[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H11348-H11350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ACT OF 2009

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1700) to authorize the Administrator of General Services to 
convey a parcel of real property in the District of Columbia to provide 
for the establishment of a National Women's History Museum, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1700

       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 ``National Women's History 
     Museum Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act, the following definitions apply:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of General Services.
       (2) CERCLA.--The term ``CERCLA'' means the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).
       (3) Committees.--The term ``Committees'' means the 
     Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate.
       (4) Museum.--The term ``Museum'' means the National Women's 
     History Museum, Inc., a District of Columbia nonprofit 
     corporation exempt from taxation pursuant to section 
     501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
       (5) Property.--The term ``property'' means the property 
     located in the District of Columbia, subject to survey and as 
     determined by the Administrator, generally consisting of 
     Squares 325 and 326. The property is generally bounded by 
     12th Street, Independence Avenue, C Street, and the James 
     Forrestal Building, all in Southwest Washington, District of 
     Columbia, and shall include all associated air rights, 
     improvements thereon, and appurtenances thereto.

     SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY.

       (a) Authority To Convey.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to the requirements of this Act, 
     the Administrator shall convey the property to the Museum on 
     such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers 
     reasonable and appropriate to protect the interests of the 
     United States and further the purposes of this Act.
       (2) Agreement.--As soon as practicable, but not later than 
     180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Administrator shall enter into an agreement with the Museum 
     for the conveyance.
       (3) Terms and conditions.--The terms and conditions of the 
     agreement shall address, among other things, mitigation of 
     developmental impacts to existing Federal buildings and 
     structures, security concerns, and operational protocols for 
     development and use of the property.
       (b) Purchase Price.--
       (1) In general.--The purchase price for the property shall 
     be its fair market value based on its highest and best use as 
     determined by an independent appraisal commissioned by the 
     Administrator and paid for by the Museum.
       (2) Selection of appraiser.--The appraisal shall be 
     performed by an appraiser mutually acceptable to the 
     Administrator and the Museum.
       (3) Terms and conditions for appraisal.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided by subparagraph (B), 
     the assumptions, scope of work, and other terms and 
     conditions related to the appraisal assignment shall be 
     mutually acceptable to the Administrator and the Museum.
       (B) Required terms.--The appraisal shall assume that the 
     property does not contain hazardous substances (as defined in 
     section 101 of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. 9601)) which require 
     response action (as defined in such section).
       (c) Application of Proceeds.--The purchase price shall be 
     paid into the Federal Buildings Fund established under 
     section 592 of title 40, United States Code. Upon deposit, 
     the Administrator may expend, in amounts specified in 
     appropriations Acts, the proceeds from the conveyance for any 
     lawful purpose consistent with existing authorities granted 
     to the Administrator, except that the Administrator shall 
     provide the Committees with 30 days advance written notice of 
     any expenditure of the proceeds.
       (d) Quit Claim Deed.--The property shall be conveyed 
     pursuant to a quit claim deed.
       (e) Use Restriction.--The property shall be dedicated for 
     use as a site for a national women's history museum for the 
     99-year period beginning on the date of conveyance to the 
     Museum.
       (f) Reversion.--
       (1) Bases for reversion.--The property shall revert to the 
     United States, at the option of the United States, without 
     any obligation for repayment by the United States of any 
     amount of the purchase price for the property, if--
       (A) the property is not used as a site for a national 
     women's history museum at any time during the 99-year period 
     referred to in subsection (e); or
       (B) the Museum has not commenced construction of a museum 
     facility on the property in the 5-year period beginning on 
     the date of enactment of this Act, other than for reasons 
     beyond the control of the Museum as reasonably determined by 
     the Administrator.
       (2) Enforcement.--The Administrator may perform any acts 
     necessary to enforce the reversionary rights provided in this 
     section.
       (3) Custody of property upon reversion.--If the property 
     reverts to the United States pursuant to this section, such 
     property shall be under the custody and control of the 
     Administrator.
       (g) Closing Deadline.--The conveyance pursuant to this Act 
     shall occur not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act. The Administrator may extend that 
     period for such time as is reasonably necessary for the 
     Museum to perform its obligations under section 4(a).

     SEC. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.

