[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 103 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7285-H7294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I 
call up House Resolution 570 and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 570

       Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this 
     resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule 
     XVIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the 
     Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of 
     the bill (H.R. 4115) to authorize appropriations for the 
     United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and for other 
     purposes. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed 
     with. All points of order against consideration of the bill 
     are waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and 
     shall not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by 
     the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on 
     Resources. After general debate the bill shall be considered 
     for amendment under the five-minute rule. It shall be in 
     order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of 
     amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the 
     nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on 
     Resources now printed in the bill. The committee amendment in 
     the nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. All 
     points of order against the committee amendment in the nature 
     of a substitute are waived. During consideration of the bill 
     for amendment, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may 
     accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the 
     Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in 
     the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that 
     purpose in clause 8 of rule XVIII. Amendments so printed 
     shall be considered as read. The Chairman of the Committee of 
     the Whole may: (1) postpone until a time during further 
     consideration in the Committee of the Whole a request for a 
     recorded vote on any amendment; and (2) reduce to five 
     minutes the minimum time for electronic voting on any 
     postponed question that follows another electronic vote 
     without intervening business, provided that the minimum time 
     for electronic voting on the first in any series of questions 
     shall be 15 minutes. At the conclusion of consideration of 
     the bill for amendment the Committee shall rise and report 
     the bill to the House with such amendments as may have been 
     adopted. Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House 
     on any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to the 
     bill or to the committee amendment in the nature of a 
     substitute. The previous question shall be considered as 
     ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to final passage 
     without intervening motion except one motion to recommit with 
     or without instructions.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaTourette). The gentleman from New York 
(Mr. Reynolds) is recognized for 1 hour.
  (Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 
minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter). During 
consideration of the resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of 
debate only.
  Mr. Speaker, last night the Committee on Rules met and granted an 
open rule for H.R. 4115, a bill to authorize appropriations for the 
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
  The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill 
and provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by 
the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Resources.
  The rule further makes in order the Committee on Resources amendment 
in the nature of a substitute, now printed in the bill, as an original 
bill for the purpose of an amendment, which shall be open for amendment 
at any point.
  Additionally, the rule waives all points of order against the 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute and authorizes the 
Chair to accord priority in recognition to Members who have preprinted 
their amendments in the Congressional Record.
  The rule allows the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole to 
postpone votes during consideration of the bill and to reduce voting 
time to 5 minutes on a postponed question if the vote follows a 15-
minute vote.
  Finally, the rule provides one motion to recommit, with or without 
instructions.
  Mr. Speaker, through Israeli poet Abraham Shlonsky's simple words, we 
are reminded of our continued responsibility to the memory of that 
greatest of all human tragedies that was the Holocaust:
  ``For my eyes that have seen the bereavement and burdened with the 
cries of my bowed heart I vow to remember all, to remember and not 
forget anything.''
  The terror spread by the Nazi regime across Europe from 1933 to 1945, 
the persecution and murder of millions of innocents because of their 
race, religion, political beliefs or nationality, stands to this day as 
one of the darkest, saddest, most tragic chapters of our world's 
history.
  The Holocaust systematic annihilation of 6 million Jews by the Nazis 
and their collaborators is an unthinkable and unfathomable culmination 
of man's inhumanity to man.
  But we must always think and we must always try to fathom what 
happened through the Holocaust. We must, as Abraham Shlonsky vowed, 
remember and not forget anything.
  It was in that spirit of remembrance that in 1980 Congress 
established the United States Holocaust Memorial Council to plan a 
powerful living memorial to victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
  The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was opened in 1993 and 
has since become one of the most widely visited museums in Washington, 
D.C., hosting some 12 million visitors annually.
  The museum is America's national institution for the documentation, 
study, and interpretation of Holocaust

[[Page H7286]]

history and serves as this country's memorial to the millions murdered 
during the Holocaust.
  The museum's primary mission is to advance knowledge of this 
unprecedented tragedy, preserve the memory of those who suffered, and 
encourage its visitors to reflect not only on the moral and spiritual 
questions raised by the events of the Holocaust but on their own 
responsibilities as citizens.
  As many of the millions who have visited the Holocaust Memorial 
Museum can attest, one cannot soon forget this haunting tour of the 
darkest aspects of human nature. Nor will one forget the spirit of the 
millions of victims who perished and the courage of those who survived 
to bear witness against these atrocities.
  H.R. 4115 reauthorizes and establishes the United States Holocaust 
Memorial Museum as an independent entity of the Federal Government with 
the responsibility of its day-to-day operations and maintenance.
  The bill is a work product of the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) 
and the House Committee on Resources based on the National Academy of 
Public Administration's 1999 report on the museum's maintenance, 
governance and management to the House Subcommittee on Interior.
  The bill assures the continued presence and function of the 
memorial's current council by establishing it as the board of trustees 
with overall governance responsibility of the museum.
  Additionally, this bill authorizes necessary appropriations to more 
effectively operate and maintain the museum.
  Mr. Speaker, the Holocaust Memorial Museum is a tremendous testament 
to the human spirit; and as such, this body should have the fullest 
opportunity to amend any legislation pertaining to this memorial. By 
bringing this measure to the floor under an open rule, Members will 
have that opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, as Nobel Laureate and Founding Chairman of the United 
States Holocaust Memorial Council, Elie Weisel said, ``that is what the 
victims wanted: to be remembered, at least to be remembered.''
  And only through remembrance can we truly vow, never again.
  I urge my colleagues to support this fair and open rule and the 
underlying measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Ms. SLAUGHTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Reynolds) for yielding me the customary 30 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, since its opening in 1993, the Holocaust Memorial Museum 
has become one of the most visited sites in Washington with nearly 15 
million visitors in the past 7 years. This museum is a living memorial 
to the victims of the Holocaust and serves as the focus for education 
on the lessons of that great human tragedy in the hopes that one day we 
can rid the Earth of all genocide.
  The underlying bill, H.R. 4115, would establish the museum as an 
independent entity of the Federal Government. Moreover, the measure 
provides the board of trustees with overall governance responsibility.
  This legislation was introduced at the request of the council and the 
director of the museum. This is a noncontroversial change in the 
operations of the museum which deserves the support of the House.
  The rule is an open rule and will allow any germane amendment to be 
offered to the bill, although it is not anticipated that any will be 
offered.
  I am particularly proud to speak in support of this bill because of 
my own experience of working with Holocaust survivors. The Holocaust 
embodied the worst of what human beings can do, and yet so many 
survivors are still filled with hope and faith in the basic goodness of 
human nature.
  As sponsor of a separate bill, the Justice for Holocaust Survivors 
Act, I had the privilege of meeting and hearing from many of these 
remarkable individuals. It is one of the proudest accomplishments of my 
career in Congress that this modest bill helped to drive the German 
Government to double the size of its compensation fund for the 
survivors of slave labor camps.
  Mr. Speaker, in order that the House might proceed directly to 
consideration of H.R. 4115, I urge adoption of the rule.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I 
move the previous question on the resolution.
  The previous question was ordered.
  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 570 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 4115.

                              {time}  1028


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 4115) to authorize appropriations for the United States Holocaust 
Memorial Museum, and for other purposes, with Mr. LaTourette in the 
chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIRMAN. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered as having 
been read the first time.
  Under the rule, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Miller) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon).
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I introduced this legislation to reauthorize the United 
States Holocaust Museum because the museum serves an important function 
in remembering the past.
  This marks 7 years of success for the museum, which is visited by 
millions of people each year through its acclaimed exhibitions, 
education opportunities, publications and outreach programs.
  Created by a unanimous act of Congress in 1980, the museum continues 
to receive strong support and recognition.
  In addition to its primary mission of advancing and communicating 
knowledge of the Holocaust history, the museum offers an opportunity 
for its visitors to reflect upon the moral and spiritual questions 
raised by the Holocaust.
  The success of the museum clearly demonstrates the public's deep 
interest in contemplating and gaining valuable lessons from the 
Holocaust.

