Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act - Establishes the World War I Centennial Commission to: (1) plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I; (2) encourage private organizations and state and local governments to organize and participate in such activities; (3) facilitate and coordinate such activities throughout the United States; (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about centennial events and plans; and (5) develop recommendations for Congress and the President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.
Designates: (1) the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Museum and Memorial; and (2) the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C., as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial.
Authorizes the World War I Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work at the site of the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial to reflect its national character.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 938 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 938
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the
centennial of World War I and to designate memorials to the service of
men and women of the United States in World War I.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 8, 2011
Mr. Poe of Texas (for himself, Mr. Cleaver, and Mr. Huizenga of
Michigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the
Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the
centennial of World War I and to designate memorials to the service of
men and women of the United States in World War I.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Frank Buckles
World War I Memorial Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purpose.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission.
Sec. 6. Duties of the Commission.
Sec. 7. Powers of the Commission.
Sec. 8. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 9. Termination of the Commission.
Sec. 10. Designation of National World War I Memorials.
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 12. Effective date.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations
around the world will mark the centennial of World War I,
including the entry of the United States into the war in April
1917.
(2) America's support of Great Britain, France, Belgium,
and its other allies in World War I marked the first time in
United States history that American soldiers went abroad in
defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked
the true beginning of the ``American century''.
(3) Although World War I was at the time called ``the war
to end all wars'', in fact the United States would commit its
troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in the 20th
century.
(4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United
States served in uniform during World War I, among them 2
future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Two million individuals from the United States served overseas
during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who
served on the seas. The United States suffered 375,000
casualties during World War I, including 116,516 deaths.
(5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the
United States, and the lives of millions of people.
(6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for
people in the United States to learn about and commemorate the
sacrifices of their predecessors.
(7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow
people in the United States to learn about the history of World
War I, the United States involvement in that war, and the war's
effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and to
commemorate and honor the participation of the United States
and its citizens in the war effort.
(8) While the other great conflicts of the 20th century,
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, have
national memorials on the Mall in Washington, DC, there
currently exists no nationally recognized memorial honoring the
service of the United States and its citizens in World War I.
(9) In 1921, the people of Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated
a site in that city for a memorial to the service of Americans
in World War I, a ceremony attended by General John J. Pershing
and military leaders of Great Britain, France, Belgium, and
Italy. In 1924, the cornerstone of the 217-foot Liberty
Memorial Tower was laid. On Armistice Day 1926, President
Calvin Coolidge delivered the key note address at the
Memorial's dedication ceremony. The Memorial and surrounding
grounds were completed in 1938, with an inscription that reads
``In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in Defense of
Liberty and Our Country.''.
(10) The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial as
a national symbol of World War I.
(11) The 108th Congress designated the museum at the base
of the Liberty Memorial as ``America's National World War I
Museum''. The museum preserves the story of World War I, and
educates and enlightens people about this significant event.
(12) The District of Columbia War Memorial was authorized
in 1924 by resolution of the 68th Congress, and was dedicated
on Armistice Day 1931 by President Herbert Hoover. The DC War
Memorial, erected in memory of the 499 residents of the
District of Columbia who died in World War I, is often
overlooked by residents and visitors to Washington.
(13) The DC War Memorial is located on the national Mall in
Washington, adjacent to the World War II, Korean War, and
Vietnam memorials. Of these memorials, which now compose a
quartet of memorials to the 4 great wars of the American
Century, only the DC War Memorial is not a national memorial.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to--
(1) establish a commission, in Kansas City, Missouri, to
ensure a suitable national observance of the centennial of
World War I; and
(2) rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City and the
District of Columbia War Memorial, respectively, as the
``National World War I Museum and Memorial'' and the ``District
of Columbia and National World War I Memorial''.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) America's national world war i museum.--The term
``America's National World War I Museum'' means the Liberty
Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by
Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-
375; 118 Stat. 2045).
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the World
War I Centennial Commission established by section 5(a).
(3) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans
service organization'' means any organization recognized by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of
veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``World War I Centennial Commission''.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 24
members as follows:
(A) Four members who shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(B) Three members who shall be appointed by the
minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(C) Four members who shall be appointed by the
majority leader of the Senate.
(D) Three members who shall be appointed by the
minority leader of the Senate.
(E) Seven members who shall be appointed by the
President from among persons who are broadly
representative of the people of the United States
(including members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
representatives of veterans service organizations).
(F) One member who shall be appointed by the
executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.
(G) One member who shall be appointed by the
executive director of the American Legion.
(H) One member who shall be appointed by the
president of the Liberty Memorial Association.
(2) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission.
