[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 183 (Monday, November 6, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5418-H5420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT LOCATION ACT

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1318) to authorize the location of a monument on the 
National Mall to commemorate and honor the women's suffrage movement 
and the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1318

       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 ``Women's Suffrage National 
     Monument Location Act''.

     SEC. 2. WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE NATIONAL MONUMENT.

       (a) Site.--Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, the Women's Suffrage National Monument 
     shall be located within the Reserve.
       (b) Applicability of Commemorative Works Act.--Except as 
     provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 of title 40, United 
     States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works 
     Act''), shall apply to the Women's Suffrage National 
     Monument.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Women's suffrage national monument.--The term ``Women's 
     Suffrage National Monument'' means the commemorative work 
     authorized to be established under Public Law 116-217 (40 
     U.S.C. 8903 note).
       (2) Reserve.--The term ``Reserve'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States 
     Code.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. WESTERMAN. 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 H.R. 1318, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arkansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 175th anniversary of the beginning 
of the women's suffrage movement in 1848. For the first 144 years of 
our Nation's history, women were not afforded the right to vote.
  During the 19th century, the women's suffrage movement emerged with 
the goal of securing this important constitutional right for women 
across the Nation. It took years of hard work and dedication. Securing 
this important

[[Page H5419]]

change took over 40 years to accomplish. Finally, in 1920, the 19th 
amendment was formally ratified, and women were finally given the right 
to vote in our Nation's elections.
  Now, 175 years after this important movement began, we are coming to 
the House floor to ensure that the monument honoring this movement is 
placed in the most prominent location in our Nation's capital--on The 
National Mall. I think it is significant to note that out of the 40 
monuments and memorials on the Reserve, zero are dedicated to women's 
history. The Women's Suffrage National Monument would be the first.
  That is why I support H.R. 1318, the Women's Suffrage National 
Monument Location Act. This is a worthy cause and will enhance the 
interpretation of The National Mall, which is visited by millions of 
Americans annually.
  This monument, which was originally authorized by legislation signed 
by President Trump in 2020, would not use any Federal funds. In fact, 
the foundation supporting the monument even has plans to address the 
multimillion dollar deferred maintenance backlog in Constitution 
Gardens, the preferred location of the women's suffrage monument. This 
is a true win-win and a great model for future commemorative works.
  I would be remiss if I didn't mention my disappointment with the 
Biden administration, which testified against this legislation earlier 
this year. The administration argued that The National Mall is already 
complete and there would be no space for this monument. I find this 
hard to believe, considering that the preferred location for this 
monument is currently occupied by food trucks.
  This is a good, bipartisan and bicameral bill, and I thank 
Representatives Lesko and Neguse for leading this effort. I support the 
bill and reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1630

