[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 118 (Monday, July 18, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6695-H6696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         GATEWAY SOLIDARITY ACT

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7002) to authorize the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, 
to be illuminated by blue and yellow lights in support of Ukraine, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7002

       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 ``Gateway Solidarity Act''.

     SEC. 2. ILLUMINATION OF THE GATEWAY ARCH IN SUPPORT OF 
                   UKRAINE.

       To show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people, 
     the Secretary of the Interior shall illuminate the Gateway 
     Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, by blue and yellow lights--
       (A) in 2022, within 15 days following enactment of this 
     act, for no fewer than 5 consecutive days; and
       (B) annually on August 24, in recognition of Ukrainian 
     Independence Day, until the President reports to Congress 
     that the government of the Russian Federation has ceased its 
     destabilizing activities with respect to the sovereignty and 
     territorial integrity of Ukraine.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Huffman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. 
Herrell) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUFFMAN. 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 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7002, the Gateway Solidarity 
Act, to illuminate the St. Louis Gateway Arch in the colors of the 
Ukrainian flag.
  As we know, Russian president Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked 
invasion of Ukraine, and since then, the country and its people have 
experienced the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II--a 
conflict consisting of Russian attacks that have leveled Ukrainian 
cities, caused civilian casualties, and sparked an enormous refugee 
crisis.
  Introduced by my colleague across the aisle, Representative Ann 
Wagner, this bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to 
illuminate the Gateway Arch in the colors of the Ukrainian flag to show 
that we, in the United States, are behind Ukraine, sending a message to 
our friends and allies in Europe and across the globe that the American 
people are supportive of a sovereign Ukrainian nation.
  I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 7002 and reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. HERRELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7002, sponsored by my Republican colleague, Ann 
Wagner of Missouri, would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
illuminate the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, in blue and yellow, 
the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
  Throughout the world, international landmarks have been illuminated 
in blue and yellow as a sign of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
  These landmarks include the Kennedy Center, Niagara Falls, the Sydney 
Opera House, the Empire State Building, the Seattle Space Needle, and 
the Eiffel Tower.

[[Page H6696]]

  In 2004, Congress enacted legislation requiring the Secretary of 
Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch with pink lights in honor of 
Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October.
  In 2015, the Gateway Arch was illuminated gold to commemorate its 
50th anniversary. Most recently, in 2020, the Gateway Arch was 
illuminated purple and gold to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 
19th Amendment.
  The Gateway Solidarity Act, as amended, would require the Secretary 
of the Interior to illuminate the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, 
in blue and yellow lights for 5 days following enactment, and annually 
on August 24th, in recognition of Ukrainian Independence Day, until the 
President reports to Congress that Russia has ceased its hostilities 
against Ukraine.
  I thank Representative Wagner for sponsoring this bill. The bill's 
sponsor regrets that she was unable to be here today due to weather 
delays.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill and yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote and yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Huffman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7002, 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. NORMAN. 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 question 
are postponed.

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