[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 91 (Friday, July 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7940-S7942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DODD (for himself, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Moynihan, 
        Mr. D'Amato, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Daschle, Ms. 
        Collins, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Reid, Mr. DeWine, Ms. Moseley-Braun, 
        Ms. Mikulski, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Snowe, Mrs. Murray, Mrs. 
        Feinstein, and Mr. Lautenberg):
  S. 2285. A bill to establish a commission, in honor of the 150th 
Anniversary of the Seneca Falls Convention, to further protect sites of 
importance in the historic efforts to secure equal rights for women; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


                   women's progress commemoration act

  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, one hundred and fifty years ago this month, 
a remarkable group of women and men came together and wrote the single 
most important document of the nineteenth-century American women's 
movement and one of the most important writings of American freedom: 
The Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions. Modeled 
closely after the Declaration of Independence, this document is a 
declaration of women's independence. Radical at the time, it expounded 
such ideas as allowing women to vote, to become educated, and to 
participate in economic activities.
  I believe we should take the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the 
Seneca falls convention to celebrate and focus on the rich and 
courageous history of American women and their struggle for equality. 
With this in mind, I am introducing the Women's Progress Commemoration 
Act.
  I am very happy to be joined in introducing this legislation by my 
primary cosponsor, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, and the bipartisan 
group of 17 other original cosponsors: Senators Moynihan and D'Amato 
from New York, Senator Kennedy, Senator Torricelli, Senator Lieberman, 
Senator Daschle, Senator Collins, Senator Landrieu, Senator Reid, 
Senator DeWine, Senator Moseley-Braun, Senator Mikulski, Senator Boxer, 
Senator Snowe, Senator Murray, Senator Feinstein, and Senator 
Lautenberg.
  This legislation will establish a commission to identify sites that 
have been instrumental in the women's movement and help to ensure their 
historic preservation. The history of American women has barely begun 
to be recorded. Consider these facts: (1) less than 5 percent of our 
Nation's historic landmarks chronicle women's achievements, (2) right 
here in the capitol, of the 197 statues exhibited in statuary hall, 
only seven are of women leaders, (3) according to a recent study, less 
than 2 percent of even our contemporary history textbooks are dedicated 
to women's contributions.
  And yet, despite the virtual infancy of efforts to record women's 
history, we are doing even less to preserve the places where that 
history was made. That is why this bill is so important. If we don't 
preserve our past, we can lose our way into our future and our 
opportunity to teach not only girls and women but all students and 
citizens.
  As I stand here today, numerous buildings and structures of deep 
historical significance to the American women's movement are in a state 
of disrepair--they have peeling paint, flooded basements, and 
structural deficiencies.
  For example, the Sewall-Belmont House, just a block from the Capitol, 
was and still is the headquarters of the National Women's Party, which 
pressed for woman suffrage. This building was also the residency of 
Alice Paul, the legendary founder of this party. This is a prime 
example of a critical site in American women's history that is in need 
of preservation. Unfortunately, this house is plagued with water 
problems, deteriorating electrical wiring, and weather-damaged parts of 
the structure.
  As we can see, I brought these two photographs, Mr. President, to 
indicate the condition of the Sewall Belmont Home, which I said is 
about a block from the Capitol and a house that many of my colleagues 
have visited over the years. This historic house is where some of the 
treasures of the women's suffrage movement are located and, sadly, as 
you can see in these pictures, the house is in desperate need of 
restoration. Even though, I am happy to report that efforts have begun 
by the Senate to save this house, there are many more examples of such 
sites throughout the country that are literally crumbling way.
  Another example of a site in need of repair is the McClintock House 
in the Women's Rights Historical Park in upstate New York. This is 
where the actual Declaration of Sentiments was drafted during the 
Seneca Falls Convention.
  Another site that the commission could choose would be the Rankin 
Ranch in Helena, Montana--the home of the first woman elected to the 
U.S. House of Representatives.
  Or perhaps the Harriet Tubman home in Auburn, New York, which is 
already open to the public but still needs financial support.
  This commission will highlight sites throughout the country, such as 
these, that deserve to be preserved.
  In my home State of Connecticut there are some success stories of 
efforts to preserve women's sites such as the Prudence Crandall home, 
the first school for African-American girls in this country, or the 
home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of ``Uncle Tom's Cabin.''
  Even though my State of Connecticut has been progressive about the 
preservation of women's sites, unfortunately, some of these efforts 
were too late. Sadly, some historic women's sites in Connecticut were 
not preserved and are relegated to a signpost or a plaque rather than a 
museum.
  Hopefully, 150 years after the birth of the women's movement we can 
create more museums and fewer plaques.
  Let me take a moment to explain very briefly the structure and goals 
of the commission. The commission will have 15 members appointed by the 
majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House and by the 
administration. Members will be selected based on a knowledge of 
women's history and historical preservation. Not later than 1 year 
after the commission's initial meeting it will provide to the Secretary 
of the Interior a list of sites deserving recognition and preservation. 
It will also recommend actions to rehabilitate those sites. Thirty days 
after the submission of this report, the commission will cease to 
exist. The commission will not fund preservation but rather highlight 
the need, and hopefully the publicity will generate funds--whether it 
be private, public, or nonprofit--that would be used to help in the 
preservation of these sites.
  I hope that the sites across this Nation that signify important 
points in women's history or celebrate remarkable women will be 
preserved for the public to come and learn. I hope that school children 
across our Nation will be making field trips to historic women's sites, 
along with their trips to the White House, the Capitol, Monticello, and 
the significant memorials here in this city and across our Nation.
  Let's make women's contributions to our history known to generations 
yet unborn--their accomplishments an inspiration and their homes and 
workplaces opportunities where future generations can come and learn.
  In July of 1848 the Seneca Falls Convention convened to consider the 
social conditions and civil rights of women. As I have said, this 
convention signaled the beginning of an admirable and courageous 
women's movement in this Nation. Today, for the 150th anniversary of 
this historic meeting, let us take the opportunity to preserve and 
teach the contributions of women to our Nation's history to future 
generations of Americans.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the legislation be printed 
in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2285

