CODE OF VIRGINIA

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION (§ 30-192.4)

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

   1.  Identify, plan, develop, and implement appropriate programs and events
   that further the philosophy and memory of Dr. King;

   2.  Monitor the educational goals, programs, and objectives of public and
   private schools to encourage the recognition and inclusion of the achievements
   and contributions of ethnic and minority groups;

   3.  Inventory and review, biennially, activities and events sponsored by
   localities in the Commonwealth and those instituted or offered by public and
   private schools and institutions of higher education designed to honor Dr.
   King’s memory;

   4.  Facilitate the analysis of public policy relative to Dr. King’s
   principles and philosophy, including his work pertaining to social and
   economic justice, ethics, and racial equality, and promote the appreciation of
   diverse cultures among the citizenry;

   5.  Collaborate with The King Center in Atlanta and other established state
   and local entities and community organizations in activities and events that
   commemorate the birth and death, and in initiatives designed to perpetuate the
   work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

   6.  Establish a memorial to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which (i)
   records, oral histories, and memorabilia documenting his relationship with and
   impact on the Commonwealth may be acquired and preserved; (ii) information
   concerning his life, work, teachings, writings, and philosophy may be
   collected, preserved, and accessed for educational and cultural purposes; and
   (iii) scholarly inquiry and writing, undergraduate and graduate study, and
   policy analysis may be conducted;

   7.  Encourage and support collaborative activities among state, local, and
   national organizations that (i) emphasize the noncommercialization of the
   state and federal King Holiday, (ii) present his life and achievements in
   historical context, (iii) articulate the relationship between his philosophy,
   contributions, and current public policies, and (iv) demonstrate his
   principles consistently through significant participation of persons of
   diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds in public and private
   endeavors and enterprises;

   8.  Monitor and evaluate state, local, and national public policy relative to
   the principles and philosophy of Dr. King, and make appropriate
   recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly to maintain progress
   towards social and economic justice and equal opportunity for all citizens;

   9.  Apply for and expend such gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other
   funds from any source as may be received or that becomes available in
   connection with its duties under this chapter, and may comply with such
   conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connection therewith;

   10.  Seek, accept, and direct the expenditure of public and private
   contributions to enable it to carry out the purposes of this chapter and to
   enhance its fiscal stability, financial management, and fund-raising
   abilities; and

   11.  Perform such other functions and activities as may be necessary to
   facilitate or implement the Commission’s objectives.

HISTORY: 2003, cc. 1035, 1037.