       (a) Authorization To Contract for Environmental Response 
     Actions.--The Administrator is authorized to contract, in an 
     amount not to exceed the purchase price for the property, 
     with the Museum or an affiliate thereof for the performance 
     (on behalf of the Administrator) of response actions (if any) 
     required on the property pursuant to CERCLA.
       (b) Crediting of Response Costs.--Any costs incurred by the 
     Museum or an affiliate thereof pursuant to subsection (a) 
     shall be credited to the purchase price for the property.
       (c) Relationship to CERCLA.--Nothing in this Act may be 
     construed to affect or limit the application of or obligation 
     to comply with any environmental law, including section 
     120(b) of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. 9620(b)).

     SEC. 5. INCIDENTAL COSTS.

       Subject to section 4, the Museum shall bear any and all 
     costs associated with complying with the provisions of this 
     Act, including studies and reports, surveys, relocating 
     tenants, and mitigating impacts to existing Federal buildings 
     and structures resulting directly from the development of the 
     property by the Museum.

     SEC. 6. LAND USE APPROVALS.

       (a) Existing Authorities.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed as limiting or affecting the authority or 
     responsibilities of the National Capital Planning Commission 
     or the Commission of Fine Arts.
       (b) Cooperation.--
       (1) Zoning and land use.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
     Administrator shall reasonably cooperate with the Museum with 
     respect to any zoning or other land use matter relating to 
     development of the property in accordance with this Act. Such 
     cooperation shall include consenting to applications by the 
     Museum for applicable zoning and permitting with respect to 
     the property.

[[Page H11349]]

       (2) Limitations.--The Administrator shall not be required 
     to incur any costs with respect to cooperation under this 
     subsection and any consent provided under this subsection 
     shall be premised on the property being developed and 
     operated in accordance with this Act.

     SEC. 7. REPORTS.

       Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, and annually thereafter until the end of the 5-year 
     period following conveyance of the property or until 
     substantial completion of the museum facility (whichever is 
     later), the Museum shall submit annual reports to the 
     Administrator and the Committees detailing the development 
     and construction activities of the Museum with respect to 
     this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-
Balart) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 1700.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1700, as amended, as bill 
which directs the Administrator of General Services to sell at fair 
market value property in Southwest Washington, DC to the National 
Women's History Museum, Inc., a District of Columbia non-profit 
corporation for the purpose of establishing a museum dedicated to 
women's history.
  This bill was introduced by Mrs. Maloney and co-sponsored by many 
members including Subcommittee Chair Norton, Ranking Member Mr. Diaz-
Balart and myself.
  The National Women's History Museum was founded in 1996, and has been 
seeking a permanent physical location in the Nation's capital since its 
inception. According to museum officials, the museum intends to build a 
``green'' building that will cost between $250 and $350 million. The 
costs will include designs, plans, construction, and two years of 
operation. The permanent museum is expected to be a focal point that 
will have permanent and temporary exhibits, special events, and 
education materials that highlight women's social, political, and 
intellectual contributions to history. According to the museum, this 
facility will house the first permanent and comprehensive record of 
women's history.
  The National Women's History Museum will have five years to raise 
funds to construct the museum. If, after five years, the fundraising 
has not been successful, the property will revert back to the Federal 
government, thus the government's interests are protected.
  In general the museum will bear the costs of the sale, including the 
appraisal.
  This bill has bipartisan support and I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting H.R. 1700 as amended.
  I yield such time as she may consume to the author of this 
legislation, Mrs. Maloney.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Thank you so much for yielding.
  This is a very important day for women's history. Today, we are 
recognizing the immense contributions women have made to our Nation by 
voting to help create the National Women's History Museum.
  I am grateful to Chairman Oberstar for his support in moving this 
bill through committee. And of course I thank my partner in this, 
Chairwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, whose dedication and commitment in 
creating a museum about women has been persistent and strong. And I 
thank her staff, Susan Brita, and mine, Orly Isaacson, for their hard 
work.
  We have been working on this effort for well over 10 years to provide 
women, comprising 53 percent of our population, recognition of their 
many contributions that are the very fabric of our country. I strongly 
urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bipartisan bill and bring 
the Women's History Museum to the National Mall.
  There are 211 statues in the Capitol Building, each honoring a leader 
from our Nation's history, but only 11 of these statutes are of female 
leaders. Of America's 2,004 historic landmarks, fewer than five 
chronicle the achievements of women. Even more troubling, a recent 
study revealed that only one of every 10 people identified in the 18 
most commonly used U.S. history textbooks is female.
  The museums and memorials in Washington are one measure of what our 
society values. We already have museums for stamps and for spies, but 
not one dedicated to women. This bill would honor our Nation's 
foremothers and inspire future generations of women leaders by 
providing a space on the National Mall to honor women's contributions 
to American history.
  From Susan B. Anthony to Sojourner Truth to Oprah Winfrey, from 
Hattie Caraway, the first woman elected to the United States Senate, to 
Sonia Sotomayor, our Nation's first Latina woman appointed to the U.S. 
Supreme Court, the story of what women have contributed to the American 
way of life is a very long, overdue story.
  The bill directs the General Services Administration to sell property 
located across from the National Mall at 12th and Independence to the 
museum at a fair market price. Reasonable time frames are included for 
the transfer of the property and the beginning of construction. The 
museum will be built and maintained with private funds.
  I urge my colleagues to support the National Women's History Museum, 
and in so doing, honor our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters.
  I am really thrilled that it is here before us on the floor today. 
For too long, women's history has been missing from textbooks, 
memorials, museums, exhibits, and many other venues. With this bill 
designating a permanent building site, this museum will bring to life 
and tell all the stories of American history, male and female alike.
  I would also like to recognize and thank the National Women's History 
Museum, and especially Joan Wages, their president. The museum played a 
leading role in moving the suffragist's statue out of the basement into 
the living room of the Capitol, Statuary Hall. They have been working 
with me and Eleanor Holmes Norton on this project well over 10 years. I 
look forward to continuing our work together as we see the museum built 
right across from our National Mall, and that we have, for the first 
time, a national museum dedicated to the many contributions of women.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit educational 
institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the 
diverse and important historic contributions of women and integrating 
this rich heritage fully into our Nation's history in a place where 
everyone will be able to see, everyone will be able to visit right here 
in the heart of the Nation's Capital.
  Again, H.R. 1700 is intended to help pave the way for a women's 
museum in the Nation's Capital dedicated to recognizing the significant 
contributions of women throughout our wonderful and rich history. And 
despite the significant contributions of women throughout the history 
of our country, frankly, women continue to be underrepresented in 
exhibits featured in our museums.
  The stories and contributions of women are critical to understanding 
our history as a Nation. And this is one way, just one way, that we can 
ensure that this history is passed along to our sons and to our 
daughters.
  I think it is very befitting that this legislation would provide a 
prominent site for the National Women's History Museum near the 
National Mall, again, right here in our Nation's Capital.
  I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill, along with approximately 
50 other of my colleagues. I also want to recognize the work of not 
only Representative Maloney and Chairwoman Norton, who chairs our 
subcommittee with great distinction, but also Senator Susan Collins, 
who has worked tirelessly over the previous Congresses on legislation 
to secure a site for the National Women's History Museum.
  I support the passage of this legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I urge my 
colleagues to do so same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the Honorable Eleanor 
Holmes Norton of Washington, D.C.
  Ms. NORTON. I thank you for yielding. And I thank the ranking member 
of the subcommittee for working with me to make sure that this bill 
came to the floor today. I especially thank my good friend, the 
original sponsor of this bill, the gentlewoman from New York, who has 
worked tirelessly to make sure this bill got done. And I want to take 
note of the women who for 10 years have never given up on this idea.

[[Page H11350]]

