[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H8422-H8424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING AUTHORITY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MEMORIAL TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, 
                                  JR.

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 1209) to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial 
to Martin Luther King, Jr., in the District of Columbia, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1209

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF 
                   MEMORIAL TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

       (a) Extension.--Subsection (b) of section 508 of the 
     Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public 
     Law 104-333; 110 Stat. 4157; 40 U.S.C. 8903 note) is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(b) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--
     The establishment of the memorial shall be in accordance with 
     chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code. Notwithstanding 
     section 8903(e) of such title, the authority provided by this 
     section expires November 12, 2006.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``the Commemorative 
     Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.)'' and inserting ``chapter 
     89 of title 40, United States Code''; and
       (2) in subsection (d)--
       (A) by striking ``section 8(b) of the Commemorative Works 
     Act'' and inserting ``section 8906(b) of title 40, United 
     States Code'';
       (B) by striking ``section 10(b) of that Act'' and inserting 
     ``subsection (b)''; and
       (C) by striking ``section 8(b)(1) of that Act'' and 
     inserting ``section 8906(b) of such title''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1209, introduced by the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Watson), would extend the authority for the construction of a 
memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in our Nation's capital. H.R. 
1209 would simply extend to November 2006 the authorization given to 
the site's sponsor, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, in the Omnibus Parks 
And Public Land Management Act of 1996 to raise further funds to build 
the memorial to Dr. King.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1209 is strongly supported by the administration 
and the majority and minority of the Committee on Resources. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1209.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1209, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Watson), our colleague who we will hear from in a short time, is a 
simple piece of legislation that extends for 3 years the authority for 
the construction of a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., here in 
the District of Columbia.
  In 1996, Public Law 104-333 authorized the Alpha Phi Alpha 
Fraternity, through the Martin Luther King Memorial Project Foundation, 
to establish a memorial here in our Nation's capital to America's 
foremost civil rights leader.
  Since that time, the sponsors have worked diligently to secure a 
memorial site and design approvals. In addition, there is a significant 
fund-raising campaign underway to secure the necessary funds to build 
and maintain the memorial. However, not all of the necessary funds have 
been secured, and ground cannot be broken until the funds are in place. 
That is the reason we are asking for the extension.
  Mr. Speaker, it was only a few short weeks ago that a ceremony was 
held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to dedicate a plaque marking 
the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous ``I 
have a dream'' speech 40 years ago.
  The proposed memorial will complement both this site and the Martin 
Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site in Atlanta in providing for 
present and future generations a greater understanding of the 
accomplishments of Dr. King in the cause for civil rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1209 and urge its adoption by 
the House today; and at this time I would like to thank the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Watson), who introduced this bill, for her 
leadership in shepherding this bill through the committee process and 
to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she might consume to the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson).
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill, H.R. 
1209, to extend the authority for the construction of a memorial to 
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the National Mall.

                              {time}  1530

  The authorization set by Congress in 1996 to raise funds for the 
memorial will expire on November 12, which happens to be my birthday, 
so I would like to extend the authorization until November 12, 2006.
  The tireless efforts by the King Memorial Foundation to raise $100 
million for the construction and maintenance of the project have been 
strong, but more time is needed to reach its fund-raising goal, and I 
believe it is our job as lawmakers to ensure that Dr. King will be 
memorialized in a manner that befits his legacy.
  The idea of putting a King Memorial in the Tidal Basin on the 
National Mall between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials is a 
privilege within itself, and Dr. King deserves such an honor. However, 
Congress must authorize more time for funds to be raised to build the 
King Memorial, and it is a huge project.
  Our National Mall is representative of the rich history and the 
strength of

