[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5641-H5644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMISSION TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL TRANSFER OF THE WEITZMAN NATIONAL 
  MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ACT

  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 7764) to establish a commission to study the potential transfer 
of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the 
Smithsonian Institution, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7764

       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 ``Commission to Study the 
     Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of 
     American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act''.

     SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--There is established the Commission to 
     Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum 
     of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 8 
     members, of whom--
       (1) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the majority 
     leader of the Senate;
       (2) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives;
       (3) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority 
     leader of the Senate; and
       (4) 2 voting members shall be appointed by the minority 
     leader of the House of Representatives.
       (c) Qualification.--Members of the Commission shall be 
     appointed to the Commission from among individuals, or 
     representatives of institutions or entities, who possess--
       (1)(A) a demonstrated commitment to the research, study, or 
     promotion of Jewish American history, art, political or 
     economic status, or culture; and
       (B)(i) expertise in museum administration;
       (ii) expertise in fund-raising for nonprofit or cultural 
     institutions;
       (iii) experience in the study and teaching of Jewish 
     American history;
       (iv) experience in the study and teaching of combating and 
     countering antisemitism;
       (v) experience in studying the issue of the representation 
     of Jewish Americans in art, life, history, and culture at the 
     Smithsonian Institution; or
       (vi) extensive experience in public or elected service;
       (2) experience in the administration of, or the strategic 
     planning for, museums; or

[[Page H5642]]

       (3) experience in the planning or design of museum 
     facilities.
       (d) Deadline for Initial Appointment.--The initial members 
     of the Commission shall be appointed not later than the date 
     that is 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission--
       (1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
       (2) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (f) Chairperson.--The Commission shall, by majority vote of 
     all of the voting members, select 1 member of the Commission 
     to serve as the Chairperson of the Commission.
       (g) Prohibition.--No employee of the Federal Government may 
     serve as a member of the Commission.

     SEC. 3. DUTIES OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Reports and Other Deliverables.--Not later than 2 years 
     after the date of the first meeting of the Commission, the 
     Commission shall submit to the President and to Congress the 
     report, plan, and recommendations described in paragraphs (1) 
     through (3).
       (1) Report on issues.--A report that addresses the 
     following issues relating to the Weitzman National Museum of 
     American Jewish History in Philadelphia, PA, and its environs 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Museum''):
       (A) The collections held by the Museum at the time of the 
     report, the extent to which such collections are already 
     represented in the Smithsonian Institution and Federal 
     memorials at the time of the report, and the availability and 
     cost of future collections to be acquired and housed in the 
     Museum.
       (B) The impact of the Museum on educational and 
     governmental efforts to study and counter antisemitism.
       (C) The financial assets and liabilities held by the 
     Museum, and the cost of operating and maintaining the Museum.
       (D) The governance and organizational structure from which 
     the Museum should operate if transferred to the Smithsonian 
     Institution.
       (E) The financial and legal considerations associated with 
     the potential transfer of the Museum to the Smithsonian 
     Institution, including--
       (i) any donor or legal restrictions on the Museum's 
     collections, endowments, and real estate;
       (ii) costs associated with actions that will be necessary 
     to resolve the status of employees of the Museum, if the 
     Museum is transferred to the Smithsonian Institution; and
       (iii) all additional costs for the Smithsonian Institution 
     that would be associated with operating and maintaining a new 
     museum outside of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
       (F) The feasibility of the Museum becoming part of the 
     Smithsonian Institution, taking into account the Museum's 
     potential impact on the Smithsonian's existing facilities 
     maintenance backlog, collections storage needs, and 
     identified construction or renovation costs for new or 
     existing museums.
       (2) Fund-raising plan.--A fund-raising plan that addresses 
     the following topics:
       (A) The ability to support the transfer, operation, and 
     maintenance of the Museum through contributions from the 
     public, including potential charges for admission.
       (B) Any potential issues with funding the operations and 
     maintenance of the Museum in perpetuity without reliance on 
     appropriations of Federal funds.
       (3) Legislative recommendations.--A report containing 
     recommendations regarding a legislative plan for transferring 
     the Museum to the Smithsonian Institution, which shall 
     include each of the following:
       (A) Proposals regarding the time frame, one-time 
     appropriations level, and continuing appropriations levels 
     that might be included in such legislation.
       (B) Recommendations for the future name of the Museum if it 
     is transferred to the Smithsonian Institution.
       (b) National Conference.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     date on which the initial members of the Commission are 
     appointed under section 2, the Commission may, in carrying 
     out the duties of the Commission under this section, convene 
     a national conference relating to the Museum, to be comprised 
     of individuals committed to the advancement of the life, art, 
     history, and culture of Jewish Americans.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

