The original U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission included 16 private citizens.
The commission’s original structure combined private citizens, members of Congress, and federal officials. Party leaders in the House and Senate selected the private citizen members, with each congressional leadership group naming four people, producing a total of 16.
The commission was intended to bring together government representatives and people from outside government who could contribute expertise, civic connections, and public visibility. Its chairperson was designated by the president from among the private citizen members.
The membership structure later changed. A 2020 amendment altered the commission’s nonvoting federal membership and made other technical changes, so descriptions of the commission can differ depending on whether they refer to its original or later composition. The figure 16 specifically describes the original private-citizen membership.