Short title

This Act may be cited as the

World War I Memorial and Centennial Act of 2009

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United States served in uniform in the defense of liberty during World War I, among them two future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. (2)2,000,000 individuals from the United States served overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who served on the seas. (3)The United States suffered 375,000 casualties during World War I. (4)The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, our country, and the lives of millions of people in countless ways. (5)The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for people in the United States to learn about the sacrifices of their predecessors. (6)Commemorative efforts allow people in the United States to gain a historical understanding of the type of conflicts that cause countries to go to war and how those conflicts are resolved. (7)Kansas City is home to the Liberty Memorial and America’s National World War I Museum (as so recognized in the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108–375)). (8)America’s National World War I Museum seeks— (A)to preserve the history of World War I; and (B)to educate and enlighten people about this significant event, the consequences of which are still with us. (9)Kansas City is home to the national headquarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. (10)Missouri is the home State of General John Joseph Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. (11)The Kansas City area is the home of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. (12)The Dwight David Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is located close to Kansas City in the neighboring State of Kansas. (13)There is no nationally recognized memorial honoring the service of Americans who served in World War I. (14)In 1919, the people of Kansas City, Missouri, expressed an outpouring of support and raised more than $2,000,000 in two weeks for a memorial to the service of Americans in World War I. That fundraising was an accomplishment unparalleled by any other city in the United States irrespective of population and reflected the passion of public opinion about World War I, which had so recently ended. (15)Following the drive, a national architectural competition was held by the American Institute of Architects for designs for a memorial to the service of Americans in World War I, and the competition yielded a design by architect H. Van Buren Magonigle. (16)On November 1, 1921, more than 100,000 people witnessed the dedication of the site for the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. That dedication marked the only time in history that the five allied military leaders; Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, General John J. Pershing of the United States, and Admiral Lord Earl Beatty of Great Britain, were together at one place. (17)General Pershing noted at the November 1, 1921, dedication that [t]he people of Kansas City, Missouri, are deeply proud of the beautiful memorial, erected in tribute to the patriotism, the gallant achievements, and the heroic sacrifices of their sons and daughters who served in our country’s armed forces during the World War. It symbolized their grateful appreciation of duty well done, an appreciation which I share, because I know so well how richly it is merited. (18)During an Armistice Day ceremony in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge marked the beginning of a three-year construction project for the Liberty Memorial by the laying of the cornerstone of the memorial. (19)The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower has an inscription that reads In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in Defense of Liberty and Our Country as well as four stone Guardian Spirits representing courage, honor, patriotism, and sacrifice, which rise above the observation deck, making the Liberty Memorial a noble tribute to all who served in World War I. (20)During a rededication for the Liberty Memorial in 1961, World War I veterans and former Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized the memorial as a constant reminder of the sacrifices during World War I and the progress that followed. (21)The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial as a national symbol of World War I. (22)The National World War I Museum is the only public museum in the United States specifically dedicated to the history of World War I. (23)The National World War I Museum is known throughout the world as a major center of World War I remembrance.

Designation of the Liberty Memorial At the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Memorial

The Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby designated as the National World War I Memorial. No Federal funds may be used for the annual operation or maintenance of such Memorial.

Commission on the Commemoration of the Centennial of World War I

(a)

Establishment

There is established a commission to be known as the World War I Centennial Commission (in this Act referred to as the Commission). (b)

Purpose

The purpose of the Commission is to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the Liberty Memorial Monument at America’s National World War I Museum. (c)

Duties

The Commission shall have the following duties: (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 related 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. (d)

Membership

(1)

Number and appointment

The Commission shall be composed of 24 members as follows: (A)Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (B)Three members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. (C)Four members appointed by the Senate majority leader. (D)Three members appointed by the Senate minority leader. (E)Seven members who are broadly representative of the people of the United States (including members of the armed services and veterans), appointed by the President. (F)The executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (or the director’s delegate). (G)The executive director of the American Legion (or the director’s delegate). (H)The president of the Liberty Memorial Association, the nonprofit entity responsible for the management of America’s National World War I Museum (or the president’s delegate). (2)

Ex officio members

The Archivist of the United States and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution shall serve in an ex officio capacity on the Commission to provide advice and information to the Commission. (3)

Continuation of membership

If a member of the Commission under subparagraph (F), (G), or (H) of paragraph (1) ceases to hold a position named in such subparagraph, that member must resign from the Commission as of the date that the member ceases to hold that position. (4)

Terms

Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. (5)

Deadline for appointment

All members of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (6)

Vacancies

A vacancy on the Commission shall— (A)not affect the powers of the Commission; and (B)be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. (7)

Pay

Members shall not receive compensation for the performance of their duties on behalf of the Commission. (8)

Travel expenses

Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code. (9)

Quorum

A majority of members of the Commission plus one shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. (10)

Chairperson; vice chairperson

The Commission shall elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission by a majority vote of the members of the Commission. (11)

Meetings

(A)

In general

The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, except that the first meeting shall be held before the end of the 120-day period beginning on the effective date of this Act. (B)

Location

The Commission shall hold the first meeting at America’s National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and thereafter shall hold at least one meeting per year at such location. (e)

Director and Additional Personnel of the Commission; Experts and Consultants

(1)

Director and staff

(A)

Appointment

The Chairperson 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. (B)

Pay

The executive director and staff of the Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other staff may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such title. (C)

Work location

If the city government for Kansas City, Missouri, and the nonprofit organization which administers America’s National World War I Museum make space available, the executive director and any additional personnel appointed under subparagraph (A) shall work in the building that houses that museum. (2)

Experts and consultants

The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. (3)

Staff of federal agencies

Upon request of the Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel of that department or agency to the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. (f)

Powers of the Commission

(1)

Hearings and sessions

For the purpose of carrying out this Act, the Commission may hold hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. (2)

Powers of members 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 by this section. (3)

Obtaining official data

The Commission shall secure directly from any department or agency of the United States information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the Commission. (4)

Gifts, bequests, and devises

(A)

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. (B)

Deposit and availability

Gifts, bequests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order of the Commission. (5)

Mails

The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the United States. (6)

Administrative support services

Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services 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. (7)

Contract authority

The Commission is authorized to procure supplies, services, and property and to make or enter in contracts, leases, or other legal agreements; except that any contract, lease, or other legal agreement made or entered into by the Commission may not extend beyond the date of termination of the Commission. (g)

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)

Annual reports

The Commission shall submit to the President and Congress annual reports on the revenue and expenditures of the Commission, including a list of each gift, bequest, or devise to the Commission with a value of more than $250, together with the identity of the donor of each gift, bequest, or devise. (3)

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. (h)

Federal advisory committee act waiver

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), relating to the termination of advisory committees, shall not apply to the Commission. (i)

Authorization of Funds

(1)

In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission to carry out this Act $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2019. (2)

Availability

Amounts made available under this subsection shall remain available until the termination of the Commission as described in subsection (k). (j)

Annual audit

For any fiscal year for which the Commission receives an appropriation of funds, the Inspector General of the Department of the Interior shall perform an audit of the Commission, shall make the results of any audit performed available to the public, and shall transmit such results to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (k)

Termination

The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of the date that is 30 days after the activities honoring the centennial observation of World War I are carried out, or July 28, 2019. (l)

Effective date

This section shall take effect on January 1, 2010.