                              {time}  1030

  The museum has had 14 million visitors, of which about 3.7 million 
have been children. In addition, 61 heads of state have visited, along 
with 2,000 foreign officials from 130 nations. In response to public 
demand, the museum has developed an educational and scholarly outreach 
program, with traveling exhibitions in 27 cities over the past several 
years. The teacher program serves 25,000 educators across the United 
States annually. Their Web site has received 1.5 million visits each 
year.
  The museum has received recognition internationally as a center for 
Holocaust research and remembrance. There has been a dramatic growth in 
its collections, including more than 35,000 artifacts, 12 million pages 
of archived documents, 65,000 photographic images, oral histories from 
over 6,000 individuals, a library of over 30,000 volumes in 18 
languages, and a renowned registry of Holocaust survivors and their 
families with a total of 165,000 listings. The museum is an invaluable 
reference service for the public, with the Museum archival, photo, 
historian's office and library staff responding to over 18,000 requests 
each year for information, guidance and services.
  These accomplishments demonstrate the museum's extraordinary public 
service and the success it has achieved on the National Mall, across 
the United States and internationally. The museum's mission to carry 
the legacy of Holocaust education and conscience forward into the 21st 
century is important. The museum is key to strengthening our ability as 
Americans to understand history's painful lessons, to help us overcome 
the worst of human impulses, and to improve our future.

[[Page H7287]]

  I might just point out here that the Holocaust that we are dealing 
with is not just that of the Nazi atrocities leading up to and through 
World War II. We have had a large number of nations who have persecuted 
and murdered their citizens. In Cambodia we have had about 2 million 
people murdered. East Timor had 200,000. In Uganda, 750,000 people were 
murdered. And in Rwanda recently 800,000 people. Armenia had about 
600,000 people murdered and in Russia if you include not just the 
decisions to murder citizens but the stupidity of the command economy, 
somewhere between 80 and 100 million people died at the hands of the 
government or at the decisions of the government.
  The bill before us authorizes necessary appropriations to more 
effectively operate and maintain the museum. None of the funds are 
authorized for construction purposes. Federal appropriations for the 
museum have averaged around $31 million annually for the last 5 years 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2001 is $34.6 million. Donated 
funds have averaged approximately $21 million for the last 3 years, 
with expected donations of $21.4 million in 2001.
  When the National Academy of Public Administration studied the 
functioning of the museum, they recommended several minor changes which 
are incorporated into this legislation. Among them are the ability to 
retain revenue from activities undertaken by the museum and several 
slight organizational changes to make the museum more efficient. This 
bill will support the mission of the United States Holocaust Memorial 
Museum and its enduring role in our society.
  As a member of the museum's council I am proud to be a sponsor of 
this legislation. Several of our colleagues are also members of the 
council. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Frost), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) contribute to the important cause 
of the museum and council by serving on the council. I urge my 
colleagues to join me and the 24 original cosponsors in voting for this 
legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, H.R. 4115 is a noncontroversial measure that would 
legislatively establish the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as 
the institution with primary responsibility for our national 
remembrance to victims of the Holocaust. In addition, the bill provides 
for the permanent authorization of appropriations for the museum's 
operation.
  In 1980, Congress enacted Public Law 96-388 establishing a U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Council. Among the council's responsibilities was 
the planning, construction and operation of a permanent living memorial 
museum to the victims of the Holocaust in cooperation with the 
Secretary of the Interior and other Federal agencies.
  The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum opened to widespread 
acclaim in April 1993. Visitation to the museum has greatly exceeded 
our expectations. With more than 2 million visitors annually, it is one 
of the most visited museums in Washington, D.C. In addition, the museum 
has won awards for architectural and programmatic excellence.
  H.R. 4115 is based upon the recommendations of a study done by the 
National Academy of Public Administration on the governance and 
management of the council and the museum. The bill would establish the 
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as the institution with primary 
responsibility for the mandates of the original Holocaust Memorial 
legislation.
  The existing Holocaust Memorial Council would be established as a 
board of directors of the museum with the council's director as the 
chief executive officer of the museum. The bill would also authorize 
the museum to retain and expend revenues generated from activities. The 
bill includes a permanent authorization of appropriations of such funds 
as may be necessary for the museum's operation.
  Mr. Chairman, we must assume that the Republican leadership had some 
time it needed to fill on the floor schedule because H.R. 4115 is a 
wholly noncontroversial measure that did not need to be brought to the 
floor under a rule. Nevertheless, I support the bill and urge my 
colleagues to do likewise.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 4115, a bill to 
reauthorize the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum introduced by 
the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon).
  Mr. Chairman, H.R. 4115 reauthorizes and establishes the United 
States Holocaust Memorial Museum as an independent entity of the 
Federal Government with the responsibility of maintaining and operating 
the museum. The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) deserves credit for 
crafting this bill which helps a very important part of the Washington, 
D.C. museum complex and is an important part of history.
  On November 1, 1978, then President Jimmy Carter established the 
President's Commission on the Holocaust charged with the responsibility 
to submit a report to the President on the establishment and 
maintenance of an appropriate memorial to commemorate victims of the 
Holocaust. The final report called for a memorial and museum as a 
Federal institution serving the public, scholars and other 
institutions. In 1980, Congress passed a law which established the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Council and, among other things, required them to 
plan, construct and operate a permanent living memorial museum to the 
victims of the Holocaust in cooperation with the Secretary of the 
Interior and other Federal agencies. In April of 1993 the Holocaust 
Memorial Museum opened and since then has become one of the most 
visited sites in Washington, D.C., hosting approximately 2 million 
visitors annually.
  At the request of the Subcommittee on Interior of the Committee on 
Appropriations, the National Academy of Public Administration prepared 
a report in 1999 to assess the museum and make recommendations to 
improve the museum's governance, management, and administration. H.R. 
4115 implements many of these recommendations.
  The Holocaust Memorial Council was formed in 1980 for the purpose of 
establishing a permanent living memorial museum. Having accomplished 
this, H.R. 4115 establishes the Holocaust Memorial Museum, rather than 
the council, as the institution for the primary responsibility for the 
museum's operation. The Holocaust Memorial Council, however, would 
still function as the governing body in serving as the board of 
trustees. The council is currently composed of 65 voting members 
appointed by the President, the Speaker of the House, and the President 
pro tempore of the Senate. Three members of the council are selected by 
the President's Cabinet. Among the current council members are five 
Members of the House, including the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Frost), the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), and the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette). This bill authorizes necessary 
appropriations to more effectively operate and maintain the museum. 
However, none of the funds may be used for construction purposes.
  This is a good bill which assists in the continuation of one of our 
most important museums. I urge my colleagues to support this. I know, 
as many Members of Congress know, probably more people ask to go to the 
Holocaust Museum now than probably any other place outside of the White 
House and this building.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as 
he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Bonior), the 
minority whip.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague for yielding time. Let 
me thank the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for his 
leadership and my colleague on the Republican side of the aisle for his 
leadership on this bill.
  Mr. Chairman, not very far from here there is a woman who lives in a 
nursing home and her name is Janka Fischer. She is 101 years of age. 
Most of the people in the home know Mrs. Fischer as a kind woman with a 
Hungarian accent

