[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 20]
[House]
[Pages 26930-26934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL AND CENTENNIAL ACT OF 2009

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1849) to designate the Liberty Memorial at the 
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National 
World War I Memorial, to establish the World War I centennial 
commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World 
War I, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1849

       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 ``World War I Memorial and 
     Centennial Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

        Congress finds the following:
       (1) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United 
     States served in uniform in the defense of liberty during 
     World War I, among them two future presidents, Harry S. 
     Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
       (2) 2,000,000 individuals from the United States served 
     overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval 
     personnel who served on the seas.
       (3) The United States suffered 375,000 casualties during 
     World War I.
       (4) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, our 
     country, and the lives of millions of people in countless 
     ways.
       (5) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for 
     people in the United States to learn about the sacrifices of 
     their predecessors.
       (6) Commemorative efforts allow people in the United States 
     to gain a historical understanding of the type of conflicts 
     that cause countries to go to war and how those conflicts are 
     resolved.
       (7) Kansas City is home to the Liberty Memorial and 
     America's National World War I Museum (as so recognized in 
     the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375)).
       (8) America's National World War I Museum seeks--
       (A) to preserve the history of World War I; and
       (B) to educate and enlighten people about this significant 
     event, the consequences of which are still with us.
       (9) Kansas City is home to the national headquarters for 
     the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
       (10) Missouri is the home State of General John Joseph 
     Pershing, who commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in 
     Europe during World War I.
       (11) The Kansas City area is the home of the Harry S. 
     Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
       (12) The Dwight David Eisenhower Presidential Library and 
     Museum is located close to Kansas City in the neighboring 
     State of Kansas.
       (13) There is no nationally recognized memorial honoring 
     the service of Americans who served in World War I.
       (14) In 1919, the people of Kansas City, Missouri, 
     expressed an outpouring of support and raised more than 
     $2,000,000 in two weeks for a memorial to the service of 
     Americans in World War I. That fundraising was an 
     accomplishment unparalleled by any other city in the United 
     States irrespective of population and reflected the passion 
     of public opinion about World War I, which had so recently 
     ended.
       (15) Following the drive, a national architectural 
     competition was held by the American Institute of Architects 
     for designs for a memorial to the service of Americans in 
     World War I, and the competition yielded a design by 
     architect H. Van Buren Magonigle.
       (16) On November 1, 1921, more than 100,000 people 
     witnessed the dedication of the site for the Liberty Memorial 
     in Kansas City, Missouri. That dedication marked the only 
     time in history that the five 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.
       (17) General Pershing noted at the November 1, 1921, 
     dedication that ``[t]he people of Kansas City, Missouri, are 
     deeply proud of the beautiful memorial, erected in tribute to 
     the patriotism, the gallant achievements, and the heroic 
     sacrifices of their sons and daughters who served in our 
     country's armed forces during the World War. It symbolized 
     their grateful appreciation of duty well done, an 
     appreciation which I share, because I know so well how richly 
     it is merited''.
       (18) During an Armistice Day ceremony in 1924, President 
     Calvin Coolidge marked the beginning of a three-year 
     construction project for the Liberty Memorial by the laying 
     of the cornerstone of the memorial.

[[Page 26931]]

       (19) The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower has an inscription 
     that reads ``In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in 
     Defense of Liberty and Our Country'' as well as four stone 
     ``Guardian Spirits'' representing courage, honor, patriotism, 
     and sacrifice, which rise above the observation deck, making 
     the Liberty Memorial a noble tribute to all who served in 
     World War I.
       (20) During a rededication for the Liberty Memorial in 
     1961, World War I veterans and 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.
       (21) The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial as 
     a national symbol of World War I.
       (22) The National World War I Museum is the only public 
     museum in the United States specifically dedicated to the 
     history of World War I.
       (23) The National World War I Museum is known throughout 
     the world as a major center of World War I remembrance.

     SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERTY MEMORIAL AT THE NATIONAL 
                   WORLD WAR I MUSEUM IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AS 
                   THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL.

        The Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in 
     Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby designated as the ``National 
     World War I Memorial''. No Federal funds may be used for the 
     annual operation or maintenance of such Memorial.

     SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF 
                   WORLD WAR I.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
     known as the World War I Centennial Commission (in this Act 
     referred to as the ``Commission'').
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Commission is to ensure a 
     suitable observance of the centennial of World War I that 
     promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, and 
     sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values 
     through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the Liberty 
     Memorial Monument at America's National World War I Museum.
       (c) Duties.--The Commission shall have the following 
     duties:
       (1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and 
     activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.
       (2) To encourage private organizations and State and local 
     governments to organize and participate in activities 
     commemorating the centennial of World War I.
       (3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the 
     United States related to the centennial of World War I.
       (4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and 
     dissemination of information about events and plans for the 
     centennial of World War I.
       (d) Membership.--
       (1) Number and appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 24 members as follows:
       (A) Four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (B) Three members appointed by the minority leader of the 
     House of Representatives.
       (C) Four members appointed by the Senate majority leader.
       (D) Three members appointed by the Senate minority leader.
       (E) Seven members who are broadly representative of the 
     people of the United States (including members of the armed 
     services and veterans), appointed by the President.
       (F) The executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 
     of the United States (or the director's delegate).
       (G) The executive director of the American Legion (or the 
     director's delegate).
       (H) The president of the Liberty Memorial Association, the 
     nonprofit entity responsible for the management of America's 
     National World War I Museum (or the president's delegate).
       (2) Ex officio members.--The Archivist of the United States 
     and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution shall serve 
     in an ex officio capacity on the Commission to provide advice 
     and information to the Commission.
       (3) Continuation of membership.--If a member of the 
     Commission under subparagraph (F), (G), or (H) of paragraph 
     (1) ceases to hold a position named in such subparagraph, 
     that member must resign from the Commission as of the date 
     that the member ceases to hold that position.
       (4) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of 
     the Commission.
       (5) Deadline for appointment.--All members of the 
     Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (6) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission shall--
       (A) not affect the powers of the Commission; and
       (B) be filled in the manner in which the original 
     appointment was made.
       (7) Pay.--Members shall not receive compensation for the 
     performance of their duties on behalf of the Commission.
       (8) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
     accordance with the applicable provisions under subchapter I 
     of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (9) Quorum.--A majority of members of the Commission plus 
     one shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
     hearings.
       (10) Chairperson; vice chairperson.--The Commission shall 
     elect the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Commission 
     by a majority vote of the members of the Commission.
       (11) Meetings.--
       (A) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the call of 
     the Chairperson, except that the first meeting shall be held 
     before the end of the 120-day period beginning on the 
     effective date of this Act.
       (B) Location.--The Commission shall hold the first meeting 
     at America's National World War I Museum in Kansas City, 
     Missouri, and thereafter shall hold at least one meeting per 
     year at such location.
       (e) Director and Additional Personnel of the Commission; 
     Experts and Consultants.--
       (1) Director and staff.--
       (A) Appointment.--The Chairperson of the Commission shall, 
     in consultation with the members of the Commission, appoint 
     an executive director and such other additional personnel as 
     may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its 
     duties.
       (B) Pay.--The executive director and staff of the 
     Commission may be appointed without regard to the provisions 
     of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
     competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the 
     provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
     such title relating to classification and General Schedule 
     pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive 
     director and other staff may not exceed the rate payable for 
     level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of such 
     title.
       (C) Work location.--If the city government for Kansas City, 
     Missouri, and the nonprofit organization which administers 
     America's National World War I Museum make space available, 
     the executive director and any additional personnel appointed 
     under subparagraph (A) shall work in the building that houses 
     that museum.
       (2) Experts and consultants.--The Commission may procure 
     temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (3) Staff of federal agencies.--Upon request of the 
     Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may 
     detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel of that 
     department or agency to the Commission to assist it in 
     carrying out its duties under this Act.
       (f) Powers of the Commission.--
       (1) Hearings and sessions.--For the purpose of carrying out 
     this Act, the Commission may hold hearings, sit and act at 
     times and places, take testimony, and receive evidence as the 
     Commission considers appropriate.
       (2) Powers of members and agents.--If authorized by the 
     Commission, any member or agent of the Commission may take 
     any action which the Commission is authorized to take by this 
     section.
       (3) Obtaining official data.--The Commission shall secure 
     directly from any department or agency of the United States 
     information necessary to enable it to carry out this Act. 
     Upon the request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the 
     head of that department or agency shall furnish that 
     information to the Commission.
       (4) Gifts, bequests, and devises.--
       (A) Acceptance by commission.--The Commission may accept, 
     use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services 
     or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of 
     aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission.
       (B) Deposit and availability.--Gifts, bequests, or devises 
     of money and proceeds from sales of other property received 
     as gifts, bequests, or devises shall be deposited in the 
     Treasury and shall be available for disbursement upon order 
     of the Commission.
       (5) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
     in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
     departments and agencies of the United States.
       (6) Administrative support services.--Upon the request of 
     the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall 
     provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Commission 
     to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
       (7) Contract authority.--The Commission is authorized to 
     procure supplies, services, and property and to make or enter 
     in contracts, leases, or other legal agreements; except that 
     any contract, lease, or other legal agreement made or entered 
     into by the Commission may not extend beyond the date of 
     termination of the Commission.
       (g) Reports.--
       (1) Periodic report.--Beginning not later than the last day 
     of the 3-month period beginning on the effective date of this 
     Act, and the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, the 
     Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a 
     report on the activities and plans of the Commission.
       (2) Annual reports.--The Commission shall submit to the 
     President and Congress

