[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 207 (Tuesday, December 9, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H5083-H5085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADAMS MEMORIAL-GREAT AMERICAN HEROES ACT
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2306) to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2306
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 ``Adams Memorial-Great
American Heroes Act''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY; LOCATION OF MEMORIAL.
(a) Adams Memorial Commission.--
(1) Extension.--Section 2406(l) of the John D. Dingell, Jr.
Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-
9) is amended by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2032''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by paragraph (1)
shall take effect as if enacted on December 1, 2025.
(b) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--
Section 1(c) of Public Law 107-62 (115 Stat. 411; 124 Stat.
1192; 127 Stat. 3880; 133 Stat. 750) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The establishment'' and inserting
``Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40, United States
Code, the establishment''; and
(2) by striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2032''.
(c) Location of Commemorative Work.--Section 1 of Public
Law 107-315 (116 Stat. 2763) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1. APPROVAL OF COMMEMORATIVE WORK.
``(a) Site.--Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40,
United States Code, and subject to subsection (b), the Adams
Memorial shall be located within the area generally depicted
as `Adams Memorial: Eligible Additional Area' on the map
titled `Adams Memorial: Eligible Additional Area' prepared by
the Adams Memorial Commission and dated February 25, 2025.
``(b) Additional Locations.--If the Commission determines
that the location described in subsection (a) is not suitable
or feasible due to physical or security constraints, the
commemorative work shall be located within the Reserve.
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``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Adams memorial.--The term `Adams Memorial' means the
commemorative work authorized to be established under section
1(b) of Public Law 107-62 (115 Stat. 411).
``(2) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Adams
Memorial Commission established under section 2406(a) of the
John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation
Act (Public Law 116-9).
``(3) Reserve.--The term `Reserve' has the meaning given
such term in section 8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States
Code.''.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
Section 2 and section 3 of Public Law 107-315 (116 Stat.
2763) are hereby repealed.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Crank) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado.
General Leave
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on H.R. 2306, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams
Memorial-Great American Heroes Act, led by my colleague, the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).
Mr. Speaker, although our Nation's Capital contains towering and
iconic tributes to many of our Founding Fathers, we still have no
memorial for President Adams and his family.
Their remarkable dynasty of public service gave America not one but
two Presidents, a Secretary of State, an ambassador, an abolitionist,
and one of our most accomplished first ladies.
John Adams was a chief architect of independence, our Vice President,
and our second President, whose lifelong correspondence with his chief
political rival, Thomas Jefferson, stands as a shining example of the
power of speech and shared principles.
Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights and shaped the
second Presidency through her letters and advice to her husband. Their
son, John Quincy Adams, served as our sixth President and later was a
fierce opponent of slavery in this very body, as the only former
President to be elected to the House of Representatives.
In 2001, Congress sought to finally cement the legacy of the Adams
family in our Nation's rich history by approving the creation of a
memorial to the Adams family in Washington, D.C. In 2019, Congress
further authorized the Adams Memorial Commission, a bipartisan panel
comprised of Members of Congress and Presidential appointees, tasked
with spearheading planning, raising private funds, and educating the
public on the Adams family legacy of patriotism and civic duty. With
the majority of commission members approved as of last year, the
commission has begun the site selection process for the memorial.
Representative Moolenaar's bill extends the authorization of the
Adams Memorial Commission until 2032, allowing its members to continue
their work to create the first memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated
to honoring the Adams family. The bill would authorize a new site for
the memorial just south of the White House, where John and Abigail
Adams were the first Presidential family to reside.
During a legislative hearing in the Federal Lands Subcommittee,
Jackie Gingrich Cushman, the chair of the Adams Memorial Commission,
testified: ``The Adamses exemplified strength of character, belief in
God, and the importance of family, education, and public service. John
Adams and his family demonstrated that ideas, hard work, and
determination can change an entire nation for the better. This memorial
will inspire new generations of Americans by reigniting pride in our
shared American values and our constitutional Republic.''
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This bipartisan bill will give our Nation the opportunity to honor
John Adams and his family with the memorial they deserve. As America
approaches its 250th birthday, there is no better time to honor a
family whose ideas and sacrifices helped build our Nation and protect
its principles for generations to come.
I commend Representative Moolenaar for his leadership in this effort
and take a moment to recognize the late Representative Gerry Connolly
of Virginia, who we sadly lost earlier this year. Representative
Connolly not only sat on the Adams Memorial Commission but also was the
main Democratic sponsor of this legislation and a champion for the
Adams Family Memorial.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2306,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, legislation introduced
by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).
This bill would extend the authority for the Adams Memorial
Commission and authorize a prominent location for the eventual memorial
to commemorate the legacy and contributions of John Adams and the
entire Adams family, including Abigail and their son, John Quincy
Adams.
It has been nearly a quarter-century since Congress first authorized
this memorial in 2001. It is time to finish what we started.
We are speaking of a family that didn't merely participate in the
American experiment but helped define it. Thomas Jefferson called John
Adams the Colossus of Independence, and his thoughts on government
frame the very Constitution we swear to uphold every day we report to
work here in our Nation's Capitol.
Abigail Adams was an early beacon for women's rights, and John Quincy
Adams fought the gag rule and slavery right here in the House. The
contributions of the Adams family to the founding and development of
our country are countless.
