[Pages H6733-H6739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FRANK BUCKLES WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL ACT

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6364) to establish a commission to ensure a suitable
observance of the centennial of World War I, to designate memorials to
the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War
I, including a National World War I Memorial on the National Mall in
the District of Columbia, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 6364

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. 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. Designation of National World War I Museum and Memorial in
Kansas City, Missouri.
Sec. 10. Establishment of National World War I Memorial in the District
of Columbia.
Sec. 11. 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

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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 national 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.

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) Memorial foundation.--The term ``Memorial Foundation''
means the World War I Memorial Foundation authorized to
establish the National World War I Memorial in the District
of Columbia under section 10.
(4) 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.

[[Page H6735]]

(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.--
(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. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND
MEMORIAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

(a) In General.--The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at
America's National World War I Museum in Kansas City,
Missouri, is hereby designated as the ``National World War I
Museum and Memorial''.
(b) Ceremonies.--The Centennial Commission may plan,
develop, and execute ceremonies to recognize the designation
of the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National World
War I Museum and Memorial.

SEC. 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL IN
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

(a) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work.--The World
War I Memorial Foundation may establish a commemorative work
on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs
to consist of an appropriate sculptural or other
commemorative elements to serve as the National World War I
Memorial.
(b) Limitation on Size of Memorial.--The National World War
I Memorial may not exceed 0.5 acres in size.
(c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 89 of title 40, United States
Code, shall apply to the establishment of the National World
War I Memorial in the District of Columbia and its environs.
(2) Exception from prohibition on additional commemorative
works in reserve.--Section 8908(c) of title 40, United States
Code, does not apply with respect to the selection of the
site for the National World War I Memorial.
(3) No infringement upon existing memorial.--The site
selected for the National World War I Memorial may not
infringe upon or adversely impact the District of Columbia
War Memorial.
(d) Limitation on Total Cost.--The total cost to design and
construct the National World War I Memorial may not exceed
$10,000,000.
(e) Deposit of Excess Funds.--
(1) Upon establishment of memorial.--If, upon payment of
all expenses for the establishment of the National World War
I Memorial (including the maintenance and preservation amount
required by section 8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States
Code), there remains a balance of funds received for the
establishment of the memorial, the Memorial Foundation shall
transmit the amount of the balance to the account provided
for in section 8906(b)(3) of such title.
(2) Upon expiration of authority to establish memorial.--
If, upon expiration of the authority for the National World
War I Memorial under section 8903(e) of title 40, United
States Code, there remains a balance of funds received for
the establishment of the memorial, the Memorial Foundation
shall transmit the amount of the balance to a separate
account with the National Park Foundation for memorials, to
be available to the Secretary of the Interior or
Administrator of General Services (as appropriate) following
the process provided in section 8906(b)(4) of such title for
accounts established under section 8906(b)(3) of such title.
(f) Ceremonies.--The Centennial Commission may plan,
develop, and execute ceremonies to recognize the
establishment of the National World War I Memorial.
(g) Memorial Area Defined.--In this section, the term
``District of Columbia and its environs'' has the meaning
given that term in section 8902(a)(2) of title 40, United
States Code.