[[Page 26932]]

     annual reports on the revenue and expenditures of the 
     Commission, including a list of each gift, bequest, or devise 
     to the Commission with a value of more than $250, together 
     with the identity of the donor of each gift, bequest, or 
     devise.
       (3) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the 
     effective date of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
     Congress and the President a report containing specific 
     recommendations for commemorating the centennial of World War 
     I and coordinating related activities.
       (h) Federal Advisory Committee Act Waiver.--Section 14 of 
     the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), relating 
     to the termination of advisory committees, shall not apply to 
     the Commission.
       (i) Authorization of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Commission to carry out this Act $500,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2010 through 2019.
       (2) Availability.--Amounts made available under this 
     subsection shall remain available until the termination of 
     the Commission as described in subsection (k).
       (j) Annual Audit.--For any fiscal year for which the 
     Commission receives an appropriation of funds, the Inspector 
     General of the Department of the Interior shall perform an 
     audit of the Commission, shall make the results of any audit 
     performed available to the public, and shall transmit such 
     results to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
       (k) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the 
     earlier of the date that is 30 days after the activities 
     honoring the centennial observation of World War I are 
     carried out, or July 28, 2019.
       (l) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect on 
     January 1, 2010.

                              {time}  1330

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Bilbray) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver).
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, the First World War ended with an armistice 
on November 11, 1918. The people of Missouri's largest city began to 
think about what they could do to memorialize the men and women who had 
sacrificed in World War I. And so in November of 1918, community 
leaders came together and raised $2.5 million in 10 days. Now if you 
recalculate the $2.5 million to inflation, it totals $30 million in 10 
days.
  The memorial was opened on November 1, 1921, to a tumultuous crowd of 
200,000 people, including General John J. Pershing, and this photo 
shows a portion of the 200,000 people who came and listened to the five 
Allied leaders who were together only once in history at the dedication 
of the Liberty Memorial in 1921.
  Harry Truman played a pivotal role in this because there was a 
rededication in 1961 with 40,000 people showing up to join Harry Truman 
and Dwight Eisenhower as they rededicated the memorial.
  This was 1921. Let me show you a picture of the memorial today.
  When I was elected mayor of Kansas City in 1991, the Liberty Memorial 
was in disrepair and so I came to Washington, met with the head of the 
National Park Service and asked if they could help. He said what 
National Park Service directors should say, We don't have any money to 
try to rebuild the Liberty Memorial and since we don't have a World War 
I memorial and there is no space on the mall, we hope something else 
can transpire.
  So as mayor, I went out for a vote with a half cent sales tax which 
the voters approved, and we then repaired the World War I monument, and 
this is it with part of the downtown skyline in the background. Not 
only did we rebuild the World War I monument, but also the museum at 
the bottom. This is an actual photograph.
  Now the sales tax was a point of great pride because we were trying 
to show the National Park Service that the people of Kansas City would, 
in fact, take care of this. This is the newspaper clipping, the front 
page on the day after the tax, ``Voters Endorse Higher Sales Tax to Fix 