  I had to overcome a presumption against transferring Federal 
property, so I encountered many difficulties in trying to get this bill 
through. But women never say no, and that is very important to 
achieving what is long overdue, this bill.
  And note what the mission of the National Women's Museum is: to 
research, collect and showcase the contributions of women in 
professional fields as well as honor women's roles in nurturing their 
families and communicates. Women are absent from the Mall. Women are 
absent from prominent government sites. Part of it has to do with 
inequality of women in our society, that they haven't as often done 
what comes to light, but even when what comes to light comes, they are 
not recognized. That's why we need a women's museum. We note that this 
year there are women winning Nobel Prizes in science and economics, 
which shows you that you are going to have a lot to honor in this 
museum very quickly.
  We went through regular order. The Women's museum has to buy the 
parcel at market value. They have 5 years to raise the money or it 
reverts back to the government. That is regular order; that's the way 
it always is when we transfer a property. But the women are geared up 
and ready to go, and I thank all concerned for making this bill 
possible today, especially my partner in this enterprise, the 
gentlelady from New York, and most of all the women themselves who 
refused to give up and now have what they deserve.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia, the 
Honorable Jim Moran.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, in a perfect world, this 
legislation would not be necessary, but gosh sakes, only 5 percent of 
our national historic landmarks are in recognition of the 
accomplishments of more than half of our population. This is long 
overdue.
  I want to particularly recognize the sponsor, Chairwoman Carolyn 
Maloney; Joan Wages, who was head of the National Women's History 
Museum idea for a number of years; Mazie Hirono; and of course, her 
very able assistant for our public buildings, Susan Brita. All of these 
folks, who happen to be women, have brought this about.
  I want to underscore the fact that it simply authorizes the General 
Services Administration to convey a parcel of real property near the 
National Mall for the establishment of the National Women's History 
Museum. Fair market rates prevail, and the museum will be funded with 
private contributions. Since it is for women, about women and by women, 
they're going to achieve that contrary to some of the other things 
we've attempted. This is going to be a museum that all of the Nation's 
population is going to be very proud of. It's long overdue. Let's get 
it done.
  Thanks to all who were involved in making it happen.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California, the 
Honorable Lynn Woolsey.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Thank you, Madam Hirono, and thank you to the 
gentlewoman from New York for all you do for women day in and day out.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1700, the National 
Women's History Museum Act of 2009. It is important because Congress 
and our Nation, as a whole, must find ways to honor the important roles 
of women, roles that women have played in shaping our very country.
  Unfortunately, before the 1970s, the subject of women's history was 
largely missing from our schools, and it was absent completely in media 
coverage and in cultural celebrations. That's why, when I chaired the 
Sonoma County Commission on the status of women in 1978, the 
commission's education task force initiated a Women's History Week 
celebration, centered around international women's history day. That 
celebration, that very celebration, started a national movement.
  In 1981, Congress responded to the growing popularity of Women's 
History Week, which was led by the women from my community in Sonoma 
County, by making it a national observance, and it eventually expanded 
the week to a month in 1987. During National Women's History Month, 
many cities and towns celebrate women's contributions through parades 
and other activities.
  By building a National Women's History Museum, we will ensure that 
our Nation celebrates women not just during 1 month but throughout the 
year, every year, and it will ensure that young families, young girls 
and young boys come to Washington, D.C., to visit the women's museum 
and to remember what women have contributed and are contributing.
  Again, I would like to thank my colleague from New York, 
Representative Maloney, for her leadership.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important bill.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, the 
Honorable Chaka Fattah.
  (Mr. FATTAH asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. FATTAH. Let me thank the gentlewoman, and let me thank the 
sponsor of this bill, the gentlewoman from New York.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in one of my proudest moments in the House to 
support this legislation. As the father of three daughters, I am 
looking forward to the day I can bring them to the museum here in 
Washington to learn about the great achievements that continue until 
this day of women throughout the United States of America in all fields 
and endeavors.
  So I congratulate the sponsor, and I hope for its favorable 
consideration.
  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all of the speakers who 
supported this resolution. As a woman, of course, it has special 
meaning to me as well as to all of the other women in the House.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1700, as 
amended, a bill to direct the Administrator of the General Services 
Administration to sell, at fair market value, real property in 
southwest Washington, DC, commonly known as the ``Cotton Annex'' site, 
to the National Women's History Museum, Inc., NWHM, a District of 
Columbia nonprofit corporation, for the purpose of establishing a 
museum dedicated to women's history. The site is bounded by 12th Street 
SW., Independence Ave., the James Forrestal Building, and C Street SW. 
The NWHM is a nonpartisan, educational institution with a mission of 
highlighting and celebrating the historic contributions of women in the 
United States. The bill was introduced by the gentlewoman from New York 
(Mrs. Maloney) and has bipartisan support.
  H.R. 1700 requires that fair market value of the property be 
determined by highest and best use, as determined by an independent 
appraisal commissioned by the Administrator of the General Services 
Administration, GSA, and paid for by the museum.
  The National Women's History Museum will have 5 years to raise funds 
to construct the museum. If, after 5 years, the fundraising effort has 
not been successful, the property will revert back to the Federal 
Government. The Federal Government is further protected by limiting use 
of the parcel as a site for the National Women's History Museum for 99 
years.
  It is with great pleasure and satisfaction that I support H.R. 1700, 
as amended. The committee has worked with staff from the Women's Museum 
for almost 10 years to find a suitable site, determine an appropriate 
disposal method, and identify terms and conditions that were acceptable 
to GSA.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1700.
  Ms. HIRONO. I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1700, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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