[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 15, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2155-H2161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPEDITING CONSTRUCTION OF WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL IN DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 1696) to expedite the construction of the World War II memorial
in the District of Columbia.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 1696
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) The requirements of 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.), and all other laws pertaining to
the siting and design for the World War II memorial having
been met, 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.
``(2) The construction of the World War II memorial
authorized by paragraph (1) 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
[[Page H2156]]
``(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, decisions implementing
this subsection, and decisions regarding the design for the
World War II memorial are final and conclusive and shall not
be subject to administrative or judicial review.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Stump) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump).
General Leave
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1696.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. STUMP asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, 8 years ago this month, the original
authorization for a memorial on the Mall honoring the World War II
veterans was signed into law, and still construction has not yet begun.
H.R. 1696 will be the sixth bipartisan piece of legislation Congress
has sent to the White House for approval, attempting to move the
process along.
Over the past 6 years, 22 public hearings have been held on the site
and design of the memorial in compliance with the Commemorative Works
Act. The memorial site and design have received the endorsements of the
Historic Preservation Officer of the District of Columbia and four
endorsements from the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board. The
Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capitol Planning Commission
has each rendered approval for the memorial five times. This site was
approved by both the Secretary of the Interior and the President. And
still construction has not begun.
Two other very important things have also been happening since
Congress first authorized this memorial. Through the leadership and
hard work of former Senator Bob Dole and Academy Award winning actor
Tom Hanks, the memorial fund has now raised over $170 million. There
are no taxpayer funds involved in this memorial. Financial support has
come in from half a million Americans, hundreds of corporations and
foundations, dozens of civic, fraternal and professional organizations,
48 state legislatures, over 1,000 schools, and numerous veterans groups
representing millions of veterans.
Unfortunately, something else has been happening since the memorial
was authorized, Mr. Speaker. Millions of World War II veterans have
gone to their eternal rest. According to VA statistics, 3 million World
War II veterans have died since this memorial was authorized in 1993.
Once begun, construction of the memorial will take approximately 30
months. In that time, nearly 1 million additional World War II veterans
will pass away. Each day of delay tragically adds 1,100 more. And still
construction has not begun.
Why? Because a small group of opponents are desperately using
litigation to challenge prior decisions and delay construction so they
can drag the memorial back through a mind-numbing bureaucracy. The
opponents are not satisfied by more than 20 public meetings over the
past 6 years resulting in endorsements and approval of all agencies
required by law. They wanted to go back to square one.
This is truly bureaucracy at its worst. It has literally taken twice
as long to go from Congressional approval to construction of a World
War II memorial than it did to fight and win World War II in the first
place.
Once again, it is up to Congress to get the job done and save the
memorial from what an article in the Washington Post called ``A
bureaucratic form of double jeopardy.''
A New York Times article recently quoted the Chairman of the National
Capital Planning Commission as favoring Congressional action to
``clarify the issue and moot the question by saying the Commission's
actions were in fact valid.''
H.R. 1696 does exactly that. It states that the memorial has met all
legal requirements and that construction should begin expeditiously.
This legislation has the support of virtually every service
organization in the country, and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote
for the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be joining with the Chairman of the
Committee on Armed Services and the former chairman of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs, my good friend, the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Stump). I am glad to have him back working on veterans' issues, if just
for one day.
This measure, H.R. 1696, will expedite the construction of the new
national World War II memorial in the District of Columbia. I commend
my friend from Arizona for his leadership on this issue and am honored
to manage this measure with him. The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump)
is one of the heroes of World War II. Mr. Speaker, to the gentleman
from Arizona (Mr. Stump) and the other members of his generation, we
all say thank you for your service and sacrifice; it is time to build a
memorial to honor your actions.
Mr. Speaker, a national World War II memorial will honor all
Americans who served in the Armed Forces during World War II, as well
as the millions of other Americans who contributed in countless ways to
the war effort.
Mr. Speaker, the time to construct this memorial is now. More than 50
years after the end of World War II, there does not exist in our
Nation's Capital a fitting memorial to the service and sacrifices of
millions of Americans who preserved democracy and defeated
totalitarianism during World War II. The time to construct this
memorial is now.
Mr. Speaker, in a longer statement I will submitting for the record
at the end of my statement, I review the history of the World War II
memorial. The memorial has been the subject of repeated reviews,
hearings, public examinations and official actions. It is time to build
this memorial now.
Mr. Speaker, the national World War II memorial will be located
between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Some critics
of the memorial argue the memorial would ``clutter up an already
crowded site.'' A prominent memorial to honor those who served and
sacrificed, this memorial is not ``clutter.'' The time to build this
memorial is now.