Landmark,'' and it shows the map which is every part of the city 
approved this tax in order to maintain the Liberty Memorial.
  The Liberty Memorial is a special place in Kansas City, Missouri, and 
people come there from all over the Nation. In fact, 3 years ago at the 
annual Veterans Day ceremony, the oldest living veteran from World War 
I, Mr. Buckles, at 106 years of age, actually came to the memorial, sat 
beside me in a wheelchair and wept.
  Here is a photograph of the Liberty Memorial just 15 months ago that 
shows me standing in front of 75,000 people, and then President Barack 
Obama, taking advantage of the crowd I drew, standing also in the 
background to speak to 75,000 just 15 months ago.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is supported by over 101 Members of 
Congress. It is bipartisan. All nine Members of the Missouri delegation 
support it. A part of Kansas City is in the district of Congressman Sam 
Graves who has been an ardent supporter of this.
  I yield first to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) whose 
father was there at the beginning of this landmark.
  Mr. SKELTON. I certainly thank the gentleman from Missouri for 
yielding, and I compliment him on this effort today which I fully 
support, as well as for his successful effort when he was mayor of 
Kansas City.
  The Liberty Memorial is not only a landmark, it is a museum that is 
like no other museum in our country. It reflects that war, the war to 
end all wars in which America was engaged so deeply. And this memorial 
has a special meaning for me, Mr. Speaker, since my father served in 
the Navy during that war. If you go into the memorial, you will see his 
picture in his pancake hat with USS Missouri emblazoned on the front 
with the ribbon down the back. He was so proud of his service in that 
war.
  Those folks are gone now, but this serves as a memorial to them, and 
more than that, and it serves as a museum like none other. It is good 
for people interested in the art of warfare, it is good for people who 
understand and enjoy history to go there and learn. It is a special 
place for all those in uniform to reflect upon what America did in 
yesteryear.
  This is a wonderful undertaking. I am so proud of the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) for this resolution. I compliment him and fully 
support it and hope it has a unanimous vote.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves).
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1849, the 
World War I Memorial and Centennial Act of 2009, and I want to thank my 
friend and Missouri colleague, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, for 
introducing this legislation. I would very much like to echo his 
remarks. He has been very active in this process, the work he has done 
at the memorial in Kansas City, and I am very proud to call him a good 
friend.
  As Mr. Cleaver has already mentioned, H.R. 1849 is a fitting 
recognition and tribute to all U.S. veterans who served in World War I, 
at home and abroad. This bill designates the Liberty Memorial, the 
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National 
World War I Memorial. To be clear, there is no nationally recognized 
memorial honoring the service of Americans who served in World War I. 
H.R. 1849 also establishes a World War I Centennial Commission to 
ensure suitable observance of the centennial of World War I which is 
fast approaching.
  Again, I thank Congressman Cleaver for his outstanding work on this 
important legislation. I would strongly urge its adoption. Thanks for 
letting me be a part of it.

[[Page 26933]]


  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to Mr. Skelton.
  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I include for the record a letter from the 
Department Commander and Department Adjutant of the Department of 
Missouri, The American Legion, as well as an American Legion Department 
of Missouri resolution to designate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City 
at the National World War I Museum as the National World War I 
Memorial.

