[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 82 (Monday, June 22, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H4898-H4900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., MEMORIAL

  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 113) approving the 
location of a Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in the Nation's 
Capital.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                             H.J. Res. 113

       Whereas section 508 of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands 
     Management Act of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1003 note; 110 Stat. 4157) 
     authorized the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a 
     memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor 
     Martin Luther King, Jr.;
       Whereas section 6(a) of the Commemorative Works Act (40 
     U.S.C. 1006(a)) provides that the location of a commemorative 
     work in the area described as Area I (within the meaning of 
     the Act) shall be deemed not authorized unless approved by 
     law not later than 150 days after notification to Congress 
     that the Secretary of the Interior recommends location of the 
     commemorative work in Area I; and
       Whereas the Secretary of the Interior has notified Congress 
     of the recommendation of the Secretary that the memorial be 
     located in Area I: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., MEMORIAL.

       The location of the commemorative work to honor Martin 
     Luther King, Jr., authorized by section 508 of the Omnibus 
     Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1003 
     note; 110 Stat. 4157), within Area I is approved under 
     section 6(a) of the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 
     1006(a)).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Mrs. Linda Smith) and the gentleman from American Samoa 
(Mr.

[[Page H4899]]

Faleomavaega) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Linda 
Smith).
  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  (Mrs. Linda Smith of Washington asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 
113 was introduced by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) who 
is to be congratulated for working very hard to get this to the floor 
today.
  Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 113 would approve the 
establishment of a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at a site 
located in Area 1 in the District of Columbia. The Department of the 
Interior, in consultation with the National Capital Park and Planning 
Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts, will select the final site 
and approve the design. As per the Commemorative Works Act, this 
recommendation must be approved by law no later than 150 days from the 
date of the Secretary's notification.
  Mr. Speaker, Congress passed legislation in 1996 to authorize the 
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to establish a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. This fraternity, which Dr. King joined in 1952, is one of the 
oldest predominantly African-American fraternities in the Nation. They 
will secure all of the money to build this memorial to Dr. King through 
private contributions. The fraternity wishes to honor Dr. King's 
remarkable role with a memorial in the Nation's capital. This memorial 
will provide a tangible recognition that will assist in passing Dr. 
King's message of liberty and justice for all from generation to 
generation.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a well-deserved and completely bipartisan 
measure that is also supported by the administration. I urge my 
colleagues to support House Joint Resolution 113.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman from 
Washington for her management of this legislation on behalf of the 
majority.
  Mr. Speaker, House Joint Resolution 113 provides for congressional 
approval of the Secretary of the Interior's recent decision to 
recommend placement of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial in Area 1 
of our Nation's capital.
  As we all well know, Mr. Speaker, Martin Luther King, Jr., in my 
opinion was the greatest civil rights leader of the 20th century. 
Congress has previously authorized the establishment of a Martin Luther 
King, Jr., Memorial to honor Dr. King and his accomplishments. Pursuant 
to the Commemorative Works Act, a review of possible locations in which 
to place the memorial was done. Secretary Babbitt has determined that 
placement of the Martin Luther King Memorial in the central area of our 
Nation's capital is appropriate.
  Mr. Speaker, there is some urgency in getting this legislation 
enacted. Under the Commemorative Works Act, if the Secretary's 
recommendation is not approved by an act of Congress within 150 days, 
it is deemed disapproved. I support the speedy passage of this 
legislation so that work can continue on providing an appropriate 
memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. I urge my colleagues to support 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. LINDA SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Dixon).
  (Mr. DIXON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, on this occasion, I am reminded of our good friend Mo 
Udall who passed away several years ago when he said that everything 
that needs to be said on this has been said.
  Certainly this memorial to Dr. King is a tribute to his outstanding 
works. I am very proud that I am a member of the fraternity that is 
sponsoring this activity. I would point out that the funds to be used 
are strictly private funds and will be raised by the Alpha Phi Alpha 
Fraternity.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this important 
legislation and thank my colleague, Rep. Connie Morella for her work on 
the bill. I also thank the Majority Leader for his prompt scheduling of 
this measure, as well as Resources Chairman Don Young and Ranking 
Member George Miller for their Committee's timely consideration of the 
bill.
  H.J. Res 113 authorizes placement of a memorial honoring Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. in Area I of the District of Columbia. In the 104th 
Congress, we passed legislation (P.L. 104-333) authorizing Alpha Phi 
Alpha Fraternity, Inc. to raise private funds for the design and 
construction of the memorial. I commend my fraternity brothers for 
their good work on this effort and the progress they have made.
  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stands among the great figures of 
American history. He richly deserves the distinct honor that is the 
goal of this legislation. His mission and methods embody American 
ideals of freedom, equality, and democracy. Dr. King's legacy enriches 
American civil and political life and captures the heart, mind, and 
soul of America.
  On February 24, 1998, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt notified 
Congress of his recommendation that the memorial to Dr. King be sited 
within Area I of the District of Columbia. Under the Commemorative 
Works Act, this recommendation must be approved by Congress no later 
than 150 days from the date of the Secretary's notification. H.J. Res. 
113 and its counterpart in the Senate, S.J. Res. 41, must be approved 
by Congress no later than July 24, 1998. I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation and urge the Senate to act swiftly on the 
bill.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend and congratulate all of those who 
have been involved in processing this resolution to the point of where 
it is today. I stand as a proud Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I 
have never felt more proud of the organization of which I am a life 
member than when it made the decision that in honor of one of its 
members, in honor of one of the greatest leaders that our Nation, or 
any Nation, has ever seen, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it 
would establish a bust.
  I also echo the sentiments of the gentleman from California who 
pointed out the fact that these are private funds, that these are men 
all over America who are willing to make use of their own resources so 
that their resources could be a lasting testament to a member of their 
group. All has indeed been said that needs to be said. I am simply very 
proud this day to be a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and I 
am proud to be a Member of this august body that I believe will make 
this decision in honor of a lasting tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King 
Jr.
  Mr. Speaker, as a life member of the oldest African American of 
Predominately Black Greek letter Fraternity in America, I am proud to 
rise in support of this resolution approving the location of a Martin 
Luther King Jr. Memorial in the Nation's Capitol.
  First of all Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from American Samoa, 
Mr. Faleomavaega for yielding and I thank all of those who have been 
involved in bringing the legislation to this point. I also associate 
myself with the remarks made by my colleague and brother, the gentleman 
from California, Mr. Dixon.
  As has already been stated, everything which need saying, has already 
been said Therefore, let me just say that I am proud to be a Member of 
Alpha Phi Alpha and to know that my brothers are prepared to go into 
their own pockets and make use of their own resources to provide an 
appropriate memorial to our brother, and the greatest leader of this 
century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  Again, I am proud to be an Alpha, I am proud to be a member of this 
August Body, the United States House of Representatives as we pay 
tribute to one of America's Most Distinguished Citizens.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. I yield to the gentleman from California.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I am informed that I made a very bad faux pas 
just a second ago. I guess this is the

