White House Commission On Remembrance

The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established by Congress as an independent government agency. The Commission encourages Americans to honor the sacrifices of America’s fallen and the families they left behind. It promotes acts of remembrance throughout the year and asks Americans to pay our debt of gratitude in memory of our fallen by giving something back to the Nation. The Commission is also tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

The Commission is dedicated to educating this and future generations of Americans to remember the sacrifices and costs in human life made to preserve our liberties, and to instill in them an understanding of what it means to be an American.

Our Logo and its Symbolism

The Continental Congress, in the first Flag Act, intended the stars signifying each state on the blue field of our flag represent a new Constellation. The light

of this new constellation has been kept bright by the sacrifices of all our fallen, thus the star and flame are combined in the Commission on Remembrance logo.

The flame represents the light of remembrance, hope and freedom.

Public Law 106-579

With Public Law 106-579, Congress created the White House Commission on Remembrance. The only active White House Commission established by law, its operational requirements are:

10 year mission
Mission: (1) To sustain the American spirit through acts of remembrance on Memorial Day and throughout the year (2) to institutionalize the National Moment of Remembrance, (3) to enhance the commemoration and understanding of Memorial Day and (4) to educate and give the younger generation a sense of our history and what it means to be an American.
The Commission is an independent government agency
Chair/Vice Chair selected by voting members
12 voting members, 10 non-voting members
Executive Director and White House Liaison (Carmella LaSpada)
Commission Membership:
- Four Presidential Appointments
- Secretary of Defense, or designee
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee
- Administrator, General Services Administration, or designee
- Secretary of Transportation, or designee
- Secretary of Education, or designee
- Secretary of Interior, or designee
- Director, Office of Personnel Management
- Executive Director, Presidential Commission on White House Fellows
- Secretaries of Army, Navy, Air Force
- Service Chiefs of Staff
- Archivist, The National Archives
- Librarian, Library of Congress
- Director, Smithsonian Institution
Additional Non-voting members may be added at the discretion of the Commission
Commission appoints “Remembrance Alliance” members
May solicit and accept private contributions
- Development of other initiatives through partnerships with the private sector, state/local/tribal governments and others
- Obtain support from all federal agencies
May license products, collect royalties and enter into legal agreements
Budget
- $250,000 authorized annually
- Majority of operating funds to be derived through donations, licensing and promotions