Reading Room Document
Proposed appointment of Francis Keppel as Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
The document confirms that there are no legal obstacles to Francis Keppel serving as Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare while continuing to serve as Commissioner of Education. It cites the Health Research Facilities Amendments of 1955 and Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1953 as providing the authority for the Secretary to direct Mr. Keppel to continue his functions as Commissioner of Education while performing any other duties prescribed. The document also mentions the Dual Compensation Act, which recognizes that one individual may hold two offices simultaneously. The conclusion reached is that there are no legal barriers to Mr. Keppel's proposed service in two capacities. The document presents questions about the legal authority for Mr. Keppel to hold dual positions and cites precedents for dual tenure at similar levels of positions.
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