of Natural Resources.
The Commission will report to the Governor in December of each year, until expiration of the Commission on December 31, 2015.
Executive Order 08-09 is hereby superseded and replaced by this Executive Order.
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 2nd day of April, 2010.
[Jay Nixon's signature]
Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
Governor
ATTEST:
[Robin Carnahan's signature]
Robin Carnahan
Secretary of State
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