       (a) Compensation.--
       (1) In general.--A member of the Commission--
       (A) shall not be considered to be a Federal employee for 
     any purpose by reason of service on the Commission; and
       (B) shall serve without pay.
       (2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be 
     allowed a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates 
     consistent with those authorized under subchapter I of 
     chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (3) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--The Commission may 
     solicit, accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or 
     devises of money, services, or real or personal property for 
     the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the 
     Commission. Such gifts, bequests, or devises may be from the 
     Museum.
       (b) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the 
     date that is 30 days after the date on which the final 
     versions of the report, plan, and recommendations required 
     under section 3 are submitted.
       (c) Funding.--The Commission shall be solely responsible 
     for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the 
     expenses of, the Commission.
       (d) Director and Staff of Commission.--
       (1) Director and staff.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission may employ and compensate 
     an executive director and any other additional personnel that 
     are necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties 
     of the Commission.
       (B) Rates of pay.--Rates of pay for persons employed under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be consistent with the rates of pay 
     allowed for employees of a temporary organization under 
     section 3161 of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Not federal employment.--Any individual employed under 
     this subsection shall not be considered a Federal employee 
     for the purpose of any law governing Federal employment.
       (3) Technical assistance.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), on request of 
     the Commission, the head of a Federal agency shall provide 
     technical assistance to the Commission.
       (B) Prohibition.--No Federal employees may be detailed to 
     the Commission.
       (4) Volunteer services.--Notwithstanding section 1342 of 
     title 31, United States Code, the Commission may accept and 
     use voluntary and uncompensated services as the Commission 
     determines necessary.
       (e) Administrative Support Services.--Upon request of the 
     Commission, the Administrator of the General Services 
     Administration shall provide to the Commission, on a 
     reimbursable basis, the administrative support services 
     necessary for the Commission to carry out its 
     responsibilities under this Act. The involvement of the 
     General Services Administration shall be limited to providing 
     administrative support to the Commission, and such 
     involvement shall terminate upon termination of the 
     Commission.
       (f) Meeting Location.--The Commission may meet virtually or 
     in-person.
       (g) Appointment Delays.--The Commission may begin to meet 
     and carry out activities under this Act before all members of 
     the Commission have been appointed if--
       (1) 90 days have passed since the date of the enactment of 
     this Act; and
       (2) a majority of the members of the Commission have been 
     appointed.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and submit 
extraneous material on bill H.R. 7746.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, pervasive anti-Israel bias has infected our 
country. Anti-Semitism is on the rise and threatens the safety of all 
communities and institutions.
  Let me be clear. Anti-Semitism has no place in America.
  Israel is in a fight for its very existence from the terrorist threat 
of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. I strongly support our ally Israel and 
our Jewish friends.
  In the Middle East, our friends in Israel need our support. The Anti-
Defamation League has cited nearly 8,900 anti-Semitic incidents in the 
United States that occurred last year.
  Now more than ever, we must ensure that as many Americans as possible 
are informed about the many contributions of Jewish Americans and their 
history.
  Today, the House must pass H.R. 7764, the commission to study the 
potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish 
History to the Smithsonian Institution.
  The legislation creates a commission to study the transferring of the 
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian 
Institution.
  This legislation establishes logistical details to make this transfer 
a reality, including a fundraising plan. The bill could not be more 
important than right now.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7764, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7764, as amended. 
I thank the distinguished gentleman from Wisconsin, my friend, the 
chairman of the Committee on House Administration, Mr. Steil, for his 
great work and the work of the staff.
  This bipartisan bill will establish a commission to study the 
potential transfer of Philadelphia's Weitzman National Museum of 
American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution.
  Since 1654, when Jews first sought refuge from persecution in the New 
World, Jewish Americans have contributed to our Nation in countless 
ways.