SEC. 11. 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. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may 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, we're about to come up on a very
important date regarding World War I, and this bill, sponsored by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), H.R. 6364, is a very worthy undertaking
that the Congress, I believe, should enact.
So in the spirit of that, I would like to actually recognize and
yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Poe).
Mr. POE of Texas. I appreciate the gentleman from Utah yielding time.
Madam Speaker, Frank Buckles was the epitome of an American hero and
a man who would do anything for this great United States of America.
This is a photograph of him recently taken after he joined the United
States Army. Frank Buckles wanted to be in the United States Army. He
volunteered. No one would take him because, you see, he wasn't 18. He
finally continued to lie about his age, convinced a recruiter he was
21, and at the age of 16 joined the United States Army in the great
World War I.
He wanted to get to France as soon as he could, so he volunteered to
be in the ambulance service. What he did when he got to Europe was
rescue and pick up other doughboys in Europe out of those trenches and
take them back behind American lines so their wounds could be taken
care of. He also picked up many of our Americans--114,000 to be exact--
that died in the great World War I.
He was able to come back to America alive. He made it through the
war, although many, as I mentioned, did not. Many Americans when they
came home from the great war over there, as Mr. Cohen said, died of the
flu they picked up in Europe. In fact, a great number of them died from
the Spanish flu, almost as many as died in Europe itself.
Frank Buckles then went to work. During his work, it took him to the
Philippines; but when he was in the Philippines, the Japanese invaded
in World War II and Frank Buckles again was captured by the Japanese in
the Philippines and put in a prisoner-of-war camp for 3\1/2\ years. He
was about to be executed, and the Americans came and liberated the
camp; and he, along with the other prisoners of war, came back to
America. Frank Buckles then went back to West Virginia where he worked
his farm and drove the tractor until he was 107.
Madam Speaker, it was his decision and his life goal that he would be
instrumental in helping build a memorial on the Mall for all of the
veterans who served in the great World War I. I met him in 2007, and
this project has been going on now for 5 years to try to get approval
to build this memorial for all

[[Page H6736]]

veterans of World War I on the Mall, almost as long as the war took.
He came to Washington, D.C., a few years ago. This is a picture of
him that was taken recently before he died at the age of 110 at the
D.C. memorial on the Mall. That is a monument and a memorial to all of
the veterans from the District of Columbia that served in World War I.
I went with him to this memorial where we talked about expanding our
honor of all veterans and having a memorial for everybody in the great
World War I.
That was his goal, and he worked with many Members of Congress on
this issue. Although he lived to 110, he didn't live long enough to see
the memorial created. Madam Speaker, he was the very last American
doughboy that lived in the great World War I. They're all gone, every
one of them. So it is up to us, Members of Congress and the public, to
speak for them and honor them on the Mall right across the street as
would be appropriate. In the Mall, we have three of the four great wars
of the last century that we honor. We honor those in World War II, the
Korean war, and Vietnam. Now it's time to honor all of those who served
in the great World War I.
I must compliment a little school down in Texas, Creekwood Middle
School, and Jan York, who works there. It was the project of eighth
graders years ago to find all of the World War I survivors and do a
history project on them throughout the world from all countries; and
they did a project, of course, on Frank Buckles, as well. In fact, we
were able to get him on the phone, and the eighth grade class at
Creekwood Middle School on one of his birthdays sang happy birthday to
him.
Those kids who are seniors in high school now will be able to
hopefully see this memorial built and the approval of it to be built on
the Mall. But I want to thank her and her eighth graders for the
history project concept and delving into American history in depth and
finding out what had happened in our great American Nation.
I also want to thank my friend, Emanuel Cleaver from Missouri, for
his help on this legislation; the gentlelady from D.C., Ms. Norton;
also the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Bishop; and the committee chairman,
Doc Hastings, as well.
It is important that we pass this legislation. If we get this
legislation passed, it will do three things: it will build a memorial
on the Mall, it will set up a commission to honor World War I; as this
Nation is approaching the 100th year; and it will also recognize--which
my friend, Mr. Cleaver, will talk about--the work of the museum and the
national work of the World War I memorial in Kansas City. It's time we
passed this to honor those great World War I veterans.

