[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6696 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6696

 To authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a 
memorial, in the District of Columbia or its environs, to honor members 
 of the Armed Forces who served in World War I, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2008

   Mr. Poe introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To authorize the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a 
memorial, in the District of Columbia or its environs, to honor members 
 of the Armed Forces who served in World War I, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Frank Buckles World War I Memorial 
Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL.

    (a) In General.--The American Battle Monuments Commission 
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'') is 
authorized to establish a memorial to honor members of the Armed Forces 
who served in World War I and to commemorate the participation of the 
United States in that war.
    (b) Location of Memorial.--The memorial established pursuant to 
this Act shall be--
            (1) located generally on and abutting the Federal land in 
        the District of Columbia where the District of Columbia War 
        Memorial is currently located; and
            (2) incorporated with the District of Columbia War 
        Memorial.
    (c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--The 
establishment of the memorial shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of 
title 40, United States Code.
    (d) Handicapped Access.--The plan, design, construction, and 
operation of the memorial pursuant to this section shall provide for 
accessibility by, and accommodations for, the physically handicapped.

SEC. 3. ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) Establishment of Board.--There is hereby established a World 
War I Memorial Advisory Board, consisting of 12 members, who shall be 
appointed by the President from among veterans of World War I, 
historians of World War I, and representatives of veterans 
organizations, historical associations, and groups knowledgeable about 
World War I.
    (b) Appointments.--Members of the Board shall be appointed not 
later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
shall serve for the life of the Board. The President shall make 
appointments to fill such vacancies as may occur on the Board.
    (c) Responsibilities of the Board.--The Board shall--
            (1) in the manner specified by the Commission, promote 
        establishment of the memorial and encourage donation of private 
        contributions for the memorial; and
            (2) upon the request of the Commission, advise the 
        Commission on the site and design for the memorial.
    (d) Sunset.--The Board shall cease to exist on the last day of the 
third month after the month in which the memorial is completed or the 
month of the expiration of the authority for the memorial under chapter 
89 of title 40, United States Code, whichever first occurs.

SEC. 4. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.

    The Commission shall solicit and accept private contributions for 
the memorial.

SEC. 5. FUND IN THE TREASURY FOR THE MEMORIAL.

    (a) In General.--There is hereby created in the Treasury a fund 
which shall be available to the Commission for the expenses of 
establishing the memorial. The fund shall consist of--
            (1) amounts deposited, and interest and proceeds credited, 
        under subsection (b); and
            (2) obligations obtained under subsection (c).
    (b) Deposits and Credits.--The Chairman of the Commission shall 
deposit in the fund the amounts accepted as contributions under section 
4. The Secretary of the Treasury shall credit to the fund the interest 
on, and the proceeds from sale or redemption of, obligations held in 
the fund.
    (c) Obligations.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest any 
portion of the fund that, as determined by the Chairman of the 
Commission, is not required to meet current expenses. Each investment 
shall be made in an interest bearing obligation of the United States or 
an obligation guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United 
States that, as determined by the Chairman of the Commission, has a 
maturity suitable for the fund.
    (d) Abolition.--Upon the final settlement of the accounts of the 
fund, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the Congress a 
draft of legislation (including technical and conforming provisions) 
recommended by the Secretary for the abolition of the fund.

SEC. 6. DEPOSIT OF EXCESS FUNDS.

    If, upon payment of all expenses of the establishment of the 
memorial (including the maintenance and preservation amount provided 
for in chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code), or upon expiration 
of the authority for the memorial under chapter 89 of title 40, United 
States Code, there remains a balance in the fund created by section 5, 
the Chairman of the Commission shall transmit the amount of the balance 
to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account provided 
for in chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code.
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