[[Page H7288]]

who despite her age always wants to help others. What only a few know 
is that 60 years ago, Mrs. Fischer was a talented seamstress in her 
native Budapest. She had a small business of her own and a close, 
loving Jewish family. And then all of that changed. The Hungary she 
lived in became a very different place than the nation she grew up in. 
It was a nation living under Fascism, a country where it was no longer 
safe to be a Jew.
  In the summer of 1944 with the war clearly lost, the German 
government ordered the annihilation of the Hungarian Jews. The author 
Daniel Goldhagen writes that between May 15 and July 9, the Germans 
diverted box cars from the war effort to send 43,000 Hungarian Jews to 
concentration camps. Most of the Jews were murdered in the gas chambers 
at Auschwitz. Others died in different camps and on forced marches. A 
relative handful survived. They included Mrs. Fischer and two of her 
daughters. Almost everyone else died in the chambers. Mrs. Fischer 
still cannot talk about that time without bursting into tears. How 
could she do otherwise? Through luck and through her sheer tenacity, 
she survived the Holocaust. But will the memory of the Holocaust 
survive Mrs. Fischer? Will it survive the others who suffered through 
it?
  We have a responsibility to see to it that it does, to see to it that 
future generations understand the lessons of that era and to see to it 
that the world never forgets them. That is the special mission of the 
Holocaust Memorial Museum and that is why it has earned the support of 
every American. We owe that to those who died in the gas chambers at 
Auschwitz. We owe it to that nice old woman with the Hungarian accent 
named Janka Fischer.
  Again, I thank my colleagues for their leadership in bringing this to 
the floor.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman).
  (Mr. ROTHMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Chairman, first I want to thank the ranking member, 
the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), for all his 
assistance in putting together this bill; and of course, I want to 
recognize my dear, dear friend, the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon), 
who in my 4 years now in the Congress I have not found an individual of 
higher integrity and moral purpose than the gentleman from Utah. It is 
just a pleasure to serve with him. I thank him for his leadership on 
this issue.
  As an original cosponsor of this bill, I welcome this legislation's 
intent to permanently authorize appropriations for the United States 
Holocaust Museum. By passing this bill today, this body will give the 
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, quite appropriately, I 
believe, the same permanent authorization for appropriations that is 
currently reserved for the Smithsonian Institution and the National 
Archives.
  Mr. Chairman, I believe that it is in America's vital national 
interest to continue the way in leading and in remembering and 
preventing the crimes against humanity that are depicted in the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is the exact purpose served by the 
Holocaust Museum and a purpose that will continue to be realized if we 
pass this resolution today.
  During the past 7 years, 61 heads of state and 2,000 foreign 
officials from over 130 countries have toured the Museum and learned 
more about the horrors of the Holocaust and about what can happen. Each 
year, more than 25,000 teachers nationwide are provided with materials 
and training on the continuing lessons of the Holocaust. And since its 
opening in 1993, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has welcomed over 
13 million visitors.

                              {time}  1045

  What is the lesson of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum my friends? 
The lesson is that ignorance, hatred, and intolerance, if left 
unchecked can result in the slaughter of innocent millions and millions 
and millions of men, women, and children.
  Whether we study the holocaust or any other genocide, we can learn 
these lessons, it is the role of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 
that serves this purpose today. We need to make sure that the 
slaughter, the shame, and the scars of this Holocaust and all the 
genocides of the 20th century are never repeated.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  First of all, I would like to thank my dear friend, the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Rothman) and for his kind words. We got to know 
each other when we cohosted our freshman class in the evening that we 
held at the Holocaust Museum and while we differ on a number of issues, 
there are some things that draw us together as Americans and as 
friends.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee 
on Interior.
  (Mr. REGULA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Cannon) for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my strong support for the passage 
of H.R. 4115, the reauthorization of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 
Museum.
  For the past 6 years, I have chaired the Appropriations Subcommittee 
on Interior which provides the Federal funding for this outstanding 
museum, and I am pleased today to offer my support for its 
reauthorization.
  The Holocaust Museum was constructed with private funding in 1993 and 
today remains a model public, private partnership. As has been said 
before, it has served something in excess of 13 million visitors and 
students and dignitaries from all over the world, including 130 foreign 
countries.
  The bill to reauthorize the museum is an important document, as it 
makes important improvements to the museum's overall administration and 
operation. These changes set the museum on a very positive course for 
the future and have been recommended by the National Academy of Public 
Administration.
  With these changes in place, the museum may continue to carry out its 
important mission of serving as this country's memorial to the millions 
of people murdered during the Holocaust and of educating us and future 
generations so that we may prevent such a tragedy from ever again 
occurring. And I cannot emphasize enough the education role of this 
museum.
  Mr. Chairman, I thank you again for the opportunity to express my 
strong support for this bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer my strong support for the passage 
of H.R. 4115, the authorization of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. 
For the past six years, I have chaired the Interior Appropriations 
Subcommittee which provides the federal funding for this outstanding 
museum, and I am pleased today to offer my support for its 
reauthorization.
  The Holocaust Museum was constructed with private funding in 1993 and 
today remains a model public private partnership. Since its opening, 
the museum has received 13.5 million visitors, including students and 
dignitaries from all over the United States and 130 foreign countries.
  The bill to reauthorize the museum is an important document, as it 
makes important improvements to the museum's overall administration and 
operation. These changes set the museum on a very positive course for 
the future and have been recommended by the National Academy of Public 
Administration. With these changes in place the museum may continue to 
carry out its important mission of serving as this country's memorial 
to the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust and of 
educating us and future generations so that we may prevent such a 
tragedy from ever again occurring. I cannot emphasize enough the 
important role of the Museum in educating the visitors about this 
tragedy.
  Mr. Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to express my 
strong support for this bill.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos).
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller) for yielding me time, and I want to 
express my appreciation to the gentleman and also to the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Cannon) for their leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Chairman, I, of course, rise in strong support of this 
legislation as the

[[Page H7289]]