[[Page H4900]]

second time within a short period of time that that has occurred; and, 
that is, that I thought that I had read that former Member of Congress 
Mo Udall had passed away, but I understand that he is in a nursing home 
VA Hospital, and I extend my apologies to him and to his family.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to bring H.J. 
Res. 113 to the House floor under suspension. This resolution would 
grant the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity the authority to establish a 
memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., at a site located in Area I in the 
District of Columbia.
  I particularly want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Jim Hansen, 
Resources Committee Chairman Don Young and Ranking Minority Member 
George Miller for their support and their assistance in moving this 
bill through the House.
  As the sponsor of the resolution, I am enthusiastic about the 
memorial, and I am committed to seeing it built. I would like to 
recognize the other chief sponsor of this resolution, Congressman 
Julian Dixon, and the men of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, in particular, 
George Sealy and Al Bailey, for their vision to create a memorial to 
one of our truly great Americans. This memorial will stand as a 
testament to the tireless efforts of these ``men of distinction'' and 
serve as an inspiration to residents of the area and visitors to our 
Nation's Capital.
  In 1996, Congress passed legislation to authorize Alpha Phi Alpha 
fraternity to establish a memorial to Martin Luther King. Under Public 
Law 104-333, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity may build a memorial to Dr. 
King through private contributions. No U.S. funds will be used to pay 
the costs incurred for the design, installation, construction or 
maintenance of the memorial. Rather, Alpha Phi Alpha has organized 
private fundraising efforts to pay for all phases of the monument's 
establishment.
  On January 29, 1998, the Secretary of the Interior notified Congress 
of his recommendation that the memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., be 
established within Area I of the District of Columbia. This 
recommendation must be approved by law no later than 150 days from the 
date of the Secretary's notification.
  No American has embodied more genuinely the spirit of unity and 
cooperation which is so desperately needed in order to address 
effectively the social and economic problems which plague our nation, 
than Dr. King. His principles of nonviolence are known throughout the 
world and have had a profound impact on our country. This doctrine 
earned him the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1964.
  Alpha Phi Alpha, which Dr. King joined in 1952, is one of the oldest 
predominantly African-American fraternities in the nation. Alpha Phi 
Alpha has 700 chapters in 42 states, and its members include some of 
the most prominent leaders and distinguished public officials within 
the United States. The fraternity wishes to honor Dr. King's remarkable 
role with a memorial in the Nation's Capital. The memorial will provide 
a tangible recognition that will assist in passing Dr. King's message 
from generation to generation.
  A King memorial is long overdue. Dr. King believed in addressing a 
problem through positive and constructive action, through education and 
nonviolence. A King memorial would be a place of hope where all 
Americans ever after can contemplate Dr. King's words and deeds and act 
upon them. Speedy passage of this legislation will ensure that Dr. 
King's message of hope and peace is passed from generation to 
generation.
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. 
113. Dr. Martin Luther King epitomizes the spirit of the Civil Rights 
Movement and it is only fitting that we salute him with a national 
memorial on the National Mall.
  As the founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and 
the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association, Dr. King 
provided pivotal leadership through one of the most turbulent times of 
the 21st Century--the Civil Rights Era.
  Reverend King embodied the philosophy of nonviolent, direct action 
based on the Christian principles of love and understanding. Although 
there was opposition to his vision, nonviolent political protest only 
became a major force in American politics under the leadership of Dr. 
King.
  Dr. King's concept of ``somebodiness'' gave black and poor people a 
new sense of worth and dignity. Dr. King's speech at the Lincoln 
Memorial during the March on Washington in 1963; his acceptance speech 
of the Nobel Peace Prize; his last sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church; 
and his final speech in Memphis are among the greatest and most 
inspirational speeches in the history of our country, and his letter 
from the Birmingham Jail ranks among the most important American 
documents.
  Dr. King's influence can be summarized in a quote from an article 
written by a young high school student from Rainer Beach High School in 
Seattle, Washington, which was printed in the Seattle Times newspaper, 
``The struggle Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had was not a wonderful 
struggle. It was a struggle through racism and segregation. When the 
maker of the dream died, his dream still lived on in the world.''
  With the thoughts of this high school student in mind, I ask that my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives salute Dr. Martin 
Luther King in the Nation's Capital by supporting HJ 113.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Linda Smith) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the joint resolution, House Joint Resolution 113.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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