{time} 1510

Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga).
Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. I appreciate my friend from Utah for
yielding.
I'm glad we could keep this photograph up. Here is how I got involved
and engaged in this. It's very personal. Actually, the man who took
this photograph, David de Young, is a constituent and a friend of mine
back from west Michigan. He was actually part of a project that went
out to try to then photograph all of the remaining World War I
survivors. He traveled to Europe, to Australia, and then had met Frank
Buckles along the way and had gotten to know him very well.
Unfortunately, I was not able to meet him in person, but I attended
his funeral in Arlington, where we said good-bye as a Nation. I can
tell you that it was his desire--Frank's desire--and David's desire,
his family's desire, my desire, and I think now, finally, this body's
desire to properly say thank you.
The other reason this is very personal and very important to me is
that I get to talk about a man named Bill Huizenga--not I, Bill
Huizenga, but my grandfather, Bill Huizenga--who happened to fight in
World War I. He was part of a group called the Polar Bears. They were
men who were chosen from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan because
they figured they'd be used to the cold, so they sent them all the way
up around Norway to Archangel, Russia, to fight in an undeclared
portion of World War I. In fact, Grandpa Bill was there after Armistice
Day and where British, Canadian, and American troops remained well into
the spring of that following year after Armistice. It wasn't until
much, much later that we were actually even officially recognized as
being part of that. I can tell you that one of my prized possessions is
in having my grandfather's old doughboy helmet, which hangs in our
family's home.
It's just a fitting, timely thing that we finally say thank you and
that we finally recognize this group of men who fought a terrible war,
who fought a war that so many had hoped would be the war to end all
wars. Unfortunately, we know that isn't the case.
I would like to commend our friends across the aisle--the gentlelady
from the District and the gentleman from Missouri--for working on this
and led by my friend from Texas (Mr. Poe) to get this done. This is an
important statement for us and is a fitting tribute to that generation.
Frank, we thank you for your service, and we thank all of those
families.
Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, may I say that we will miss seeing you
occasionally in that chair, and I know I speak for my colleagues on
both sides of the aisle when I say we will especially miss you sitting
in the chair as chair of Financial Services of the Appropriations
Committee and as a Member of this body, which you have so graciously
served.
I rise in support of this important legislation. H.R. 6364
establishes a commission to ensure the suitable observation of the
centennial of World War I. It further provides for the designation of a
memorial to the service of the members of the United States Armed
Forces throughout the United States who participated in World War I,
and it finally protects the District of Columbia World War I Memorial
on The Mall.
This bill had to do three things, and I want to express my
appreciation to all of the Members who were party to the agreement that
finally resulted in this bill--my colleagues Mr. Poe of Texas, Mr.
Cleaver of Missouri, Mr. Bishop of Utah and Mr. Grijalva of Arizona--
for working with me to preserve the District of Columbia World War I
Memorial. In particular, the bill that is before us, Madam Speaker, is
an example of what can be done when Members work together to achieve a
resolution of their individual concerns.
Earlier in this Congress, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe)
introduced H.R. 938. It would have, among other things, nationalized
the DC war memorial by designating it as the District of Columbia and
National World War I Memorial. We were all in agreement that there
should be a suitable memorial on Federal land as we now approach this
extraordinary anniversary in 2014; but of course, I had to oppose
altering the integrity of the DC war memorial. That memorial was built
with not one Federal dollar but, rather, with the blood and treasure of
DC residents, including funds from school children. Of the more than
26,000 DC residents who served in World War I, the 499 who died--more
than the number from three States--have their names individually carved
on that memorial. Our memorial is deeply symbolic of the historic and
continuing concerns of District residents, particularly of our
veterans, who continue to serve without equal representation in the
Congress, equal rights as citizens, and equal local government control.
I am very happy this afternoon to report that H.R. 6364 protects the
integrity of the DC war memorial and goes further. It meets the concern
for a World War I memorial here for all veterans, which is the concern
that Mr. Poe spoke of; and it meets Mr. Cleaver's concern and the
concern of Members from Missouri--like you, Madam Speaker--for a
designation of that extraordinarily beautiful memorial there as a
national World War I memorial.
The bill establishes a commission to ensure a suitable observance of
the centennial of World War I, and it designates memorials to the
service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I,
including a national World War I Memorial.

[[Page H6737]]

