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Federal Agency Bicentennial Task Force - Meeting Minutes and Summaries
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1563287
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Federal Agency Bicentennial Task Force - Meeting Minutes and Summaries
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John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)
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American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976
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The original documents are located in Box 67, folder "Federal Agency Bicentennial Task
Force - Meeting Minutes and Summaries" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 67 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
APR 4 1974
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
m
MINUTES
MEETING OF
FEDERAL AGENCY BICENTENNIAL TASK FORCE
2:30 PM -- March 27, 1975
THE CABINET ROOM - THE WHITE HOUSE
The March 27, 1975 meeting of the Federal Agency Bicentennial
Task Force was called and chaired by Counsellor to the President,
John 0. Marsh, Jr.
Of the 25 members, 4 were absent. In attendance were:
Honorable John Richardson, Jr.
Honorable Warren F. Brecht
Honorable Joseph Laitin
Honorable Antonin Scalia
Honorable James T. Clarke
Honorable Joseph R. Wright, Jr.
Honorable C. Langhorne Washburn
Honorable Fred C. Clark
Honorable John Ottina
Honorable Robert H. Clement
Mrs. Elizabeth Hamer Kegan
Mr. Charles Blitzer
Dr. Frank G. Burke
Mr. Carl F. Stover
Mr. Harold F. Schneidman
Mr. Donald H. Young
Mr. William L. Parks
Mr. Randall L. Woods
Mr. John P. Donnelly
Mr. Harry J. Hogan
Mrs. Marjorie W. Lynch
Counsellor Marsh opened the meeting with historical remarks
about the Bicentennial and mentioned the President's upcoming
visit to Old North Church. He spoke of the President's commit-
ment to the commemoration of our 200th birthday -- our achieve-
ment -- our expectations.
-2-
Counsellor Marsh introduced Dr. Ted Marrs who will be
working closely with him on Bicentennial matters and
explained he wore many hats in his role as Special Assistant
to the President working in the Public Liaison area.
Dr. Marrs made brief remarks letting the members know
that he and his staff would be responsive to any of their
needs and looked forward to working with them.
The second item on the agenda was an update of ARBA
activities given by Administrator John Warner. Mr. Warner
said there was excellent progress being made with state and
local Bicentennial programs. There are 3,000 Bicentennial
communities -- not including Chicago -- and he is working on
Mayor Daley. There are Bicentennial Commissions in 50 states
and the District of Columbia. He reviewed the history of how
far ARBA has come in the one short year he has been Administra-
tor and discussed his travels which have taken him to 27 states.
These include ceremonies on Indian reservations as well as big
cities. He discussed foreign participation in the Bicentennial
emphasizing the success of the Franklin/Jefferson Exhibit in
Paris which broke all attendance records. He has met with
Ambassadors and representatives of many foreign governments.
He has many requests from members of Congress to tape
Bicentennial radio and television spots with them and to
participate in their local Bicentennial activities. The
racial-ethnic interest in the Bicentennial is extremely
positive -- real proof of grass roots interest -- at a
recent meeting he had 500 representatives in attendance.
He discussed the private licensing firms and the
revenues derived which is returned to the States.
Mr. Warner described the official Master Register of
Bicentennial Activities and said by the end of the year, it
would be four times its size.
He closed his remarks by urging that the Federal commit-
ment be made known -- "it is there -- we are working on our
problems -- we should let people know.'
Counsellor Marsh called on Mrs. Kegan, Task Force member
representative from the Library of Congress, who presented
a brief description of one of their Bicentennial programs and
displayed the booklet, "To Set A Country Free." She extended
an invitation to all Task Force members to attend their
reception on April 24.
-3-
Third on the agenda was an update on the National Visitors
Center and a report from the Subcommittee on D.C. Visitors
Facilities by the Chairman, Richard R. Hite, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Interior. In addition to the National Visitors
Center, this subcommittee is looking into alternate additional
visitors facilities.
Mr. Hite made the point that there was a great need for a
coordinating body to be named. Departments and agencies are
moving along in their respective areas but there is no
communication amongst them.
Counsellor Marsh asked Mr. Hite to meet with Dr. Marrs and
take necessary action.
The Counsellor continued the meeting by discussing the
specific problem of funding applications from the District of
Columbia and Philadelphia. He urged each Task Force member,
agency and department to move rapidly to expedite applications.
He set the following guidelines:
1. Confer with appropriate officials in your
agency including the Secretary or Administrator
and determine your agency's ability to respond
to these requests during the next 30 days.
2. Report to Assistant Secretary Meeker at HUD,
Chairman of the Task Force for Philadelphia and
Washington, D. C., on these commitments both in
dollar amounts and program area no later than
the close of business April 7.
3. Treat all of the quality applications currently
in hand as priority applications and be prepared
for a funding announcement within 30 days.
If applications have not yet actually been submitted by
Philadelphia or Washington or applications are found to have
technical problems which preclude their prompt consideration,
this information should be provided to Assistant Secretary
Meeker at the time of your April 7 report.
