[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H2356-H2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AMERICA'S NATIONAL CHURCHILL MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1945) to designate the America's National Churchill Museum
National Historic Landmark, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1945
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 ``America's National Churchill
Museum National Historic Landmark Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Fulton,
Missouri.
(2) College.--The term ``College'' means Westminster
College, located at 501 Westminster Avenue in the City.
(3) Landmark.--The term ``Landmark'' means the America's
National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark
designated by section 3(a).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Missouri.
SEC. 3. AMERICA'S NATIONAL CHURCHILL MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC
LANDMARK.
(a) Designation.--America's National Churchill Museum
located at the College, including the Winston Churchill
Memorial listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
is designated as the ``America's National Churchill Museum
National Historic Landmark''.
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
State, the City, and the College, may enter into cooperative
agreements with appropriate public or private entities, for
the purposes of--
(A) protecting historic resources at the Landmark; and
(B) providing educational and interpretive facilities and
programs at the Landmark for the public.
(2) Technical and financial assistance.--The Secretary may
provide technical and financial assistance to any entity with
which the Secretary has entered into a cooperative agreement
under paragraph (1).
(c) No Effect on Actions of Property Owners.--Designation
of the America's National Churchill Museum as a National
Historic Landmark shall not prohibit any actions that may
otherwise be taken by a property owner (including the College
and any other owner of the Landmark) with respect to the
property of the owner.
(d) No Effect on Administration.--Nothing in this section
affects the administration of the Landmark by the State, the
City, or the College.
SEC. 4. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a special
resource study of the Landmark.
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study under this section,
the Secretary shall--
(1) evaluate the national significance of the Landmark;
(2) determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating the Landmark as a unit of the National Park
System;
(3)(A) consider alternatives to that designation for the
preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Landmark
by the Federal Government, the State, the City and other
affected units of local government, or private and nonprofit
organizations (including the College); and
(B) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition,
development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance
associated with the alternatives described in subparagraph
(A); and
(4) consult with interested Federal agencies, the State,
the City and other affected units of local government,
private and nonprofit entities (including the College), and
other interested individuals.
(c) Requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct the study
under this section in accordance with section 100507 of title
54, United States Code.
(d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which
funds are first made available to carry out the study under
this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report
that describes--
(1) the results of the study; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
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. 1945.
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.
I rise in support of H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill
Museum National Historic Landmark Act, sponsored by the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Onder).
This bill recognizes a place of global consequence in the heart of
small-town America: America's National Churchill Museum at Westminster
College in Fulton, Missouri.
On March 6, 1946, on the heels of a devastating world war, Sir
Winston
[[Page H2357]]
Churchill traveled to Fulton to deliver an address that foreshadowed
the next stage of America's global conflict against evil. In his now-
famous speech, ``Sinews of Peace,'' Churchill warned that an Iron
Curtain had descended across Europe and urged a new Western alliance
against the aggression of the totalitarian Soviet Union.
For five decades, the museum in Fulton has conserved the speech's
history and allowed the public to experience that pivotal moment. It is
also home to a remarkable structure, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin,
Aldermanbury, a 12th century church which was transported from London
to Fulton in the 1960s to commemorate Churchill's speech. Today, the
entire site serves as a civic center of engagement and educational
programming that brings to life the story of Winston Churchill.
H.R. 1945 builds on that historic legacy. Representative Onder's bill
would designate America's National Churchill Museum as a national
historic landmark. In doing so, the museum would be able to enter into
cooperative agreements with the National Park Service to protect
historic resources and support public programming. This is a simple
bill that strengthens stewardship of a unique historical site without
adding to the Federal estate.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1945, the America's
National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1945 will designate America's National Churchill
Museum as a national historic landmark. It would also direct the
Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to
determine whether the museum is eligible for inclusion in the National
Park System.
