[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H3862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            GOLD STAR MOTHERS FAMILY MONUMENT EXTENSION ACT

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2365) to extend the authority for the establishment of a 
commemorative work in honor of Gold Star Families, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2365

       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 ``Gold Star Mothers Family 
     Monument Extension Act''.

     SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF 
                   COMMEMORATIVE WORK.

       Notwithstanding section 8903(e) of title 40, United Sates 
     Code, the authority provided by section 2859 of the Military 
     Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (division 
     B of Public Law 112-239; 126 Stat. 2164; 40 U.S.C. 8903 note) 
     shall continue to apply through January 2, 2027.

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2365, introduced by the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Kim), would extend the authorization for the establishment of a 
commemorative work to Gold Star Mother Families until January 2, 2027.
  The Gold Star Mothers Family National Monument would honor the 
mothers and families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in 
service of our Nation.
  The Gold Star is a widely recognized tradition that dates back to 
World War I when families would display service flags bearing a blue 
star for each family member serving abroad and a gold star for each 
family member who had been lost in combat.
  Although this commemorative work was originally authorized in the 
National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2013, the 
authorization expired in January 2020. In November 2015, the U.S. 
Commission of Fine Arts approved a location for the memorial on the 
National Park Service property west of the Arlington National Cemetery 
visitor center.

                              {time}  1515

  Following that approval, the National Capital Memorial Advisory 
Commission has engaged in consultation with the Gold Star Mothers 
National Monument Foundation regarding the memorial's design.
  This bill would build on these efforts by extending the authorization 
needed to establish the monument. While we can never truly repay the 
debt that America owes to our Gold Star Mothers and their families, 
H.R. 2365 would bring us closer toward fully honoring the sacrifices 
that they have made.
  I would like to thank Representative Kim for introducing this 
important legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2365, offered by Congressman Kim, would extend the 
authorization of the Gold Stars Mothers National Monument Foundation to 
construct the Gold Star National Mothers Monument. Legislation signed 
into law during the 112th Congress authorized the Gold Star Mothers 
National Monument Foundation to erect a monument on Federal lands in 
Washington, D.C., that would honor mothers whose children gave the last 
full measure of devotion defending the United States as members of the 
Armed Forces.
  This bill would allow more time for the Foundation to ensure the 
monument's construction and completion by extending the authorization 
until January 2, 2027.
  We can never fully understand the lifelong grief that these Gold Star 
Mothers must face, and I hope that this new memorial serves as a 
collective place for them to heal and remember their brave children who 
valiantly fought to defend our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and the Gold Star families, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2365, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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