[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 187 (Tuesday, December 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H7281-H7283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
9/11 MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5401) to provide a one-time grant for the operation,
security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial &
Museum at the World Trade Center to commemorate the events, and honor
the victims, of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5401
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 ``9/11 Memorial and Museum
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) National september 11 memorial & museum.--The term
``National September 11 Memorial & Museum'' means the
National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade
Center Foundation, Inc., established to commemorate the
events of, and honor the victims of, the terrorist attacks on
the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, at the site of
such attacks.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means
the official organization, as in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act, that--
(A) operates the National September 11 Memorial & Museum;
and
(B) is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation
under section 501(a) of such Code.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Homeland Security.
SEC. 3. ONE-TIME GRANT FOR NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL &
MUSEUM.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations made in advance for such purpose to the Office
of the Secretary and Executive Management of the Department
of Homeland Security, the Secretary shall award to the
eligible entity a grant in an amount determined by the
Secretary subject to subsection (c), to be used by such
entity solely for the purposes described in subsection (b),
if upon review of the application submitted pursuant to
subsection (d), the Secretary makes a determination pursuant
to subsection (e) that such entity satisfies the criteria
required under subsection (f).
(b) Purpose.--The one-time grant awarded under subsection
(a) shall be used by the eligible entity for the operation,
security, and maintenance of the National September 11
Memorial & Museum.
(c) Grant Amount.--The one-time grant under this section
may not be for less than $5,000,000 or more than $10,000,000.
(d) Application.--To be considered for an award of the one-
time grant under this section, the eligible entity shall
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.
(e) Review; Deadline for Award.--If the Secretary, after
review of the application from the eligible entity,
determines that the eligible entity satisfies the criteria
under subsection (f), the Secretary shall award the one-time
grant to the eligible entity, not later than 90 days after
the date of receipt by the Secretary of the completed
application submitted by such entity.
(f) Criteria.--In determining the amount of the one-time
grant consistent with subsection (c), the Secretary shall
consider the following:
(1) The needs of the eligible entity, and ability and
commitment of such eligible entity to use grant funds, with
respect to ensuring the security and safety of visitors at
the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
(2) The number of visitors to the National September 11
Memorial & Museum who would benefit.
(3) The ability and commitment of the eligible entity to
use grant funds to--
(A) preserve the facilities and grounds of the National
September 11 Memorial & Museum; and
(B) educate future generations.
(4) The ability and commitment of the eligible entity to
use grant funds to increase the numbers of economically
disadvantaged visitors to the National September 11 Memorial
& Museum.
(g) Condition on Receipt of Grant.--As a condition on
receipt of a grant under this section, the eligible entity
shall--
(1) provide for--
(A) free admission to all facilities and museums associated
with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum for active
and retired members of the Armed Forces, individuals who were
registered first responders to the attacks of September 11,
2001, and family members of victims of such attacks; and
(B) dedicated free admission hours for the general public
at least once a week; and
(2) allow for annual Federal audits of the financial
statements of such entity, including revenues associated with
ticket sales, charitable donations, grants, and all
expenditures on salaries and operations, which shall be
subject to review by the Secretary and made available to the
public.
(h) Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the end of each
fiscal year for which the recipient obligates or expends
funds made available to the recipient pursuant to this
section, the recipient shall submit to the Committees on
Natural Resources and Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committees on Energy and Natural
Resources and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report that includes, for the fiscal year
covered by the report, each of the following:
(1) Information relating to the amount of grant funds
obligated or expended for the preceding fiscal year.
(2) Information relating to any purposes for which such
funds were obligated or expended.
(3) Any other information the Secretary may require to
effectively administer the one-time grant program under this
section, as determined by the Secretary, if not later than
the last day of the fiscal year the Secretary notified such
entity of such requested information.
(i) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds
are authorized to carry out the requirements of this section,
and the activities authorized by this section are subject to
the availability of appropriations made in advance for such
purposes.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Huffman) 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. 5401, 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, I rise in strong support of Representative D'Esposito's
bipartisan bill, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act.
[[Page H7282]]
This legislation provides a one-time grant to assist with the
security costs for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum occupies the site of the
former World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. This unique facility
serves as the principal tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly
3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center
on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993.
One of the focal points of the museum is an art installation with the
quote, ``No day shall erase you from the memory of time.'' This is not
merely a quote. It is a promise from each and every American that we
will never forget the tragic events of 9/11. More than 23 years after
these horrific attacks, we still remember the innocent men, women, and
children who perished on that day.
Representative D'Esposito's legislation will help ensure that the
memories of those we lost on 9/11 remain eternal by providing a one-
time grant, ranging from $5 million to $10 million, to assist with
security costs for the memorial and museum.
As the location of one of the most high-profile terrorist attacks in
American history, the museum shoulders more than $1 million in security
costs per month. This important grant coming from the Department of
Homeland Security's existing appropriations would help defray those
significant security costs.
