White House Millennium Council

Executive Order 13072 of February 2, 1998

White House Millennium Council

By the authority vested as me as President by the
Constitution and the laws of the United States of
America, and in order to announce the formation of a
Council to recognize national and local projects that
commemorate the millennium, it is hereby ordered as
follows:

Section 1. Policy. The White House, the Department of
Education, and all executive branch agencies shall lead
the country in a national and educational celebration
of our culture, democracy, and citizenry. The Federal
Government has a special responsibility to inspire the
American people to reflect upon and commemorate the
achievements of this country's past and to celebrate
the possibilities of the future. To carry forward this
country's great democratic tradition and enrich the
lives of our children and the children of the 21st
century, the Federal Government shall encourage
Americans to make plans to mark the new millennium in
communities across America. By leading this country in
a grand educational celebration of the past and future,
the Federal Government has an unprecedented opportunity
to energize and unite the Nation with a renewed sense
of optimism in the accomplishments and promise of
America.

Sec. 2. White House Millennium Council. (a) To enable
the White House, the Department of Education, and
executive branch agencies to provide national
leadership in this historic time, I hereby announce the
formation of the White House Millennium Council.

    (b) The White House Millennium Council shall be
composed of a Director, Deputy Director, administrative
staff, and a representative from each of the following:
    (1) Department of State;
    (2) Department of the Treasury;
    (3) Department of Defense;
    (4) Department of Justice;
    (5) Department of the Interior;
    (6) Department of Agriculture;
    (7) Department of Commerce;
    (8) Department of Labor;
    (9) Department of Health and Human Services;
    (10) Department of Housing and Urban Development;
    (11) Department of Transportation;
    (12) Department of Energy;
    (13) Department of Education;
    (14) Department of Veterans Affairs;
    (15) Environmental Protection Agency;
    (16) Office of Management and Budget;
    (17) Small Business Administration;
    (18) United States Information Agency; and

    (19) General Services Administration.

At the Director's discretion, the Director may request
other agencies to be represented on the Council.

    (c) The mission of the Council is to lead the
country in a celebration of the new millennium by
initiating and recognizing national and local projects
that contribute in educational, creative, and
productive ways to America's commemoration of this
historic time. To these ends, the Council shall:
    (1) Mark the 200th anniversary of the occupancy of
the White House by American Presidents, the 200th
anniversary of the establishment of the Federal capital
city in Washington, D.C., and the 200th anniversary of
the first meeting of the Congress in the Capitol,
celebrating these events in the year 2000 as milestones
in our democratic system of government;
    (2) Plan events to recognize the history and past
accomplishments of America that reflect upon the
present forces shaping society and that encourage
thoughtful planning for the future;
    (3) Produce informational and resource materials to
educate the American people concerning our Nation's
past and to inspire thought concerning the future;
    (4) Encourage communities and citizens to initiate
and to participate in local projects that inspire
Americans to remember their past achievements,
understand the present challenges to society, and make
concrete contributions to the next generations of their
families, communities, and country;
    (5) Work with Federal agencies, the Congress,
elected officials, and all citizens to plan activities
and programs that will unite the American people in
contemplation and celebration of the next century and
the new millennium;
    (6) Make recommendations to the Secretary of the
Interior regarding the provision of assistance from
funds made available for Save America's Treasures in
the Historic Preservation Fund to public and private
entities that are protecting America's threatened
cultural treasures. These treasures include significant
documents, works of art, maps, journals, and historic
structures that document and illuminate the history and
culture of the United States;
    (7) Encourage Federal agencies to develop programs
to commemorate and celebrate the new millennium in ways
consistent with their individual agency missions and
that advance a more unified America in the 21st
century;
    (8) Encourage Federal agencies, through local
branches and offices, to reach out into communities and
inspire citizens to participate in grassroots
activities and to give permanent gifts to the future;
    (9) Work in partnership with private-sector and
nonprofit entities that initiate productive and
worthwhile national and community-based efforts to
commemorate the new millennium and encourage citizen
participation, volunteerism, and philanthropy;
    (10) Highlight public and private millennium
initiatives that promote the goals of the Council; and
    (11) Cooperate with other nations that are planning
millennium events to expand the opportunities for
international communication and understanding.

Sec. 3. Administration. To the extent permitted by law,
the heads of executive departments and agencies shall
provide such information and assistance as may be
necessary for the Council to carry out its functions.

Sec. 4. Judicial Review. This order does not create any
right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law by a party against the United
States, its agencies, its officers, or any other
person.

    (Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    February 2, 1998.