(a) There is established in the District of Columbia the Make a Difference Selection Committee ("Committee") constituted for the purpose of selecting nominees for recognition as humanitarians working in the public interest.
(b) The Committee shall consist of 9 members, with 3 ex-officio members and 6 members appointed by the Mayor.
(c) Members of the Committee shall serve for as long as they continue to satisfy the qualifications for membership. The composition of the Committee shall be as follows:
(1) The Director of the District of Columbia Office of Planning, or his or her designee;
(2) The Director of the Department of Public Works, or his or her designee;
(3) The Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the President of the Make a Difference Foundation;
(4) Three members of the Board of Directors of the Make a Difference Foundation who reside or work in the District of Columbia; and
(5) Three residents of the District of Columbia of which 2 shall be Mayoral appointees and the remaining member shall be appointed by the Council.
(d) The Mayor shall choose a chairperson of the Committee, and the members of the Committee shall elect from their membership a vice-chairperson and other officers as deemed necessary.
(e) Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for expenses incurred while carrying out their duties pursuant to this subchapter.
(f) The Mayor shall submit the names of a majority of the nominees of the Committee to the Council within 60 days April 30, 1998.
(g) Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.
(h) A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 2, 45 DCR 1519; June 12, 1999, D.C. Law 12-285, § 4(g), 46 DCR 1355; Apr. 12, 2000, D.C. Law 13-91, § 141, 47 DCR 520.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-231.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 13-91, in subsec. (b), substituted "consist" for "consists".
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary amendment of section, see § 4(g) of the Confirmation Emergency Amendment Act of 1999 (D.C. Act 13-25, March 15, 1999, 46 DCR 2971).
For temporary (90-day) amendment of section, see § 4(g) of the Confirmation Act Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 1999 (D.C. Act 13-92, June 4, 1999, 46 DCR 5330).
Legislative History of Laws
Law 12-98, the "Make a Difference Selection Committee Establishment Act of 1998," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-90, which was referred to the Committee on Public Works and the Environment. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 4, 1997, and January 6, 1998, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on January 26, 1998, it was assigned Act No. 12-272 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12- 98 became effective on April 30, 1998.
Law 12-285, the "Confirmation Amendment Act of 1998," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 12-261. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 10, 1998, and December 1, 1998, respectively. Vetoed by the Mayor on December 29, 1998, Council overrode the veto on January 5, 1999, and the Bill was assigned Act No. 12-622 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 12-285 became effective on June 12, 1999.
Law 13-91, the "Technical Amendments Act of 1999," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 13-435, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 2, 1999, and December 7, 1999, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 29, 1999, it was assigned Act No. 13-234 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 13-91 became effective on April 12, 2000.
(a) The Committee shall accept nominations for honorees from the District of Columbia and any state or territory of the United States.
(b) The Committee shall select from the nominations received, persons to be recognized with commemorative markers in sidewalks designated in § 9- 1215.06.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 3, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-232.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
(a) No person shall be selected by the Commission to be honored unless that person meets the following criteria:
(1) The person's contribution must have been made in the public interest, must have materially improved American society, or the environment and must have had a positive effect on a significant number of people in the United States.
(2) The person must have been acting as a private citizen and not as an appointed or elected government official for the acts for which the person is to be recognized.
(3) The person must have undertaken the achievement for which the person is to be recognized outside of his or her normal work assignment, and not for profit.
(4) The person must have been born in the United States or naturalized as a United States citizen.
(b) No person shall be selected for recognition until a minimum of 5 years after the achievement for which the individual is being nominated has elapsed.
(c) The Committee shall not consider the race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or political affiliation of any nominee in making its decision on whether to honor an individual's accomplishments.
(d) There shall be no limit on the number of annual nominees that the Committee may consider for recognition. However, no more than 25 persons may be selected for recognition with a marker in any calendar year.
(e) A nominee must receive a two-thirds majority vote of the Committee members present and voting at a meeting of the Committee.
(f) Nominees approved by the Committee shall be submitted to the Mayor. The Mayor shall transmit the names of nominees by resolution to the Council for a 30-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the nominees, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 30-day review period, the nominees shall be deemed disapproved.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 4, 45 DCR 1519; Dec. 9, 2003, D.C. Law 15-51, § 2, 50 DCR 8982.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-233.
Effect of Amendments
D.C. Law 15-51, in subsec. (d), substituted "25" for "10".
Temporary Amendments of Section
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Temporary Amendment Act of 2000 (D.C. Law 13-230, April 3, 2001, law notification 48 DCR 3472).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Temporary Amendment Act of 2001 (D.C. Law 14-93, March 19, 2002, law notification 49 DCR 2998).
For temporary (225 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Temporary Amendment Act of 2002 (D.C. Law 14-265, March 27, 2003, law notification 50 DCR 2942).
Emergency Act Amendments
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of the Make a Difference Emergency Amendment Act of 2000 (D.C. Act 13-484, December 18, 2000, 48 DCR 17).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-19, March 16, 2001, 48 DCR 2697).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Emergency Amendment Act of 2001 (D.C. Act 14-178, November 19, 2001, 48 DCR 11060).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2002 (D.C. Act 14-307, March 25, 2002, 49 DCR 3410).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Emergency Amendment Act of 2002 (D.C. Act 14-542, December 2, 2002, 49 DCR 11662).