[[Page H8423]]

our Nation. Dr. King is one of our Nation's most important leaders, and 
this monument should carry the same weight and significance as other 
distinguished Americans who have been honored with memorials.
  Congressional leaders, including the Speaker of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), also support the effort to put 
Dr. King's legacy at Washington's forefront. They, along with several 
other of my colleagues, sit on an honorary bipartisan congressional 
committee for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.
  Dr. King's preachings of nonviolent civil disobedience to combat 
segregation and racial equality affected not only minorities but every 
culture and creed in this Nation. In 1963, Dr. King led the march on 
Washington, very near the site where we wish to honor him today. Dr. 
King's leadership also helped in the passage of the landmark Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  Dr. King acted on his dream for America and succeeded in making the 
United States a better place. We must ensure that Dr. King's valiant 
efforts will be remembered by generations yet to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping the dream 
alive set forth by Dr. King and help continue to honor him amongst our 
Nation's finest.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume 
to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands for her leadership, and the gentleman from Arizona 
(Mr. Renzi) for his leadership. And my thanks go to the committee for 
being so forthright in its movement of this legislation, particularly 
to my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Watson) for her vision of putting forth this legislation recognizing, 
if you will, the high mountains that this very able partnership has to 
climb.
  So I rise this afternoon to enthusiastically support H.R. 1209, 
which, Mr. Speaker, is a simple premise, and that is to applaud and 
reaffirm the commitment of the many sponsors, corporations, board 
members and organizations that have collaborated together to provide 
the $100 million which will provide us the opportunity to acknowledge 
and recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a memorial in 
Washington, D.C., the Nation's Capital.
  Let me note that one of the pivotal roles being played in this 
partnership is that of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in which 
Dr. King was a member. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and other 
organizations have partnered in order to raise the funds needed for the 
memorial.
  The objectives of this fraternity are to stimulate the ambition of 
its members; to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the 
community and in the cause of humanity, freedom and dignity of the 
individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and 
to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social 
economic and intellectual status. Certainly these concepts epitomized 
the life that Dr. King lived and, as well, what he embodied.
  Everywhere I go in the United States there is a great deal of 
excitement that we have the opportunity to honor Dr. Martin Luther 
King, his legacy and his life, here in Washington, D.C., the Nation's 
Capital, a Capital that belongs to all of the Nation, and a Capital 
that the world admires. I am delighted to have as my constituent, Harry 
E. Johnson, the 31st General President of the Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., 
who has been president since the year 2000. Though he is a native of 
St. Louis, Missouri, he is a current resident of Houston, Texas, and he 
has been key in leading and fostering the movement of providing 
resources to ensure that we have the dollars for this very monumental 
and important tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King.
  I believe, Mr. Speaker, that the Nation is better when we reflect 
upon the diversity of our Nation. Certainly, recognizing that the 
original settlers or the original people of this great continent and 
great Nation are the Native Americans, but since that time we have 
welcomed to this Nation in many different ways, some more sadder than 
others, different groups from around the world. And naturally, of 
course, I as an African American, first came to this Nation in the 
bottom of a belly of a slave boat. Dr. Martin Luther King, in the 20th 
Century, rose to be able to establish the equality and justice for all. 
He did it through peaceful and nonviolent ways.
  As a follower of Ghandi, Dr. King brought to this Nation a concept of 
turning the other cheek. He was able to march, he was able to walk, he 
was able to talk, and he was able to generate the excitement and 
coalition of people of good will and good faith from all over the 
Nation no matter what their race, no matter what their religious or 
ethnic background. Dr. Martin Luther King focused on the fact that we 
all are created equal. He focused on the fact that we were a people 
united. I believe his monument in this Capital would be symbolic of 
where the Nation needs to go.
  We have not yet reached the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. Just 
today in Houston, Texas, many of my constituents and others will be 
launching Immigration Freedom Ride. They will be traveling from 
California to Washington, D.C., and then on to New York to speak for 
the rights of immigrants and to express the fact that they are in need 
of rights and justice too.
  I was moved to hear them speak this past weekend as they indicated 
that their organization and their movement was inspired by the work and 
life of Dr. Martin Luther King. They said, and rightfully so, that it 
is time now for the immigration movement and the Civil Rights movement 
to intertwine. Based upon the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, 
these new immigrants, these individuals seeking access to legalization, 
the very same people who have offered their lives in Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, who are not yet citizens, who deserve our appreciation, and 
who are going to now bus ride across America to express their need for 
just rights were inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King.
  Might I also say that it is important in this time to give tribute to 
Dr. King on the basis of his call for peace and justice. He was a man 
who believed in nonviolent action, and he was a man who believed in 
peace over war and life over death. Now, in the backdrop of the 
violence of terrorism, but particularly in the predicament we find 
ourselves in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with our young men and women on 
the front lines and with a cry by the world for peace in the Middle 
East, it is important to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, a man of 
freedom, a man who promoted equality, a man of peace, a man who 
applauded and respected the diversity of this Nation.
  This is appropriate legislation that extends the time for us to be 
able to honor him by giving more time to raise the dollars until 
November 12, 2006. I ask my colleagues to vote for this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1209 to extend the authority 
for the construction of a memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 
the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. First, I extend my 
thanks to our colleague Congresswoman Diane Watson for sponsoring this 
legislation. Constructing a memorial to this great man is important to 
the collective memory and spirit of this country.
  A worthy partnership has been created with private organizations lead 
by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, of which Dr. King was 
a member. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and other organizations have 
partnered to raise the funds that are needed to design the memorial.
  The objectives of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are to stimulate 
the ambition of its members; to prepare them for the greatest 
usefulness in the cause of humanity, freedom, and dignity of the 
individual; to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood; and 
to aid downtrodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, 
economic, and intellectual status. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a 
man who embodied all of these objectives, and it is only apropos that 
we in the House of Representatives do what we can to facilitate the 
timely construction of a memorial to show our appreciation. Other 
prominent members of the organization include the Honorable Andrew 
Young, the Honorable David Denkins, Julius L. Chambers, Lester Granger, 
Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Dubois, Adam Clayton Powell, Justice 
Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Dick Gregory, William Gray, and 
Franklin Williams among many others.
  Harry E. Johnson, Sr., is the 31st General President of Alpha Phi 
Alpha, Inc. and has