[[Page H5643]]

  They have served at the highest levels of government, won Nobel 
Prizes, created enduring works of art and literature, and stood at the 
forefront of nearly every struggle for civil rights and equality in 
this country.
  That legacy extends to my own district in Rochester, New York, where 
Jewish Americans have been a vital part of our community since before 
the Civil War.
  In the mid-19th century, they built our first synagogue. When the 
financial crisis of 1857 threatened to devastate Rochester's economy, 
the Jewish-American garment industry employed scores of residents and 
helped keep our city afloat.
  Today, from the towns of Brighton and Pittsford to Irondequoit and 
the city of Rochester, Jewish Americans remain an irreplaceable part of 
our daily lives.
  It pains me to see that anti-Semitism in the United States has surged 
to what the FBI Director has described as ``historic levels.''
  This hatred has been fueled by the villainization of Jewish Americans 
after the October 7 terrorist attacks, as well as the alarming growth 
of racism, extremism, and white supremacy across the Nation.
  One of the most troubling aspects of this trend is the rise of anti-
Semitism among younger generations. For the first time since the Anti-
Defamation League began its comprehensive study on anti-Semitism in 
1964, these attitudes are now more prevalent among younger people than 
among older generations.
  The ADL also found that 73 percent of Jewish college students have 
experienced or witnessed anti-Semitism since the beginning of the 2023-
2024 school year and that the number of students who feel comfortable 
with others knowing that they are Jewish has nearly been cut in half 
since the October 7 attack.
  We must do more to show the invaluable role Jewish Americans have 
played in our national story and to inoculate people, some of whom are 
probably well-intentioned, against anti-Semitic stereotypes and online 
conspiracy theories.
  For these reasons and more, now is the time for the Smithsonian to 
explore adding an American Jewish history museum to its roster.
  As the Nation's preeminent institution dedicated to American Jewish 
history, the Weitzman National Museum should be seriously considered as 
a turnkey, cost-effective option.
  An exhibit at the Weitzman National Museum showcases a 1790 letter 
from President George Washington to a Rhode Island synagogue in which 
he became the first leader of a modern nation to recognize Jews as full 
citizens.
  We still have work to do to fully honor the spirit of President 
Washington's words.
  I can think of few better ways to make progress than by bringing the 
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History under the 
Smithsonian umbrella.
  This bill is an important first step, and I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the author of this bill.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for 
yielding and for his strong support of this legislation and his 
poignant and important words. I thank him for taking the time to go 
into some detail about the experience of his own Jewish community in 
his Congressional District.

  I rise in strong support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 7764, to 
establish a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman 
National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian 
Institution.
  I also thank Representatives Turner, Boyle, and Max Miller for 
joining me in leading this bill, and of course, I thank Chairman Steil 
and the ranking member for prioritizing it and getting it through 
unanimously in the Committee on House Administration.
  Last year, ADL tracked a 140-percent increase in anti-Semitic 
incidents from the previous year resulting in a record high since ADL 
began tracking these instances of hate almost 50 years ago.
  According to the American Jewish Committee, nearly two-thirds of 
American Jews feel less secure in the U.S. than they did a year ago.
  To combat the rising hate, President Biden and Vice President Harris 
developed our country's first ever National Strategy to Counter Anti-
Semitism. The strategy notes that we cannot address the root causes of 
anti-Semitism without awareness and education.