We are seeking quality projects in addition to rapid
administrative action. Our guidelines should be those given
to the cities. Specifically:
1. Funds will come from existing categorical programs.
-4-
2. Applications must be technically sound.
3. Funding decisions will be made within current
appropriation levels.
The President wants the Bicentennial to be a success and feels
Philadelphia and the District of Columbia will play an important
role in the commemoration of our 200th birthday.
As Counsellor Marsh closed his remarks, the President joined
the meeting.
The President's opening remarks emphasized his desire to have
the Bicentennial be a great success -- "it is the spiritual
rebirth of our nation.' He wants it to be the right kind of
Bicentennial -- with individual efforts and ideas expressed.
He is counting on the members of the Task Force to make the
Federal participation a success.
President Ford pointed out that the District of Columbia and
Philadelphia had special problems -- he also felt they would both
be focal points of our celebration. Both of these cities have
applications before various departments and agencies. The President
felt they deserved to know our intentions so that overall planning
and coordination could occur and required timely construction proceed.
He said the Federal government is not going to write out a check
but will do the next best thing -- expedite -- give help as quickly
as possible to appropriate programs which follow the proper legal
guidelines. He mentioned that funds should come from existing
categorical programs. He asked the members of the Task Force to have
their various departments and agencies bring up to date appropriate
programs which have followed the legal guidelines and the sooner
the better.
The next report came from Paul O'Neill, Deputy Director of the
Office of Management and Budget, who opened his remarks by saying,
"we do not want a $200 billion dollar deficit for 200 years of
history." He noted that the Federal government had committed
about $300 million dollars through FY-75 and that another $100
million was in this year's budget. He reiterated the statements
on D.C. and Philadelphia with respect to priority and criteria and
also agreed on the desirability of further coordination of the
D.C. visitor front.
-5-
The last report on the agenda was the Action Plan for the
Bicentennial Transportation Program for the National Capital
Area delivered by Deputy Under Secretary of Transportation,
Robert Clement.
In closing the meeting, Counsellor Marsh requested Mr. Clement
and Mr. Hite meet with Dr. Marrs.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.
NOTE: All Subcommittee reports presented at the Task Force
Meeting and referred to in the preceding Minutes are on file
in the office of Dr. Theodore Marrs. Please contact Sandy
Drake (456-2800) if you have any further questions.
AUG 5 1975
THE WHITE HOUSE
M
WASHINGTON
August 1, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
TED MARRS sed
The Federal Agency Bicentennial Task Force Meeting
on July 31, 1975 went quite well and attendance was
good.
Following the points listed on your Agenda, which I
covered, John Warner told the group that the number
of programs listed by ARBA throughout the country
had exceeded 18,000 and about 1,000 are coming in
monthly. He also said that over 5,300 communities
are now Bicentennial approved and 500-600 are being
added monthly. He expects interest to peak in the
Spring. He confirmed the fact that Connecticut was
the first state to have 100% of its communities approved.
Attached you will find a summation of the reports given
to the Task Force and the background information distri-
buted by ARBA.
Contaiguez plan approach is
underway.
FORD
J.
8788
COMMUNITY AND NATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hugh Hall, Assistant Administrator, ARBA
1) American Revolution Bicentennial Administration
a. Law establishing ARBA also established three
basic elements - HERITAGE, FESTIVALS AND HORIZONS.
b. Concept very well received throughout country.
2) National Bicentennial Service Alliance
a. Over 100,000 volunteers involved through their
volunteer organizations.
b. Serve as pipelines for Bicentennial information.
C. Includes International hospitality organizations,
sports and athletic groups and members of Bicentennial
Ethnic/Racial Council.
3) Bicentennial Communities Program
a. Developed with the cooperation of the National
Governor's Conference, the U.S. Conference of Mayors,
the National Association of Counties and the State
Bicentennial Commissions.
b. 5' by 7' map of the United States was displayed
showing the 5,300 plus communities recognized now.
C. League of Cities and Congressional support have
contributed to impressive growth pattern of citizen
participation.
4) Colleges and Universities
a. Program introduced by President in March, 1975 during
a visit to the University of Alabama.
b. Nearly 300 schools have undertaken responsible
involvement in the Bicentennial celebration.
5) Armed Forces
a. Armed Forces Installation and Command Program
introduced May, 1975.
b. Recognition has been received by 53 units in the
four major services and participation is growing.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ALL PROGRAMS IS IN ATTACHED FOLDERS.
2
NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA TRANSPORTATION
Ted Lutz, Deputy Under Secretary, DOT
1) Thanks to assistance of Senator Mathias, Senate has
added 5 million to the 5 million approved by the House for
Bicentennial transportation related matters. Has hopes
that all 10 million will be granted.
2) Need for fringe parking to keep vehicular traffic out of
city.
3) DOT moving ahead with plans for two airports including
guides and signs to assist visitors.
4) METRO hampered by strikes and expect only skeletal service
on July 4, 1976.
5) Upgrading railroad services for NE corridor.
a. 20-30 million appropriated
b. Using Title 10 money
C. Renovating many railroad stations in area.
d. DOT money also going to Visitor's Center.