only survivor of the Holocaust ever elected to the Congress of the 
United States. The Holocaust Memorial Museum clearly fulfills two 
equally important but very different functions. It stands as a 
permanent tribute to the vast numbers of innocent men, women and 
children who were murdered on a gigantic scale by the Nazi war machine 
and their allies, but it also stands as one of the foremost pedagogic 
institutions of the United States of America, because it opens its 
doors to millions of young people in this country who go through the 
halls of the museum in disbelief and horror as they are confronted with 
man's mindless inhumanity to man.
  In the harried days at the end of the Second World War, it was 
customary to say ``never again''. But, of course, that phrase from the 
vantage point of the year 2000--has a very hollow ring, because time 
and time again populations were extinguished in southeast Asia, in 
central Africa and elsewhere as religious and ethnic and racial hatred 
ran amuck. People killed others for the sole reason that they were of a 
different ethnic or religious or linguistic or racial community.
  It is one of the great achievements of our great republic that the 
first military undertaking of human history purely for reasons of human 
rights was initiated by the United States and our NATO allies in the 
former Yugoslavia just a year and a half ago. We simply felt that the 
killing of innocent people in Kosovo was unacceptable because they 
represented a different religious or ethnic group from the dominant 
religious or ethnic group of Yugoslavia.
  So I think the Holocaust Memorial Museum needs to be viewed in a very 
broad context. It is a reminder for all time to come of the nightmare 
of the Holocaust, the massacre of 6 million innocent people by a regime 
of ultimate brutality and barbarity. But it is also an educational 
institution that reminds us for all time to come that hate crimes lead 
to more hate crimes, and when hate crimes become endemic, we have a 
Holocaust.
  The Holocaust Memorial Museum is one of the most significant 
institutions of our Nation, and it speaks well for the Congress of the 
United States that today we will be reauthorizing this institution--I 
trust unanimously--to carry on its sacred mission.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Lantos) for his very kind words. The gentleman knows I have been a 
great admirer of his for many years, in fact 25 years ago when I first 
met his beautiful daughters before he was a congressman.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), a fellow council member on the Holocaust 
Museum.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Cannon) for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4115, the legislation 
in front of the body.
  Over the last 6 years, I have had the honor of serving as one of the 
council members of the Holocaust Museum, and I can say with all candor, 
that that service has been one of the highest honors if not the highest 
honor that I received since I have been in the United States Congress.
  During my time of service, I have had the opportunity to learn 
firsthand what all of us really knew, that it is a remarkable 
institution. The museum recently marked its 7th anniversary and in its 
short tenure it certainly made its mark.
  There was great anticipation and excitement when it was about to open 
and when the idea was conceived, but I do not think anybody would have 
recognized what it would achieve in only 7 years. Other speakers have 
talked about the shattered attendance records. People have talked about 
the fact that dignitaries from 130 countries have come. And while those 
dignitaries garner the headlines, it is the everyday people from all 
walks of life who really make the story of the museum so special: 
parents and children, school groups, community groups, and teachers.
  Given the museum's success, it is hard to believe today that before 
its opening there was genuine concern as to whether or not this museum 
would appeal to anyone but Jews. People were afraid that visitors would 
not come. Of the millions of people, Mr. Chairman, who have visited the 
museum, 80 percent of all visitors are not Jewish, 14 percent are 
foreigners and 18 percent have come to the museum more than once.
  When the museum celebrated its 5th anniversary, it commissioned a 
survey about the Americans' view of the Holocaust. The purpose of the 
survey was to judge Americans depth of understanding and also to focus 
and continue to focus the mission of the museum. The survey had 
encouraging and discouraging results. Seventy-seven percent of 
Americans had heard of the museum, and 61 percent said they would be 
interested in visiting it if they came to Washington, D.C. Two of every 
three Americans polled wanted to learn more about the Holocaust, and 
minorities were most enthusiastic in that regard including 79 percent 
of the African Americans polled and 75 percent of the Hispanics.
  Eighty percent, four out of every five Americans surveyed pictured 
the Holocaust as one of the history's most important lessons, placing 
it behind the American Revolution, but ahead of the American Indian 
struggles, the U.S. civil rights movement, Vietnam, slavery and the 
Cold War.
  Responses also proved the value worth of the museum and its role in 
educating the public. One out of every five Americans, 20 percent, do 
not know or were not sure that Jews were killed during the Holocaust or 
that it occurred during the Second World War. More than 70 percent of 
those polled falsely believed that the United States granted asylum to 
any and all European Jews that wanted it. Sadly, in fact, the United 
States had one of the worst records in accepting refugees. Only 21,000 
refugees were accepted in the United States as they fled Nazism during 
World War II.
  Mr. Chairman, my first experience at the museum, I was taken by a 
fellow by the name of Mark Newman, whose father was a Holocaust 
survivor, and although he said I should come back, and I have come back 
many times to spend 4 hours and 5 hours in the museum at a time, he 
wanted to show me two exhibits. Because I was going to be a new 
legislator, he wanted to show me the exhibit on the St. Louis and the 
exhibit on the failed conference at Evian, the conference wherein 
supposedly the great powers of the world got together to determine 
which country would in fact accept refugees who were fleeing for their 
very lives from the stain of Nazism. That conference failed, it failed, 
and my host made the observation, because legislators did not do their 
job at this moment in time, and it remains a stain of shame on the 
United States. It remained a lesson that I carry with me as I make 
decisions here in the House of Representatives.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) for bringing 
forth this legislation. It is a good bill. It passed unanimously when 
it was first authorized, and it should again today.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Cannon) for bringing this legislation forward and note that many of the 
speakers this morning talked about the educational aspect of this 
museum. Many of us have school children, young people who come and 
visit Washington as part of trips for various organizations or schools 
or social clubs and what have you, and when you talk to these young 
people when they come to our office and you ask them about their 
experience in Washington D.C., for those who had the opportunity to 
visit the Holocaust Museum, it is quite something to talk to these 
young people as they speak of their amazement, of their horror, and of 
their sadness visiting the museum, and the fact that but for the museum 
they may have never learned or they had not learned to date of the 
story of the Holocaust, of the history of the Holocaust and of the 
scale of the Holocaust.
  Clearly, a decision that was championed for so long by our former 
colleague Sidney Yates of Illinois, a decision by this Congress to 
establish this museum is clearly one that is paying

[[Page H7290]]

back incredible dividends in terms of enriching the knowledge of 
history of young people and so many others in this country and from 
around the world about the Holocaust.
  I think the Congress should be very proud of the establishment of 
this museum. As the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) pointed out, 
at one point people thought maybe this was not wise, it should not be 
done, there was no constituency for it. But the fact of the matter is, 
that we now see it as among the most visited of the museums and sites 
in Washington D.C.
  When we establish these kinds of museums or the national parks or the 
wilderness areas, very often, as we find out, these are decisions that 
we make that keep giving back to this Nation, and they give back on a 
daily and a yearly basis as they enrich the lives and the understanding 
of the American people and others about our place in history, about the 
role of history and our consideration of the future.

                              {time}  1100

  Clearly the Holocaust Museum is a major, major monument to that 
effort. As the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) reminds us, the 
Holocaust is not only about the past and about history, it is about a 
very deep consideration of human rights in the future and in current-
day political struggles throughout the world.
  In many ways, that may be one of the finest gifts that the Holocaust 
Museum gives to each new generation as they take their place of 
position of authority, is to think about the Holocaust, and then to 
think about the tragedies that everyday people are suffering throughout 
the world at the hands of despots and those who seek power almost just 
for power's sake, but have to do it at the great price of another 
people so that they can achieve that kind of incredible totalitarian 
power over others.
  So it is with great respect that I support this legislation, and 
again thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) and the cosponsors of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula).
  Mr. REGULA. Mr. Chairman, I just was thinking as we reflected on the 
success of the museum that we should mention that Miles Lerman, who was 
chairman of the museum board for many years, along with Congressman Sid 
Yates, who was chairman of the Committee on the Interior working 
together, really made this a success. I think much of what we have 
discussed today is a reflection of the initiative of these two 
individuals and the enormous amount of effort they put into making this 
museum what it is today with its ability to serve the public and convey 
a message.
  Mr. CANNON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to close by encouraging Members of this 
body and other Americans to visit the museum. I thought I might do that 
by telling my personal experience with the museum. First of all, I 
would like to thank the ranking member of the committee for his support 
and help during this debate and the development of the bill.
  I was born in 1950, shortly after World War II; and, as I went 
through high school, one of the kindest, most thoughtful professors, 
teachers, that I had there was a Jew who had survived the holocaust. He 
had a colleague, who I never had a class from, but who had a son that 
was my age, so I became friends with the three of them.
  One of the most stark experiences of my youth was to see those two 
teachers of history roll up their sleeves and show me a tatoo that had 
been put on their arms by the Nazi regime. That framed much of my view 
of the world and of history and of the role of government, frankly, and 
it was very important to me.
  Since the opening of the museum, I have visited it several times; and 
it is a tremendously personal experience to go through that museum. You 
are confronted with the best and worst in the impulses of human beings 
as you go through it. It is an intimate experience. We do not have many 
survivors of the Holocaust left who can give the impression to young 
people that those two great men gave to me.
  So I would encourage everyone to go through and visit the museum. I 
will say that it is a stark experience. There are places that have 
barriers so that small children cannot see some of the demonstrations 
of the inhumanity of man to man. They are worth looking at and 
considering.
  Mr. Chairman, let me just say it has been a great pleasure to work on 
this bill with all of those involved.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4115, the 
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Act. As the only Member of the 
New York State delegation to serve on the Committee on Resources, I was 
pleased to co-sponsor this legislation.
  Seven years ago, the Holocaust Museum was opened in Washington D.C. 
as both a stark testament to the sheer brutality of the Holocaust and 
as an appropriate way to learn from the past so that we never repeat 
it.
  I believe the words of General Dwight David Eisenhower dating from 
April 15, 1945 express the horrors of the Holocaust best and reaffirm 
why this Institution is needed. His quote, as it is inscribed on the 
walls outside the Museum, states:

       The things I saw beggar description . . . the visual 
     evidence and verbal testimony of starvation, cruelty, and 
     bestiality were overpowering. I made the visit deliberately 
     in order to be in position to give first hand evidence of 
     these things if ever, in the future, there develops a 
     tendency to charge these allegations merely to quote 
     ``propaganda.''