[[Page H8424]]

been since 2000. A native of St. Louis, MO and current resident of 
Houston, Texas with his family, Bro. Harry E. Johnson practices Law in 
Houston, Texas and serves as an adjunct professor of law at Texas 
Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law in the city. 
Additionally, he has completed post Baccalaureate work in Public 
Administration at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and 
earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School of Law 
in Houston, Texas. Mr. Johnson was elected to the National Board of 
Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America during October 2001. 
He also serves on the Council of Presidents of the National Pan 
Hellenic Council, which is an organization composed of the nine 
historically black fraternities and sororities that is responsible for 
coordinating collaborative responses to issues impacting black 
fraternities and sororities and community outreach initiatives.
  His other professional affiliations include the National Bar 
Association, American Bar Association, NAACP, and the Boy Scouts of 
America. Since his election as the 31st General President of the Alpha 
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Harry E. Johnson has worked to reinvigorate 
the Fraternity's active membership through promotion of community-based 
mentoring, as aggressive reclamation and retention initiative that 
features the highly acclaimed ``Value Added Services'' Program, as well 
as many other innovations within the Fraternity.
  Through his involvement in activities that affect the youth and 
historically disadvantaged groups in this nation, Harry E. Johnson, Sr. 
has shown that he has committed himself to carrying forth the high 
standards that have been established by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
H.R. 1209 will extend the 1996 authorization to construct a memorial to 
Dr. King. I am pleased to note that when the legislation was 
introduced, it received broad bipartisan support. The fraternity is now 
on the way to securing enough funds to complete this project. The 
expedient passage of this bill will help them achieve this goal.
  Dr. King was a giant among men whose legacy has blazed a trail for us 
all. He was remarkable in his accomplishments, and he helped created a 
remarkable change in our nation. For that we are all grateful, and 
although this memorial will be a handsome tribute, it will still not be 
sufficient to demonstrate all that Dr. King has meant to this country.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume and take this opportunity to once again commend my colleague, 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson), for introducing this 
legislation giving the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity an opportunity to 
make this dream a reality.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and, in closing, I want to thank the articulation, the continued 
teaching that all of my colleagues have given us, this Nation, on the 
life and the legacy of Dr. King. I cannot think of a more hopeful 
tribute that this Nation is going to have, the idea of the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Watson), this vision she has brought of Dr. King's 
statue being here in Washington where millions of Americans, young 
Americans especially, will come and learn firsthand the lessons of Dr. 
King. So I thank her for her leadership, her vision, and the hope that 
she brings.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1209.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________