[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.

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