Executive Orders

Executive Order 11183--Establishing the President's Commission on White House Fellowships

Source: The provisions of Executive Order 11183 of Oct. 3, 1964, appear at 29 FR 13633, 3 CFR, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 256, unless otherwise noted.

WHEREAS it is in the national interest that our future leaders in all walks of life have opportunities to observe at firsthand the important and challenging tasks of American Government; and

WHEREAS participation in Government service early in their careers will help persons with high qualifications to become well-informed and public-spirited citizens; and

WHEREAS it is appropriate that public recognition be given to persons of exceptional promise who are willing to devote their time to increasing their understanding of the public business:

[Preamble amended by Executive Order 12012 of Oct. 3, 1977, 42 FR 54249, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 146]

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, it is ordered as follows:

Section 1. Establishment of Commission. (a) There is hereby established the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, hereinafter referred to as the Commission. The Commission shall consist of such outstanding citizens from the fields of public affairs, education, the sciences, the professions, other fields of private endeavor, and the Government service, as the President may from time to time appoint. One of the members shall be designated by the President to serve as Chairman of the Commission.
(b) Members of the Commission shall serve at the pleasure of the President. Federal officials shall receive no additional compensation by reason of their service on the Commission. Members appointed to the Commission from private life shall serve without compensation.

[Sec. 1 amended by Executive Order 11410 of May 6, 1968, 33 FR 6911, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 725]

Sec. 2. Functions of the Commission. (a) The Commission shall prescribe such standards and procedures as may be necessary to enable it to recommend annually a group of outstanding persons from among whom the President may select White House Fellows. Following publication of these standards and procedures, the Commission may accept (1) applications from individuals, including regular members of the Armed Forces of the United States, and (2) nominations from sponsoring individuals or organizations for consideration in its recommendations.

(b) The standards and procedures to be prescribed by the Commission shall be so drawn as to limit the selection of White House Fellows to persons who--

(1) Have demonstrated unusual ability, high moral character, outstanding motivation, and a broad capacity for leadership;

(2) Are presently early in their chosen careers and show exceptional promise of future development;

(3) Are dedicated to the institutions of the United States and the values of American civilization; and

(4) Are not, on the date on which they apply or at any time between the date of application and the beginning of service as a White House Fellow, employed in, or receiving any salary or wage as compensation for, the performance of a Federal function under authority of law or Executive act; except that, this exclusion shall not apply to regular members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, nor shall it apply to a "special Government employee" as defined in Section 202 of Title 18 of the United States Code, nor shall it apply to an independent contractor or employee thereof.

(c) White House Fellows shall be recommended by the Commission and selected by the President without discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age or political affiliation.

[Sec. 2 amended by Executive Order 11648 of Feb. 16, 1972, 37 FR 3623, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 673; Executive Order 11946 of Oct. 25, 1976, 41 FR 47219, 3 CFR, 1976 Comp., p. 158; Executive Order 12012 of Oct. 3, 1977, 42 FR 54249, 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p. 146]

Sec. 3. White House Fellows. White House Fellows will be appointed to serve for a period to be set by the Commission, provided that such a period shall not exceed 365 days. Extensions of appointments may be granted by the Commission at any time after appointments are made, but such extensions shall not exceed 90 days. White House Fellows will begin their appointments on September 1 of the year in which they are selected, and shall be assigned to serve on the White House staff, in the Executive Office of the President, in the Office of the Vice President, in the offices of members of the Cabinet, or in the offices of such other Executive Branch officials as shall, from time to time, be designated by the President and the Commission.

[Sec. 3 amended by Executive Order 11946 of Oct. 25, 1976, 41 FR 47219, 3 CFR, 1976 Comp., p. 158; Executive Order 12653 of Sept. 29, 1988, 53 FR 38705, 3 CFR, 1988 Comp., p. 583]

Sec. 4. Executive Agencies. (a) Each executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5 of the United States Code shall extend fullest cooperation to the White House Fellows Program and attempt to maximize the Program's benefits to the individual Fellow, the Department or Agency, and the Federal Government.
(b) The Office of Personnel Management shall provide the Commission with administrative services, staff support, and travel expenses as authorized by law.

[Sec. 4 amended by Executive Order 11648 of Feb. 16, 1972, 37 FR 3623, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 673; Executive Order 12107 of Dec. 28, 1978, 44 FR 1055, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 264]

Editorial note: The President's Commission on White House Fellowships was continued until Sept. 30, 1989, by Executive Order 12610 of Sept. 30, 1987, 52 FR 36901, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 250. Executive Order 12610 also provides that, notwithstanding the provisions of any other Executive order, the functions of the President under the Federal Advisory Committee Act which are applicable to the Commission, except that of reporting annually to Congress, shall be performed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in accordance with guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.