I expect there will always be some opposition to this memorial by its
scope, its location and design or by some individual group. Ironically,
the right to oppose this amendment was defeated and preserved by those
who fought for and defended this country in World War II.
Mr. Speaker, let us expedite the construction of the World War II
Memorial, and construct it now.
Mr. Speaker, John Ruskin once said ``our duty is to preserve what the
past has said for itself, and to say for ourselves what shall be true
for the future.'' This statement is an appropriate guide for our
deliberations today as we consider H.R. 1696, a bill that will expedite
the construction of the National World War II Memorial in the District
of Columbia.
In 1993, Congress passed legislation authorizing the creation of a
National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. President Clinton
signed the legislation into law on May 25, 1993. The memorial is
intended to honor all who served in the United States Armed Forces
during World War II. It is also intended to honor the entire nation's
contribution to the war effort. The future National World War II
Memorial will be an integral part of the Washington, DC landscape. The
memorial will not only appropriately honor and pay tribute to those who
sacrificed so much, but will educate future generations to some of the
costs of freedom.
Mr. Speaker, 14 years after Congress authorized the construction of
this memorial, and six years from the first of 22 public hearings on
its site and design, the memorial's construction remains delayed by a
lawsuit filed by a small opposition group and a procedural issue
involving the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), one of the
agencies required by law to approve the memorial.
NCPC decisions of the past two years, including its approval of the
National World War II Memorial, have been placed in question because
the former NCPC chairman continued
[[Page H2157]]
to serve on the commission after the expiration of his term. The
legislation that established the commission permitted the chairman to
serve until replaced, but when the law was amended this language was
inadvertently omitted. The NCPC has scheduled yet another public
hearing on the memorial for June 14, 2001. Meanwhile, court action on
the lawsuit is on hold pending resolution of this issue, which may take
several more months to conclude.
Mr. Speaker, more than 16 million Americans served in uniform during
World War II. More than 400,000 gave their lives, over 670,000 were
wounded, and millions more supported the war effort on the front here
at home. Of the 16 million who served, only five million remain alive
today. World War II veterans, who saved democracy and served
heroically, today are battling the diseases and disabilities of older
age. Today, our World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1,100 per
day. With more than 400,000 veterans dying each year, every delay in
memorial construction ensures that hundreds of thousands of World War
II veterans will never witness the completion of this memorial. H.R.
1696 will expedite construction of the memorial and make it possible
for many of our World War II veterans to be able to see the memorial
with their own eyes.
H.R. 1696 would declare that the National World War II Memorial
complies with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969, the Commemorative Works Act, and any other governing laws
pertaining to the memorial's site and design. H.R. 1696 would direct
expedited construction of the memorial, consistent with reasonable
construction permit requirements of the Secretary of Interior and the
National Park Service. In addition, H.R. 1696 would mandate that the
decision to construct the memorial at the Rainbow Pool site and
decisions regarding the design of the memorial are final and conclusive
and shall not be subject to administrative or judicial review.
The Commemorative Works Act of 1986 governs the process of
establishing memorials in Washington, DC. The Act gives the authority
for final site and design approval to the Commission of Fine Arts, the
NCPC, and the Secretary of the Interior. In total, eight sites were
considered for the memorial. The final Rainbow Pool selection was the
consensus choice as the only site commensurate with the significance of
World War II in American and World history.
Since 1995, the memorial site and design have been the subject of 22
public meetings that resulted in the endorsement of hundreds of Members
of Congress, an endorsement from the State Historic Preservation
Officer of the District of Columbia, four endorsements from the
District of Columbia's Historic Preservation Review Board, five
approvals from the CFA, and five approvals from the NCPC.
In other words, the National World War II Memorial is the product of
an open and democratic process, in full compliance with all applicable
laws. The site and design were debated in the media and in 22 public
meetings since 1995. No party has been denied the right to be heard,
and critics have had full opportunity to state their positions.
On May 28th of this year, many of us will attend Memorial Day
observances. We will with humility and thanks, pay sincere respect to
those whose sacrifices and dedications have protected the ideals on
which America was founded. In this spirit, I strongly urge my
colleagues to support H.R. 1696. The time is overdue to begin
construction on this meaningful tribute and symbolic monument that will
immortalize the defining moment of our history forever.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Hansen), the chairman of our Committee on Resources.
(Mr. HANSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this bill, which
will expedite the construction of the national World War II memorial at
the Rainbow Pool site on the Mall. I commend the gentleman from Arizona
(Chairman Stump) for the action he has taken on this.
