[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1621 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1621
To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those whose lives were
lost to COVID-19 and those who helped the country to recover, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 17, 2023
Mr. Espaillat (for himself, Mr. Torres of New York, and Mr. Bowman)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those whose lives were
lost to COVID-19 and those who helped the country to recover, 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 ``COVID-19 National Memorial Act''.
SEC. 2. MEMORIAL.
There is established a memorial located at a designated location in
the Bronx, New York, to honor the lives lost and the heroes who helped.
SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``COVID-19 National Memorial Commission'' (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Commission'').
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall consist of 15 members,
including the Director of the National Park Service, or the Director's
designee, and 14 members appointed by the Secretary.
(c) Term.--The term of the members of the Commission shall be for
the life of the Commission.
(d) Chair.--The members of the Commission shall select the Chair of
the Commission.
(e) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its
powers if a quorum is present, but shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment.
(f) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson or a majority of the members, but not less often than
quarterly. Notice of the Commission meetings and agendas for the
meetings shall be published in local newspapers in the vicinity of
Somerset County and in the Federal Register. Meetings of the Commission
shall be subject to section 552b of title 5, United States Code
(relating to open meetings).
(g) Quorum.--A majority of the members serving on the Commission
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
(h) No Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall serve without
compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying
out the duties of the Commission.
(i) Duties.--The duties of the Commission shall be to--
(1) not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, submit to the Secretary and Congress a report
containing recommendations for the planning, design,
construction, and long-term management of a permanent memorial;
(2) advise the Secretary on the boundaries of the memorial
site;
(3) advise the Secretary in the development of a management
plan for the memorial site;
(4) consult and coordinate closely with the State of New
York, New York City, the Bronx Borough, and other interested
parties; and
(5) provide significant opportunities for public
participation in the planning and design of the memorial.
(j) Powers.--The Commission may--
(1) make such expenditures for services and materials for
the purpose of carrying out this Act as the Commission
considers advisable from funds appropriated or received as
gifts for that purpose;
(2) subject to approval by the Secretary, solicit and
accept donations of funds and gifts, personal property,
supplies, or services from individuals, foundations,
corporations, and other private or public entities to be used
in connection with the construction or other expenses of the
memorial;
(3) hold hearings, enter into contracts for personal
services and otherwise;
(4) do such other things as are necessary to carry out this
Act; and
(5) by a vote of the majority of the Commission, delegate
such of its duties as it determines appropriate to employees of
the National Park Service.
(k) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate upon dedication of
the completed memorial.
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
The Secretary is authorized to--
(1) provide assistance to the Commission, including advice
on collections, storage, and archives;
(2) consult and assist the Commission in providing
information, interpretation, and the conduct of oral history
interviews;
(3) provide assistance in conducting public meetings and
forums held by the Commission;
(4) provide project management assistance to the Commission
for planning, design, and construction activities;
(5) provide programming and design assistance to the
Commission for possible memorial exhibits, collections, or
activities;
(6) provide staff assistance and support to the Commission;
(7) participate in the formulation of plans for the design
of the memorial, to accept funds raised by the Commission for
construction of the memorial, and to construct the memorial;
(8) acquire from willing sellers the land or interests in
land for the memorial site by donation, purchase with donated
or appropriated funds, or exchange; and
(9) to administer the memorial as a unit of the National
Park System in accordance with this Act and with the laws
generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
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