                                              The American Legion,


                                 Department of Missouri, Inc.,

                              Jefferson City, MO, October 7, 2009.
     Representative Ike Skelton,
     Rayburn Office Bldg.,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Skelton: On Behalf of the 54,000 
     Legionnaires of The American Legion Department of Missouri, 
     we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your 
     service to our Country and to the citizens of the Great State 
     of Missouri. Recently during our 91st Annual Department 
     Convention, held in Jefferson City, Missouri, we adopted 
     Missouri Resolution Three, which urges the Congress of the 
     United States to designate the Liberty Memorial, at the 
     National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as 
     ``The National World War I Memorial.'' I have attached a copy 
     of said resolution.
       The Liberty Memorial site was dedicated in November of 1921 
     and marks the only time in history that five Allied Military 
     Leaders were present to honor the more that 4,000,000 men and 
     women that served during World War I. General of the Armies 
     John J. Pershing, a native of Missouri, noted on that day 
     ``the people of Kansas City, Missouri are deeply proud of 
     this beautiful memorial, erected in Tribute to the 
     Patriotism, the gallant achievements, and the heroic 
     sacrifices of their sons and daughters who served in our 
     country's Armed Forces during the World War. It Symbolized 
     their grateful appreciation of Duty Well Done, and 
     appreciation, which I share, because I know so well how 
     richly it is merited.''
       The Memorial has been and still remains a proud part of the 
     patriotic heritage of, not only the people of Missouri, but 
     of the United States of America and should be designated as 
     ``The National World War I Memorial''.
       Thank you for your consideration and continued support.
           Sincerely,
     Victor J. Stragliati,
                                             Department Commander.
     Wade F. Prosser,
                                              Department Adjutant.

                               Resolution

     Subject: Designate Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri at 
         the National World War I Museum as the National World War 
         I Memorial.
       Whereas more than 4,000,000 American served in World War I, 
     and
       Whereas there is no nationally recognized Memorial honoring 
     the Service of those over 4,000,000 American, and
       Whereas in 1919 (90 years ago since this is 2009) the 
     people of Kansas City, Missouri, expressed an outpouring of 
     support and raised more than $2,000,000 in two (2) weeks for 
     a Memorial to the service of American who served in World War 
     I. This fund was an accomplishment Unparalleled by any other 
     city in the United States Irrespective of population and 
     reflected the passion of Public opinion about World War I, 
     which had so recently ended, and
       Whereas following the drive, a national architectural 
     competition was held by the American Institute of Architects 
     for designs for a memorial to the service of Americans in 
     World War I, and the competition yielded a design by 
     Architect H. Van Buren Magonigle, and
       Whereas on November 1, 1921, more than 100,000 people 
     witnessed the dedication of the site for the Liberty Memorial 
     in Kansas City, Missouri, and
       Whereas the dedication of the site on November 1, 1921 
     marked the only time in history that the five (5) allied 
     Military Leaders present, Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of 
     Belgium, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Marshal Ferdinand 
     Foch of France, Admiral Lord Earl Beatty of Great Britain, 
     and General of the Armies John J. Pershing of the United 
     States of America, were together at one place, and
       Whereas General of the Armies John J. Pershing, a native of 
     Missouri and the Commander of the American Expeditionary 
     Forces in World War I, noted at the November 1, 1921 
     Dedication that ``the people of Kansas City, Missouri are 
     deeply proud of the beautiful memorial, erected in Tribute to 
     the patriotism, the gallant achievements, and the heroic 
     sacrifices of their sons and daughters who served in our 
     country's armed forces during the World War. It symbolized 
     their grateful appreciation of duty well done, and 
     appreciation which I share, because I know so well how richly 
     it is merited'', and
       Whereas during an Armistice Day ceremony in 1924, President 
     Calvin Coolidge marked the beginning of a three year 
     construction project for the Liberty Memorial by the Laying 
     of the cornerstone, and
       Whereas the 217 foot Liberty Memorial Tower has an 
     inscription that reads, ``In honor of Those Who Served in the 
     World War in Defense of Liberty and Our Country'' as well as 
     Four (4) stone ``Guardian Spirits'' representing Courage, 
     Honors, Patriotism, and Sacrifices, which rise above the 
     Observation deck, making the Liberty Memorial a noble Tribute 
     to all who served in World War I, and
       Whereas during a rededication of the Liberty Memorial in 
     1961, World War 1 Veterans and 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, and
       Whereas the 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial 
     as a National Symbol of World War I, and
       Whereas the 108th Congress designated that the museum at 
     the base of The Liberty Memorial as ``American's National 
     World War I Museum'', and
       Whereas the American's National World War I Museum is the 
     only Public museum in the United States specifically 
     Dedicated to the History of World War I, and
       Whereas the National World War I Museum is known throughout 
     the World as a major center of World War I remembrance, now 
     Therefore, be it
       Resolved: by The American Legion Department of Missouri in 
     regular Convention assembled in Jefferson City, Missouri on 
     July 16, 17, 18, and 19, That The American Legion Department 
     of Missouri urges The Congress of The United States of 
     America to designate The Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, 
     Missouri at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, 
     Missouri as the ``NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL''.
     Victor J. Stragliati,
       Department Commander, Department of Missouri, The American 
     Legion.
     Wade F. Prosser,
       Department Adjutant, Department of Missouri, The American 
     Legion.

