Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 103 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)

[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.

____________________