H.R. 6364 protects the DC memorial because it complies with the
provision of the Commemorative Works Act, which prohibits a new
memorial from ``interfer[ing] with or encroach[ing] on, an existing
commemorative work.'' The bill goes further by saying that the site of
the national World War I Memorial on Federal land may not ``infringe
upon or otherwise adversely impact the District of Columbia World War I
Memorial.'' This preservation is, of course, critical to DC residents,
who deserve to have a memorial dedicated to their veterans as, I might
mention, every single State has as to its World War I veterans because,
at that time, most Americans thought it preferable to have memorials in
their own States, so each and every State has a World War I Memorial.
Today, in contrast, people insist on memorials to their veterans on
Federal land here.
It has always been our position that a national memorial dedicated to
all Americans who served in World War I should be located in the
Nation's Capital, and I have been committed and remain committed to
working with my colleagues to find suitable locations in the District
of Columbia for a national World War I Memorial. I am happy that H.R.
6364 allows for such a memorial, that it does not interfere with the DC
war memorial, and that it appropriately commemorates the beautiful
memorial in Missouri.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver), who has worked so hard on this
bill and has been so creative and diligent and committed.
Mr. CLEAVER. We are here today in an unprecedented show of
bipartisanship with this piece of legislation. H.R. 6364 is the product
of both sides of the aisle working together to do what is right to
honor the memory of our veterans.
I especially want to thank Representative Ted Poe for his efforts in
bringing this bill to the floor today as well as to thank
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton for her work on the legislation.
Of course, I'd also like to thank Majority Leader Cantor for his
support along the way.

{time} 1520

Frank Buckles, who was on the stage of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas
City just 4 years ago during the Veterans Day program, was the last
surviving veteran from World War I, and he was from the State of
Missouri. Unfortunately, he passed away during the drafting of this
very bill. However, even with Mr. Buckles' passing, our commitment
remains strong as it is never too late to demonstrate our appreciation
to the veterans of the Great War for their service and sacrifices.
This bill will honor that service by establishing a centennial
commission that would see to it that the 100th anniversary of the Great
War did not slip away, as many things slip away in this place where
there is sometimes more partisan bickering than is necessary. Not only
does this bill serve to honor the memory of our great veterans; but it
stands, I think, as a symbol that bipartisanship and cooperation are,
indeed, possible.
The United States formally joined the war in April of 1917; and
during that time, more than 4.7 million Americans served. Now it's our
job to serve their memory.
The Fifth District of Missouri, which I proudly serve, includes
Kansas City, the home of the Liberty Memorial. This is the Liberty
Memorial. I think it is always important for people to see it because I
think when people hear Liberty Memorial, if they are not from the area,
if they are not visiting Kansas City, they may think it's just some
little something. You can see it in terms of the Kansas City skyline,
and I would also take this opportunity to remind people that this is
the largest city in the State of Missouri.
This Liberty Memorial is one of the great treasures of our community
and our State. It sits atop the World War I Museum. In 1919, the people
of Kansas City raised $2.5 million, mainly through children, in 10 days
to create the Liberty Memorial. The dedication ceremony was the only
time in history that the Supreme Allied Commanders were together in one
place. The dedication of this memorial was held on November 1, 1921.
In 1994, during my first term as mayor of Kansas City, the museum
added greater majesty to the site with the construction of a
municipally funded restoration project. The Liberty Memorial operates
the only American museum solely dedicated to preserving the objects,
history, and personal experiences of a war whose impact still echoes
today. This bill would also redesignate this facility as the National
World War I Memorial and Museum and give it the distinction it richly
deserves.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he
may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Yoder), one
of the cosponsors of the bill.
Mr. YODER. I thank the gentleman from Utah, and I want to echo the
comments of my friend and colleague from Missouri, across the Kansas
City border, who so eloquently described the majesty and beauty of the
World War I Museum and Memorial that we have in Kansas City. It is
truly a national tribute. And to spend time today on the House floor,
to take a moment to pay tribute to the men and women who sacrificed in
World War I and to designate this World War I museum the National World
War I Memorial is a wonderful moment that I have a chance to take part
in, and I want to thank my colleague from Missouri, Mr. Cleaver, and my
colleague from Texas, Mr. Poe, and others who have put so much time and
work into this legislation.
As has been said, 2014 will mark the 100th anniversary, the
centennial anniversary of the Great War. The Frank Buckles World War I
Memorial Act establishes this centennial commission to ensure that
those who served and sacrificed to promote the ideals of liberty and
freedom are properly honored for their bravery, and to honor the World
War I hero Frank Buckles that Ted Poe and others have so appropriately
described today.
It's sometimes difficult for Kansas City and Missouri, as Madam
Speaker knows, and my colleague from Missouri, Mr. Cleaver, knows to
agree on many things. But it's a nice opportunity for a Kansan to come
down and join with my colleague from Missouri, Mr. Cleaver, and others,
to take this moment to honor the World War I Museum and Memorial in
Kansas City which does such a great job of paying tribute to the
service and sacrifice of the men and women in World War II.
I actually had a chance recently to join Mr. Cleaver on Veterans Day
when we addressed veterans from multiple wars to talk about the service
and sacrifice and, really, the legacy that has continued on for
generations in this country of serving our country and many people
paying the ultimate sacrifice.
So to have a chance to take part in that on Veterans Day with Mr.
Cleaver was great, and to be here today to recognize the Kansas City
memorial and museum as the National World War I Memorial is a great
opportunity. And I want to encourage all of my colleagues to take the
time to go out to Kansas City and see this museum. It is top-notch
quality; I think you all will be very impressed. I'm pleased to support
this legislation today and to recognize that museum and memorial and to
ultimately recognize the service and sacrifice of the men and women who
served in World War I.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I am not only pleased with the outcome of
this bill; I am proud of the way it was achieved. This bill about war
dead, about war heroes, had emotional content. But the Members reasoned
together and in a collegial fashion agreed upon an outcome that is
satisfactory to all of us.
There are going to be three ways in which World War I heroes are
remembered: for sure here in the District of Columbia with the existing
memorial, and now in Kansas City with the majestic memorial that is
there, and of course this bill authorizes a second memorial here in the
District of Columbia, the Nation's Capital.
The Members cooperated and achieved the kind of resolution that we
hope will, during this lame duck session, become a model for how to
reach the ultimate agreement this year and start off next year.