It has been nearly 60 years since the people of our great Nation were
called upon to defend democracy from the tyranny threatening to engulf
the world. The best of America's sons and daughters heeded the call,
and with the Nation united behind them, they changed the course of
history. Now as America's greatest generation is in their twilight
years, it is time to erect a fitting memorial to them on America's Mall
as a testament to their sacrifices and their triumphant victory.
The American Battle Monuments Commission has met the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act, the Commemorative Works Acts,
and all other laws dealing with the site and design of this memorial,
yet the memorial remains mired in administrative procedure, which
continues to delay the construction.
It is time to set aside the bureaucratic obstacles and do what is
right. We owe nothing less to those who gave so much for their country
and the world.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, every Member of this body is anxious to see a memorial
to the women and men who secured our freedom with their personal
sacrifices and their lives. We can assure a memorial on the present
timetable or sooner without passing this radically destructive bill
that will do irrevocable harm to the World War II memorial itself by
eliminating indispensable oversight for the largest and most
significant memorial on the Mall since the Lincoln Memorial was
constructed almost 80 years ago.
We can keep a memorial on schedule without destroying the
Commemorative Works Act, signed by Ronald Reagan 16 years ago
specifically to assure oversight of all construction on the Mall.
Those of us who wanted the extraordinary vista between the Washington
Monument and the Lincoln Memorial left unobstructed lost that battle
several years ago. This bill responds to press reports that left the
impression that the National Capital Planning Commission, the NCPC,
would reconsider the entire World War II memorial project.
Both the NCPC and recent press reports have corrected this erroneous
notion. The matter is before the NCPC again only because the Justice
Department spotted a legal flaw that a holdover member had called the
vote into question. That would have imperiled the memorial.
This bill is not only unnecessary, it throws out the baby with the
bath water that has already been eliminated. The only overreaching left
now is in this bill. It would leave a huge memorial to rise on the
Mall, without any Federal law or agency with the power or the expertise
to assure that the memorial builders meet their commitments and that
the many problems that have been identified are caught and avoided.
Here are some of them: Assuring that contaminated groundwater would
be pumped out continually and treated before continuing into the
Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay inasmuch as the memorial is to be
built below the groundwater table;
Protecting the structural integrity of the Washington Monument's
wooden foundations as groundwater in its subsoil is pumped out;
Replacing the groundwater upon which the old growth trees that
beautify the Mall depend;
Assuring that helicopters have a place to land without putting
helicopter pads on the memorial, a National Park Service proposal which
was recently stopped by the NCPC;
Accommodating tour buses off the Mall area;
Assuring that the vital 17th Street artery of the District used by
Virginia and Maryland commuters and tourists alike near the Tidal Basin
is not closed to traffic;
Ensuring oversight of the nighttime lighting plan still to be
developed;
Ensuring oversight of the sculptural elements of the memorial and any
inscriptions on the walls;
Ensuring compliance with what has already been approved.
This bill, which had no hearing and is informed by no meetings with
relevant agency personnel promises serious unintended and
counterproductive consequences that could be both embarrassing and
disastrous for the memorial.
In the past, the Congress has always avoided the precedent this bill
would set; using our power to tamper with the detailed oversight
necessary to assure the integrity of the Federal presence.
Vote no. The NCPC has already gotten the message.
[[Page H2158]]
{time} 1430
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Houghton).
Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Stump), who has been a real leader in this effort; and I
appreciate what he has done.
I just want to say a couple of things. I cannot get into the
architectural or the engineering problems here. I remember in 1939, I
am old enough to remember that, that they had the same arguments as far
as the Jefferson Memorial. It would be ruining the tidal basin and
everything like that. I do not believe that for a minute, and it has
not proved to be so.
I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in May of 1944. I was
proud of that. There are an awful lot of us who are still around, a
dwindling number, who want to see something. We have the Vietnam
Memorial, we have the Korean Memorial, but we do not a World War II
memorial.
Frankly, there are hundreds of thousands of people who believe this
and who have contributed: fraternal organizations, foundations,
corporations. I have a VFW post, number 524, in my little town of
Corning, which is about 12,500 people, which has raised more money than
any other small VFW post in the whole country. They really believe in
this. There are people out there, not intellectualizing about this, but
who have a piece of their skin in this issue. They want to have
something done. I would like to have something done, and I would like
to have something done before I die.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Stump legislation to
construct the World War II memorial exactly where it should be, as a
memorial to the victory of liberty over tyranny in the 20th century,
between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, exactly where
it should be placed, so that freedom from the 18th, the 19th, and 20th
centuries will be celebrated along our avenue of democracy. It has now
taken longer to approve this memorial, three times longer, actually,
than it did to fight the war.
