| SYNOPSIS: | Currently, there is no state organization responsible for developing programs and courses of study related to the Holocaust. |
| This bill would establish the Alabama Holocaust Commission. | |
| This bill would provide for the membership of the commission, their terms, compensation, and duties. | |
| This bill would authorize the commission to create a not-for-profit corporation to raise funds for the commission's programs. |
To establish the Alabama Holocaust Commission; to provide for commission membership, terms, compensation, and duties; and to authorize the commission to create a not-for-profit corporation to raise funds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(1) During the period from 1933-1945, six million Jews and millions of other Europeans were murdered in Nazi concentration camps as part of a carefully orchestrated program of cultural, social, political, and ethnic genocide known as the Holocaust.
(2) All people should remember the horrible atrocities committed at that time and other times in human history as the result of bigotry, discrimination, and the abuse of power and should continually rededicate themselves to the principles of human rights and equal protection under the laws of this democratic society.
(3) It is desirable to educate Alabama citizens about the events leading up to the Holocaust and about organizations, institutions, and facilities that were created and used purposefully for the systematic destruction of human beings.
(4) It is the policy of the State of Alabama that Holocaust education is the proper concern of all peoples.
(5) Although annual commemorations for the remembrance of the Holocaust, programs, workshops, institutes, seminars, and other teacher-training activities for the study of the Holocaust have taken place on a limited basis during recent years in Alabama, it is now desirable to create a permanent state-level commission.
(6) The commission, as an organized body, shall survey, design, encourage, and promote implementation of ongoing Holocaust education and awareness programs of the Holocaust throughout the state.
Section 2. There is hereby established within the executive branch the Alabama Holocaust Commission. It shall be non-partisan and autonomous.
Section 3. (a) The commission shall be composed of 20 members as follows:
(1) A member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(2) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House.
(3) The State Superintendent of Education.
(4) Five representatives from the Postsecondary Education System appointed by the State Board of Education.
(5) Twelve members of the public appointed by the Governor. The public members shall be residents of Alabama, with broad geographic representation, who have a personal interest or experience in the Holocaust or other genocide or human rights issue; have experience in the field of Holocaust education; or are liberators of victims of the Holocaust.
(b) Each public member of the commission shall serve for a term of three years. Public members shall be eligible for reappointment. They shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term only. All other members shall serve indefinitely at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(c) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the comprehensive state travel regulations.
(d) The Governor shall appoint the chair of the commission to serve a three-year term. The commission shall meet upon the call of the chair or of a majority of commission members, but not less than four times per year. The presence of a majority of the authorized membership of the commission shall be required for the conduct of official business.
(e) The commission shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve at the commission's pleasure and shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office.
Section 4. (a) The commission shall have the following responsibilities and duties:
(1) Provide assistance and advice to the public and private schools, colleges, and universities with respect to implementation of Holocaust education and awareness programs.
(2) Meet with appropriate education officials and other interested public and private organizations, including service organizations, to assist with the planning, coordinating and enriching of courses of study dealing with the Holocaust.
(3) Survey and catalog the extent and breadth of Holocaust and genocide education presently incorporated into the curricula and taught in the educational systems of the state; to inventory those Holocaust memorials, exhibits, and resources which could be incorporated in courses of study; to assist other educational agencies in the development and implementation of Holocaust and genocide education programs. In furtherance of this responsibility, the commission may contact and cooperate with existing resource organizations
(4) Compile a roster of individual volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience in classrooms, seminars, and workshops on the subject of the Holocaust. These volunteers may be survivors of the Holocaust, liberators of concentration camps, scholars, clergy, artists, community relations professionals, or other persons who, by virtue of their experience or interest, have acquired personal or academic knowledge of the Holocaust.
(5) Coordinate events commemorating the Holocaust and to seek volunteers who are willing and able to participate in events that will enhance public awareness of the consequences and significance of the Holocaust.
(6) Prepare reports for the Governor and the Legislature regarding findings and recommendations to facilitate the inclusion of Holocaust studies and commemorative programs throughout the state.
(7) Act as a liaison in matters concerning the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
(b) The commission shall be subject to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act.
Section 5. (a) The commission may create a not-for-profit corporation to raise funds, and to develop, implement, and manage the plans and programs of the commission.
(b) The commission may select a name for the corporation. The corporation shall have its own board of directors which shall consist of members of the commission, a representative appointed by the Governor, and a representative of the Attorney General. The board may select its own chair with the approval of the chair of the commission.
(c) Upon its incorporation, the not-for-profit corporation shall apply for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 501 (c)(3).
(d) In addition to funds received from the general public, the corporation may receive funds from the State of Alabama, in addition to its original mandated budget, at such times and in such amounts as appropriated by the Legislature to be used for its tax-exempt purposes.
(e) The not-for-profit corporation may hire support staff and name advisory groups or steering committees as necessary to assist in the promotion, coordination, and implementation of, and fund-raising for the programs developed by the commission.
Section 6. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.