[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9881-S9883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER ACT OF 2008

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to Calendar No. 611, H.R. 5159.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will report the bill by 
title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 5159) to establish the Office of the Capitol 
     Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the 
     Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor 
     Services, to provide for the effective management and 
     administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and other 
     purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. DeMINT, Mr. President, I rise to speak on the newest addition to 
the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

[[Page S9882]]

  I have been told by the Architect of the Capitol that the CVC is 
scheduled to open its doors to the public for the first time on 
December 2 of this year. I have toured this impressive facility, and I 
believe it will be a vast improvement in the experience visitors will 
have when touring the Capitol Complex. I look forward to the opening of 
this long awaited addition; it will be a momentous and historic 
occasion.
  However, in addition to providing security and functionality, the CVC 
also provides an educational experience designed to tell the story of 
our Nation's Capitol. I believe it is critical that this history 
appropriately and accurately reflects the traditions and history of the 
Capitol.
  We want our constituents and visitors from around the world to get an 
accurate portrayal of the Capitol's history and, as much as possible, 
to understand the motivations and inspirations of those who have led 
our branch of Government since its establishment 220 years go.
  Tragically, as the CVC exists now, they will get a much different 
experience.
  In touring the CVC, I found the exhibits to be politically correct, 
left leaning, and secular in nature. The secular aspects were 
especially surprising because of the deep connection between faith and 
the Capitol, and our Judeo Christian traditions. But despite this 
connection and our traditions, the doors to the CVC are flanked with a 
quote from former Congressman Rufus Choate that says, ``We have built 
no temple but the Capitol. We consult no common oracle but the 
Constitution.'' Even a brief reflection on our Nation's history will 
show this quote is not accurate and, in my opinion, grossly 
inappropriate.
  The first thing you are confronted with once you have entered the CVC 
is the phrase ``E. Pluribus Unum'' engraved in stone above a mock of 
the Capitol dome. A panel next to the dome describes E. Pluribus Unum 
as our Nation's motto. This is not only completely false but also 
offensive to the 90 percent of Americans who approve of our Nation's 
actual motto ``In God We Trust,'' signed into law by President Dwight 
Eisenhower in 1956.
  Unfortunately, nowhere in the CVC will you find the words ``In God We 
Trust'' engraved in stone. The acknowledgement of God and our Nation's 
motto has been left out of the CVC. In fact, the massive replica of the 
House Chamber omits the ``In God We Trust'' from above the Speaker's 
chair.
  We are now told they are planning to fix this ``mistake,'' but on my 
tour 2 days ago, it was still missing. Also missing are the words to 
our Pledge of Allegiance, the only words spoken each morning by both 
Chambers of Congress.
  There are a few articles in the CVC that reflect elements of faith--
two Bibles, a picture of the congressional nondenominational faith 
space, and the oath of office--but I believe they grossly understate 
the prominent role of faith and Judeo Christian values in the history 
of this great building.
  I have worked with the Senator Bennett, the ranking member of the 
Rules Committee, this week to address some of my concerns. After 
several conversations, he and Senator Feinstein, the chairman of the 
Rules Committee, sent me a letter formalizing an agreement to make some 
changes. Our agreement includes engraving ``In God We Trust'' in stone 
in a prominent location within the CVC; engraving ``The Pledge of 
Allegiance'' in stone in a prominent location within the CVC; removing 
the words ``Our Nation's motto'' from the Unity panel on the Wall of 
Aspirations and replacing it with a new panel.
  I will ask unanimous consent to have a copy of this letter be printed 
in the Record.
  In addition, I have a verbal agreement with Senator Bennett that the 
Architect of the Capitol will be instructed to consider the rich faith 
heritage of our Nation when considering the content of any future 
display. I would like to thank my friend for his help on this issue, 
and I look forward to working with him in the future.
  I am very pleased with this progress in improving the accuracy of the 
CVC. However, I am still distressed by what remains or, rather, what is 
missing.
  There seems to be a trend of whitewashing God out of our history. The 
last two major memorials in Washington--the FDR and World War II 
Memorials--left out references to God and persons of faith, the first 
time a memorial or monument in Washington has not had a quote, 
reference, or inscription referencing God or the faith of those we are 
memorializing.

