[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
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(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.
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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
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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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