Foster named to Reagan Centennial Commission

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a Geneva Democrat, has been appointed to the Reagan Centennial Commission, he announced Wednesday.

The commission will plan and carry out activities to honor President Ronald Reagan, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, and will also provide assistance to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and civic groups to carry out such activities.

"I am incredibly honored to have the privilege of serving on this commission," Foster said in a news release.

President Reagan was born in Tampico on Feb. 6, 1911, and was raised in Dixon. Both Tampico and Dixon are in the 14th Congressional District of Illinois, which Foster represents.

Legislation creating the bipartisan commission was introduced to the U.S. Congress on Jan. 6 and became law on June 2. Foster was named to the commission by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The commission will be composed of 11 members, including the secretary of the interior, four members appointed by the president, two representatives appointed by the speaker of the House, one representative appointed by the minority leader of the House, two senators appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, and one senator appointed by the Senate minority leader.