For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2 of Make a Difference Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2003 (D.C. Act 15-233, November 25, 2003, 50 DCR 10732).
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
Law 15-51, the "Make a Difference Amendment Act of 2003", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 15-71, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on July 8, 2003, and September 16, 2003, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on October 6, 2003, it was assigned Act No. 15-164 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 15-51 became effective on December 9, 2003.
(a) There is established a special trust fund to be known as the Make a Difference Trust Fund ("Fund") to receive all money from whatever source derived to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. The Fund shall be operated by the Committee in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. At no time shall any amount credited to the Fund be transferred to, or lapse into, or be commingled with the General Fund of the District of Columbia, or any other funds or accounts of the District of Columbia.
(b) Monies in the fund may derive from any of the following sources:
(1) Private donations;
(2) Federal grants;
(3) Other funds received by the Committee; and
(4) Interest or investments earnings on monies deposited in the Fund.
(c) An amount equal to 10% of the cost of each installed marker shall be held in a separate account earmarked for the perpetual maintenance and repair of the commemorative markers.
(d) The Committee shall maintain liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 for markers installed pursuant to this subchapter. The District shall be held harmless for any acts or omissions in the performance of its duties pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 5, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-234.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
(a) Markers recognizing individuals pursuant to this subchapter shall be made of granite or of another material approved by the Mayor.
(b) The markers shall be of consistent size, no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet and installed at approximately 50 foot intervals according to specifications of the Make a Difference Foundation and approved by the Department of Public Works.
(c) Markers shall be placed flush with the surface of the adjoining sidewalk and shall present no obstacle or danger to pedestrian traffic. The design shall comply with the requirements of 24 DCMR Chapter 11, Downtown Streetscape and shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 6, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-235.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
Delegation of Authority
Delegation of authority under D.C. Law 12-98, the "Make A Difference Selection Committee Establishment Act of 1998", see Mayor's Order 99-193, November 23, 1999 (46 DCR 9972).
Miscellaneous Notes
Approval to Install Bronze Commemorative Markers Pursuant to Section 6 of DC Law 12-98, the "Make a Difference Selection Committee Establishment Act of 1998", see Mayor's Order 2001-160, October 23, 2001 (48 DCR 10775).
Commemorative markers constructed pursuant to this subchapter may be placed in, including, but not limited to, the following locations:
(1) The North and South sidewalks of G Street, N.W., between 15th Street and 11th Street, N.W.;
(2) The North and South sidewalks of F Street, N.W., between 15th Street and 11th Street, N.W.;
(3) The North sidewalks of E Street, N.W., between 14th Street and 11th Street, N.W. and the South sidewalks of E Street, N.W., between 13th Street and 11th Street, N.W.;
(4) The East sidewalks of 15th Street, N.W., between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. and G Street, N.W.;
(5) The East and West sidewalks of 14th Street, N.W., between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and G Street, N.W.;
(6) The East sidewalks of 13th Street, N.W., between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. and E Street, N.W. and the East and West sidewalks of 13th Street, N.W., between E Street, N.W., and G Street, N.W.;
(7) The East and West sidewalks of 12th Street, N.W., between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and G Street, N.W.; and
(8) The East and West sidewalks of 11th Street, N.W., between Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., and G Street, N.W.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 7, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-236.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
(a) The Make a Difference Foundation ("Foundation") is a non-profit corporation founded in 1993, incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The purpose of the Make a Difference Foundation is to promote and encourage the practice of humanitarianism and public interest advocacy by recognizing the achievements of private citizens who work in the public interest.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subchapter IV of Chapter 2 of this title, the Make a Difference Foundation is authorized to install markers of granite or some other suitable material approved by the Mayor in the sidewalks in the District of Columbia designated in § 9-1215.06. The authority granted pursuant to this subsection is conditioned on the Make a Difference Foundation registering and maintaining registration as a foreign corporation in the District of Columbia.
(c) The Foundation shall pay all costs associated with constructing, installing, and maintaining the markers installed pursuant to this subchapter.
(d) Markers shall be inscribed with a profile likeness of the individual, a description of the individual's achievements, the date of the individual's birth (and death if then deceased), and may include a quote attributed to the individual.
(e) The Make a Difference Foundation shall have the exclusive right to install markers in sidewalks designated in § 9-1215.06.
(f) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to limit the ability of the District of Columbia government to install other monuments within any public space in the District including the region in which the Make a Difference Foundation has the exclusive right to install sidewalk markers.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 8, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-237.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.
(Apr. 30, 1998, D.C. Law 12-98, § 9, 45 DCR 1519.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 7-238.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 12-98, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 9-1215.01.
Delegation of Authority
Delegation of authority under D.C. Law 12-98, the "Make A Difference Selection Committee Establishment Act of 1998", see Mayor's Order 99-193, November 23, 1999 (46 DCR 9972).
