ALBERT C. RITCHIE, GOVERNOR. 1525

to the President of the United States Senate and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives of the United States and to
each of the Representatives from Maryland in the Senate and
House of Representatives of the United States.

Approved April 9, 1924.

NO. 21.

To create and to define the powers and duties of a State
Commission, to associate with any similar commission cre-

ated by Act of Congress of the United States and such other
commissions as may be created by Act of the Legislatures of
the respective States, and with civil committees created by
the Sulgrave Institution and other civic bodies, in the com-
memoration of the most momentous and significant anniver-
sary event in the history of the American people, namely,
the bi-centennial of the birthday of George Washington,
Father and founder of his country.

WHEREAS, A joint resolution has been introduced in the Sen-
ate and in the House of Representatives of the Congress of the
United States authorizing and making appropriation for a Na-
tional Commission, of which the President, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President pro tem, of the
Senate shall, ex officio, be members, to prepare and to carry
out a comprehensive, completed plan for the celebration of the
two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington
on February 22, 1931; and

WHEREAS, The significance of this event transcends in im-
portance any other historic event of a similar kind that has
ever before been commemorated by the nation: and

WHEREAS, Past experience has taught that it takes from five
to ten years to complete fitting and adequate plans for the
commemoration of outstanding historic events: and

WHEREAS, Heretofore, the celebration of epochal events has
always been marred by the incompletion of preparations, mon-
uments, etc., etc.. necessitating delays in the inauguration of
commemorations: and

WHEREAS, If any commemoration of the bi-centennial of the
birth of George Washington that is commensurate with its
importance and significance to the American people be held,
then the time between the present day and the year 1932 is