congressional_record: CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7495-2
Data license: Public Domain (U.S. Government data) · Data source: Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API
This data as json
| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREC-2012-12-31-pt1-PgH7495-2 | 2012-12-31 | 112 | 2 | WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT | HOUSE | HOUSE | ALLOTHER | H7495 | H7498 | [{"name": "Jason Chaffetz", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "Ted Poe", "role": "speaking"}, {"name": "Eleanor Holmes Norton", "role": "speaking"}] | [{"congress": "112", "type": "HR", "number": "938"}, {"congress": "112", "type": "HR", "number": "3159"}, {"congress": "112", "type": "HR", "number": "6364"}, {"congress": "112", "type": "HR", "number": "6364"}] | 158 Cong. Rec. H7495 | Congressional Record, Volume 158 Issue 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012) [Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)] [House] [Pages H7495-H7498] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ACT Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 6364) to establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials to the [[Page H7496]] service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the Senate amendment is as follows: Senate amendment: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``World War I Centennial Commission 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. Definitions. Sec. 4. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission. Sec. 5. Duties of Centennial Commission. Sec. 6. Powers of Centennial Commission. Sec. 7. Centennial Commission personnel matters. Sec. 8. Termination of Centennial Commission. Sec. 9. Prohibition on obligation of Federal funds. 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. SEC. 3. 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) Centennial commission.--The term ``Centennial Commission'' means the World War I Centennial Commission established by section 4(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. 4. 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 Centennial Commission shall be composed of 12 members as follows: (A) Two members who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (B) One member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (C) Two members who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (D) One member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (E) Three 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) Time for appointment.--The members of the Centennial Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Centennial Commission. (4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Centennial Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (c) Meetings.-- (1) Initial meeting.-- (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Centennial Commission have been appointed, the Centennial 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. (2) Subsequent meetings.-- (A) In general.--The Centennial Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair. (B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of the members of the Centennial Commission not less frequently than once each year. (C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each year, the Centennial Commission shall meet at the America's National World War I Museum. (3) Quorum.--Seven members of the Centennial Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Centennial Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. SEC. 5. DUTIES OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. (a) In General.--The duties of the Centennial 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.--Not later than the last day of the 6- month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, the Centennial Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report on the activities and plans of the Centennial Commission. (2) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Centennial 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. 6. POWERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. (a) Hearings.--The Centennial Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Centennial Commission considers appropriate to carry out its duties under this Act. (b) Powers of Member and Agents.--If authorized by the Centennial Commission, any member or agent of the Centennial Commission may take any action which the Centennial Commission is authorized to take under this Act. (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Centennial Commission shall secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Centennial Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon the request of the Chair of the Centennial Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Centennial Commission. (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the Centennial Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to the Centennial Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Centennial Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. (e) Contract Authority.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Centennial 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 Centennial Commission may not enter into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond the date of the termination of the Centennial Commission under section 8(a). (f) Postal Services.--The Centennial 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.--The Centennial Commission shall accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of covering the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission to carry out its duties under this Act. SEC. 7. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. (a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Centennial Commission shall serve without compensation for such service. (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Centennial 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 Centennial Commission shall, in consultation with the members of the Centennial Commission, appoint an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Centennial Commission to perform its duties. (2) Compensation.-- [[Page H7497]] (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Chair of the Centennial Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and any other personnel appointed under paragraph (1). (B) Limitation.--The Chair of the Centennial 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 Centennial 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 Centennial Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the Centennial Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.-- The Chair of the Centennial Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (f) Source of Funds.--Gifts, bequests, and devises of services or property, both real and personal, received by the Centennial Commission under section 6(g) shall be the only source of funds to cover the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission under this section. SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. (a) In General.--The Centennial 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 Centennial Commission under this Act. (2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not apply to the Centennial Commission. SEC. 9. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS. No Federal funds may be obligated to carry out this Act. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah. General Leave Mr. CHAFFETZ. I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Utah? There was no objection. Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield such time as he may consume to the original sponsor of this bill, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe). Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and for his support on this legislation. I also thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia. Madam Speaker, they said that World War I would be ``the war to end all wars.'' But it wasn't. It was a world war and encompassed the entire globe and most of the countries in the world. The war started in 1914, and the United States entered in April of 1917. The United States entered the war for three main reasons: one, the sinking of the British liner Lusitania and 128 Americans being killed in that submarine attack; and then seven U.S. Merchant Marine ships were sunk by German submarines when they had unconditional rights to sink any ship on the high seas, according to the German Government; and the third thing was when the Germans sent the Zimmerman telegram to Mexico. Madam Speaker, a lot of Americans don't know what that was, but basically the Germans were telling the country of Mexico if they would enter the war on the side of Germany, the central powers, that they would help Mexico invade the United States and take the States of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and give them to the country of Mexico. So the United States entered the war in April 1917. H.R. 3159 would create a commission to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Over 116,000 Americans died in World War I. That's