[[Page H6738]]

Without any more speakers, Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. CHAFFETZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I appreciate Ms. Norton and Mr. Cleaver for this very bipartisan
approach to something that should live in the memories of all
Americans, the sacrifices that were given in this country to provide so
much for us. As you know, the United States entered World War I in
April of 1917 to support Great Britain, France, Belgium, and other
allies. It was the first time that American soldiers went abroad in
defense of liberty against foreign aggression. More than 4 million men
and women served in uniform during the Great War. There were 375,000
American casualties during World War I, including 116,516 fatalities.
The upcoming centennial is an opportunity for the United States to
honor the sacrifices of these great Americans. H.R. 6364 creates a
World War I commission to commemorate the upcoming centennial. The bill
would establish a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor those
who fought during the Great War. I would also note that there are no
Federal funds that are attached to the building of this. H.R. 6364 was
favorably reported by unanimous consent in the Committee on Natural
Resources last week, and I again want to thank Congressman Poe from the
State of Texas for introducing this piece of legislation and the
numerous individuals on both sides of the aisle. It is a very
bipartisan approach, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this
piece of legislation.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Madam Speaker, H.R. 6364 would authorize
the World War I Memorial Foundation to create a commemorative work on
federal land in the District of Columbia. From 1914 to 1918, World War
I took 116,516 American lives. However, despite the existence of
memorials to the fallen of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam
War on the National Mall, a national WWI memorial has never been
authorized.
The author of this legislation, Mr. Poe, has worked for many years to
construct a proposal that adequately recognizes Americans who served in
the Great War and addresses the concerns of a multitude of
stakeholders.
This proposal is modest, will have a minimal footprint, and expressly
prohibits federal funds. The memorial needs a specific exemption from
current law to be permitted on the National Mall. This is not something
this Congress should take lightly. The Natural Resources Committee held
two hearings on this specific memorial and another hearing on the
overall future of the National Mall to better understand the short-term
and long-term implications of granting this authorization.
As with other commemorative works, the World War I Memorial will pass
through a rigorous, public approval process which may place it on the
National Mall. However, it is not the intention to undermine the
current prohibition under the Commemorative Works Act, but instead
close the book on the collection of war memorials and proceed with a
careful examination of what the future holds for the mall.
To reiterate, approval of this legislation is not a signal that the
Mall should be opened up for construction. The existing prohibition has
served us well for the last decade and will serve us in the future.
With this authorization we will raise the bar higher, even beyond the
standard of the Great War.
Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6364, the
Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act, as amended. I would like to
thank my colleagues, Representatives Ted Poe, Emanuel Cleaver, Raul M.
Grijalva, and Chairman Rob Bishop for working with me to preserve the
District of Columbia War Memorial.
Earlier this Congress, Representative Ted Poe introduced H.R. 938,
which would have nationalized the D.C. memorial by re-designating it as
the ``District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial.'' While I
very much support commemorating all of the service men 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, including funds from school children. 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.
I am happy to report that H.R. 6364 protects the integrity of the
D.C. memorial, and I believe it identifies the desires of the other
members involved. The bill establishes a commission to ensure a
suitable observance of the centennial of World War I and designates
memorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces
