Statement from The President
Today,
I am pleased to sign into law, H.R. 2989, the "Frederick Douglass
Bicentennial Commission Act", which will create the Frederick Douglass
Bicentennial Commission, which will be responsible for planning,
developing, and carrying out activities to honor Frederick Douglass on
the 200th anniversary of his birth. Our Nation rightly honors the life
of Mr. Douglass, a former slave who became an outstanding orator and a
leader of the abolitionist movement. I also welcome the participation
of the members of the Congress in the valuable work the Commission will
perform. Consistent with Signing Statements issued by President Obama
and President Reagan regarding similar legislation, I understand that,
with respect to their work on the Commission, the members of the
Congress and their appointees "'will be able to participate only in
ceremonial or advisory functions'" and "'not in matters involving the
administration of the act in light of the separation of powers and the
Appointments and Ineligibility Clauses of the Constitution.'" (Public
Papers of the President, Barack Obama, Vol. I, 2009, page 756 (quoting
Public Papers of the President, Ronald Reagan, Vol. II, 1983, page
1390)). All Americans have much to learn from the life and writings of
Mr. Douglass, and I look forward to working with the Commission to
celebrate the achievements of this great man.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
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