[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 23959-23960]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  RECOGNIZING LIBERTY MEMORIAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AS NATIONAL 
                           WORLD WAR I SYMBOL

  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 114) recognizing the 
Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, as a national World War I 
symbol honoring those who defended liberty and our country through 
service in World War I.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 114

       Whereas over 4 million Americans served in World War I, 
     however, there is no nationally recognized symbol honoring 
     the service of such Americans;
       Whereas in 1919, citizens of Kansas City expressed an 
     outpouring of support, raising over $2,000,000 in 2 weeks, 
     which was a fundraising accomplishment unparalleled by any 
     other city in the United States irrespective of population;
       Whereas on November 1, 1921, the monument site was 
     dedicated marking the only time in history that the 5 Allied 
     military leaders (Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of 
     Belgium, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Marshal Ferdinand 
     Foch of France, General John J. Pershing of the United 
     States, and Admiral Lord Earl Beatty of Great Britain) were 
     together at one place;
       Whereas during a solemn ceremony on Armistice Day in 1924, 
     President Calvin Coolidge marked the beginning of a 3-year 
     construction project by the laying of the corner-stone of the 
     Liberty Memorial;
       Whereas the 217-foot Memorial Tower topped with 4 stone 
     ``Guardian Spirits'' representing courage, honor, patriotism, 
     and sacrifice, rises above the observation deck, making the 
     Liberty Memorial a noble tribute to all who served;
       Whereas during a rededication of the Liberty Memorial in 
     1961, former Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. 
     Eisenhower recognized the memorial as a constant reminder of 
     the sacrifices during World War I and the progress that 
     followed;
       Whereas the Liberty Memorial is the only public museum in 
     the United States specifically dedicated to the history of 
     World War I; and
       Whereas the Liberty Memorial is internationally known as a 
     major center of World War I remembrance: Now, therefore, be 
     it

[[Page 23960]]

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, 
     Missouri, is recognized as a national World War I symbol, 
     honoring those who defended liberty and our country through 
     service in World War I.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. 
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Senate Concurrent Resolution 114 recognizes the Liberty 
Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, as a national World War I symbol 
honoring those who defended liberty and our country through service in 
World War I. The Liberty Memorial, established in 1924 by President 
Calvin Coolidge, is the only public museum specifically dedicated to 
those who served in World War I.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. Con. Res. 114.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this concurrent resolution would recognize the Liberty 
Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, as a national World War I symbol 
honoring those who defended liberty and our country through service in 
World War I.
  Begun in 1919 and completed in 1927, the Liberty Memorial is a 
magnificent monument and serves as the only public museum in America 
dedicated to the First World War.
  The Memorial has hosted many distinguished visitors. The dedication 
ceremony for the site marks the only time in history all 5 allied 
military commanders from World War I were ever in the same place. 
President Calvin Coolidge laid the cornerstone for the site in 1924; 
and the Memorial was rededicated by Presidents Truman and Eisenhower in 
1961.
  World War I was obviously one of the turning points in American and 
world history. Formal recognition of this memorial as a symbol of the 
sacrifice and dedication of the more than 4 million Americans who 
served in that great war is appropriate. We urge our colleagues to 
approve this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend the rules and 
concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 114.
  The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that 
the ayes appeared to have it.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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