[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6364 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 10, 2012

Mr. Poe of Texas (for himself, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Cleaver) introduced 
 the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 
  and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Natural 
 Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the 
  centennial of World War I, 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.

    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 on the National 
                            Mall 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 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.
    (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 ON THE NATIONAL 
              MALL 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 
located in the general vicinity of Constitution Gardens in the Reserve 
portion of the District of Columbia 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 1.5 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 Reserve.
            (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.
    (d) No Infringement Upon Existing Memorial.--The location in the 
general vicinity of Constitution Gardens in the Reserve selected as the 
site for the National World War I Memorial may not infringe upon or 
otherwise adversely impact the District of Columbia War Memorial.
    (e) Limitation on Total Cost.--The total cost to design and 
construct the National World War I Memorial may not exceed $10,000,000.
    (f) Deposit of Excess Funds.--The Memorial Foundation shall 
transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account 
provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of title 40, United States Code--
            (1) any funds that remain after payment of all expenses 
        incurred in the establishment of the National World War I 
        Memorial (including payment of the amount for maintenance and 
        preservation required under section 8906(b) of that title); or
            (2) any funds that remain for the establishment of the 
        commemorative work on expiration of the authority for the 
        commemorative work under section 8903(e) of that title.
    (g) Ceremonies.--The Centennial Commission may plan, develop, and 
execute ceremonies to recognize the establishment of the National World 
War I Memorial.
    (h) Reserve Defined.--In this section, the term ``Reserve'' has the 
meaning given that term in section 8902(a)(3) 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.
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