[House Report 119-353]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-353
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ADAMS MEMORIAL-GREAT AMERICAN HEROES ACT
_______
October 31, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Westerman, from the Committee on Natural Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2306]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2306) to reauthorize the Adams Memorial
Commission, and for other purposes, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that
the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
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.--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''.
(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.
``(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.
Purpose of the Legislation
The purpose of H.R. 2306 is to reauthorize the Adams
Memorial Commission, and for other purposes.
Background and Need for Legislation
Under the Commemorative Works Act (CWA), any new monument
or memorial in the District of Columbia or the surrounding area
must be approved by an Act of Congress.\1\ Once a commemorative
work is approved, a private organization will typically have
seven years to raise the required funding for the work's
construction and design.\2\ The CWA also established the
``Reserve,'' which broadly encompasses what is known as the
National Mall.\3\ The CWA found that the Reserve was ``a
substantially completed work of civic art'' where the siting of
new commemorative works should be prohibited.\4\ Placing a new
commemorative work in the Reserve, or in specified land near
the Reserve (Area I), requires an additional Act of Congress.
While this is somewhat rare, most recently Congress authorized
a location within the Reserve for the Global War on Terrorism
Memorial in 2021 and the Women's Suffrage Monument in 2025.\5\
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\1\40 U.S.C. 8901-8909.
\2\Id.
\3\Straus, Jacob R., ``Commemorative Works Act: Siting Memorials in
the District of Columbia, Congressional Research Service, September 23,
2024, https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11937.
\4\Id.
\5\Sec. 6605, Public Law 117-81. Public Law 118-226.
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The Adams family is one of the most influential founding
families in American history and made invaluable contributions
to American democracy. John Adams served as the first Vice
President and second President of the United States.\6\ Abigail
Adams is remembered as a prolific writer and early advocate for
women's rights and abolition.\7\ John Quincy Adams served as
Secretary of State, the sixth President, and later as a member
of the House of Representatives.\8\ Despite their significant
public service, the Adams family has no memorial dedicated to
them in Washington, D.C. Conversely, four other Presidents have
memorials and monuments within the Reserve, including
Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Franklin D.
Roosevelt.\9\
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\6\``John Adams,'' Encyclopedia Britannica, https://
www.britannica.com/biography/John-Adams-president-of-United-States/
Continental-Congress.
\7\``Abigail Adams,'' Encyclopedia Britannica, https://
www.britannica.com/biography/Abigail-Adams.
\8\``John Quincy Adams,'' Encyclopedia Britannica, https://
www.britannica.com/biography/John-Quincy-Adams.
\9\``Presidential Sites,'' National Park Service, U.S. Department
of the Interior, https://www.nps.gov/nama/learn/historyculture/
presidential-sites.htm.
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For more than two decades, there have been ongoing efforts
to create a memorial (Adams Memorial) in the nation's capital
to honor the Adams family's legacy. Congress first authorized
the creation of such a memorial in 2001, empowering the Adams
Memorial Foundation to use private funds to construct a
commemorative work on federal land.\10\ In 2002, Congress
approved a location in Area I for the Adams Memorial,
underscoring its significance.\11\ While the Adams Memorial
Foundation took initial steps to advance the project, including
assembling leadership and exploring design options, the
Foundation faced ongoing challenges related to site selection,
approvals, and fundraising.\12\ As a result, Congress twice
reauthorized the Adams Memorial Foundation's authority to
construct this Memorial, before the authority finally expired
in 2020.\13\ In an attempt to revitalize this effort, Congress
created the Adams Memorial Commission (Commission) to replace
the Foundation as the entity responsible for constructing the
Adams Memorial.\14\ The Commission's current authorization is
set to expire on December 2, 2025.\15\
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\10\Public Law 107-62.
\11\Public Law 107-315.
\12\H. Rept. 115-566.
\13\Public Law 113-291.
\14\Public Law 116-9.
\15\Id.