I thank Representative D'Esposito for his efforts to advance this
legislation. Yet again, he has proven himself to be a tireless advocate
for his constituents and the people of New York. His important bill
would help the 9/11 Memorial & Museum continue operations, increase
safety measures, and provide free admission for military veterans,
first responders, and victims' families.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill and reserve the balance of
my time.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 9/11 Memorial and
Museum Act.
This bill would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide
a one-time grant to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New
York City, as the chairman just mentioned, if future legislation
authorizes such activity and if future legislation appropriates such
funds.
This museum and memorial is the principal tribute of remembrance and
honor for the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11. Over the years,
Congress has provided significant financial support for the site and
recognized it as the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Though I rise today in support, I would like to highlight that the 9/
11 museum has faced criticism since its opening related to some
terminologies used in some of the exhibits. Organizations such as the
Muslim Community Network and a coalition of prominent academics have
raised concerns that the terminology used for Islamic extremism and
terrorism is sometimes generalized, improperly defined, and excludes
necessary context. In response, these groups have requested that an
interfaith advisory council be established for the memorial and museum
to increase inclusive representation, content review, and educational
initiatives.
I acknowledge and deeply understand the significance and importance
of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. It is a site for remembrance and
mourning. Members of the House Natural Resources Committee will
continue to support the ongoing management needs of the museum, but we
encourage the museum's management to engage with stakeholders to
develop an interfaith advisory council to ensure that the site is
welcoming and representative of all.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1800
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
New York (Mr. D'Esposito), the lead sponsor of this bill.
Mr. D'ESPOSITO. Mr. Speaker, the chairman mentioned a quote that is
affixed to the wall when you enter the
9/11 Memorial & Museum: ``No day shall erase you from the memory of
time.''
That quote is affixed to 2,983 tiles, all painted with watercolors, a
different shade of blue, to represent that clear blue sky on that
Tuesday morning. The 2,983 tiles represent the victims of September 11,
2001, as well as the 1993 bombing.
On September 11, 2001, we lost thousands of people to an attack on
our homeland. These individuals were mothers, fathers, brothers,
sisters, and their absence is felt every single day.
Among those we lost were heroes who stared danger in the face and
chose to run into peril to save their fellow man. Even now, more than
two decades later, we continue to lose people to 9/11-related
illnesses. As of today, there is someone suffering from a
9/11-related illness in every congressional district in the United
States of America.
These were firefighters, cops, ironworkers, first responders, people
just going to work in the financial district, everyday Americans.
Since that day, we have promised to never forget, to never forget
those whose lives were cut short, never forget those who selflessly ran
toward danger, never forget the resilience of this beautiful Nation in
the days that followed, never forget the loved ones left behind, and
never forget those who continue to suffer.
How do we keep this promise to never forget?
One important way is through continued support of the National
September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. For years, the museum
has told the story of that tragic day from the clear blue sky that I
referenced, to the people who remember waking up that morning, to the
fear and confusion that gripped the Nation, and to the rescue efforts
that followed.
Outside the museum, two memorial pools are surrounded by the names of
each and every victim on bronze parapets, making sure we never forget
one single victim. I encourage everyone to visit this site.
No American under the age of 22 was alive during 9/11, and it is
critical that we continue to teach our children and generations to come
about the events of that day and how it changed our world forever. We
must continue to teach them who was responsible for that attack on this
Nation and hold them accountable.
The museum does this critical work every day, both on-site and around
the world, through the development of lesson plans and curricula for
kids of various ages. Congress must support this work.
Additionally, the threat to this site did not end on September 11,
2001. The museum remains a target to this day. Just 2 months ago, a man
was sentenced to over a decade in prison for trying to help ISIS attack
New York City, including the 9/11 Museum. This is unacceptable.
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum must have the resources it needs to ensure
that all visitors are safe. I am proud to introduce and support this
legislation that will authorize a one-time grant for the National
September 11 Memorial & Museum. Ensuring that they have the resources
they need to continue the programs and keep visitors safe is of
paramount importance to this Nation.
I am calling on all my colleagues to support this and keep our
promise to never forget. As I close, I would like to read a part of the
9/11 Memorial & Museum's mission: ``May the lives remembered, the deeds
recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which
reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom,
and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance, and intolerance.''
May we help them accomplish this mission today by passing this
legislation.
When those of us who take oaths to protect and serve, we take that
oath and we swear on the Bible. We also make a promise in our hearts, a
promise to never ever forget.
Mr. Speaker, today I am asking all the Members of this distinguished
body to follow that lead and never forget.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, we support this legislation. I urge my
colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill with strong
bipartisan support. It offers a one-time grant to help the 9/11
Memorial & Museum in New York City fulfill its crucial educational
mission and ensure no
[[Page H7283]]
American forgets the tragic events of
9/11.
Mr. Speaker, 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. 5401, 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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