  I encourage all Americans to visit this Museum in our Capitol City 
and witness firsthand the powerful images of both hope and hatred 
expressed in that building. From the railroad car that transported 
human beings like chattel to the concentration camps, to the powerful 
testimonies of real survivors, the images are real, stark and bitter.
  On my first visit, I was most struck by the fact that, as you begin 
the tour, every visitor is provided an identification card of a real 
victim of the Holocaust.
  As you walk through the Museum, you turn the page of ``your'' life 
story. As I reached the end, I felt personally connected to my 
``identity'' and was disturbed to learn of ``my'' fate.
  Unfortunately, the lessons and the educational seminars of the Museum 
today are still needed as we still witness genocide on our planet 
today.
  Here, I remember back to the opening ceremony of this Museum. 
Holocaust survivor and author Eli Weisel was one of the principal 
speakers and he stood and challenged President Clinton, sitting next to 
him, to address the new Holocaust of the 1990's--Bosnia.
  He spoke about the true mission of the Museum--to teach us about our 
past so that we will never repeat them in the future. That is not only 
a Museum of the past but of the present and the future.
  Unfortunately, our world continues to witness mass death, genocide 
and violence driven solely by hatred of an individual based on one's 
race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation--like we saw under 
Hitler.
  While I proudly stand in support of this legislation--the Holocaust 
Museum is more then a Washington landmark. It is a reminder of what our 
world has witnessed and a testament that more work is needed so that no 
more memorials need to be erected to victims of genocide and hate.
  I also want to thank two of my colleagues. The first is my current 
colleague, Representative Tom Lantos, a Holocaust survivor and a moral 
voice for all of us in this Chamber.
  I would also like to acknowledge the work of a former colleague, 
someone I have not had the pleasure to serve with, but whom, without 
his leadership, the Museum may not be standing today. That person is 
Congressman Sid Yates.
  The first time I visited the Museum, I was joined by his successor, 
Representative Jan Schakowsky, who has carried on his dedication and 
support for this fine institution.
  Congressman Lantos, I honor you. Congressman Yates, I remember you 
today.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4115, 
legislation to officially establish the United States Holocaust Museum 
and authorize appropriations for its operation. The U.S. Holocaust 
Memorial Museum is this nation's premiere institution for the 
documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history, and 
serves as this country's memorial to the millions of people murdered 
during the Holocaust.
  Chartered by a unanimous Act of Congress in 1980, the Holocaust 
Museum has greatly broadened public understanding of the history of the 
Holocaust through multifaceted programs. The Holocaust represents the 
most tragic human chapter of the 20th century when six million Jews 
perished as the result of a systematic and deliberate policy of 
annihilation. The Holocaust Museum allows us all to bear witness to the 
atrocities of the period and challenges us to confront the indifference 
of that our own political leaders showed at that

[[Page H7291]]

time. These lessons are critical, especially in light of the use, in 
recent years, of genocide for political and tactical purposes by 
regimes in Europe and Africa.
  As an aside, I would like to take this time to also recognize the 
Holocaust Museum of Houston. Since its opening in 1996, the Holocaust 
Museum of Houston, like its national counterpart in Washington, has 
installed exhibits that not only remind visitors of those who died and 
survived the tragedy of the Holocaust, but also to educate the public, 
specifically school-age children, about the dangers of racial 
intolerance.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4115 and urge my 
colleagues to join me in authorizing appropriations for the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Museum.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to join my colleagues today 
in support of H.R. 4115, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 
Authorization. This bill builds upon and continues the legacy of my 
predecessor Representative Sidney Yates whose hard work led to the 
passage of legislation establishing the Holocaust Memorial Council in 
the 96th Congress.
  The vision of Congressman Yates and so many others has translated 
into a powerful, successful, and beautiful testament to the lives that 
were lost to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial 
Museum. And what a testament the Museum is. Without about 12 million 
visitors every year, the museum has served as an incredible teaching 
tool, as well as a place of peace where people can go to remember those 
who were lost. Along with the great success of the facility here in 
Washington, the Museum does substantial outreach to schools and 
communities throughout the nation. The traveling exhibits of the Museum 
have brought the lessons of the Holocaust to those who are unable to 
visit the nation's Capital. The Museum also provides materials for 
teachers who devote class time to Holocaust commemoration. Anyone, who 
has visited the Museum or one of its traveling exhibits understands the 
important role they play and the important lessons they can teach to 
all Americans.
  The Holocaust Memorial Council has also helped guide this body in 
observance of the Days of Remembrance every year when we take time in 
the nation's Capital to commemorate the Holocaust.
  The bill we are considering today makes permanent the authorization 
of such sums as necessary for the Museum to continue to operate. 
Besides going through the formality of making this funding permanent 
today, we are making an important statement. With passage of this 
legislation, the members of this body are saying to the nation and to 
the world that we will never forget and that we will continue to teach 
our children and our children's children that what happened during one 
of the world's darkest and most tragic chapters in history must never 
again be tolerated.
  Again, Mr. Chairman, I join my colleagues in supporting this 
legislation and I thank all members who worked to bring this measure to 
the floor. I urge all members to vote in support of H.R. 4115.
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in hesitant opposition to H.R. 
4115, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Authorization Act. We as 
vigilant Americans must never forget the horrific lessons of the past 
and those attendant consequences of corporatism, fascism, and 
tyrannical government; that is, governmental deprivation of individual 
rights. A government which operates beyond its proper limits of 
preserving liberty never bodes well for individual rights to life, 
liberty and property. Particularly, Adolph Hitler's tyrannical regime 
is most indicative of the necessary consequences of a government 
dominated by so-called ``government-business'' partnerships, gun-
confiscation schemes, protectionism, and abandonment of speech and 
religious freedom in the name of ``compelling government interests.''
  Ironically, this measure's language permanently authorizes the 
appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the United States 
Holocaust Memorial Museum; a purpose which propels our very own federal 
government beyond its constitutionally enumerated limits. This nation's 
founders were careful to limit the scope of our federal government to 
those enumerated powers within Article One, Section 8 of the U.S. 
Constitution. These limits were further instilled within the bill of 
rights' tenth amendment which reserves to States and private parties 
those powers not specifically given to the federal government.
  Evidence that such private contributions can properly memorialize 
this most important historical abhorration can be found given that this 
museum receives approximately $20 million in private donations 
annually.
  Mr. Chairman, while I agree it is most important to remember and 
memorialize with a heavy heart the consequences of tyrannical 
governments operating beyond their proper limits, ignoring our own 
government's limits of power and, thus, choosing a means incompatible 
with its ends to do so must not be tolerated. Hence, I must oppose H.R. 
4115.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong 
support of this legislation. The Holocaust Memorial Museum is a 
powerful tool to educate about the horrors of the Holocaust, to 
preserve the memory of the millions who suffered, and to teach its 
visitors how hate and intolerance can lead to tragedy. Over the last 7 
years, almost 15 million people have visited the Museum and witnessed 
first-hand the truth about what happened during the Holocaust. 
Thousands more have toured the traveling exhibits the Museum 
coordinates and conferences around the country. In Washington, DC 
alone, a record 1.5-million visitors have toured the museum this year.
  It is critical that a sensitivity to the Holocaust be instilled in 
our society. Even today there are establishments that are teaching that 
the Holocaust never happened or avoid it altogether.
  I recently heard from a woman that was taught in her high school 
history class to appreciate the leadership Hitler brought to Germany. 
In fact, her only assignment on World War II was to write a paper 
praising Hitler's regime.
  Unfortunately, it wasn't twenty years ago that this happened. In 
fact, there are organizations out there today with the sole purpose of 
denying that the Holocaust ever happened. This makes the role of the 
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum that much more necessary.
  Educating about past wrongs and teaching tolerance instead of hate is 
the only means we have to help prevent future tragedies.
  I urge my colleagues to continue to support the United States 
Holocaust Memorial Museum and in doing so, honor the memory of all 
those who suffered at the hands of hate.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of legislation the 
House is considering today, H.R. 4115, which authorizes appropriations 
for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In so doing, this 
legislation also commends the vital, ongoing work of the Museum in 
speaking the truth against those who would deny that the Holocaust ever 
took place or who attempt to negate that the Holocaust specifically 
targeted Jews for extinction.
  I especially commend the sponsor of this measure, Mr. Cannon of Utah, 
who serves with me on the Holocaust Memorial Council. I wish as well to 
thank the Chairman of the Resources Committee, Mr. Young, and the 
Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Mr. Hansen, for their 
great support and commitment to the Museum and this subsequent 
authorizing legislation.
  In its seven year history, the Holocaust Memorial Museum has had 14 
million visitors, of which 3.7 million have been children. In addition, 
61 heads of state have visited, along with 2,000 foreign officials from 
130 nations.
  The Museum has sent traveling exhibits to over 27 cities in the past 
few years. Its teacher program serves 25,000 educators across the 
United States annually, and its website has received over 1.5 million 
visits per year since its inception.
  The Museum is recognized internationally as a major center for 
Holocaust research and memory. It contains more than 35,000 artifacts, 
12 million pages of archived documents, 65,000 photographic images, 
oral histories from over 6,000 individuals, a library of over 30,000 
volumes in 18 languages, and a renowned registry of Holocaust survivors 
and their families with a total of 165,000 listings.
  The museum has become an invaluable reference for the public, and 
over 18,000 requests for information are fulfilled each year.
  The House Resource Committee's report notes that, ``H.R. 4115 
reauthorizes and establishes the United States Holocaust Memorial 
Museum as an independent entity of the federal government with the 
responsibility of maintaining and operating the Museum. This bill 
assures the continued presence and function of the (Holocaust Memorial) 
Council by establishing it as the board of trustees of the Museum with 
overall governance responsibility for the Museum. This bill authorizes 
necessary appropriations to more effectively operate and maintain the 
Museum . . . Federal appropriations have averaged around $31 million 
annually for the last five years. The budget request for Fiscal Year 
2001 is $34.6 million. Donated funds have averaged approximately $21 
million for the last three years with expected donations of $21.4 
million for 2001.
  Mr. Chairman, as a member of the Museum's Holocaust Memorial Council 
I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation. I also wish to express my 
support and gratitude for the hard work and dedication shown by the 
Museum's director, Sara Bloomfield, and its chairman, Rabbi Irving 
``Yitz'' Greenberg. I have no doubt that under their guidance, the 
Holocaust Memorial Museum will continue to be regarded as the pre-
eminent Holocaust related institution in the United States.
  Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to join in 
expressing their support for the critically important work of the 
Holocaust Memorial Museum by adopting H.R. 4115.