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H.R. 2306, ``The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes
Act,'' was introduced on March 24, 2025, by Representative John
Moolenaar (R-MI-02) and the late-Representative Gerry Connolly
(D-VA-11). As reported by the House Committee on Natural
Resources, the bill supports the creation of the Adams Memorial
in two ways. First, the legislation extends the authorization
of the Commission for an additional seven years, until December
2, 2032. This will give the Commission additional time to
fundraise, finalize planning and design, and complete
construction of the Adams Memorial. Second, the legislation
amends the statutory approval to locate the Memorial in Area I
by authorizing a specific location within the Reserve selected
by the Commission. If this area is later identified to not be
suitable or feasible due to physical or security constraints,
the legislation allows for the Memorial's construction within a
different area of the Reserve. By locating the Adams Memorial
in an even more prominent location, the legislation is creating
parity with other Presidential memorials and demonstrating the
significance of the Adams family's contribution to the founding
of our nation. By recognizing and commemorating this founding
family ahead of America's 250th anniversary in 2026, the bill
advances the goals of President Trump's Executive Order 14189,
``Celebrating America's 250th Birthday.''\16\
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\16\A Presidential Document by the Executive Office of the
President, ``Celebrating America's 250th Birthday,'' February 3, 2025,
Executive Order 14189, https://www.federalregister.gov/
documents/2025/02/03/2025-02231/celebrating-americas-250th-birthday.
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Committee Action
H.R. 2306 was introduced on March 24, 2025, by
Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI). The bill was referred to
the Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to
the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. On July 16, 2025, the
Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a hearing on the bill. On
September 17, 2025, the Committee on Natural Resources met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Federal Lands was
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2306 by unanimous
consent. Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) offered an Amendment
in the Nature of a Substitute designated Westerman_034 ANS. The
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was agreed to by
unanimous consent. The bill, as amended, was ordered favorably
reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.
Hearings
For the purposes of clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, the
following hearing was used to develop or consider this measure:
hearing by the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held on July 16,
2025.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 names the bill the ``The Adams Memorial-Great
American Heroes Act''.
Section 2. Extension of Authority; Location of Memorial
Section 2 amends the ``John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act'' to reauthorize the Adams
Memorial Commission to 2032. Section 2 also amends the original
statute establishing the Adams Memorial (Public Law 107-62) to
insert technical and conforming amendments. Finally, Section 2
amends Public Law 107-315 to amend the approved location for
the Adams Memorial from Area 1 to an area within the Reserve
identified on a map titled ``Adams Memorial: Eligible
Additional Area'' prepared by the Adams Memorial Commission on
February 25, 2025. Section 2 stipulates that if the Commission
determines that the location on the map is not suitable or
feasible due to physical or security constraints, the Adams
Memorial shall be located in a different area within the
Reserve. Finally, Section 2 makes additional technical and
conforming amendments and provides for definitions of key
terms.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional Budget Act
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of House rule XIII and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and pursuant to
clause 3(c)(3) of House rule XIII and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office a budgetary analysis and a cost estimate of this bill.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to reauthorize the Adams Memorial
Commission, and for other purposes.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Statement
An estimate of federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee, if such
estimate is not publicly available on the Congressional Budget
Office website.
Existing Programs
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
JOHN D. DINGELL, JR. CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT, AND RECREATION ACT
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--NATIONAL PARKS
* * * * * * *
Subtitle E--National Park System Management
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2406. ADAMS MEMORIAL COMMISSION.
(a) Commission.--There is established a commission to be
known as the ``Adams Memorial Commission'' (referred to in this
section as the ``Commission'') for the purpose of establishing
a permanent memorial to honor John Adams and his legacy as
authorized by Public Law 107-62 (115 Stat. 411), located in the
city of Washington, District of Columbia, including sites
authorized by Public Law 107-315 (116 Stat. 2763).
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of--
(1) 4 persons appointed by the President, not more
than 2 of whom may be members of the same political
party;
(2) 4 Members of the Senate appointed by the
President pro tempore of the Senate in consultation
with the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the
Senate, of which not more than 2 appointees may be
members of the same political party; and
(3) 4 Members of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives in consultation with the Majority
Leader and Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives, of which not more than 2 appointees
may be members of the same political party.