Finally, because John Adams was the first to live in the White House,
it is only fitting that this memorial will be located nearby. We can
only hope that the hard work, wisdom, and dedication of these American
heroes rub off on the current and future residents of the White House.
I thank Representative Moolenaar and all of the members of the Adams
Memorial Commission for their dedication to this project. Hopefully, we
will all be able to visit the new memorial very soon.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), the lead sponsor of the bill.
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and
for his strong support. I also thank my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle for their work in this area.
Today, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great
American Heroes Act. This bipartisan legislation will extend the Adams
Memorial Commission, which is tasked with establishing a national
memorial honoring President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, and
their family for their leadership in shaping the early course of this
Nation.
As we look to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, this bill celebrates a family pivotal to
the foundation of this country. The United States would not be where it
is today without multiple generations of Adams family members serving
the country and working tirelessly to ensure its success.
John Adams served as our first Vice President and second President,
with Abigail supporting him throughout as his most valued and trusted
adviser. They were the first family to occupy the newly constructed
White House, which this monument will be immediately adjacent to.
Their son, John Quincy Adams, was America's sixth President, and so
dedicated to this country that following his administration, he
returned to the Halls of this very building to continue his service as
a Member of Congress, arguing adamantly for the abolition of slavery.
This memorial will educate generations to come about this historic
family's role in our Nation's founding and inspire all Americans to
honor their
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principles of leadership, courage, and public service.
I am pleased to support the ongoing work that has brought the Adams
Memorial closer to reality, ensuring that our Nation's first leaders
are remembered in a fitting and lasting way.
I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Adams Memorial Commission,
I rise in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great
American Heroes Act. This legislation would extend until 2032 the
existing authorization to build the Adams Memorial in the President's
Park, dedicated to the contributions to our Nation by John and Abigail
Adams, John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams, Charles Francis Adams
and Henry Adams and their family.
The exciting part of this is that while efforts have been made in the
past, we have finally arrived upon what I think is a suitable location
for this memorial. It is shown in this small rectangle here, not very
far from the White House itself on the Ellipse. I think that is the key
to the success of this effort, and I give great credit to the bill's
sponsor, John Moolenaar, and my other colleagues on the Adams
Commission for making the effort and advocating that the Adams family
receive the recognition, and the appropriateness of this memorial
speaks to that as well.
Mr. Speaker, during the 118th Congress, I was honored to be appointed
to the Adams Memorial Commission by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
I also recognize and thank the commission chair, Jackie Cushman, who
was essential to this whole process and really was a driving force in
bringing all of us together, as well as Commissioner Major General
Peter Cooke, and Commissioner Richard Houghton for their dedication to
this effort. In addition, I thank my fellow Members of Congress on the
commission, Congressman Morgan Griffith of Virginia and also the lead
sponsor of this bill, Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan.
As others have also noted, our dear friend and colleague, the late
Congressman Gerry Connolly also served on the Adams Commission until
his passing earlier this year. Gerry dedicated his life to serving his
community and our Nation and stood for what was fair and just, as did
our former Presidents John and John Quincy Adams.
Congressman Connolly is deeply missed, and the remaining members of
the commission greatly appreciate his work and the work of my
Massachusetts delegation colleagues, first Bill Delahunt, who we lost a
couple years ago and worked on this commission, and Congressman Bill
Keating, who actually stood in Gerry Connolly's place to join the
commission and carry on Representative Connolly's legacy.
As the gentleman from Colorado noted, the success of this endeavor is
greatly aided by the designation of this particular site for the
purpose of establishing this memorial.
President John Adams was one of our most influential Founding
Fathers, negotiating the Treaty of Paris that secured our independence
from Britain. He was also a steadfast public servant who believed
staunchly in the rule of law, defending British soldiers after the
Boston Massacre, even when it was unpopular, and ensuring the first
peaceful transfer of power after his loss in the 1800 Presidential
election.
His son, John Quincy Adams, was equally as devoted to public service,
and I am honored to hold the same seat in the House of Representatives
that he once held after his Presidency, where he made the fight against
slavery one of his primary causes. His advocacy for public education
and the sciences is a legacy that I am proud to continue.
Mr. Speaker, this is the third attempt at this effort. It is a
glaring oversight that on the eve of our 250th anniversary there is
still no memorial in our Nation's Capital honoring John Adams, John
Quincy Adams, both Presidents, and their family, and their leading role
in shaping our country. This recognition is long overdue.
In closing, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to
support this act, and I thank you for the time and courtesy.
{time} 1620
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. RANDALL. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Just down the hall from this Chamber, we get to take our constituents
many times on a tour through Statuary Hall and we see the desk location
where John Quincy Adams served as President.
Some of our Founding Fathers tolerated slavery. John Quincy Adams
knew it for what it was, a stain on our soul, and he worked so hard,
dedicating his life to eliminating slavery. I can't help but think of
the divine providence that allowed John Quincy Adams for one term to
serve in the same Chamber as Abraham Lincoln. I think God smiled upon
our Nation when he did that to pass the torch on to Abraham Lincoln and
end that scourge for America and for mankind.
Mr. Speaker, by reauthorizing the Adams Memorial Commission, H.R.
2306 would provide the time needed to thoroughly design, locate, and
construct a memorial truly worthy of the Adams family's commitment to
America.
I, once again, recognize Representative Moolenaar for his bipartisan
commitment to honoring one of America's most accomplished founding
families ahead of our Nation's 250th birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support 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 Colorado (Mr. Crank) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2306, 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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