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1318, the Women's Suffrage 
National Monument Location Act, introduced by my colleague from 
Colorado (Mr. Neguse), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Federal lands.
  This legislation authorizes a commemorative work on The National Mall 
to recognize the tireless work of suffragists who fought to secure 
women the right to vote.
  While there may be some hesitation regarding the authorization of new 
memorials in the Reserve of The National Mall, I cannot think of a 
better addition to the Reserve than this particular monument.
  Over 100 years ago, Congress passed the 19th Amendment to the 
Constitution. Yet today, not one monument or memorial on The National 
Mall is dedicated to American women's history.
  As our Nation's Capital sees more than 25 million visitors annually, 
it is only fitting that we pass this legislation to ensure that we 
honor and recognize the women who championed these efforts and inspire 
future generations of strong women leaders.
  I thank Representative Neguse for his leadership on this effort and 
all the women who have brought this issue before us today and for their 
continuing advocacy.
  The Women's Suffrage National Monument will serve not only as a 
reminder of our Nation's history but also as a hope to continue to 
shape this Nation for a better future.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the legislation and reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Puerto Rico (Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon).
  Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Westerman for 
yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan H.R. 1318, the 
Women's Suffrage National Monument Location Act, which I am an original 
cosponsor of.
  First of all, I thank my colleagues Representatives Neguse and Lesko 
for presenting this legislation that will rightfully allow for a 
Women's Suffrage National Monument to be placed on The National Mall.
  In 1919, Congress passed, and a year later ratified, the 19th 
Amendment, guaranteeing women's right to vote. At the time, only one 
woman had served in Congress: Jeannette Rankin from Montana, in 1916. 
Today, I am proud to be one of the 154 women serving in Congress--the 
highest number in the history of our Nation.
  Women continue to rise across all levels of government, in the 
military, and in the private sector. Although we still have more work 
to do, it is crucial that we celebrate what we have accomplished in the 
past 104 years, while teaching and inspiring young generations about 
the role of women in democracy.
  Women have cherished their right to vote. Report after report 
showcases female voters have exceeded the number of male voters in 
elections nationwide.
  With this monument, we honor the suffragists who paved the way that 
allows women from all walks of life to take part in this democratic 
process and that also allows me to stand here as the first woman 
elected to represent Puerto Rico in Congress.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1318 and allow this part of 
America's story to be told.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Neguse), the sponsor of this bipartisan 
legislation.
  Mr. NEGUSE. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank my colleague from Puerto 
Rico, as well as the chairman and the ranking member for their support, 
their partnership, and their leadership in helping facilitate this bill 
in its journey to the House floor today. I thank them all for 
eloquently articulating the reasons why I am such a strong supporter of 
this legislation and why I decided to introduce it with a broad 
coalition of lawmakers.
  I would be remiss if I didn't also say a word of gratitude to 
Representative Debbie Lesko, who has been my partner on this bill, as 
well as Senators Baldwin, Blackburn, and Bennet who are leading the 
bicameral legislation in the Senate, the companion bill.
  This bill, as you have heard, Mr. Speaker, is a simple bill but a 
profoundly important bill. It is bipartisan, and it is bicameral.
  Now, by way of background, and as the chairman articulated, I was 
proud to work on legislation in the 116th Congress that authorized the 
construction of the Women's Suffrage National Monument on Federal lands 
here in Washington, D.C.
  We secured the first outdoor statue in honor of the brave women 
behind the women's suffrage movement, a monument that will honor the 
contributions made by a diverse group of women in the fight for women's 
suffrage.
  This bipartisan legislation passed both chambers and was signed into 
law. This effort, Mr. Speaker, has been locally led from the start, 
driven by constituents in my Congressional District back home in 
Colorado, and in my view, a prime example of what we can accomplish 
when we display and demonstrate Colorado's ingenuity and passion and 
put it to good work.
  In the years since, the sponsors of the monument have been hard at 
work to determine the best location for it to be placed within 
Washington, D.C.
  As the chairman stated, the decision was that women's history 
deserves to have a place on our National Mall.
  Right now, as the chairman articulated, of the 40 monuments on The 
National Mall, there are none dedicated and committed to women's 
history.
  This proposed placement has broad support, including from all of our 
Nation's living First Ladies who serve as honorary chairs of the 
Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation.
  Placing a monument, as you know, Mr. Speaker, specifically on our 
National Mall, does require an additional act of Congress, which is the 
legislation before us today.
  This legislation simply allows the monument to be placed on the 
Reserve area of The National Mall. As the chairman articulated, it will 
be privately funded. It will not cost the Federal Government a dime.

  I might just add on a more personal note, I, like many of my 
colleagues, am a father. I have a 5-year-old daughter and a 5-month-old 
son.
  My daughter, Natalie, had her first trip to Washington, D.C., when 
she was

[[Page H5420]]

just a few months old. She joined me here on the floor in January of 
2019 when I was sworn into office here for the first time.
  I simply cannot wait for her to one day be able to come to 
Washington, D.C., and to see women's history reflected in the monuments 
and the memorials that are at the core of our Nation's Capital--not 
just her, but of course, all children, all Americans to be able to come 
and see that firsthand. This bill is an important step to doing just 
that.
  I am hopeful that we will earn the support of our colleagues across 
both sides of the aisle. I think this bill is an important step in 
making our National Mall representative of American history, honoring 
the legacy of the women who fought for their rights all these years 
ago.
  I would urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, in closing, the comments by Representative 
Neguse and Chairman Westerman were appropriate.
  This is a link to the history of this Nation that needs to be 
acknowledged and needs to be there for the rest of America to see, 
appreciate, and understand.
  In women's history the struggle for political representation and 
equality in that field and in other fields is ongoing. I think this is 
an important memorial.
  The other issue is this is a stark reminder for all of us that you 
cannot erase history, that you cannot change it by ignoring it or 
avoiding it.
  I hope that after we take action on this legislation that we seek a 
way to revitalize the Latino museum that has already been approved and 
whose funding was eliminated in the appropriations bill for the 
Department of the Interior.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Again, I thank Representatives Lesko and Neguse and all the Members 
in the House who have come together to support this bill.
  I thank my colleague Ranking Member Grijalva for his support and for 
working together on this and also the Senate for their bipartisan 
support.
  It has bipartisan support because it is a good bill that will provide 
a place of prominence on our National Mall for the Women's Suffrage 
Monument.
  It will forever enshrine the dedication and sacrifice of countless 
women who worked toward the goal of women's suffrage.
  For those reasons, I urge adoption of this bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1318.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________