[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HUTCHINSON:
  S. 580. A bill to expedite the construction of the World War II 
memorial in the District of Columbia; to the Committee on Governmental 
Affairs.
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
that would expedite construction of the World War II Memorial. Some of 
our colleagues may not be aware that even after having had the 
opportunity to argue their case before the twenty-two public hearings 
over the last five years regarding the site and design of the memorial, 
opponents have now turned to the courts to overturn the Memorial's 
approval.
  Regrettably, it is now clear that legislation will be needed if the 
World War II Memorial is to be constructed before all the patriots who 
fought in defense of liberty have passed on. The ugly truth is that 
every day we lose more than a thousand members of our greatest 
generation. How many more will be deprived of the joy of seeing this 
richly deserved tribute to their heroic service completed?
  According to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the World War 
II Memorial will be the first national memorial dedicated to all who 
served in the armed forces and Merchant Marine of the United States 
during World War II and acknowledging the commitment and achievement of 
the entire nation. All military veterans of the war, the citizens of 
the home front, the nation at large, and the high moral purpose and 
idealism that motivated the nation's call to arms will be honored.
  Symbolic of the defining event of the 20th century in American 
history, the memorial will be a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and 
commitment of the American people, to the common defense of the nation 
and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout 
the world. It will inspire future generations of Americans, deepening 
their appreciation of what the World War II generation accomplished in 
securing freedom and democracy. Above all, the memorial will stand for 
all time as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless 
reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a 
free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just 
cause.
  Construction of this memorial is long overdue. Opponents have had 
ample opportunity to make their case, and while I respect their 
opinions, the simple truth is that the site has been selected and the 
time to begin to move dirt has arrived. I hope all of my colleague 
swill join me in sponsoring this resolution. Let us, as a nation, 
prevent the cheapening of this tribute by putting a stop to frivolous 
legal challenges. Let us say thanks to those who fought to save the 
babes of humanity from the wolves of tyranny. Let's build the World War 
II memorial, let's build it upon the National Mall, and let's build it 
now.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 580

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

     SECTION 1. EXPEDITED COMMENCEMENT BY AMERICAN BATTLE 
                   MONUMENTS COMMISSION OF CONSTRUCTION OF WORLD 
                   WAR II MEMORIAL.

       Section 2113 of title 36, United States Code, as added by 
     section 601(a) of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and 
     Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117; 113 Stat. 1576), is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(i) Congressional Direction to Commence Construction.--
     (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission shall 
     expeditiously proceed with the construction of the World War 
     II memorial at the dedicated Rainbow Pool site in the 
     District of Columbia without regard to the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
     the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), or any 
     other law pertaining to the siting or design for the World 
     War II memorial.
       ``(2) The construction of the World War II memorial by the 
     Commission shall be consistent with--
       ``(A) the final architectural submission made to the 
     Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning 
     Commission on June 30, 2000, as supplemented on November 2, 
     2000; and
       ``(B) such reasonable construction permit requirements as 
     may be required by the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
     through the National Park Service.
       ``(3) The decision to construct the World War II memorial 
     at the dedicated Rainbow Pool site, and the decisions 
     regarding the design for the World War II memorial, are final 
     and conclusive and shall not be subject to further 
     administrative or judicial review.''.
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