It is time for America to say ``thank you'' to our greatest
generation, and to make it more than words. The public has a new-found
fascination with the World War II generation, thanks to Tom Brokaw's
book, movies such as ``Saving Private Ryan,'' and other commemorations
of our Nation's finest hour.
Outside the beltway, more than half a million Americans have
responded to a national fund-raising appeal by contributing more than
$150 million to the World War II Memorial project. In fact, just this
past week, in my district, I returned to accept a check from
schoolchildren, 7th and 8th graders at Anthony Wayne, Jr. School for
$2,154 to contribute to the memorial's construction. Young people, the
children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who have been given
the freedom we have today are contributing across this country. We owe
them and their predecessors the kind of thanks that a grateful Nation
expresses. Unfortunately, this project has been snarled in a new round
of political tussling and legal wrangling inside this beltway.
I do not question the motives of the memorial's opponents, but it is
time to move forward. There have been 22 public hearings by
organizations like the National Capital Planning Commission, the Fine
Arts Commission approving the construction of this memorial. The money
has been raised and it is on deposit. All the respective legislation
has been passed. Both Chambers of this Congress have said yes, yes,
yes. Over 8 years, we have said yes. The ground has been dedicated. It
is time to move forward with construction of the World War II memorial
at the Rainbow Pool site. I say that not just as a Member of Congress,
but as a city planner that helped take a look at the site, that has
worked with the architects to make sure that the design was
appropriate, blocking no views; and all public input has made this a
better design than we began with originally.
Of the 16 million veterans who served during World War II,
approximately 5 million still survive. Every day, approximately 1,100
World War II veterans pass away, never to see the memorial in
Washington that will stand as testimony to what they did for us, with
the heroism and the self-sacrifice that have given us a new generation
of children of freedom.
It is time, Mr. Speaker, to move forward with construction of the
World War II memorial. The time for delay is over. We not only honor
our World War II veterans during this Armed Services Week in doing so,
but we also say, we understand the cause for which they fought and it
deserves recognition on the central part of our mall, complementing
what we have done for the 18th century, the 19th century, and finally,
the 20th century.
Support the Stump bill, H.R. 1696.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Ballenger).
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time.
I would like to say that myself and the other two Members that have
spoken on this side of the aisle all joined World War II when we were
17 years old. My wife and I have read on a daily basis the number of
World War II veterans that are dying at the rate of 1,000 a day; and
those that do not believe that, just look at the obituary columns in
the newspaper.
Let me cite some of the reasons people give for not building this
wonderful building. Critics claim that the memorial was approved behind
closed doors by a small group of individuals without regard to the law.
That is not true.
Critics claim that the memorial would desecrate grounds made sacred
by the civil rights movement and would greatly impede and prevent
future public gatherings and marches in the vicinity of Washington and
Lincoln. That is not true.
Critics claim that the memorial will block the mall's open space
between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, inhibiting
pedestrians from walking through this part of the mall. That is not
true. The design allows open flow of visitors between the Washington
Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Critics claim that the memorial would destroy the historic Rainbow
Pool. That is not true. The Rainbow Pool will be lowered and rebuilt in
its historic configuration. The pool's waterworks, which have not
functioned for decades, will be restored to their original splendor.
The Rainbow Pool will earn greater historic significance as the
centerpiece of the only memorial to a 20th century event commemorated
on the main axis of the mall.
Critics claim that the design echoes the Nazi Fascist architectural
language of triumph and public spectacle. That is not true.
Critics claim that the World War II memorial is being built on ground
that is part of the Lincoln Memorial, and that is not true.
I say to my colleagues, there are millions of reasons why this should
be done, but every day there are fewer and fewer of us around that
really can deliver the purpose that these people died for. I would like
to say we have waited long enough. It is time that we pass this bill.
Let us vote for it.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Guam
(Mr. Underwood).
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
this time.
I, first of all, want to rise in strong support of H.R. 1696, which
would expedite the construction of the World War II memorial in
Washington, D.C. I certainly want to thank the gentleman from Arizona
(Mr. Stump), for his leadership in bringing this very important
resolution to the floor today. I would also like to recognize the other
World War II veterans who are still in the House of Representatives,
including the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), who did spend some
time in Guam during World War II, and especially the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman), who also spent a significant amount of time in Guam
during World War II.
