[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AIR FORCE MEMORIAL EXTENSION ACT

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                          HON. JAMES V. HANSEN

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2000

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce the Air Force 
Memorial Extension Act. In December of 1993 the President signed into 
law authorization for the Air Force Memorial Foundation to establish an 
Air Force Memorial in the District of Columbia or its environs to honor 
the men and women who have served in the United States Air Force. This 
memorial was to comply with the provisions of the Commemorative Works 
Act.
  Among other things, the Commemorative Works Act provides that the 
legislative authority for the commemorative work will expire at the end 
of the seven-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of such 
authority, unless a construction permit has been issued. To date, no 
construction permit has been issued. Due to unforeseen lawsuits, all 
work, including the fund raising for the memorial was put on hold for 
approximately 3 years. The lawsuits have been settled and work is ready 
to re-commence regarding the memorial. However, due to the delay and 
the 7-year requirement of the Commemorative Works Act, time is about to 
run out. In fact, the authority will expire on December 2 of this year 
unless Congress passes a time extension.
  With considerable work already accomplished and the lawsuits settled 
the memorial needs to be completed. Thus, this bill would extend 
authority to the Air Force Memorial Foundation to complete the well-
deserved memorial. The authority would extend until 2005 giving the 
Foundation the time to fulfill the final construction and dedication of 
the Air Force Memorial.

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