(c) Chair and Vice Chair.--The members of the Commission
shall select a Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission. The
Chair and Vice Chair shall not be members of the same political
party.
(d) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the Commission shall not
affect its powers if a quorum is present, but shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment.
(e) Meetings.--
(1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 45 days after
the date on which a majority of the members of the
Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall
hold its first meeting.
(2) Subsequent meetings.--The Commission shall meet
at the call of the Chair.
(f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
(g) No Compensation.--A member of the Commission shall serve
without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses
incurred in carrying out the duties of the Commission.
(h) Duties.--The Commission shall consider and formulate
plans for a permanent memorial to honor John Adams and his
legacy, including the nature, location, design, and
construction of the memorial.
(i) Powers.--The Commission may--
(1) make such expenditures for services and materials
for the purpose of carrying out this section as the
Commission considers advisable from funds appropriated
or received as gifts for that purpose;
(2) accept gifts, including funds from the Adams
Memorial Foundation, to be used in carrying out this
section or to be used in connection with the
construction or other expenses of the memorial; and
(3) hold hearings, enter into contracts for personal
services and otherwise, and do such other things as are
necessary to carry out this section.
(j) Reports.--The Commission shall--
(1) report the plans required by subsection (h),
together with recommendations, to the President and the
Congress at the earliest practicable date; and
(2) in the interim, make annual reports on its
progress to the President and the Congress.
(k) Applicability of Other Laws.--The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Commission.
(l) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on December
2, [2025] 2032.
(m) Amendments to Public Law 107-62.--
(1) References to commission.--Public Law 107-62 (115
Stat. 411) is amended by striking ``Adams Memorial
Foundation'' each place it occurs and inserting ``Adams
Memorial Commission''.
(2) Extension of authorization.--Section 1(c) of
Public Law 107-62 (115 Stat. 411; 124 Stat. 1192; 127
Stat. 3880) is amended by striking ``2020'' and
inserting ``2025''.
* * * * * * *
----------
PUBLIC LAW 107-62
AN ACT To authorize the Adams Memorial Foundation to establish a
commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its
environs to honor former President John Adams and his legacy.
SECTION 1. COMMEMORATIVE WORK TO HONOR JOHN ADAMS AND HIS LEGACY.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Few families have contributed as profoundly to
the United States as the family that gave the Nation
its second president, John Adams; its sixth president,
John Quincy Adams; first ladies Abigail Smith Adams and
Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams; and succeeding
generations of statesmen, diplomats, advocates, and
authors.
(2) John Adams (1735-1826), a lawyer, a statesman,
and a patriot, was the author of the Constitution of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the oldest written
constitution still in force), the leader of the Second
Continental Congress, a driving force for independence,
a negotiator of the Treaty of Paris (which brought the
Revolutionary War to an end), the first Vice President,
the second President, and an unwavering exponent of
freedom of conscience and the rule of law.
(3) Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was one of the
most remarkable women of her time. Wife of former
President John Adams and mother of former President
John Quincy Adams, she was an early advocate for the
rights of women and served the cause of liberty as a
prolific writer, fierce patriot, and staunch
abolitionist.
(4) John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the son of John
and Abigail Adams, was a distinguished lawyer,
legislator, and diplomat and a master of 7 languages,
who served as Senator, Minister to the Netherlands
under President George Washington, Minister to Prussia
under the first President Adams, Minister to Great
Britain under President James Madison, chief negotiator
of the Treaty of Ghent (which ended the War of 1812),
Secretary of State under President James Monroe, author
of the Monroe Doctrine (which declared the Western
Hemisphere off limits to European imperial expansion),
sixth President, and the only former President to be
elected to the House of Representatives, where he was
known as ``Old Man Eloquent'' and served with great
distinction as a leader in the fight against slavery
and a champion of unpopular causes.