[[Page H7292]]

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to strongly 
support H.R. 4115, the U.S. Holocaust Museum Authorization.
  This is an important measure that comes at a critical time in the 
106th Congress. The legislation permanently authorizes the 
appropriation of such sums as necessary for the United States Holocaust 
Memorial Museum. We should not delay our full support of H.R. 4115. 
There is no common-sense reason to delay or impede this wise and timely 
step.
  A 1980 law (PL 96-388) established the Holocaust Memorial Council, 
which was to plan, construct, and operate a permanent memorial museum 
to the victims of the Holocaust.
  I was delighted when the U.S. Holocaust Museum was opened in April 
1993. It is no secret that it has become one of the most visited sites 
in Washington, averaging about 12 million visitors per year.
  The victims of the Holocaust must be remembered so that no such 
tragedy ever happens again.
  A 1999 study conducted by the National Academy of Public 
Administration recommended changes in the way the museum is governed 
and managed. The recommended changes will, among other things, 
facilitate greater public understanding of why the museum was needed in 
the first place.
  H.R. 4115 also changes the museum's management structure by moving 
the day-to-day responsibility for maintaining and operating the museum 
from the Holocaust Memorial Council to the museum.
  Under the bill, the museum also would be changed from a federal 
institution to an independent entity of the federal government. This is 
surely a well-reasoned decision by those that have done a good job in 
carrying out the will of Congress. It is vital to monitor the museum's 
continued development.
  During the last five fiscal years, federal appropriations for the 
museum have averaged $31 million. The administration's budget request 
for fiscal 2001 is $34.6 million. The museum also receives 
approximately $20 million in donations annually. Congress should, at 
the very minimum, support this very modest increase, particularly on 
behalf of the families and friends of the victims of the Holocaust. 
That is the least we can do.
  This bill properly implements the Academy's recommendations. It 
deserves our continued support, and I urge my colleagues to vote in 
favor of this bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIRMAN. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute printed in the bill is considered as an original bill for 
the purpose of amendment and is considered read.
  The text of the committee amendment in the nature of a substitute is 
as follows:

                               H.R. 4115

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

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENT.

       Chapter 23 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to 
     read as follows:

         ``CHAPTER 23--UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

``Sec. 2301. Establishment of the United States Holocaust Memorial 
              Museum; functions.
``Sec. 2302. Functions of the Council; membership.
``Sec. 2303. Compensation; travel expenses; full-time officers or 
              employees of United States or Members of Congress.
``Sec. 2304. Administrative provisions.
``Sec. 2305. Staff.
``Sec. 2306. Insurance for museum.
``Sec. 2307. Gifts, bequests, and devises of property; tax treatment.
``Sec. 2308. Annual report.
``Sec. 2309. Audit of financial transactions.
``Sec. 2310. Authorization of appropriations.

     ``SEC. 2301. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
                   HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM; FUNCTIONS.

       ``The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (hereinafter 
     in this chapter referred to as the `Museum') is an 
     independent establishment of the United State Government. The 
     Museum shall--
       ``(1) provide for appropriate ways for the Nation to 
     commemorate the Days of Remembrance, as an annual, national, 
     civic commemoration of the Holocaust, and encourage and 
     sponsor appropriate observances of such Days of Remembrance 
     throughout the United States;
       ``(2) operate and maintain a permanent living memorial 
     museum to the victims of the Holocaust, in cooperation with 
     the Secretary of the Interior and other Federal agencies as 
     provided in section 2306 of this title; and
       ``(3) carry out the recommendations of the President's 
     Commission on the Holocaust in its report to the President of 
     September 27, 1979, to the extent such recommendations are 
     not otherwise provided for in this chapter.

     ``SEC. 2302. FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL; MEMBERSHIP.

