[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 128 (Monday, July 30, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. DAINES (for himself and Ms. Duckworth):
  S. 3298. A bill to extend the authority of the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial Fund, Inc., to establish a visitor center for the Vietnam 
Veterans Memorial; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, the Vietnam War spanned twenty years with 
nearly 60,000 American soldiers' lives lost. Many others served in this 
war and either came back wounded or were changed forever. Simply put, 
this war shaped an entire generation. It is imperative that we honor 
and commemorate this generation of American service members who 
sacrificed their livelihood, and in some cases their lives, for the 
sake of their Nation.
  I firmly believe that history is our greatest teacher. In an attempt 
to venerate and educate the American public of the sacrifices American 
soldiers made in Vietnam, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was 
founded. Dedicated in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial spans over 
493 feet with the names of fallen servicemen and women inscribed into 
the black granite. Each year millions come to pay their respects at The 
Wall.
  To further commemorate the sacrifices made by American soldiers, the 
Education Center at The Wall will be added as an addition to the 
Memorial. It will aid in the continual education of the sacrifices made 
in the Vietnam War, so that all who visit may learn from this period of 
history and pass it on to the generations to come.
  The Education Center at The Wall will be an underground center, 
located near The Wall. The proposed center will show the faces of each 
soldier whose name is on the wall, showcase some of the artifacts left 
behind at The Wall, and highlight the inspiration of the monument 
designer Maya Lin.
  In 2003, Congress authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund 
(VVMF) to raise funds to construct a visitor and education center. The 
funds needed to complete this project must be completely raised by 
private donations. The project is estimated to cost approximately $130 
million and after fifteen years of fundraising, the VVMF still needs a 
few extra years to raise the needed capital.
  I am proud to introduce the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center 
Extension Act along with my colleague, Senator Duckworth. This bill 
will extend the authorization for an additional four years until 2022, 
to allow VVMF the time they need to complete this important project to 
honor those who served and died in Vietnam.
  It is imperative that we continually educate the American public and 
all who visit about those who served and sacrificed for their country 
during the Vietnam War. The Education Center at The Wall will allow for 
this unique educational opportunity. I ask my colleagues to join 
Senator Duckworth and me in supporting this bipartisan effort.
  Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3298

       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 ``Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
     Visitor Center Extension Act''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH VIETNAM VETERANS 
                   MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER.

       Section 6(b)(5) of Public Law 96-297 (54 U.S.C. 320301 
     note; 94 Stat. 827; 117 Stat. 1348; 124 Stat. 2851; 127 Stat. 
     490) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2022''.

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