[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 192 (Monday, December 12, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9675-H9676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1630
AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH COMMEMORATIVE WORK
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6611) to authorize the Embassy of France in Washington, DC,
to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its
environs to honor the extraordinary contributions of Jean Monnet to
restoring peace between European nations and establishing the European
Union, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6611
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH COMMEMORATIVE WORK.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) Sponsor.--The term ``Sponsor'' means the Government of
France.
(b) Authorization.--
(1) In general.--The Sponsor may establish a commemorative
work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its
environs to honor the extraordinary contributions of Jean
Monnet with respect to--
(A) restoring peace between European nations; and
(B) establishing the European Union.
(2) Compliance with standards for commemorative works.--The
establishment of the commemorative work under this section
shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United
States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works
Act''), except that sections 8902(a)(1) and 8908(b) shall not
apply with respect to the commemorative work.
(3) Prohibition on the use of federal funds.--
(A) In general.--Federal funds may not be used to pay any
expense of the establishment or maintenance of the
commemorative work under this section.
(B) Acceptance of contributions and payment of expenses.--
The Sponsor shall be solely responsible for the acceptance of
contributions for, and the payment of the expenses of, the
establishment and maintenance of the commemorative work under
this section.
(4) Deposit of excess funds.--
(A) In general.--If, on payment of all expenses for the
establishment of the commemorative work under this section
(including the maintenance and preservation amount required
by section 8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), there
remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of
the commemorative work, the Sponsor shall transmit the amount
of the balance to the Secretary for deposit in the account
provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of that title.
(B) On expiration of authority.--If, on expiration of the
authority for the commemorative work under section 8903(e) of
title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of
funds received for the establishment of the commemorative
work under this section, the Sponsor shall transmit the
amount of the balance to a separate account with the National
Park Foundation for memorials, to be available to the
Secretary or the Administrator of General Services, as
appropriate, in accordance with the process provided in
paragraph (4) of section 8906(b) of that title for accounts
established under paragraph (2) or (3) of that section.
(c) 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 Senate
Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been
submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Obernolte) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
General Leave
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam 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 Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6611, introduced by
my colleague, Representative Keating.
This bill authorizes the French Embassy to establish a commemorative
bench in Washington, D.C.'s Rock Creek Park to honor the historic
contributions of Jean Monnet.
Jean Monnet was a French diplomat and entrepreneur known as a
founding father of the European Union.
Monnet served as a key diplomat during World War II, coming to
Washington on France's behalf to meet with President Roosevelt to
negotiate a massive aircraft purchase at the start of the war.
Later in the war, after Nazi Germany invaded France, Monnet
negotiated with American authorities to deliver much-needed supplies to
the British front lines. Monnet's efforts helped save millions of lives
and led the way in uniting Europe in the postwar era.
Monnet himself said that walks through Rock Creek Park helped him
think and develop plans to achieve peace and unity in Europe. I can
think of no better way to honor his legacy than this legislation.
I thank my colleague, Representative Keating, for introducing this
important bill and championing the legislation.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 6611 would allow the Government of France to
establish a bench near the French Embassy in Washington, D.C., as a
commemorative work honoring the life and the legacy of Jean Monnet.
Jean Monnet was a French diplomat who advocated for European unity
and peace following both World War I and World War II. After World War
II, Jean Monnet proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel
Community to pool coal and steel production to increase living
standards across Europe and make war materially impossible.
The actions of Jean Monnet are poignant and valuable lessons today as
Europe and the rest of the world seek to counter the unhinged and
unwarranted aggression of Vladimir Putin against the sovereign nation
of Ukraine.
In the future, it is my hope that we can work together to unleash
American energy production to support not only the needs of Americans
but also the needs of our allies abroad. Ensuring the United States'
and our allies' energy independence will be vital for national security
and peace across Europe.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of H.R. 6611 and U.S. Chair
of the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), I urge swift passage
of this legislation. H.R. 6611, introduced by Representative Bill
Keating earlier this year, would authorize the establishment of a
commemorative work in Washington, D.C. to honor the contributions of
French Diplomat Jean Monnet. I thank Congressman Keating for leading
this legislation.
Jean Monnet was a distinguished French diplomat whose efforts in the
immediate post-World War II era were instrumental in the establishment
of the European Coal and Steel Community, which was a precursor to what
eventually became the European Union (EU). Monnet is widely considered
a ``founding father'' of the EU. His vision argued that a unified and
economically integrated Europe would lead to long-term peace and
stability on the continent.
Monnet was a strong ally and partner of the United States. He spent
time in Washington, D.C. during World War II and was a strong advocate
for U.S. military assistance to the Allied countries. During his time
in Washington, Monnet lived near Rock Creek Park and frequently took
long walks in what he referred to as ``my park.'' Monnet claimed that
it was on these walks that he thought out and developed plans to
achieve lasting peace through a unified Europe.
[[Page H9676]]
With this in mind, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation,
that would authorize a fitting tribute to Jean Monnet, a critical
figure in European history and our Transatlantic Relationship.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Perlmutter). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6611, 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 yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________