The generation of Americans that fought and sacrificed during World
War II deserve proper meaningful, and immediate recognition. A national
monument should memorialize the spirit and the sacrifice and the unit
of the American people in what was a chaotic and
[[Page H2159]]
challenging time in world history; and after several years of planning,
organization, massive public input, and creative efforts by various
groups, this resolution seeks to make this monument a reality.
Time is against us, as has been already pointed out, as the veterans
of World War II are dying at a rate that exceeds 1,000 every day; and
if we do not act now, we may miss the opportunity to finally ensure
proper remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our
Nation and indeed preserved the Nation. It is one of the great
monuments, when we look at what has happened on the mall, where we have
the Washington Monument, which in a sense honors the founding of this
Nation; and we look at the Lincoln Memorial, which preserves the
national division from within.
We have in this memorial testimony to preserving the Nation in the
face of challenges from abroad. So it is entirely fitting and proper
that as we go through the sequence of American history, we take the
time to honor those important events which this Nation experienced and
in which this Nation thrived.
The World War II memorial will be discussed mostly in the sense of
what happened during the battles of World War II, and I hope to make my
own contribution to that. But we should always be mindful as well that
World War II represented the maturation of our country as a world
power, which has continued to the present. It is more than simply the
battles of World War II; it has really shaped and reshaped the destiny
of not only our Nation and the years subsequent to it, but indeed the
entire world.
My own part in this memorial was to try to bring recognition to the
people of Guam who experienced a terrible occupation during World War
II as the only American territory with civilians still present who
experienced occupation during World War II, and the Chamorros, who were
American nationals at the time, remained steadfastly loyal to the
United States, and this resistance to conquest only exacerbated the
brutality which they experienced. So for the people of Guam, this has a
very special significance as well.
One of the immediate challenges that we faced in trying to deal with
the memorial was that there were an anticipated 50 pillars, each
loosely reflecting each one of the 50 States. And one of the lessons
that we tried to work with as the memorial underwent some rethinking
and underwent public input was to finally expand the number to 56 so
that indeed all States and territories would be included in the
commemoration of World War II. I believe that the people of Guam are
not only grateful, but deserve this recognition and attention. The
people of Guam not only suffered the indignities of a Japanese
occupation. Hundreds were executed and many, many more died as a result
of the battle, as a result of deprivation, as a result of hunger.
One of the biggest holidays in Guam, even today, is July 21, which
commemorates the landing of the U.S. Marines on July 21, 1944, which
commemorates and celebrates the arrival of their fellow Americans to
free the island from the hands of the Japanese and, more importantly,
to cement a very strong relationship which exists to this day.
So this is a monument in which it is in the right place. I can think
of no better place for it to be. Because when one comes to the Nation's
capital, the whole Nation's history should be before us; and it would
be a great testimony to the World War II generation.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Gilman).
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in strong support of this
measure, H.R. 1696, a bill expediting the construction of the national
World War II memorial here in our Nation's capital, and I urge my
colleagues to join in lending their support to this legislation. I
commend the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), the distinguished
chairman of our Committee on Armed Services, who is to be commended for
his long-term diligent efforts to bring this measure to fruition.
This legislation states that the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, NEPA, the Commemorative Works Act,
and any other laws pertaining to the citing and design of the memorial,
have been fully met.
{time} 1445
This measure allows the American Battle Monuments Commission to
proceed expeditiously with construction of this long overdue veterans
memorial to our World War II veterans at the dedicated Rainbow Pool
site.
Moreover, the measure mandates that the decision to construct this
memorial at the Rainbow Pool site and decisions regarding the design of
the memorial are final and conclusive and should not be subject to any
further administrative or judicial review.
Mr. Speaker, despite being authorized by Congress 8 years ago and
having broken ground last year, which I was pleased to participate in,
the construction of the World War II memorial has been delayed
indefinitely. The decisions on location of the memorial and on its
design were the subject of an open and dedicated process that included
22 public hearings over the past 5 years.
Despite these extensive reviews, there remains a small but vocal
opposition that is prepared to block construction of the memorial on
the Mall at all costs. The majority rule and the democratic process
apparently means nothing to many of those opposed to the memorial, some
of whom have succeeded in blocking construction with a pending lawsuit
and a minor procedural issue.
The problem, Mr. Speaker, is that these petty delays will deprive
hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans of the opportunity to
ever review or visit the memorial. Only 5 million of the 16 million
veterans who served in the Second World War remain with us, and we
lose, as it has been indicated earlier today, 1,100 World War II
veterans each and every day.
As a World War II veteran, I take offense at this small-minded
opposition who want to block construction at all costs. What they
forget is that it was the contributions of those who fought in World
War II that permits them to freely voice their obstructionist views.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that the opposition has had ample
time to speak. When subjected to a democratic vote, the location and
design of the memorial was approved. It is now over time, long overdue
to move forward with the construction of this important memorial for
our World War II veterans.
Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner).
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, we have all been here this afternoon talking about
honoring our World War II veterans, the greatest generation. We have
all talked about how long it has taken to honor these veterans, how
many have died, even in the planning process.
Mr. Speaker, there is one group of veterans of World War II that has
waited 55 years to be honored. This Congress can proceed to do so. The
previous speaker, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), and I have
introduced legislation called the ``Filipino Veterans Equity Act.''
In 1941, this country drafted all of the regular and irregular forces
of the Philippine army and guerilla units. They fought in World War II.
They fought in World War II. They held up the advance of the Japanese
army. They surrendered with our forces at Bataan, suffered through the
Bataan Death March, bravely defended our last forces at Corregidor.
They stopped the Japanese timetable for many, many months, allowed us
to regroup, and allowed MacArthur time eventually to return and take
back the Philippines.
Yet, in 1946 this country, this Congress in 1946, decided to take
away all the veterans' benefits that were promised to these brave
heroes of World War II. It has been 55 years since that action was
taken. It is time to restore the honor and dignity of the Filipino
veterans. It is time to give them back the honor and the benefits that
we promised but just took away.
We talk today about honoring our World War II heroes. We talk today
[[Page H2160]]
about the freedom that they have given us and our Nation. As we talk
about the heroes that we are going to commemorate on the Mall, let us
not forget the Filipinos who were drafted into our Armed Forces,
fought, and died for this country's freedom, and had this Congress take
away their benefits in 1946.
Let the 107th Congress truly honor our veterans, restore their
benefits, and pass the legislation, the Filipino Veterans Equity Act of
2001.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Hefley).
Mr. HEFLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
I rise in very strong support of H.R. 1696. If ever there was a
memorial that should be built, this is it. Quite simply, Mr. Speaker,
there is no memorial more befitting than to honor our World War II
veterans and the tens of millions of people who were affected by World
War II.
In fact, we in Congress agreed to honor the men and women of World
War II when we passed and the President signed the act to authorize the
construction of the memorial. Yet, here we are, 8 years later, with
nothing to show for it. The only reason we have nothing to show is that
the memorial construction has been stonewalled time and again by
lawsuits and litigation by a small group of Washingtonians who do not
want any additional memorials on the Mall, not even one to acknowledge
what is arguably the most important event of the 20th century.
The sad fact is, Mr. Speaker, that in the meantime, over the 8 years,
almost 3.4 million World War II veterans have died. With each passing
day, over 1,000 more veterans die, men and women who deserve this
memorial who will never see it. As this process drags on, we lose
30,000 more each month and 400,000 a year. We simply have to get
construction started and completed on this memorial.
I want to add that this bill is not something we are trying to ramrod
through at the last minute; quite to the contrary. There have been 22
public hearings, five approvals from the Commission on Fine Arts, and
five approvals from the National Capital Planning Commission. There has
been overwhelming national support, and over $170 million has been
raised or pledged by over half a million citizens, hundreds of
corporations, 1,100 schools, and hundreds of veterans groups.
Mr. Speaker, all the requirements of both the National Environmental
Policy Act and the Commemorative Works Act have been met. All of the
approvals have been made. The site has been established and is in the
proper, rightful, and fitting place. We must end the delays and get on
with the construction of the memorial, which pays homage to the brave
men and women who fought for our country and sacrificed their lives to
keep this country and the world free.
Mr. Speaker, I am ashamed at the delay that has taken place. I
strongly urge passage of H.R. 1696 so we can finally bring the
stonewalling to an end and ensure that this deserving memorial will be
constructed.
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of our Committee on
Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding
time to me.
Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, I rise
in very strong support of H.R. 1696, a bill to expedite the
construction of the World War II memorial on the Washington Mall
between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. This artist's
rendition to my left shows the dignity and grace that this memorial
will provide and in true memory of those men and women who served so
ably and so courageously on behalf of our country.
Mr. Speaker, as we know, the design and site for the memorial have
been carefully studied. My good friend just a moment ago spoke to the
number of hearings. This has been an exhaustive process. It has been
approved over a period of some 6 years, a longer time than it took to
win World War II.
The Allied victory in this greatest war in world history represented
the triumph of the human spirit and began the march of freedom and
democracy across the world that continues even today.
