House of Representatives Joint Resolution No. 396, 81^st Congress, second session, January 16, 1950

81ST CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. J. RES. 396
--------------------
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JANUARY 16, 1950
Mr. BLAND introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Rules
--------------------

    JOINT RESOLUTION

    Establishing a Walter Reed Commemoration Commission.

    Whereas it is important at this time when there is a world-wide
clash of ideologies and principles that every opportunity
be utilized to spread a knowledge of American achieve-
ments and of the American way of life that fosters those
achievements; and

    Whereas one of the greatest achievements of all times was the
program toward the elimination of yellow fever; and

    Whereas this achievement, from which the entire world is a
beneficiary, was the result of the devotion and skills of the
United States Army and its medical services; and

    Whereas the chief figure in that achievement, that has saved the
lives of untold millions and brought prospects of pros-
perity and security to many lands, was Major Walter Reed
of the United States Army; and

    Ac
Va

    2

    Whereas 1950 is the fiftieth anniversary of the work of the
Walter Reed Commission whose crowning achievement led
to the near erasure of this scourge; and

    Whereas 1951 is the one hundredth anniversary of the birth in
Virginia of Major Walter Reed; and

    Whereas 1952 is the fiftieth anniversary of his death; and

    Whereas these three years provide a unique occasion and oppor-
tunity to celebrate fittingly those invaluable services to the
United States of America and to humanity; and to direct
the attention of the American people and of the world at
large to this landmark in the progress of civilization:
Therefore be it

    1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That (a) there is hereby established a commission to be
4 known as the Walter Reed Commemoration Commission
5 which shall be composed of three members of the Senate to
6 be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three
7 members of the House of Representatives to be appointed
8 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vacancies
9 in the membership of the Commission shall not affect the
10 power of the remaining members to execute the functions
11 of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner
12 as the original selection. The Commission shall hold its
13 first meeting within three days following the appointment
14 of its members, and shall select a chairman from among such
15 members.

    3

    1 (b) It shall be the duty of the Commission to conduct,
2 direct, and supervise a program of information and education
3 to the end that the achievement of the American people,
4 of the United States Army, and of Major Walter Reed, one
5 of America's most illustrious sons, in successfully combating
6 yellow fever shall be duly known and honored.

    7 (c) In carrying out its duties under this joint resolu-
8 tion, the Commission is authorized to prepare, publish, and
9 distribute appropriate literature, to organize projects in
10 cooperation with schools, veterans' organizations, medical.
11 health, and hospital associations, patriotic societies, media
12 of public information, national and local business, profes-
13 sional, labor, women's, youth and other public-spirited
14 groups, and to enlist their participation in the program
15 authorized by subsection (b).

    16 (d) For the purposes of this joint resolution, the Com-
17 mission is authorized to sit and act at such places and times
18 during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of the
19 Eighty-first and Eighty-second Congresses and, without
20 regard to the civil-service laws and the Classification Act of
21 1949, to appoint and fix the compensation of such clerical
22 and other assistants, to employ such organizations, to pro-
23 cure such printing and binding, and to make such expendi-
24 tures as it may deem necessary.

    25 (e) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated

    81ST CONGRESS
2D SESSION

    H. J. RES. 396

    __________________________________________________

    JOINT RESOLUTION

    Establishing a Walter Reed Commemoration
Commission.

    __________________________________________________

    By Mr. BLAND

    __________________________________________________

    JANUARY 16, 1950

    Referred to the Committee on Rules

    81ST CONGRESS
2D SESSION

    S. J. RES. 142

    --------------------

    IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

    JANUARY 17 (legislative day, JANUARY 4), 1950

    Mr. JENNER introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice
and referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare

    --------------------

    JOINT RESOLUTION

    Establishing a Walter Reed Commemoration Commission.

    Whereas it is important at this time when there is a world-wide
clash of ideologies and principles that every opportunity
be utilized to spread a knowledge of American achievements
and of the American way of life that fosters those achieve-
ments; and

    Whereas one of the greatest achievements of all times was the
program toward the elimination of yellow fever; and

    Whereas this achievement, from which the entire world is a
beneficiary, was the result of the devotion and skills of the
United States Army and its medical services; and

    Whereas the chief figure in that achievement, that has saved
the lives of untold millions and brought prospects of pros-
perity and security to many lands, was Major Walter Reed
of the United States Army; and

    c
Va

    2

    Whereas 1950 is the fiftieth anniversary of the work of the
Walter Reed Commission whose crowning achievement led
to the near erasure of this scourge; and

    Whereas 1951 is the one hundredth anniversary of the birth in
Virginia of Major Walter Reed; and

    Whereas 1952 is the fiftieth anniversary of his death; and

    Whereas these three years provide a unique occasion and oppor-
tunity to celebrate fittingly those invaluable services to the
United States of America and to humanity; and to direct
the attention of the American people and of the world at
large to this landmark in the progress of civilization: There-
fore be it