       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 ``Women's Progress 
     Commemoration Act''.

[[Page S7941]]

     SEC. 2. DECLARATION.

       Congress declares that--
       (1) the original Seneca Falls Convention, held in upstate 
     New York in July 1848, convened to consider the social 
     conditions and civil rights of women at that time;
       (2) the convention marked the beginning of an admirable and 
     courageous struggle for equal rights for women;
       (3) the 150th Anniversary of the convention provides an 
     excellent opportunity to examine the history of the women's 
     movement; and
       (4) a Federal Commission should be established for the 
     important task of ensuring the historic preservation of sites 
     that have been instrumental in American women's history, 
     creating a living legacy for generations to come.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
     known as the ``Women's Progress Commemoration Commission'' 
     (referred to in this Act as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 15 
     members, of whom--
       (A) 3 shall be appointed by the President;
       (B) 3 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (C) 3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
     House of Representatives;
       (D) 3 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the 
     Senate; and
       (E) 3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Persons eligible.--
       (A) In general.--The members of the Commission shall be 
     individuals who have knowledge or expertise, whether by 
     experience or training, in matters to be studied by the 
     Commission. The members may be from the public or private 
     sector, and may include Federal, State, local, or employees, 
     members of academia, nonprofit organizations, or industry, or 
     other interested individuals.
       (B) Diversity.--It is the intent of Congress that persons 
     appointed to the Commission under paragraph (1) be persons 
     who represent diverse economic, professional, and cultural 
     backgrounds.
       (3) Consultation and appointment.--
       (A) In general.--The President, Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, minority leader of the House of 
     Representatives, majority leader of the Senate, and minority 
     leader of the Senate shall consult among themselves before 
     appointing the members of the Commission in order to 
     achieve, to the maximum extent practicable, fair and 
     equitable representation of various points of view with 
     respect to the matters to be studied by the Commission.
       (B) Completion of appointments; vacancies.--The President, 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives, minority leader of 
     the House of Representatives, majority leader of the Senate 
     and minority leader of the Senate shall conduct the 
     consultation under subparagraph (3) and make their respective 
     appointments not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the membership of the 
     Commission shall not affect the powers of the Commission and 
     shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment not later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs.
       (c) Meetings.--
       (1) Initial meeting.--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.
       (2) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial meeting, the 
     Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
       (d) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
     shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, 
     but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
       (e) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Commission shall 
     select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its 
     members.

     SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

       Not later than 1 year after the initial meeting of the 
     Commission, the Commission, in cooperation with the Secretary 
     of the Interior and other appropriate Federal, State, and 
     local public and private entities, shall prepare and submit 
     to the Secretary of the Interior a report that--
       (1) identifies sites of historical significance to the 
     women's movement; and
       (2) recommends actions, under the National Historic 
     Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.) and other law, to 
     rehabilitate and preserve the sites and provide to the public 
     interpretive and educational materials and activities at the 
     sites.