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to the distinguished gentleman once removed from Missouri, but 
from California now, Mr. Dreier.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from San Diego for 
yielding, and I am very privileged and honored to join here with my 
fellow natives of the Show Me State. And I want to congratulate my 
former mayor from Kansas City and now distinguished colleague here in 
the House for introducing this resolution.
  First and foremost, this is about recognizing those tens of thousands 
of Americans who lost their lives in the First World War. It was a very 
challenging time for the entire world when we look at the two alliances 
that existed at that time. It is often forgotten when we talk about the 
Great World War being the Second World War.
  The Liberty Memorial is very important to me personally, as the 
gentleman from Kansas City and I have discussed, Mr. Speaker. My great-
grandfather was on the city council of Kansas City, Charles O. LaRue. 
He was one of the individuals who played a role in the construction of 
the Liberty Memorial itself when it was built in 1921. In 1921, he was 
a member of the city council.
  I have memories of having first visited the Liberty Memorial when I 
was a very young child. In fact, I remember very vividly when I was 4 
or 5 years old and President Eisenhower came and delivered a 
spectacular address at the foot of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, 
Missouri.
  Recently, I had a chance to be there and see the dramatic expansion 
of this memorial. As one walks in and see the poppies on display that 
you walk over, it is a very moving experience when you think about the 
men who faced the conflict in World War I.
  I just want to say that I have told my friend from Kansas City that I 
anxiously look forward, with my great-grandfather's name being 
inscribed at the base of the Liberty Memorial, to be able to 
participate in any celebration or ceremony they have. He has invited me 
to be there, and I will join him and it will be a great honor. I am 
privileged to be invited, and I am proud to be a cosponsor of Mr. 
Cleaver's resolution.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Too quickly we forget those who have served all over the world. 
Sadly, we even forget the magnitude of the wars they fought. So often 
in the

[[Page 26934]]

United States, we think about Europe in World War I and service there, 
but this truly was a world war. It was a war that transformed not only 
Europe, but Asia and Africa. We forget about that. We forget that the 
wars were not just fought in Flanders Field, but fought in villages and 
on three continents. And we not only saw the battles of Americans in 
the skies of France, but we also saw, like my mother's side of the 
family, Australians fighting in Turkey; the battles in Saudi Arabia; 
the concepts and the battles in Africa. These are things that we don't 
read about and think about, but it truly was a world conflict involving 
millions and millions of men and women around the world.
  This memorial in the heart of America is so appropriate for us to 
stop and think about the fact that although a lot of Americans had 
second thoughts and misgivings about our venturing overseas, the first 
major venture that we had seen in that century following the last 
venture, which was actually very close to our neighborhoods.

                              {time}  1345

  So I think it is quite appropriate that today, where America finds 
itself today involved around the world, that we've got to remember that 
we didn't start this. We inherited the fact that World War I was truly 
when America stepped forward, and not just declaring ourselves a world 
power, but one that would stand up and fight for freedom whenever and 
wherever it was threatened.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, to close, let me just, first of 
all, commend all of our colleagues with lineage and heritage to the 
great State of Missouri. Let me also commend Representative Cleaver for 
his introduction of this legislation.
  And I couldn't end without paying special tribute to the family of 
Representative Skelton for the tremendous service that they have 
provided to this country, both in the military, and of course Chairman 
Skelton here in this House of Representatives.
  As we move towards Veterans Day, where we will honor and pay tribute 
to all of our veterans because they have given all of us the 
opportunity to live in a free and democratic society--and I don't think 
there is anything more important than that--I ask all of my colleagues 
to join me in supporting H.R. 1849.
  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 Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1849, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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