       ``(a) In General.--The United States Holocaust Memorial 
     Council (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the 
     `Council') shall be the board of trustees of the Museum and 
     shall have overall governance responsibility for the Museum, 
     including policy guidance and strategic direction, general 
     oversight of Museum operations, and fiduciary responsibility. 
     The Council shall establish an Executive Committee which 
     shall exercise ongoing governance responsibility when the 
     Council is not in session.
       ``(b) Composition of Council; Appointment; Vacancies.--The 
     Council shall consist of 65 voting members appointed (except 
     as otherwise provided in this section) by the President and 
     the following ex officio nonvoting members:
       ``(1) 1 appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.
       ``(2) 1 appointed by the Secretary of State.
       ``(3) 1 appointed by the Secretary of Education.

     Of the 65 voting members, 5 shall be appointed by the Speaker 
     of the United States House of Representatives from among 
     Members of the United States House of Representatives and 5 
     shall be appointed by the President pro tempore of the United 
     States Senate upon the recommendation of the majority and 
     minority leaders from among Members of the United States 
     Senate. Any vacancy in the Council shall be filled in the 
     same manner as the original appointment was made.
       ``(c) Term of Office.--
       ``(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, 
     Council members shall serve for 5-year terms.
       ``(2) The terms of the 5 Members of the United States House 
     of Representatives and the 5 Members of the United States 
     Senate appointed during any term of Congress shall expire at 
     the end of such term of Congress.
       ``(3) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring 
     before the expiration of the term for which his predecessor 
     was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of 
     such term. A member, other than a Member of Congress 
     appointed by the Speaker of the United States House of 
     Representatives or the President pro tempore of the United 
     States Senate, may serve after the expiration of his term 
     until his successor has taken office.
       ``(d) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson; Term of Office.--
     The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Council shall be 
     appointed by the President from among the members of the 
     Council and such Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall each 
     serve for terms of 5 years.
       ``(e) Reappointment.--Members whose terms expire may be 
     reappointed, and the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may be 
     reappointed to those offices.
       ``(f) Bylaws.--The Council shall adopt bylaws to carry out 
     its functions under this chapter. The Chairperson may waive a 
     bylaw when the Chairperson decides that waiver is in the best 
     interest of the Council. Immediately after waiving a bylaw, 
     the Chairperson shall send written notice of the waiver to 
     every voting member of the Council. The waiver becomes final 
     30 days after the notice is sent unless a majority of Council 
     members disagree in writing before the end of the 30-day 
     period.
       ``(g) Quorum.--One-third of the members of the Council 
     shall constitute a quorum, and any vacancy in the Council 
     shall not affect its powers to function.
       ``(h) Associated Committees.--Subject to appointment by the 
     Chairperson, an individual who is not a member of the Council 
     may be designated as a member of a committee associated with 
     the Council. Such an individual shall serve without cost to 
     the Federal Government.

     ``SEC. 2303. COMPENSATION; TRAVEL EXPENSES; FULL-TIME 
                   OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OF UNITED STATES OR 
                   MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

       ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b) of 
     this section, members of the Council are each authorized to 
     be paid the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     in effect for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5315 of title 5, for each day (including travel 
     time) during which they are engaged in the actual performance 
     of duties of the Council. While away from their homes or 
     regular places of business in the performance of services for 
     the Council, members of the Council shall be allowed travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the 
     same manner as persons employed intermittently in Government 
     service are allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5.
       ``(b) Exception.--Members of the Council who are full-time 
     officers or employees of the United States or Members of 
     Congress shall receive no additional pay by reason of their 
     service on the Council.

     ``SEC. 2304. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       ``(a) Experts and Consultants.--The Museum may obtain the 
     services of experts and consultants in accordance with the 
     provisions of section 3109 of title 5, at rates not to exceed 
     the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in 
     effect for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule 
     under section 5315 of title 5.
       ``(b) Authority To Contract.--The Museum may, in accordance 
     with applicable law, enter into contracts and other 
     arrangements with public agencies and with private 
     organizations and persons and may make such payments as may 
     be necessary to carry out its functions under this chapter.
       ``(c) Assistance From Other Federal Departments and 
     Agencies.--The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the 
     Library of Congress, and the heads of all executive branch 
     departments, agencies, and establishments of the United 
     States may assist the Museum in the performance of its 
     functions under this chapter.

[[Page H7293]]

       ``(d) Administrative Services and Support.--The Secretary 
     of the Interior may provide administrative services and 
     support to the Museum on a reimbursable basis.

     ``SEC. 2305. STAFF.

       ``(a) Establishment of the Museum Director as Chief 
     Executive Officer.--There shall be a director of the Museum 
     (hereinafter in this chapter referred to as the `Director') 
     who shall serve as chief executive officer of the Museum and 
     exercise day-to-day authority for the Museum. The Director 
     shall be appointed by the Chairperson of the Council, subject 
     to confirmation of the Council. The Director may be paid with 
     nonappropriated funds, and, if paid with appropriated funds 
     shall be paid the rate of basic pay for positions at level IV 
     of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5. The 
     Director shall report to the Council and its Executive 
     Committee through the Chairperson. The Director shall serve 
     at the pleasure of the Council.
       ``(b) Appointment of Employees.--The Director shall have 
     authority to--
       ``(1) appoint employees in the competitive service subject 
     to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 
     53 of title 5, relating to classification and general 
     schedule pay rates;
       ``(2) appoint and fix the compensation (at a rate not to 
     exceed the rate of basic pay in effect for positions at level 
     IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5) 
     of up to 3 employees notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law; and
       ``(3) implement the decisions and strategic plan for the 
     Museum, as approved by the Council, and perform such other 
     functions as may be assigned from time to time by the 
     Council, the Executive Committee of the Council, or the 
     Chairperson of the Council, consistent with this 
     legislation.

     ``SEC. 2306. INSURANCE FOR MUSEUM.

       ``The Museum shall maintain insurance on the memorial 
     museum to cover such risks, in such amount, and containing 
     such terms and conditions as the Museum deems necessary.

     ``SEC. 2307. GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES OF PROPERTY; TAX 
                   TREATMENT.

       ``The Museum may solicit, and the Museum may accept, hold, 
     administer, invest, and use gifts, bequests, and devises of 
     property, both real and personal, and all revenues received 
     or generated by the Museum to aid or facilitate the operation 
     and maintenance of the memorial museum. Property may be 
     accepted pursuant to this section, and the property and the 
     proceeds thereof used as nearly as possible in accordance 
     with the terms of the gift, bequest, or devise donating such 
     property. Funds donated to and accepted by the Museum 
     pursuant to this section or otherwise received or generated 
     by the Museum are not to be regarded as appropriated funds 
     and are not subject to any requirements or restrictions 
     applicable to appropriated funds. For the purposes of Federal 
     income, estate, and gift taxes, property accepted under this 
     section shall be considered as a gift, bequest, or devise to 
     the United States.

     ``SEC. 2308. ANNUAL REPORT.

       ``The Director shall transmit to Congress an annual report 
     on the Director's stewardship of the authority to operate and 
     maintain the memorial museum. Such report shall include the 
     following:
       ``(1) An accounting of all financial transactions involving 
     donated funds.
       ``(2) A description of the extent to which the objectives 
     of this chapter are being met.
       ``(3) An examination of future major endeavors, 
     initiatives, programs, or activities that the Museum proposes 
     to undertake to better fulfill the objectives of this 
     chapter.
       ``(4) An examination of the Federal role in the funding of 
     the Museum and its activities, and any changes that may be 
     warranted.

     ``SEC. 2309. AUDIT OF FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.