More than half a century has passed, Mr. Speaker, but America's World
War II veterans still have no national memorial to honor them. They
have been called the greatest generation; and even recently, popular
movies like Saving Private Ryan and the Thin Red Line have served to
remind us of their incredible bravery and sacrifices. Yet, they have no
memorial, and their generation is passing away at the rate of over
1,100 people per day. How much longer can they wait?
Eight years ago, Congress passed the authorization for the World War
II memorial. Today we have a site selected and a design approved
through an exhaustive process that ensured careful consideration of all
the relevant factors before the decisions were made.
Unfortunately, no process can ensure unanimity. A litigious few are
now attempting to block both the site selection and design in the
courts on legal technicalities. Oh, yes, they too support a memorial.
They just cannot agree on when or where or in what form, and they have
no concern about how long that process might take.
Mr. Speaker, despite a full and fair opportunity to have their
opinions heard, they argue that the process was not perfect. The truth
is, they do not like the result so their strategy is endless
reconsideration and delay. They apparently do not care whether World
War II veterans live to see their own memorial or not. The irony is
that they live in a free society, exercising rights secured by the
blood of our World War II veterans and other veterans.
I frankly think this situation we find ourselves in today is
unconscionable. I would like to commend my good friend and colleague,
the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump), now chairman of the Committee
on Armed Services, himself a World War II combat veteran, for leading
the way on this legislation. There is nobody more able and more
qualified in this Chamber to be offering this resolution than my good
friend, the gentleman from Arizona. I want to associate myself with his
remarks, and note that he is a former chairman, chairman emeritus, of
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. Speaker, like many in this Chamber and many who may be viewing
these proceedings, I regret that my own father, a combat veteran who
saw horrific action in New Guinea during World War II and elsewhere in
the Pacific, including the Philippines, never got to see this memorial,
having passed away a few years ago. He, like those 1,100 who die every
day, will never see this memorial. Again, like I said a moment ago,
that is unconscionable.
Mr. Speaker, if we look at the cosponsors, this is a bipartisan
effort to try to get this very important memorial moving. I think it
shows that there will be and I hope should be broad support across the
spectrum for this.
Let me just finally say that delay is denial. Again, 1,100 veterans
die every day, 1,100 of the greatest generation. If we delay this
another day, it is denial for them to see what this country has said in
gratitude. It is a small token, but nevertheless it is an important
token. I hope that everyone unanimously supports this important
resolution. I salute the gentleman from Arizona.
Mr. STUMP. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I want to thank all my good friends who have
spoken in favor of this resolution today. I want to thank the gentleman
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), as chairman of the Committee on Veterans
Affairs, and his ranking member, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Evans), for all their help and support; along with the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen), chairman of the Committee on the Interior, which has
jurisdiction over the Mall, and his ranking member, the gentleman from
West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), as well as the leadership for allowing us
to move expeditiously on this.
In closing, let me say, let us not get into another bureaucratic
wrangling and delay any further. The number of 1,100 World War II
veterans has been mentioned here that are dying every day. Translate
that into the time we
[[Page H2161]]
have been on this floor. We have been on the floor approximately 1
hour. We have debated this bill for about 50 minutes. Sadly to say, Mr.
Speaker, in that time, another 45 World War II veterans have passed
away.
Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1696.
This bill would expedite the construction of the already-approved
World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC.
In short, World War II veterans have waited long enough. When the
long dark shadows of aggression appeared and threatened to cloak
liberty, it was the World War II veterans that ensured liberty, freedom
and the rule of law. It is time that all Americans express the
gratitude and admiration that our nation's World War II veterans
rightly deserve.
Our World War II veterans are truly special. While many have served
this great nation in varying capacities, it is the World War II
generation that ultimately changed the course of history.
In return, this Congress must ensure the United States government
remains steadfast in its commitment to provide World War II veterans
and their families a memorial that they so richly deserve. We must act
now.
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
1696, legislation to fast-track the Construction of the World War II
Memorial in Washington, D.C. This bill is necessary because it takes
into account the crucial element of time; time that is running out for
many veterans. Every day, we lose more than 1,000 World War II
veterans. Today, less than 6 million remain alive.
The intent of the World War II Memorial is to honor the 16 million
Americans who served in uniform during the war, the more than 400,000
who gave their lives, and the millions who supported the war effort on
the homefront. World War II was a point of transition in American
history, a point at which America's adolescence ended and a mature
American mission emerged. This mission, as defined by President
Franklin Roosevelt's Four Freedoms, was a call to all Americans to work
to end tyranny and poverty wherever it is found.
World War II also marked a time of rapid advancement for America. In
order to meet the materiel needs of the worldwide war effort, America's
factories manufactured goods at an astronomical rate. To sustain this
level of production while so many American men were putting on uniforms
and going off to war, women entered the workforce in mass numbers for
the first time. This forever changed the face of American industry,
while also changing the way many women saw themselves and their role in
American society.