This museum is located on the campus of Westminster College in
Fulton, Missouri, where former Prime Minister Winston Churchill
delivered his famous ``Iron Curtain'' speech at the outbreak of the
Cold War. It contains exhibits about Churchill, his life, and his
impact, all of which play a role in our story here and in London.
The museum exhibits include a continuous section of the Berlin Wall,
the gymnasium where Churchill delivered the ``Iron Curtain'' speech,
and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a historic building which
survived the air raids in London during World War II and was moved to
Fulton in the 1960s.
These are wonderful exhibits and a truly significant historical
location that is worthy of national recognition. I am proud to support
the designation of this museum as a historic landmark.
However, I also want to mention my deep concern about how this
administration is working to rewrite and whitewash history throughout
the National Park System. We must provide the Park Service with the
resources and autonomy it needs to preserve, protect, and share our
Nation's stories, warts and all.
{time} 1610
Winston Churchill himself once famously told the House of Commons,
``Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.''
We cannot learn from history if we erase history. We cannot see how
far we have come if we erase the things that don't fit into the current
idea of the way things should be. We can't sit idly by as this
administration selectively edits our country's past.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the National Park
Service in this bill and beyond, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Onder), the lead sponsor of this bill, a gentleman who
cannot only pronounce the Aldermanbury Church correctly but has been to
the Aldermanbury Church.
Mr. ONDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1945,
America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act.
This legislation will formally recognize America's National Churchill
Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as a national historic landmark, a
designation long overdue and deeply deserved.
Nearly 80 years ago this week, in 1946, Westminster College hosted
one of the most consequential speeches of the 20th century: Winston
Churchill's ``Sinews of Peace,'' better known as the Iron Curtain
speech. With President Harry Truman at his side, Churchill warned the
world of the division descending over Europe. Many historians marked
that moment as the beginning of the Cold War. It was also a call to
defend democracy, restore alliances, and uphold freedom.
To honor Churchill's words and legacy, Westminster College embarked
on an extraordinary project. Rather than erecting a statue or plaque,
the college acquired, transported, and reconstructed a Christopher
Wren-designed church from London, a building more than 900 years old.
St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, survived the great fire of London in
1666, was rebuilt by Wren, and was nearly destroyed again during the
blitz of World War II. Its walls stood in ruin for two decades before
being shipped stone by stone across the Atlantic and rebuilt in Fulton
as a memorial to Churchill's leadership.
This building is more than an architectural marvel. It is a symbol of
resilience, partnership, and the enduring fight for freedom. Built by
the British, bombed by the Germans, and rebuilt by the American
Midwest, it stands as a powerful testament to our shared history and
values.
Over the decades, the site has continued to shape history. Presidents
Reagan and Gorbachev, Prime Minister Thatcher, and other leaders have
stood at Westminster College to address the world on peace, security,
and democracy using the same lectern Churchill used in 1946. The museum
also houses Churchill's own annotated draft of his Iron Curtain speech,
rare artifacts, and a sculpture crafted from sections of the Berlin
Wall.
In 1972, the museum was added to the National Register of Historic
Places and was formally renamed by Congress in 2009 as ``America's
National Churchill Museum.'' H.R. 1945 will elevate that recognition to
the level of national historic landmark. This is more than a title. It
is a commitment to preserve the site, support education, and honor the
unique role this institution plays in telling our Nation's history.
At a time when we continue to grapple with challenges to freedom and
democracy around the world, there is no better moment to reinforce the
lessons of Churchill's call to vigilance and cooperation. I thank
Chairman Westerman and the Natural Resources Committee for their
support.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and ensure
that America's National Churchill Museum receives the recognition it
clearly merits as a national historic landmark.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
H.R. 1945 does ensure that America's National Churchill Museum
receives recognition equal to its educational impact and importance to
20th century history.
Designating the site as a national historic landmark will bring
further prominence to the special place and allow future generations of
Americans to learn about the moment that marked the start of the Cold
War and the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. I commend Representative
Onder for his leadership on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very
important 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. 1945.
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.
____________________