RG 022. Civil War Commission to Commemorate the Centennial of the American Civil War

The Rhode Island Civil War Commission to Commemorate the Centennial of the American Civil War was created by the act titled “An Act to Create a Commission to Commemorate the Centennial of the Civil War; to Provide for the Selection and Terms of Office of the Members of Such Commission; to Provide for the Duties and Powers of Such Commission” (P.L. 1959, Ch. 53) of the Rhode Island General Assembly during the January session of 1959. The act was approved May 1, 1959 and went into effect upon passage. The Commission was created and was composed of thirteen (13) members; Honorary chairman, governor of the State of Rhode Island, Lieutenant Governor and speaker of the house of representatives as ex officio members of the commission and ten (10) other members that were appointed by the governor. All members’ terms expired on December 31, 1965. The purpose of the Commission was to develop and coordinate the plans of the public and private agencies for commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the civil war. The Commission was also required by this act to furnish an annual report of the activities of the commission to the governor and general assembly.