[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2054-S2055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Miller, Mr. 
        Johnson, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Leahy, Mr. 
        Bunning, Mr. Domenici, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Craig):
  S. 330. A bill to further the protection and recognition of veterans' 
memorials, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I introduce legislation that would 
recognize and protect the sanctity of veterans' memorials standing 
tributes to the brave American men and women who have fought for our 
enduring freedom. I am pleased to be joined by eleven of my colleagues, 
who are original cosponsors of this bill, the ``Veterans' Memorial 
Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003.''
  This bill is based on legislation which passed the Senate in the 
107th Congress, S.1644. When I introduced S.1644, it was four days 
before Veterans' Day--an appropriate marker to honor those who so 
admirably served our country. Under my bill, someone who willfully 
destroys any type of monument commemorating those in the Armed Services 
on Federal property would be fined or put in jail. The violator would 
be subject to a civil penalty in addition to a fine, equal to the cost 
of repairing the damage.
  The second part of this bill would permit states to place 
supplemental

[[Page S2055]]

guide signs for veterans' cemeteries on Federal-aid highways. By 
allowing signs to be posted on well-traveled roads, these sites will 
gain the recognition they deserve. It is my goal to make cemeteries 
easily accessible to those who want to pay their respect there. Many 
Americans do stop and recognize the sacrifice so many have made for our 
freedom, and I am convinced many more would if they were aware of where 
our memorials are located.
  Our veterans, living and lost, are reminders of our national unity. 
Those who have served in our Armed Services remind us of freedom and 
justice in the midst of conflict and during times of peace. We are 
losing thousands of them forever, each year, as the veteran population 
ages. We have to honor their sacrifices by protecting those sites that 
recognize them. There are hundreds of veterans' memorials, on Federal 
property, where we go to heal and to remember. As a veteran myself, I 
am committed to seeing that not a single one is stripped of its 
dignity.
  I learned that approximately one month before introducing my bill, 
vandals in Mead, CO, had stolen four headstones and shattered another 
at a local cemetery. One of those headstones belonged to a Civil War 
veteran. I commend the Weld County Sheriff's office for their work on 
the ongoing investigation into the crime, as well as local residents 
who have volunteered their time to rebuild the site.
  This was a local cemetery, which received overwhelming local support. 
Unfortunately, when heartbreaking incidents like this happen on Federal 
land, there currently is no comprehensive law to protect the site nor 
to punish the perpetrators.
  I encourage my colleagues to work together for swift consideration of 
this important legislation. It doesn't cost the taxpayers a thing, but 
it could save the American people from the injustices of thoughtless 
vandalism. I have the support of several veterans' organizations who 
have offered words of encouragement for this bill. These Americans 
know, first hand, the concept of service. Let's honor what they and 
thousands of others have done so bravely to preserve our freedom.
  I ask unanimous consent that the bill and letters of support be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the materials were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 330

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Memorial 
     Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DESTRUCTION OF VETERANS' 
                   MEMORIALS.

       (a) In General.--Chapter 65 of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1369. Destruction of veterans' memorials

       ``(a) Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection 
     (b), willfully injures or destroys, or attempts to injure or 
     destroy, any structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on 
     public property commemorating the service of any person or 
     persons in the armed forces of the United States shall be 
     fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or 
     both.
       ``(b) A circumstance described in this subsection is that--
       ``(1) in committing the offense described in subsection 
     (a), the defendant travels or causes another to travel in 
     interstate or foreign commerce, or uses the mail or an 
     instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce; or
       ``(2) the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument 
     described in subsection (a) is located on property owned by, 
     or under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

``1369. Destruction of veterans' memorials.''.

     SEC. 3. HIGHWAY SIGNS RELATING TO VETERANS CEMETERIES.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the terms of any agreement 
     entered into by the Secretary of Transportation and a State 
     under section 109(d) or 402(a) of title 23, United States 
     Code, a veterans cemetery shall be treated as a site for 
     which a supplemental guide sign may be placed on any Federal-
     aid highway.
       (b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply to an 
     agreement entered into before, on, or after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
                                  ____



                                          The American Legion,

                                 Washington, DC, January 27, 2003.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: On behalf of the 2.9 million members 
     of The American Legion, I would like to express full support 
     for the Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act. 
     We applaud your effort to prohibit the desecration of 
     veterans' memorials, and to permit guide signs to veterans 
     cemeteries on federal highways.
       The American Legion recognizes the need to preserve the 
     sanctity and solemnity of veterans' memorials. these historic 
     monuments serve not only to honor the men and women of the 
     Nation's armed services, but to educate future generations of 
     the sacrifices endured to preserve the freedoms and liberties 
     enjoyed by all Americans.
       Once again, The American Legion fully supports the 
     Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act. We 
     appreciate your continued leadership in addressing the issues 
     that are important to veterans and their families.
           Sincerely,
                                               Steve A. Robertson,
     Director, National Legislative Commission.
                                  ____



                                                       AMVETS,

                                     Lanham, MD, January 14, 2003.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate, Russell Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: On behalf of AMVETS, I am writing to 
     commend your introduction of legislation to ban desecration 
     of veterans' memorials, provide for timely repair of 
     memorials, and ensure appropriate placement of guide signs to 
     veterans' cemeteries along federal highways.
       Our nation's veterans' memorials are national shrines to 
     the bravery and dedication of the men and women who have 
     served in our Armed Forces. It is hard to believe that 
     certain individuals within our communities would even 
     consider the desecration of a memorial to those who defended 
     freedom. Yet, it unfortunately occurs.
       AMVETS strongly supports the goals of your legislative 
     proposal and endorses your effort to do more to protect our 
     veterans' memorials and honor the memory of their military 
     service. We also give strong backing to the provision in your 
     proposal that identifies the need and importance of providing 
     information to travelers on our Nation's highways about the 
     location of these beautiful memorials.
       We appreciate your steadfast support on issues important to 
     the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. And, 
     again, thank you for the leadership on veterans' issues.
           Sincerely,
                                           Richard ``Rick'' Jones,
     National Legislative Director.
                                  ____



                                Paralyzed Veterans of America,

                                  Washington, DC, January 8, 2003.
     Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell,
     U.S. Senate,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Campbell: On behalf of the Paralyzed Veterans 
     of America (PVA) I am writing to offer our support of the 
     ``Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 
     2003.''
       Memorials to the men and women who have served this Nation, 
     in times of war and in times of peace, are tokens of our 
     gratitude for this service, and their sacrifice. They are 
     tangible reminders of our past, and an inspiration for our 
     future. For this reason they are well worth protecting and 
     preserving. This legislation addresses both of these goals.
       Again, thank you for introducing the ``Veterans' Memorial 
     Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003.''
       Sincerely,
                                                Richard B. Fuller,
     National Legislative Director.
                                  ____

                                            Rolling Thunder, Inc,


                                           National Chapter 1,

                            Neshanic Station, NJ, January 8, 2003.
     Senator Ben ``Nighthorse'' Campbell,
     Russell Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Honorable Ben Campbell: I am sending this letter in support 
     of Bill, ``Veterans Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act 
     of 2003.
       Rolling Thunder National and our members are in full 
     support of this bill. Those who destroy and deface any 
     Veterans Memorial should be punished and made to pay full 
     restitution for the damages they have caused. Many Americans 
     have fought and died for the Freedom of all Americans and 
     their Memorials should be honored and respected by all.
       I thank you for all your help and support to all American 
     Veterans.
           Sincerely,
                                                SGT. Artie Muller,
                                               National President.
                                 ______