  Now it can be said these are not intentional omissions, but consider 
this: last year the Architect of the Capitol censored God from a 
certificate accompanying a flag flown over the Capitol by a Boy Scout 
for his grandfather; a national cemetery director stopped an honor 
guard from performing the traditional burial ceremony because it 
mentioned God; ``In God We Trust'' was removed from the front of our 
currency; schools have been sued over having the pledge of allegiance 
every morning; and the list goes on.
  It appears that many would prefer to ignore the role and prominence 
of God and faith in our Nation's history and the lives of the American 
people today. But I want to make sure unelected bureaucrats are not 
removing these references just because they are afraid of offending a 
vocal minority, despite the overwhelming will of the American people. I 
can assure you, this is something that I will continue to fight 
against.
  I would like to take just a moment to detail a few of the many 
examples of our faith heritage that could be included in future 
displays: the Aitken Bible of 1782, the only Bible ever printed by an 
act of Congress; church services held in the Capitol for over 70 years 
while Congress was in session, becoming the largest church in 
Washington in 1867; pictures of National Day of Prayer events or the 
March for Life, both of which are attended by hundreds of thousands of 
citizens each year; the text of President Lincoln's second Inaugural 
and his Bible to go with the table from which he delivered his address, 
which is already in the CVC; a description of all the paintings in the 
Rotunda on the virtual tour monitors found in the CVC; and a picture of 
Members of Congress gathering spontaneously on the Capitol steps to 
sing ``God Bless America'' on September 11.
  In the words of Benjamin Franklin: ``We have been assured in the 
sacred writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in 
vain that build it. I firmly believe this and I also believe that 
without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building 
no better than the builders of Babel.''
  I also firmly believe this. And while I firmly believe every person 
has the right to their own opinion and the blessing of religious 
freedom, that freedom is the freedom of religion, not freedom from 
religion. We don't have to agree with our Founding Fathers and the 
history of our country, but that doesn't mean we can change it. Daniel 
Webster said in this very building, ``God grants liberty only to those 
who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.'' We must 
remember our history and the faith of our fathers; it is what formed us 
into the great Nation we are today.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have a copy of the letter 
to which I referred printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                   U.S. Senate, Committee on Rules


                                           and Administration,

                               Washington, DC, September 26, 2008.
     Hon. Jim DeMint,
     Russell Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Jim, After many years of anticipation the Architect of 
     the Capitol is preparing for the opening of the new Capitol 
     Visitor Center (CVC) on December 2, 2008.
       Delaying the opening of the CVC has serious security 
     implications. The CVC was designed so that public visitors 
     will be screened at one secure location, improving security 
     in the U.S. Capitol for constituents, staff and Members.
       Delaying the opening of the CVC also has significant 
     financial consequences. As you are aware, the CVC has already 
     cost $621 million for construction. The Architect is 
     currently paying the cost of salaries and benefits for staff 
     preparing to open and operate the facility for the American 
     public. Every day the CVC is closed to the public, it will 
     cost the taxpayer $72,040 in unused staff resources.
       In response to your letter dated September 25, 2008, we 
     agree in principle to support engraving ``In God We Trust'' 
     in stone in a prominent location within the CVC; engraving 
     ``The Pledge of Allegiance'' in stone in a prominent location 
     within the CVC; and removing the words ``Our Nation's Motto'' 
     from the Unity panel on the Wall of Aspirations of the 
     Exhibition Hall in the CVC, and replacing it with a new 
     panel.

[[Page S9883]]

       We recognize that one of your suggestions (renaming ``Our 
     Nation's Motto'') is a correction, and the ``Pledge'' and 
     ``In God We Trust'' are additions. The approximate cost of 
     doing all three projects, according to the Architect of the 
     Capitol, is $150,000.
       We are pleased that you have agreed to Senate consideration 
     of the CVC legislation.
           Sincerely,
     Dianne Feinstein,
       Chairman.
     Robert F. Bennett,
       Ranking Member.

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
that is at the desk be considered and agreed to; the bill, as amended, 
be read three times, passed; the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table; and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the 
Record, as if given, with the above occurring with no intervening 
action or debate.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The amendment (No. 5674) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a 
third time.
  The bill (H.R. 5159), as amended, was read the third time, and 
passed.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I appreciate the bipartisan working 
relationship on the Rules Committee. Senators Feinstein and Bennett 
work so well together, and this is an example of that working 
relationship.
  Again, for all Senators, we are going to vote at 10 o'clock this 
morning.

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