in World War I, including a National World War I Memorial. H.R. 6364
protects the D.C. memorial because it complies with the provision of
the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. Sec. 9505 (b)(2)) that prohibits
a new memorial from ``interfere[ing] with, or encroach[ing] on, an
existing commemorative work,'' and the bill goes further by saying that
the site of the national World War I memorial on federal land may not
``infringe upon or adversely impact the District of Columbia War
Memorial.'' This preservation is critical to D.C. residents, who
deserve to have a memorial dedicated to their veterans.
It has always been my position that a national memorial dedicated to
all Americans who served in World War I should be located in the
Nation's capital, and I have been committed to working with my
colleagues to suggest suitable locations in D.C. for a national World
War I memorial. I am happy that H.R. 6364 allows for such a memorial
while not interfering with the integrity of the D.C. memorial.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the House Amendment to H.R.
6364, the ``Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act,'' which establishes
the World War I Centennial Commission to oversee projects and programs
which commemorates the centennial of World War I and to establish a
commemorative work in the District of Columbia to serve as the National
World War I Memorial.
As an experienced legislator representing the people of Houston I
have fought hard to protect the honor and the rights of our veterans. I
hold our men and women of the armed services in the highest regard. As
one of the bloodiest wars of the 20th century, World War I represented
the entrance of the United States onto the international stage as the
champion of the West, western ideals such as security, liberty, and
democracy.
We still mourn the loss of the 115,000 American soldiers who died
during the war and extend our deepest gratitude to 205,000 who returned
home with serious injuries. Frank Buckles was one of the fine men and
women who survived the war.
Born on February 1st, 1901, Frank Woodruff Buckles was the last
surviving American veteran of the First World War. In 1917, he enlisted
in the Army and served with a detachment from Fort Riley. He drove
ambulances and motorcycles near the front lines.
He served in both World War I and II. In World War II he became a
prisoner of war (POW) and for 39 months was held captive in the
Philippines.
Mr. Buckles was a quiet hero, he moved to West Virginia, married, and
tended to his farm until the age of 105. In the twilight of his life,
Mr. Buckles never forgot the men and women who served in World War I.
He became the honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial
Foundation. He strongly advocated for establishment of a World War I
memorial in our Nation's Capital.
Mr. Buckles was World News Tonight's `Person of the Week' in 2009, in
recognition for his efforts to establish the World War I memorial. This
quiet hero became the oldest person to speak before Congress. On
December 3, 2009, he implored Congress to honor the sacrifice of the
brave men and women of World War I. He stated:

We still do not have a national memorial in Washington,
D.C. to honor the Americans who sacrificed with their lives
during World War 1 . . . I call upon the American people and
the world to help me in asking our elected officials to pass
the law for a memorial to World War I in our Nation's
capital. These are difficult times, and we are not asking for
anything elaborate. What is fitting and right is a memorial
that can take its place among those commemorating the other
great conflicts of the past century . . . it is time to move
forward with honor, gratitude, and resolve.

Frank Buckle asked this country to honor those who fought to protect
our way of life. This bill, named in his honor, will serve to ensure
that these men and women will never be forgotten and will continue to
receive the respect and honor they deserve from future generations.
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
pass the bill, H.R. 6364, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to establish a
commission to ensure a suitable observance of the

[[Page H6739]]

centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials
to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World
War I, and for other purposes.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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