CAPITAL AREA LOGISTICS AND SECURITY
Dick Hite, Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOI
1) Visitation estimate at 17 million for 1976.
a. Estimate developed by adding 22% to 1974 figures. Agreed
upon by COG, D.C. Government and Washington Convention Bureau.
b. April through September will be peak period with hope of
orienting people to weekend visits.
c. Additional funding needed to keep institutions and
facilities open on weekends.
d. Also looking into full spectrum of contingencies and
developing plans for various levels.
2) Kampgrounds of America
a. Feasibility study due October 1 for possible expansion
from 2,000 to 10,000 additional spaces
3
b. Use of privately owned land being considered.
3) Central Referral System
a. Locate at Visitor's Center or Great Hall
b. Purpose primarily to assist those coming without
reservations
4) Great Hall
a. Just about refurbished and will be available soon.
b. GSA working on restaurant and First Aid facilities.
C. Included as Landmark stop
5) Public Safety - Law Enforcement Groups
a. Traffic and crowd control report due August 15.
b. DOD and D.C. Fire Department working together on
emergency services
C. Police and Fire Department will need additional funds
to pay overtime.
d. D.C. Police working with Capitol Police on crowd
control.
VISITORS CENTER
Jim Clarke, Assistant Secretary, DOI
1) Strikes have set back plans from between 30 to 100 days.
2) Not optimistic about shape of Center on July 4, 1976.
Main building and access ramps will be only part open
on July 4, 1976.
3) Train station also held up by strikes.
4) Ted Marrs suggested possibility of meeting with Labor people
to discuss problems that exist in D.C. as far as the
Bicentennial is concerned.
4
FOREIGN VISITORS
Dave Parker, Acting Assistant Secretary of Tourism, DOC
1) Anticipating 14 million or more foreign visitors and
encouraging more.
2) Visits by heads of state are generating great interest and
enthusiasm overseas.
3) 65% of expected foreign visitors will be on scheduled tours.
4) Expects no big problems created by their visits as far as
hotel accommodations and traffic flow.
BICENTENNIAL GIFTS
Milt Mitler, Deputy Special Assistant to the President, White House
1) Approximately 200 on hand with most of those arriving in
the past month.
2) Variety of gifts
a. Large and expensive to small and sentimental. Largest
gift so far is 8-1/2 foot painting.
b. Six gifts displayed at meeting.
3) Display of gifts
a. Important to be displayed publicly to satisfy purpose
of gift being sent to President and White House.
b. Smithsonian Institute committed by scheduled displays.
C. Possibility of Great Hall or Visitors Cneter.
d. Question of what happens to gifts after 1976 being
considered.
e. Freedom Foundation has offered to accept some gifts
afterwards.
f. Secretary Lutz mentioned Transportation Department might
be able to display gifts relevant to Transportation.
Dr. Marrs closed the meeting by reporting on letter from Counsellor
Marsh to heads of the Departments and Agenices regarding the
initiatives for the future and stating that it would be the basis
of the August meeting.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 4, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JACK MARSH
FROM:
TED MARRS
am
MILT MITLER
When
Jack, here is a brief report on the Federal Agency Bicentennial
Task Force Meeting held on Monday, May 3, 1976.
- Defense announced that they are opening tours of the
Pentagon starting on May 7th. They have completed a
Bicentennial Corridor which has been decorated with
paintings. The tours, which run at 20 minute intervals,
will take about 30 minutes. Defense will also open
its Armed Forces Week display on the Mall on May 8,
1976 at 9:30 AM. The displays will be housed in two
geodesic domes and in an inflatable dome.
- NEA, in its brief, explained that it now has over
1,300 Bicentennial projects at an expenditure of over
34.0 million. A book containing the projects is
attached. However, where NEA was satisfying over
30% of the applications received at one time, they
are now satisfying only about 18%.
- The U.S. Travel Service is conducting a domestic
campaign on the theme: "See more of America when
there's so much more to see". They are spending
about $440,000 to promote the campaign and have sent
radio announcements to about 2,500 radio stations and
television clips to about 800 TV outlets. They are
also using print media for this. This is a departure
from the usual USTS activity which concentrates on
telling those in other countries about the tourist
attractions here.
- ACTION has a 'mini-grant' program where they give
from $500 to $5,000 dollars on a 50% matching basis,
to communities for volunteer program activities.
While their efforts are tied to Bicentennial this
year, for the most part it is a continuing activity
making use of volunteers throughout the country.
They are tying in with the Horizons-200 program of
HUD where possible. They pointed out that a survey
has shown that Anchorage, Alaska is the one place
in the United States that has the highest incidence
Page 2
of deprivation, crime and other social problems.
ACTION has given $40,000 to that area to help
produce a stronger volunteer, self-help program.
For the next meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, May 17,
at 3:30 - 5:00 PM in the Roosevelt Room, the following
agencies/organizations have been asked to brief:
- Small Business Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Smithsonian Institute
- ARBA Licensees Association (this group is composed
of companies which have been authorized by ARBA
to manufacture and sell Bicentennial items from
which ARBA gets a royalty). They will brief
on the items which are considered Official
Bicentennial items.
Attachment (booklet - Bicentennial Grants - Fiscal Year
1975-1975 - NEA)