more than in Korea, Vietnam, and both Iraq wars and Afghanistan combined. Madam Speaker, to my left is a photograph of American doughboys, as they were called because of the color of their uniform, going over out of a trench, ``over the top'' as it was called in World War I. They were primarily teenagers. Like in most of our wars, the teenagers go to fight those wars. And they are leaving the trench going into what is called ``no man's land.'' And those Americans served, along with their allies in World War I. Two U.S. Presidents served in World War I, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower. And if World War II veterans were known as the Greatest Generation, then World War I veterans should be known as the Selfless Generation. After all, these World War I veterans--the ones that survived--were the fathers of the Greatest Generation. America's last doughboy was Frank Buckles. He died on February 26, 2011. He was 110 years of age. I got to know Frank Buckles when he came to the United States Capitol on some legislation that I will talk about momentarily. Frank Buckles in World War I was too young to join. Nobody would let him in. He went from recruiter to recruiter. He was 16--he might have been 15--but he lied about his age, and he finally convinced an Army recruiter to take him in. He joined the doughboys, and he went ``Over There,'' that song that George Cohan wrote talking about the Americans that wouldn't ``come back 'till it's over, over there.'' He drove an ambulance in World War I helping rescue other doughboys that were wounded out here in no man's land and some that had died bringing them back behind the lines. After the Great War was over with, he was in the Philippines when World War II started. And, sure enough, he's captured by the Japanese. Frank Buckles was held in a prisoner-of- war camp by the Japanese for 3\1/2\ years, and he was finally released when rescued by Americans who liberated the Philippines. After the war, he moved to West Virginia and he worked on the farm until he was 106 driving the tractor. Frank Buckles, the last surviving doughboy, lived half of our Nation's history. So, today, we have an opportunity to remember Frank Buckles, these doughboys, other doughboys, and all those great Americans who fought for America 100 years ago. The bill establishes a commission to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The commission will plan programs and activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of that Great War. Time is short. The centennial for the start of World War I is in 2014, and many of our allies have already started planning different events. It must be noted that no Federal funds will be spent for this commission--they have to raise their own money from private funds. Madam Speaker, in the last century, there were four great wars where Americans participated, and we have built memorials on the Mall for all of them, except one. We built a memorial for the Vietnam veterans, the Korean veterans and the World War II veterans; but there is no memorial on the Mall for all of those doughboys that served in World War I. There is a D.C. memorial that recognizes and honors the D.C. soldiers and sailors that served in World War I, but there is no great memorial for all that served throughout the United States. It is my hope and the intent of the original legislation that passed the House that there one day will be a national World War I memorial on the Mall. And that's where I met Frank Buckles. He came to Washington, D.C., as the guest of many of our Senators. And it was his hope, and really it was one of his dying wishes, that we would build, that Congress would authorize the building of a memorial on the Mall for all of those that served in the great World War I. The original bill that passed this House by unanimous vote had that memorial in the bill. It went to the Senate, and now we have only the commission. So it is my intent to reauthorize, or reoffer, that bill in our next session of Congress, and I'd encourage the commission to consider this building of a memorial on the Mall in their commemoration. There would be no better way to commemorate these brave Americans than to honor them with a memorial on the Mall. [[Page H7498]] When one of our warriors dies, Madam Speaker, for our country, they become a casualty of war; but the worst casualty of war is to be forgotten. So I hope we would build that memorial on the Mall. But now let's pass this bill to commemorate them and honor them with this commission. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this important legislation. H.R. 6364 establishes a commission to ensure that there is suitable observation of the centennial of World War I. This bill is a fitting tribute to all servicemembers who valiantly fought in all theaters of World War I. The commission the bill establishes leaves ample time for appropriate commemorative works, events, and a tribute before the 100th anniversary of the war in 2014. I would like to thank my colleagues, but especially Representative Ted Poe, who has been singularly focused on this bill and who has worked with me and with others until this day, and I certainly pledge to work with him next year as he continues on this very laudable mission. I thank also my friend, Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri, Rob Bishop of Utah, and Raul Grijalva of Arizona for working with me to preserve the District of Columbia World War I memorial in particular. {time} 1200 Earlier this year, in his search for a suitable memorial for World War I, Representative Ted Poe introduced H.R. 938, which would have nationalized the D.C. memorial by redesignating it as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial. He made clear, however, that he was not necessarily focused on the D.C. memorial, but that his goal was a World War I memorial here. While I very much support commemorating all the servicemen and -women who fought in World War I, I had to oppose altering the integrity of the D.C. memorial. The D.C. memorial was built with the blood and treasure of D.C. residents only, including funds from schoolchildren. Of the more than 26,000 D.C. residents who served in World War I, the 499 who died, more than the number from three States, have their names engraved on the memorial. Our memorial is deeply symbolic of the historic and continuing concerns of District residents, particularly our veterans who continue to serve without equal congressional representation, equal rights as citizens, and equal local government control. In the spirit of cooperation among Members of both parties, the House-passed version of H.R. 6364 would have protected the D.C. War Memorial, and H.R. 6364 as amended by the Senate similarly will have no effect on the D.C. War Memorial. In fact, all of the provisions regarding memorials have been removed from the bill. Instead, it establishes a commission to observe World War I across the country as we approach the centennial of the start of the war. I believe that the reason that this has been done reflects nothing more than the fact that the commission's approach to two important commemorations has been the usual approach almost always to important commemorations, and World War I had enormous effects on those who fought, on the Nation and on the world. More than 4 million men and women from the United States served in uniform during World War I. Among them, two future Presidents: Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Two million men and women from the United States served overseas during World War I. The United States suffered 375,000 casualties during that war, including 116,516 deaths. The national commission will plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I throughout the United States. Importantly, not only here, but throughout the United States, people are anxious to learn more about the history of this war, to become involved in its commemoration, especially considering the effects of this war on the 20th century until today. We very much look forward to the commission's efforts to honor the participation and sacrifices of the United States and its citizens in the war effort. And once again, I want to thank Representative Poe for the extraordinary effort and energy he has put into this bill and the way he has worked cooperatively with all of us on both sides of the aisle. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to again thank Representative Poe from the State of Texas for introducing this legislation and his tenacious pursuit of making this happen. The bill is bipartisan in its approach. It creates a means for properly commemorating the centennial of the Great War in honoring those who gallantly fought. I would encourage my colleagues to vote in concurrence with the Senate amendment to H.R. 6364 and remind people that no taxpayer dollars will be used to carry out this act. I encourage my colleagues to vote in favor of this, and I yield back the balance my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Chaffetz) that the House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 6364. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn. ____________________ |