                              {time}  2030

  With anti-Semitism skyrocketing, acknowledging the past and acting to 
build a better tomorrow is more critical than ever.
  It will take a whole-of-society effort to do this, and folding the 
Weitzman National Museum of Jewish History into the Smithsonian is one 
step toward that goal.
  We must uplift Jewish stories and raise awareness of the 
contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our Nation's history, 
which the Weitzman does every day.
  Taking this critical step to welcome the Weitzman Museum into the 
larger Smithsonian family would help us share those achievements with 
the American people from all over the country as its mission is to 
educate visitors and online audiences about who Jews are and how they 
contributed to our country.
  The museum develops critical in-person and online educational 
programming, provides professional development for educators, and 
produces award-winning special and traveling exhibits.
  However, its ability to reach a national audience is limited, which 
is why the best way to amplify its resources is to incorporate it into 
the Smithsonian Institution.
  This powerful institutional integration signals a strong commitment 
to address the dramatic rise in anti-Semitism. It does that by helping 
amplify the myriad ways Jewish Americans enrich our Nation.
  We need all Americans alike to learn about all the remarkable Jews 
who served in our government and the military or who won Nobel Prizes, 
led universities, and made lifesaving medical discoveries our Nation 
counts on.
  The Jewish community's commitment to tikkun olam, a commitment to 
repair the world, is clear across so many generations of Americans.
  Bringing the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History into the 
Smithsonian alongside the African American, Native American, and other 
pending cultural museums is fitting and essential.
  We must shine a light on it to support Jewish Americans and respond 
to skyrocketing hate.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, again, for their support, and I 
urge all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.
  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to 
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Manning).
  Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the ranking member 
from New York (Mr. Morelle).
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7764, and I recognize my dear 
friend, Representative Wasserman Schultz, for her leadership on this 
effort.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Museum of American Jewish History tells the 
story of American Jews and their myriad contributions to every facet of 
American life, from science and medicine to education and technology to 
music, theater, philanthropy, civil rights, and the pursuit of justice.
  Jewish citizens were critical to building the textile industry in my 
hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina, and have contributed to so many 
other facets of our life from civil rights, the arts, healthcare and so 
much more.
  American Jews have worked hard to build our great country. Their 
story is the American story. Today we face a frightening rise in anti-
Semitism. The FBI's 2023 hate crime statistics showed that Jews are the 
victims of 68 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes, despite 
being just 2 percent of the population.
  History has taught us that when hatred against Jews is allowed to 
fester, it frequently grows to threaten other

[[Page H5644]]

minority groups and undermines the foundations of our democracy.
  In the fight against hate and intolerance, education is one of the 
best tools we have. That is why the first-ever U.S. national strategy 
to counter anti-Semitism emphasizes the importance of broadening 
appreciation of Jewish-American heritage.
  The Weitzman Museum does just that. It showcases important artifacts 
and stories from the first arrival of Jews to the Colonies in 1654, all 
the way to the present day.
  Transferring this museum to the Smithsonian umbrella is the right and 
fitting thing to do. That is why 36 Jewish groups, including the ADL, 
AJC, and Jewish Federations of North America, support this bill.
  This bill marks the first step toward achieving national level 
commitment to increasing awareness, understanding, and education about 
American-Jewish history.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I encourage all my colleagues 
to join me in doing the same.
  Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for all the eloquent comments 
made by all the Members who spoke on the bill. This is vitally 
important, and I think it bears repeating that having opportunities for 
people to understand, to learn about the past, and to give us greater 
understanding is going to lead us to a better country and a better 
world.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful, again, to the chair of the committee and 
the sponsors for their work, I look forward to not only supporting the 
bill but urging my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank my colleague, the ranking 
member, for his work on the bill, as well as the sponsors of this 
legislation.
  This is an opportunity for us to come together to address the rise 
that we have seen in anti-Semitism and to stand with the Jewish people 
in this particular period of time of peril that we see in the country 
of Israel.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Rep. Wasserman-
Schultz, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Boyle for their leadership on this bill.
  H.R. 7764 authorizes a commission to study the potential transfer of 
the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish history to the Smithsonian 
Institution. Just last week, the House Committee on Administration 
unanimously passed this legislation out of their committee.
  The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in 
Philadelphia serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions that 
Jewish Americans have made to the fabric of the United States.
  The Weitzman Museum was established in 1976 as the only museum in the 
Nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American 
Jewish experience.
  This bill is the first step in bringing the Weitzman into the 
Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum, education, and 
research complex.
  By bringing this museum and its collections into the Smithsonian, 
Congress will ensure that the story of Jewish Americans is shared with 
the widest possible audience.
  I am proud to be one of the lead Members on this bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to pass this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Steil) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7764, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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