WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States of America, was one of the Nation's greatest leaders, demonstrating courage and compassion during one of the most turbulent periods in American history;
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln was born of humble roots in Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809 and rose to the Presidency through integrity, honesty, intelligence and determination, as well as dedication to the Nation he served and admired;
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln articulated and refined the philosophy that served as the foundation of the Republic by asserting that "all men are created equal," and led the effort to fulfill the promise of this great Nation by bringing an end to slavery;
WHEREAS, despite the tragedy and turmoil of sectional division and Civil War, Abraham Lincoln demonstrated through word and action a generosity of heart expressed through a spirit of reconciliation with malice toward none and with charity for all;
WHEREAS, like thousands of Americans still mourned today who lost their lives in four years of violent Civil War, Abraham Lincoln gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved, dying from an assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865;
WHEREAS, all Americans may derive inspiration and benefit from the study of the life, words and deeds of Abraham Lincoln;
WHEREAS, the year 2009 will mark the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and a federal commission has been established to study and recommend to Congress activities that are fitting and proper to celebrate that anniversary in a manner that honors the legacy of Abraham Lincoln;
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln visited New York as he made his way from Springfield, Illinois to Washington, D.C. in early 1861, after being elected President, passing through Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and New York City;
WHEREAS, one of the great speeches that Abraham Lincoln delivered was at the Cooper Union in New York City on February 27, 1860; and
WHEREAS, after his assassination, the remains of Abraham Lincoln made the sad journey home to Springfield by retracing the route of his earlier tour through New York State, passing once again through the great cities of this State for New Yorkers to remember and mourn this great man.
NOW THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:
I. New York State Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission There is hereby established the New York State Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission ("Commission"), which shall consist of fifteen members. The members of the Commission shall include:
(i) the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, or his or her designee; (ii) the Chancellor of the State University of New York, or his or her designee; (iii) the Commissioner of Education, or his or her designee; (iv) the Director of the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center, or his or her designee; (v) one member appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Temporary President of the State Senate; (vi) one member appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Speaker of the Assembly; (vii) one member appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the State Senate; (viii) one member appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the State Assembly; (ix) five members appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission; and (x) two members appointed by the Governor, who shall serve as Chair and Vice- Chair, and who have furthered the study of the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be entitled to actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to this Order.II. Powers and Responsibilities A. The Commission shall be responsible for: (1) Developing a program of activities that may be implemented that are fitting and proper to honor Abraham Lincoln on the occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of his birth, including: a. The creation and establishment of a website that documents Abraham Lincoln's legacy in New York State, provides ready access to his public papers and speeches, and promotes research and scholarship.b. The publication and distribution of a catalog of papers, artwork and other memorabilia relating to Abraham Lincoln that are housed in public and private collections throughout New York State.c. The creation of an inventory of places associated with the legacy of Abraham Lincoln in New York State and recommendations to the Heritage NY program on appropriate ways to designate, mark, interpret and acknowledge these historic sites.d. The creation and support of institutional and traveling exhibits and informational kiosks that preserve and interpret Abraham Lincoln's association with and legacy in New York State.e. The organization of a series of lectures and historical presentations that will interpret and promote the legacy of Abraham Lincoln with special emphasis on his New York State associations and legacy.(2) Coordinating the planning efforts for the bicentennial celebration within New York State and with other states and the federal Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.(3) Issuing an interim report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than December 31, 2007, and a final report to the Governor and the Legislature summarizing its activities and findings and making recommendations as necessary no later than December 31, 2008.B. The Commission shall be authorized to request and shall receive from any department, office, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the State, assistance and cooperation as necessary to enable the Commission to carry out the duties and powers described herein; provided, however, that the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is hereby directed to provide staffing and other resources as necessary to assist the Commission in carrying out the duties and powers described herein. Signed: George E. PatakiDated: February 21, 2006
[FN*] [Revoked by Executive Order No. 9 (David A. Paterson), infra.]
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 5.144