[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 10779-10780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 AUTHORIZING USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS

  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, lastly, the other matter that is before 
the Senate is H. Con. Res. 423, a resolution authorizing the Capitol 
Grounds to be used for a public event providing additional space in 
conjunction with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial 
on May 29, 2004, and such other dates that the Speaker of the House and 
representatives of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
Senate may designate.
  It is a very wise step to try to help in some way the extraordinary 
turnout in response of veterans who will be coming to the Nation's 
Capitol to be present at the memorial dedication, but for reasons of 
shortage of seats and other reasons, we are trying to accommodate them. 
I commend the Senate and the House for working on the means by which to 
make the Capitol Grounds available.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 423, which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 423) authorizing the 
     use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the 
     dedication of the National World War II Memorial.


[[Page 10780]]


  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent 
resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements relating to the concurrent resolution be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 423) was agreed to.
  Mr. WARNER. Madam President, I also ask unanimous consent to print in 
today's Record some historic information about the memorial and a 
partial schedule of the many events that are occurring in connection 
with the dedication. I hope this record, which will be printed today in 
the proceedings of the Senate, will serve as a useful tool to Senators 
as they are working with their constituents on this matter.
  I would like to conclude, again reflecting on Senator Dole's role. 
Again, he is national chairman of the World War II Memorial campaign. I 
recall when he undertook this assignment, working together with Fred 
Smith, the cochairman of the national campaign, Senator Dole said their 
goal would be approximately $100 million and that they wanted to raise 
it from the people of the United States, individuals.
  Over 600,000 individuals came forward. Also, 400 veterans groups, and 
over 1,400 schools took up contributions. All 50 States and Puerto Rico 
contributed $1 for every citizen of that State who participated during 
World War II. The breadth of this campaign, envisioned by Senator Dole 
and others and the Battle Monuments Commission, and, of course, his 
cochairman, Mr. Smith, was extraordinary, and the outpouring from all 
across America was equally extraordinary. They set a goal of around 
$100 million, but it is my understanding they are approaching $200 
million, showing the depth and feeling and gratitude of all citizens of 
our Nation.
  With the greatest humility I compliment Senator Dole, Mr. Smith, and 
others who undertook this task and achieved beyond all possible dreams. 
The dedication is just shaping up to be one of the great moments in the 
contemporary history of the United States of America.
  Stop to think: It took 11 years to get the legislation through. 
Hostilities ceased with the surrender of Japan. It is my recollection--
I was but a young sailor then in training in the United States--it was 
in the summer of 1945, August, is my recollection, and the surrender of 
Germany, I think, occurred previously in that year, if my recollection 
is correct, May 8 or 9.
  That extraordinary chapter and struggle of mankind to preserve 
freedom came to a quiet and reverent conclusion with extraordinary 
losses. Over 400,000 Americans alone gave their lives and probably in 
the millions who were wounded, including our distinguished colleagues, 
Senator Dole and Senator Inouye.
  I am at a loss for words to express the gratitude of this country. We 
are here today exercising the right of free speech because of those 
sacrifices and elsewhere in the world, exercising various levels of 
democracy and freedom of speech solely because of the enormity of the 
sacrifices of that generation referred to now as ``the greatest 
generation.''
  Madam President, I, at this time, again acknowledge the participation 
of our former colleague, Senator Dole, and the participation of all 
Members of the Chamber today and those who served in the 11 years 
preceding who participated in the legislative steps to bring about and 
fulfill the role of the Congress as it relates to this magnificent 
chapter in American history.
  Madam President, I see another colleague, a very valuable member of 
the Senate Armed Services Committee, seeking recognition. Having spoken 
briefly before, my understanding is that the Senator will be speaking 
on the bill; is that correct?
  Mr. DAYTON. That is right, matters related to the bill.
  Mr. WARNER. The Senator may speak for whatever time he wishes.
  Mr. DAYTON. Fifteen minutes, if I may.
  Mr. WARNER. Whatever the distinguished Senator desires.

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