(3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled
in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
(4) Initial meeting.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the
date on which all members of the Commission have been
appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting.
(B) Location.--The location for the meeting held
under subparagraph (A) shall be the America's National
World War I Museum.
(5) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the
call of the Chair.
(B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of
the members of the Commission not less frequently than
once each year.
(C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Commission shall meet at the America's
National World War I Museum.
(6) Quorum.--Thirteen members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
(7) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall select a
Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The duties of the Commission are as follows:
(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and
activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.
(2) To encourage private organizations and State and local
governments to organize and participate in activities
commemorating the centennial of World War I.
(3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the
United States relating to the centennial of World War I.
(4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and
dissemination of information about events and plans for the
centennial of World War I.
(5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the
President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Periodic report.--Beginning not later than the last day
of the 3-month period beginning on the effective date of this
Act and the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, the
Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report
on the activities and plans of the Commission.
(2) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the
effective date of this Act, the Commission shall submit to
Congress and the President a report containing specific
recommendations for commemorating the centennial of World War I
and coordinating related activities.
SEC. 7. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
(b) Powers of Member and Agents.--If authorized by the Commission,
any member or agent of the Commission may take any action which the
Commission is authorized to take under this Act.
(c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission shall secure
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Upon the request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such
department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration
shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the
administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry
out its responsibilities under this Act.
(e) Contract Authority.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Commission is authorized--
(A) to procure supplies, services, and property;
and
(B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or
other legal agreements.
(2) Limitation.--The Commission may not enter into any
contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond
the date of the termination of the Commission under section
9(a).
(f) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(g) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--
(1) Acceptance by commission.--The Commission may accept,
use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or
property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or
facilitating the work of the Commission.
(2) Deposit and availability.--Gifts, bequests, or devises
of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as
gifts, requests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury
of the United States and shall be available for disbursement
upon order of the Commission.
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Commission shall serve
without compensation for such service.
(b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5, United States
Code.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chair of the Commission shall, in
consultation with the members of the Commission, appoint an
executive director and such other additional personnel as may
be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the
executive director and any other personnel appointed
under paragraph (1).
(B) Limitation.--The Chair of the Commission may
not fix the compensation of the executive director or
other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) at a rate
that exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5,
United States Code.
(C) Work location.--If the city government for
Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial
Association make space available in the building in
which the America's National World War I Museum is
located, the executive director of the Commission and
other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) shall
work in such building to the extent practical.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the
Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on
a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the
Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The Chair
of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of--
(1) the date that is 30 days after the date the completion
of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial
observation of World War I; or
(2) July 28, 2019.
(b) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) shall apply to the activities of the Commission under
this Act.
(2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not
apply to the Commission.
SEC. 10. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIALS.
(a) Designation of the National World War I Museum and Memorial,
Missouri.--
(1) In general.--The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at the
America's National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri,
is designated as the ``National World War I Museum and
Memorial''.
(2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and
execute ceremonies to rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas
City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
(b) Designation of the District of Columbia and National World War
I Memorial.--
(1) Designation.--The District of Columbia War Memorial in
Washington, DC, is designated as the ``District of Columbia and
National World War I Memorial''.
(2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and
execute ceremonies to rededicate the District of Columbia War
Memorial as the District of Columbia and National World War I
Memorial.
(3) Authority to establish commemorative work.--
(A) In general.--The World War I Memorial
Foundation may establish a commemorative work at the
site of the District of Columbia and National World War
I Memorial consisting of an appropriate sculptural or
other commemorative element reflecting the national
character of the memorial.
(B) Requirements.--Any commemorative work
established under subparagraph (A) shall complement and
preserve the memorial (including the landscape of the
memorial), as in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act.
(4) Compliance with standards for commemorative works;
location of memorial.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
rededication of the District of Columbia and National
World War I Memorial shall be in accordance with
chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code.
(B) Congressional finding.--Congress finds that
because this Act authorizes the rededication and
related enhancement of a commemorative work that, as of
the date of enactment of this Act, is in existence and
is sited within the Reserve (as defined in section
8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code), the
provisions regarding site approval and location of
commemorative works under sections 8905 and 8908(c) of
title 40, United States Code, do not apply to this Act.
(5) Deposit of excess funds.--The World War I Memorial
Foundation shall transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury for
deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of
title 40, United States Code--
(A) any funds that remain after payment of all
expenses incurred in the rededication of the memorial
(including payment of the amount for maintenance and
preservation required under section 8906(b) of that
title); or
(B) any funds that remain for the commemorative
work authorized under subsection (a) on expiration of
the authority for the commemorative work under section
8903(e) of that title.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2019.
SEC. 12. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act takes effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1597)
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
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