       ``Financial transactions of the Museum, including those 
     involving donated funds, shall be audited by the Comptroller 
     General as requested by Congress, in accordance with 
     generally accepted auditing standards. In conducting any 
     audit pursuant to this section, appropriate representatives 
     of the Comptroller General shall have access to all books, 
     accounts, financial records, reports, files and other papers, 
     items or property in use by the Museum, as necessary to 
     facilitate such audit, and such representatives shall be 
     afforded full facilities for verifying transactions with the 
     balances.

     ``SEC. 2310. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``To carry out the purposes of this chapter, there are 
     authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary. 
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds 
     authorized to carry out this chapter may be made available 
     for construction. Authority to enter into contracts and to 
     make payments under this chapter, using funds authorized to 
     be appropriated under this chapter, shall be effective only 
     to the extent, and in such amounts, as provided in advance in 
     appropriations Acts.''.

  The CHAIRMAN. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the 
Chair may accord priority in recognition to a Member offering an 
amendment that he has printed in the designated place in the 
Congressional Record. Those amendments will be considered read.
  The Chairman of the Committee of the Whole may postpone a request for 
a recorded vote on any amendment and may reduce to a minimum of 5 
minutes the time for voting on any postponed question that immediately 
follows another vote, provided that the time for voting on the first 
question shall be a minimum of 15 minutes.
  Are there any amendments to the bill?
  If not, the question is on the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The CHAIRMAN. Under the rule, the Committee rises.
  Accordingly, the committee rose; and the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. 
Regula) having assumed the chair, Mr. LaTourette, Chairman of the 
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, reported that 
that Committee, having had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4115) to 
authorize appropriations for the United States Holocaust Memorial 
Museum, and for other purposes, pursuant to House Resolution 570, he 
reported the bill back to the House with an amendment adopted by the 
Committee of the Whole.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the rule, the previous question is 
ordered.
  The question is on the committee amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on engrossment and third 
reading of the bill.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was 
read the third time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the 
yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 415, 
nays 1, not voting 18, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 454]

                               YEAS--415

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Allen
     Archer
     Armey
     Baca
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baker
     Baldacci
     Baldwin
     Ballenger
     Barcia
     Barr
     Barrett (NE)
     Barrett (WI)
     Bartlett
     Bass
     Bateman
     Becerra
     Bentsen
     Bereuter
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop
     Blagojevich
     Bliley
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boehlert
     Boehner
     Bonilla
     Bonior
     Bono
     Borski
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Brown (FL)
     Brown (OH)
     Bryant
     Burr
     Burton
     Buyer
     Callahan
     Calvert
     Camp
     Campbell
     Canady
     Cannon
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardin
     Carson
     Castle
     Chabot
     Chambliss
     Chenoweth-Hage
     Clay
     Clayton
     Clement
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Coburn
     Collins
     Combest
     Condit
     Conyers
     Cook
     Cooksey
     Costello
     Cox
     Coyne
     Cramer
     Crane
     Crowley
     Cummings
     Cunningham
     Danner
     Davis (FL)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (VA)
     Deal
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     DeLay
     DeMint
     Deutsch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dickey
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Dixon
     Doggett
     Dooley
     Doolittle
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Dunn
     Edwards
     Ehlers
     Ehrlich
     Emerson
     English
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Evans
     Ewing
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fletcher
     Foley
     Forbes
     Ford
     Fossella
     Fowler
     Frank (MA)
     Franks (NJ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Frost
     Gallegly
     Ganske
     Gejdenson
     Gekas
     Gephardt
     Gibbons
     Gilchrest
     Gillmor
     Gilman
     Gonzalez
     Goode
     Goodlatte
     Goodling
     Gordon
     Goss
     Graham
     Granger
     Green (TX)
     Green (WI)
     Greenwood
     Gutierrez
     Gutknecht
     Hall (OH)
     Hall (TX)
     Hansen
     Hastings (FL)
     Hastings (WA)
     Hayes
     Hayworth
     Hefley
     Hill (IN)
     Hill (MT)
     Hilleary
     Hilliard
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hobson
     Hoeffel
     Hoekstra
     Holden
     Holt
     Hooley
     Horn
     Hostettler
     Houghton
     Hoyer
     Hulshof
     Hunter
     Hutchinson
     Hyde
     Inslee
     Isakson
     Istook
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Jenkins
     John
     Johnson (CT)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones (NC)
     Kanjorski
     Kasich
     Kelly
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick
     Kind (WI)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kleczka
     Knollenberg
     Kolbe
     Kucinich
     Kuykendall
     LaFalce
     LaHood
     Lampson
     Lantos
     Largent
     Larson
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Leach
     Lee
     Levin
     Lewis (CA)
     Lewis (GA)
     Lewis (KY)
     Linder
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Lofgren
     Lowey
     Lucas (KY)
     Lucas (OK)
     Luther
     Maloney (CT)
     Maloney (NY)
     Manzullo
     Markey
     Martinez
     Mascara
     Matsui
     McCarthy (MO)
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCrery
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McInnis

[[Page H7294]]


     McIntyre
     McKeon
     McKinney
     McNulty
     Meehan
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Menendez
     Metcalf
     Mica
     Millender-McDonald
     Miller (FL)
     Miller, Gary
     Miller, George
     Minge
     Mink
     Moakley
     Mollohan
     Moore
     Moran (KS)
     Moran (VA)
     Morella
     Murtha
     Myrick
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Nethercutt
     Ney
     Northup
     Norwood
     Nussle
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Ose
     Oxley
     Packard
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor
     Payne
     Pease
     Pelosi
     Peterson (MN)
     Peterson (PA)
     Petri
     Phelps
     Pickering
     Pickett
     Pitts
     Pombo
     Pomeroy
     Porter
     Portman
     Price (NC)
     Pryce (OH)
     Quinn
     Radanovich
     Rahall
     Ramstad
     Regula
     Reyes
     Reynolds
     Riley
     Rivers
     Rodriguez
     Roemer
     Rogan
     Rogers
     Rohrabacher
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Rothman
     Roukema
     Roybal-Allard
     Royce
     Rush
     Ryan (WI)
     Ryun (KS)
     Sabo
     Salmon
     Sanchez
     Sanders
     Sandlin
     Sanford
     Sawyer
     Saxton
     Scarborough
     Schaffer
     Schakowsky
     Scott
     Sensenbrenner
     Serrano
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shaw
     Shays
     Sherman
     Sherwood
     Shimkus
     Shows
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Sisisky
     Skeen
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (MI)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Snyder
     Souder
     Spence
     Spratt
     Stabenow
     Stark
     Stearns
     Stenholm
     Strickland
     Stump
     Stupak
     Sununu
     Sweeney
     Talent
     Tancredo
     Tanner
     Tauscher
     Tauzin
     Taylor (MS)
     Taylor (NC)
     Terry
     Thomas
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thornberry
     Thune
     Thurman
     Tiahrt
     Tierney
     Toomey
     Traficant
     Turner
     Udall (CO)
     Udall (NM)
     Upton
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Vitter
     Walden
     Walsh
     Wamp
     Waters
     Watkins
     Watt (NC)
     Watts (OK)
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Weldon (FL)
     Weldon (PA)
     Weller
     Wexler
     Weygand
     Whitfield
     Wicker
     Wilson
     Wise
     Wolf
     Woolsey
     Wu
     Wynn
     Young (FL)

                                NAYS--1

       
       Paul
         

                             NOT VOTING--18

     Andrews
     Barton
     Cubin
     Engel
     Everett
     Herger
     Jefferson
     Jones (OH)
     Kaptur
     Klink
     Lazio
     McCollum
     McIntosh
     Owens
     Rangel
     Towns
     Vento
     Young (AK)

                              {time}  1129

  So the bill was passed.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________