(5) Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams (1775-1852), the
wife of former President John Quincy Adams, was an
educated, accomplished woman and the only first lady
born outside the United States. Like Abigail Adams, she
wrote eloquently on behalf of the rights of women and
in opposition to slavery.
(6) Charles Francis Adams (1807-1886), the son of
John Quincy and Louisa Adams, served 6 years in the
Massachusetts legislature, was a steadfast abolitionist
who received the Free Soil Party's vice-presidential
nomination in 1848, was elected to his father's seat in
the House of Representatives in 1856, and served as
ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, where
his efforts were decisive in preventing the British
Government from recognizing the independence of the
Confederacy.
(7) Henry Adams (1838-1918), the son of Charles
Francis Adams, was an eminent writer, scholar,
historian, and public intellectual, and was the author
of many celebrated works, including ``Democracy'',
``The Education of Henry Adams'', and his 9-volume
``History of the United States during the
Administrations of Jefferson and Madison''.
(8) Both individually and collectively, the members
of this illustrious family have enriched the Nation
through their profound civic consciousness, abiding
belief in the perfectibility of the Nation's democracy,
and commitment to service and sacrifice for the common
good.
(9) Although the Congress has authorized the
establishment of commemorative works on Federal lands
in the District of Columbia honoring such celebrated
former Presidents as George Washington, Thomas
Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, the National Capital
has no comparable memorial to former President John
Adams.
(10) In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the
end of the presidency of John Adams, the time has come
to correct this oversight so that future generations of
Americans will know and understand the preeminent
historical and lasting significance to the Nation of
his contributions and those of his family.
(b) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work.--The Adams
Memorial Commission may establish a commemorative work on
Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to
honor former President John Adams, along with his wife Abigail
Adams and former President John Quincy Adams, and the family's
legacy of public service.
(c) Compliance with Standards for Commemorative Works.--[The
establishment] Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40,
United States Code, the establishment of the commemorative work
shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United
States Code, except that any reference in section 8903(e) of
that chapter to the expiration at the end of or extension
beyond a seven-year period shall be considered to be a
reference to an expiration on or extension beyond December 2,
[2025] 2032.
(d) Use of Federal Funds Prohibited.--Federal funds may not
be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the
commemorative work. The Adams Memorial Commission shall be
solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and
payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the
commemorative work.
(e) Deposit of Excess Funds for Established Memorial.--
(1) If upon payment of all expenses for the
establishment of the memorial (including the
maintenance and preservation amount required by section
8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), there
remains a balance of funds received for the
establishment of the commemorative work, the Adams
Memorial Commission shall transmit the amount of the
balance to the account provided for in section
8906(b)(3) of title 40, United States Code.
(2) If upon expiration of the authority for the
commemorative work under section 8903(e) of title 40,
United States Code, there remains a balance of funds
received for the establishment of the commemorative
work, the Adams Memorial Commission shall transmit the
amount of the balance to a separate account with the
National Park Foundation for memorials, to be available
to the Secretary of the Interior or the Administrator
(as appropriate) following the process provided for in
section 8906(b)(4) of title 40, United States Code, for
accounts established under section 8906(b)(2) or (3) of
title 40, United States Code.
* * * * * * *
----------
PUBLIC LAW 107-315
AN ACT Approving the location of the commemorative work in the District
of Columbia honoring former President John Adams.
[SECTION 1. APPROVAL OF COMMEMORATIVE WORK.
[Congress approves the location for the commemorative work to
honor former President John Adams and his legacy, as authorized
by Public Law 107-62 (115 Stat. 411), within Area I as
described in section 8908 of title 40, United States Code,
subject to the limitation in section 2.]
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.
(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. 2. LIMITATION.
[The commemorative work approved in section 1 shall not be
located within the Reserve.
[SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF RESERVE.
[In this resolution the term ``Reserve'' means the area of
The National Mall extending from the United States Capitol to
the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson
Memorial, as depicted on the map entitled ``Commemorative Areas
Washington, DC and Environs,'' numbered 869/86501A and dated
May 1, 2002.]
[all]