The benefits provided to returning veterans, including financial
assistance for education and home purchases, allowed many Americans to
attain a level of freedom and independence that was not even imagined
before the war. The Montgomery GI Bill provided countless veterans with
a college education. In many cases, these veterans were the first in
their family to go to college.
Above all, World War II was the moment in history when the United
States helped save the world from fascism and tyranny. And, as Senator
Bob Dole said, ``It is time to thank the World War II veterans for
doing what they believed was their duty--to help their country save the
world. We must build a monument to bear them witness. Witness to young
men who, armed with courage, liberated whole continents from tyranny.
Witness to young soldiers who willingly died for a future they would
never see.''
As a testament to the urgency of this matter, I read in today's
Washington Post, the obituary of Barbara Lazarsky. During World War II,
Ms. Lazarsky served in the Women's Air Force Service Pilots. She
contributed to the war effort by ferrying planes across the Unites
States so that men were free for combat overseas. When the WASP program
was disbanded after the war, Ms. Lazarsky became an aircraft accident
analyst for the Air Transport Command. In 1947, she became a military
and air attache in India. Her recent death demonstrates the necessity
of expediting the construction of the World War II Memorial.
This World War II Memorial honors those who served, and those who
gave the ``last full measure of devotion,'' while also commemorating
the indelible mark left on American society. It is time to create a
lasting monument to the legacy of those who gave so much and asked for
so little. While we may disagree on the style and form of the memorial,
we all agree on the moral imperative to honor those who served their
country in its hour of need. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1696.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1696,
legislation that would expedite building the World War II Memorial at
the expense of protecting our National Mall. I inadvertently voted in
support of this legislation earlier today. While I believe it is
important to recognize the important contributions and sacrifices that
our fighting men and women made during this turning event in world
history, I do not support legislation that would do irrevocable harm to
the World War II Memorial itself and to the national mall. If any
precious national treasure deserves protection by Congress, it is the
National Mall. H.R. 1696 would eliminate indispensable oversight for
the largest and most significant memorial on the Mall since the Lincoln
Memorial was constructed almost 80 years ago.
I oppose this legislation because not only is it unnecessary, but its
provisions could seriously compromise the water quality and surrounding
cultural and historical landmarks of the city. Congress should not
promote legislation that would eliminate or reduce oversight on already
agreed to provisions that the City and National Planning Commission
have developed. Such critical provisions not addressed by this bill
include not allowing contaiminated groundwater to be pumped into the
Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, ensuring the structural integrity of
the Washington Monument, and providing tourists with the ability to
appreciate this Memorial and the Mall without suffering severe traffic
congestion.
Congress should let the National Planning Commission deal with
building the Memorial in a more appropriate manner, one that is already
underway and which befits the important legacy that this Memorial is
designed to honor.
Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, It is essential that future
generations always remember the sacrifices for freedom made by the
World War II generation. A tribute to the men and women who helped win
that war, both overseas and on the home front is long overdue. It's for
this reason that I'm working to expedite construction of the memorial
and why I will vote with my colleagues in the U.S. House of
Representatives to pass legislation that directs work on the World War
II Memorial begin as soon as possible.
The construction of the country's first national memorial dedicated
to all who served in the armed forces and Merchant Marine of the United
States during World War II on the National Mall is a fitting tribute to
their courage. I am disappointed by the efforts of those to delay
construction of the World War II Memorial, but the real victims of the
indefinite delay are the members of that generation, who now must wait
even longer for it to be completed. It is a harsh reality, but of the
16 million who served in uniform during the war, it is estimated that
only 5 million are still alive, and of whom, we lose 1,100 each day.
Throughout a lengthy, open and democratic approval process, the
American people have expressed their overwhelming support for the
construction of the National WWII Memorial on our nation's mall.
Hundreds of thousands of individual Americans, hundreds of corporations
and foundations; dozens of civic, fraternal and professional
organizations; state legislatures, and veterans organizations have
joined the effort to say thank you to America's WWII generation.
Each year, millions of visitors come to the nation's capital to
appreciate its monuments to our country's founding fathers, great
presidents, and places of government. Home to our nation's cherished
symbols of freedom, the memorial will beautifully complement the green
vistas of the Mall and its existing monuments. They story of the World
War II generation is an inspiration for us all. Once completed, this
memorial will be a visible and timeless reminder of what they did to
protect freedom and democracy.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gibbons). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Stump) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1696.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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