RESOLVED, That a special house commission be and the same is created consisting of seven (7) members: one (1) of whom shall be from the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker; one (1) of whom shall be appointed by the Secretary of State; three (3) members at large, to be appointed by the Speaker; and two (2) of whom shall be members of the Armenian Martyrs National Committee of Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker.
In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a general assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.
The purpose of said commission shall be to develop plans to create a plaque commemorating the massacre of the one and one half million Armenians by the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire, and to recommend a prominent location in the state house to lace the plaque permanently, educating all people who enter the state house of this most tragic event in world history.
Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at the call of the speaker of the house and organize and shall select from among the legislators a chairperson. Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.
The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.
All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information, documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.
The speaker of the house is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the house of representatives on or before April 2, 1997 and said commission shall expire on June 2, 1997.