     SEC. 5. 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 advisable 
     to carry out its duties of this Act.
       (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
     secure directly from any Federal department or agency such 
     information as the Commission considers necessary to carry 
     out the provisions of this Act. At the request of the 
     Chairperson of the Committee, the head of such department or 
     agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.

     SEC. 6. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation of Members.--A member of the Commission 
     who is not otherwise an officer or employee of the Federal 
     Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily 
     equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for a 
     position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including 
     travel time) during which the member is engaged in the 
     performance of the duties of the Commission. A member of the 
     Commission who is otherwise an officer or employee of the 
     United States shall serve without compensation in addition to 
     that received for services as an officer or employee of the 
     United States.
       (b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be 
     allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
     under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
     Code, while away from the home or regular place of business 
     of the member in the performance of service for the 
     Commission.
       (c) Staff.--
       (1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may, 
     without regard to the civil service laws (including 
     regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and 
     such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable 
     the Commission to perform its duties. The employment and 
     termination of an executive director shall be subject to 
     confirmation by a majority of the members of the Commission.
       (2) Compensation.--The executive director shall be 
     compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate payable for a 
     position at level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5316 of title 5, United States Code. The Chairperson may fix 
     the compensation of other personnel without regard to the 
     provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
     title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of 
     positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the 
     rate of pay for such personnel may not exceed the rate 
     payable for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5316 of that title.
       (3) Detail of government employees.--Any Federal Government 
     employee, with the approval of the head of the appropriate 
     Federal agency, may be detailed to the Commission without 
     reimbursement, and the detail shall be without interruption 
     or loss of civil service status, benefits, or privilege.
       (d) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--
     The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and 
     intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, at rates for individuals not to exceed 
     the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     prescribed for a position at level V of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5316 of that title.

     SEC. 7. FUNDING.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as are 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
       (b) Donations.--The Commission may accept donations from 
     non-Federal sources to defray the costs of the operations of 
     the Commission.

     SEC. 8. TERMINATION.

       The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 30 days 
     after the date on which the Commission submits to the 
     Secretary of the Interior the report under section 4(b).

     SEC. 9. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       Not later 2 years and not later than 5 years after the date 
     on which the Commission submits to the Secretary of the 
     Interior the report under section 4, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall submit to Congress a report describing the 
     actions that have been taken to preserve the sites identified 
     in the Commission report as being of historical significance.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New York.
  Mr. MOYNIHAN. I rise, of course, to support and endorse the proposal 
by the Senator from Connecticut, cosponsored by the senior Senator from 
Alaska, with one small anecdote.
  The Women's Rights National Convention met 150 years ago at the 
Wesleyan Chapel on Fall Street in Seneca Falls. There will be a lot of 
ceremony this week and next. The First Lady will be there.
  I was in Seneca Falls about 1978 and was having a beer with the 
county leader, George Souhan, in the Gould Hotel. Looking down at the 
street, I just happened to say to him, ``Where was that chapel where 
the convention met?'' He said, ``It was just down the street.'' I said, 
``Let's go look.'' Down the street we went. What did we find, but a 
laundromat. The Wesleyan Chapel had become a laundromat on Fall Street 
and a garage behind.
  We had it declared a national park in 1980. We went around the city, 
the village, and found the houses of the ladies of Seneca Falls--the 
Bloomer girls and Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the like. We went to 
Waterloo, where in the McClintock House the declaration was drafted. 
That needs repair; the Park Service should do it.
  It is quite an achievement, but it makes the point that the Senator 
from Connecticut has just made that you better look after these 
important sites. That was the first original American political idea--
that women were equal in civic rights with men. It didn't come

[[Page S7942]]

from Europe. It came right from central New York. It had almost 
vanished as a site until we came along.
  If the Senator wishes to do more, more power to him. I thank my 
friend from Colorado.
  Mr. DODD. If my friend from Colorado will yield once again, we 
realize the benefit of having the presence of our colleague form New 
York in our midst. Once again he was ahead in so many areas, and this 
is not an exception. As he pointed out, it was almost washed out. We 
are grateful that he stopped for a libation in Seneca Falls on that day 
in 1978.
                                 ______