[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 253 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 253

   To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the 
centennial of World War I, and to designate memorials to the service of 
           men and women of the United States in World War I.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            February 1, 2011

Mr. Rockefeller (for himself, Mr. Webb, Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Thune, and 
  Mr. Blunt) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the 
centennial of World War I, and to designate memorials to the service of 
           men and women of the United States in World War I.

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

SECTION 1. 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 
        this Nation's 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 in countless 
        ways.
            (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 nationally recognized 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 keynote 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 history of World War I, and 
        educates and enlightens people about this significant event.
            (12) The District of Columbia War Memorial was authorized 
        in 1924 by resolution of the 68th Congress, and was dedicated 
        on Armistice Day 1931 by President Herbert Hoover. The DC War 
        Memorial, erected in memory of the 499 residents of the 
        District of Columbia who died in World War I, is often 
        overlooked by residents and visitors to Washington.
            (13) The DC War Memorial is located on the national Mall in 
        Washington, adjacent to the World War II, Korean War, and 
        Vietnam memorials. Of these memorials, which now compose a 
        quartet of memorials to the 4 great wars of the American 
        Century, only the DC War Memorial is not a national memorial.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to--
            (1) establish a commission, in Kansas City, Missouri, to 
        ensure a suitable national observance of the centennial of 
        World War I; and
            (2) rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City and the 
        District of Columbia War Memorial, respectively, as the 
        ``National World War I Museum and Memorial'' and the ``District 
        of Columbia and National World War I Memorial''.

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) Commission.--The term ``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 COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
as the ``World War I Centennial Commission''.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 24 
        members as follows:
                    (A) Four members who shall be appointed by the 
                Speaker of the House of Representatives.
                    (B) Three members who shall be appointed by the 
                minority leader of the House of Representatives.
                    (C) Four members who shall be appointed by the 
                majority leader of the Senate.
                    (D) Three members who shall be appointed by the 
                minority leader of the Senate.
                    (E) Seven 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) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed 
        for the life of the Commission.
            (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
        in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
            (4) Initial meeting.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                date on which all members of the Commission have been 
                appointed, the 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.
            (5) Meetings.--
                    (A) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the 
                call of the Chair.
                    (B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of 
                the members of the Commission not less frequently than 
                once each year.
                    (C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each 
                year, the Commission shall meet at the America's 
                National World War I Museum.
            (6) Quorum.--Thirteen members of the Commission shall 
        constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
            (7) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall select a 
        Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.

SEC. 5. DUTIES.

    (a) In General.--The duties of the 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.--Beginning not later than the last day 
        of the 3-month period beginning on the date described in 
        section 10 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) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
        described in section 10, 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.

SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act 
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
evidence as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of this Act.
    (b) Powers of Member 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 under this Act.
    (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission shall secure 
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
Upon the request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such 
department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
    (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration 
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.
    (e) Contract Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        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 Commission may not enter into any 
        contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond 
        the date of the termination of the Commission under section 
        8(a).
    (f) Postal Services.--The 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.--
            (1) 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.
            (2) Deposit and availability.--Gifts, bequests, or devises 
        of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as 
        gifts, bequests, or devises shall de deposited in the Treasury 
        of the United States and shall be available for disbursement 
        upon order of the Commission.

SEC. 7. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

    (a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Commission shall serve 
without compensation for such service.
    (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the 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 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.
            (2) Compensation.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the 
                executive director and any other personnel appointed 
                under paragraph (1).
                    (B) Limitation.--The Chair of the 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 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 
Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on 
a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the 
Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
    (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The Chair 
of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of--
            (1) the date that is 30 days after the date of 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 Commission under 
        this Act.
            (2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not 
        apply to the Commission.

SEC. 9. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIALS.

    (a)  Designation of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, 
Missouri.--
            (1) In general.--The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at the 
        America's National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, 
        is designated as the ``National World War I Museum and 
        Memorial''.
            (2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and 
        execute ceremonies to rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas 
        City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
    (b) Designation of the District of Columbia and National World War 
I Memorial.--
            (1) Designation.--The District of Columbia War Memorial in 
        Washington, DC, is designated as the ``District of Columbia and 
        National World War I Memorial''.
            (2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and 
        execute ceremonies to rededicate the District of Columbia War 
        Memorial as the District of Columbia and National World War I 
        Memorial.
            (3) Authority to establish commemorative work.--
                    (A) In general.--The World War I Memorial 
                Foundation may establish a commemorative work at the 
                site of the District of Columbia and National World War 
                I Memorial consisting of an appropriate sculptural or 
                other commemorative element reflecting the national 
                character of the memorial.
                    (B) Requirements.--Any commemorative work 
                established under subparagraph (A) shall complement and 
                preserve the memorial (including the landscape of the 
                memorial), as in existence on the date of enactment of 
                this Act.
            (4)  Compliance with standards for commemorative works; 
        location of memorial.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                rededication of the District of Columbia and National 
                World War I Memorial shall be in accordance with 
                chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code.
                    (B) Congressional finding.--Congress finds that 
                because this Act authorizes the rededication and 
                related enhancement of a commemorative work that, as of 
                the date of enactment of this Act, is in existence and 
                is sited within the Reserve (as defined in section 
                8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code), the 
                provisions regarding site approval and location of 
                commemorative works under sections 8905 and 8908(c) of 
                title 40, United States Code, do not apply to this Act.
            (5) Deposit of excess funds.--The World War I 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--
                    (A) any funds that remain after payment of all 
                expenses incurred in the rededication of the memorial 
                (including payment of the amount for maintenance and 
                preservation required under section 8906(b) of that 
                title); or
                    (B) any funds that remain for the commemorative 
                work authorized under subsection (a) on expiration of 
                the authority for the commemorative work under section 
                8903(e) of that title.

SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act takes effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.
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