    1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 That (a) there is hereby established a commission to be
4 known as the Walter Reed Commemoration Commission
5 which shall be composed of three Members of the Senate to
6 be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three
7 Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed
8 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vacancies
9 in the membership of the Commission shall not affect the
10 power of the remaining members to execute the functions
11 of the Commission, and shall be filled in the same manner
12 as the original selection. The Commission shall hold its
13 first meeting within three days following the appointment of

    3 (b) It shall be the duty of the Commission to conduct,
4 direct, and supervise a program of information and education
5 to the end that the achievement of the American people,
6 of the United States Army, and of Major Walter Reed, one
7 of America's most illustrious sons, in successfully combatting
8 yellow fever shall be duly known and honored.

    9 (c) In carrying out its duties under this joint resolution,
10 the Commission is authorized to prepare, publish, and dis-
11 tribute appropriate literature, to organize projects in coopera-
12 ation with schools, veterans' organizations, medical, health,
13 and hospital associations, patriotic societies, media of public
14 information, national and local business, professional, labor,
15 women's, youth, and other public-spirited groups, and to
16 enlist their participation in the program authorized by
17 subsection (b).

    18 (d) For the purposes of this joint resolution, the Com-
19 mission is authorized to sit and act at such places and times
20 during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of the
21 Eighty-first and Eighty-second Congresses, and without re-
22 gard to the civil-service laws and the Classification Act
23 of 1949, to appoint and fix the compensation of such clerical

    4 (e) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated
5 such sums, not to exceed $350,000 for the three-year period,
6 as may be necessary to enable the Commission to carry out
7 the provisions of this joint resolution, to be disbursed by the
8 Secretary of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the
9 chairman.

    House Joint Rosolution 395 (introduced by Mr. Bland of Virginia)
and Senate Joint Resolution 142 (introduced by Mr. Jenner of Indiana)
call for the establishment of a Walter Reed Commemoration Commission,
the duty of which shall be: "To conduct, direct, and supervise a
program of information and education to the end that the achievement
of the American people, of the United States Army, and of Major Walter
Reed, one of America's most illustrious sons, in successfully combating
yellow fever shall be duly known and honored."

    An introductory section to the Resolution points out that:

    "It is important at this time when there is a world-wide clash of
ideologies and principles that every opportunity be utilized to
apread a knowledge of American achievements and of the American way
of life that fosters those achievements. One of the greatest achievements
of all times was the program toward the elimination of yellow fever.
This achievement, from which the entire world is a beneficiary, was the
result of the devotion and skills of the United States Army and its
medical services. The chief figure in that achievement, that has saved
the lives of untold millions and brought prospects of prosperity and
security to many lands, was Major Walter Reed of the United States Army.
1950 is the fiftieth anniversary of the work of the Walter Reed Com-
mission whose crowning achievement led to the near erasure of this
scourge, 1951 is the one hundredth anniversary of the birth in
Virginia of Major Walter Reed. 1952 is the fiftieth anniversary of
his death. These three years provide a unique occasion and opportunity
to celebrate fittingly those invaluable services to the United States
of America and to humanity; and to direct the attention of the
American people and of the world at large to this landmark in the
progress of civilization."

    Other considerations in regard to this Resolution are the following:

    There is prevalent the feeling that United States military history
has involved only episodes of destruction, even though in defence of
our country against attack. Few appreciate the fact that out of the
military personnel and activities of the United States Army, naval
and air forces there have been developed creative, constructive
enterprises of vast scope and of enduring value not only to the
American people but to the world at large.

    Attention is directed to the world-wide ideological clash in which
our country is engaged against the ruthless forces of Communism.
An important battleground in this cold war is in the Latin American
countries. The achievement of the United States Army through the
Walter Reed Commission was of most immediate importance in terms of
health and economic upbuilding to the countries of this hemisphere
directly to the south of our borders.

    - 2 -

    The three-year observance of a Walter Reed program will help bring
to large-scale public attention in those Latin American countries what
they and their peoples owe to the American people and to the institu-
tions that the American people have created.

    In honoring a great individual American, in this case a great Virginian,
we honor all of the American people. The observance of the Walter Reed
program will make it possible to draw to public attention the fact that
the humblest of citizens can play--as they have played--a heroic role
in American life. The achievement that led to the eradication of yellow
fever under the direction of Major Reed, drew into its efforts volun-
teers from among average Americans. One of the first of the volunteers
(at the risk of his life, incidentally) was an Indianan, a private in
the United States Army. In the total enterprise, civilians and army
personnel, doctors, nurses and Americans unconnected with the field of
medicine played a significant and heroic role.

    The need for immediate favorable action on the Resolution is indicated
by the fact that the Walter Reed Commission was designated in May 1900.
The semi-centennial anniversary of that event is almost upon us. In
order to observe it fittingly, a program of information and education
as provided in the resolution, should not be delayed.