[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6364 Engrossed in House (EH)]
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6364
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the
centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials
to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World
War I, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Frank Buckles
World War I Memorial Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission.
Sec. 5. Duties of Centennial Commission.
Sec. 6. Powers of Centennial Commission.
Sec. 7. Centennial Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 8. Termination of Centennial Commission.
Sec. 9. Designation of National World War I Museum and Memorial in
Kansas City, Missouri.
Sec. 10. Establishment of National World War I Memorial in the District
of Columbia.
Sec. 11. Prohibition on obligation of Federal funds.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations
around the world will mark the centennial of World War I,
including the entry of the United States into the war in April
1917.
(2) America's support of Great Britain, France, Belgium,
and its other allies in World War I marked the first time in
United States history that American soldiers went abroad in
defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked
the true beginning of the ``American century''.
(3) Although World War I was at the time called ``the war
to end all wars'', in fact the United States would commit its
troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in the 20th
century.
(4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United
States served in uniform during World War I, among them 2
future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Two million individuals from the United States served overseas
during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who
served on the seas. The United States suffered 375,000
casualties during World War I, including 116,516 deaths.
(5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the
United States, and the lives of millions of people.
(6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for
people in the United States to learn about and commemorate the
sacrifices of their predecessors.
(7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow
people in the United States to learn about the history of World
War I, the United States involvement in that war, and the war's
effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and to
commemorate and honor the participation of the United States
and its citizens in the war effort.
(8) While the other great conflicts of the 20th century,
World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, have
national memorials on the Mall in Washington, DC, there
currently exists no national memorial honoring the service of
the United States and its citizens in World War I.
(9) In 1921, the people of Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated
a site in that city for a memorial to the service of Americans
in World War I, a ceremony attended by General John J. Pershing
and military leaders of Great Britain, France, Belgium, and
Italy. In 1924, the cornerstone of the 217-foot Liberty
Memorial Tower was laid. On Armistice Day 1926, President
Calvin Coolidge delivered the key note address at the
Memorial's dedication ceremony. The Memorial and surrounding
grounds were completed in 1938, with an inscription that reads
``In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in Defense of
Liberty and Our Country.''.
(10) The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial as
a national symbol of World War I.
(11) The 108th Congress designated the museum at the base
of the Liberty Memorial as ``America's National World War I
Museum''. The museum preserves the story of World War I, and
educates and enlightens people about this significant event.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) America's national world war i museum.--The term
``America's National World War I Museum'' means the Liberty
Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by
Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-
375; 118 Stat. 2045).
(2) Centennial commission.--The term ``Centennial
Commission'' means the World War I Centennial Commission
established by section 4(a).
(3) Memorial foundation.--The term ``Memorial Foundation''
means the World War I Memorial Foundation authorized to
establish the National World War I Memorial in the District of
Columbia under section 10.
(4) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans
service organization'' means any organization recognized by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of
veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the ``World War I Centennial Commission''.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Centennial Commission shall be
composed of 12 members as follows:
(A) Two members who shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(B) One member who shall be appointed by the
minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(C) Two members who shall be appointed by the
majority leader of the Senate.
(D) One member who shall be appointed by the
minority leader of the Senate.
(E) Three members who shall be appointed by the
President from among persons who are broadly
representative of the people of the United States
(including members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and
representatives of veterans service organizations).
(F) One member who shall be appointed by the
executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States.
(G) One member who shall be appointed by the
executive director of the American Legion.
(H) One member who shall be appointed by the
president of the Liberty Memorial Association.
(2) Time for appointment.--The members of the Centennial
Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(3) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed
for the life of the Centennial Commission.
(4) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Centennial Commission
shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment
was made.
(c) Meetings.--
(1) Initial meeting.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the
date on which all members of the Centennial Commission
have been appointed, the Centennial Commission shall
hold its first meeting.
(B) Location.--The location for the meeting held
under subparagraph (A) shall be the America's National
World War I Museum.
(2) Subsequent meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Centennial Commission shall
meet at the call of the Chair.
(B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of
the members of the Centennial Commission not less
frequently than once each year.
(C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Centennial Commission shall meet at the
America's National World War I Museum.
(3) Quorum.--Seven members of the Centennial Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold
hearings.
(d) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Centennial Commission shall select a
Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The duties of the Centennial Commission are as
follows:
(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 relating 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.
(5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the
President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.
(b) Reports.--
(1) Periodic report.--Not later than the last day of the 6-
month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act, and not later than the last day of each 3-month period
thereafter, the Centennial Commission shall submit to Congress
and the President a report on the activities and plans of the
Centennial Commission.
(2) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Centennial 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.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Centennial Commission may hold such hearings,
sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive
such evidence as the Centennial Commission considers appropriate to
carry out its duties under this Act.
(b) Powers of Member and Agents.--If authorized by the Centennial
Commission, any member or agent of the Centennial Commission may take
any action which the Centennial Commission is authorized to take under
this Act.
(c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Centennial Commission
shall secure directly from any Federal department or agency such
information as the Centennial Commission considers necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act. Upon the request of the Chair of the
Centennial Commission, the head of such department or agency shall
furnish such information to the Centennial Commission.
(d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the
Centennial Commission, the Administrator of the General Services
Administration shall provide to the Centennial Commission, on a
reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for
the Centennial Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this
Act.
(e) Contract Authority.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Centennial Commission is authorized--
(A) to procure supplies, services, and property;
and
(B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or
other legal agreements.
(2) Limitation.--The Centennial Commission may not enter
into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends
beyond the date of the termination of the Centennial Commission
under section 8(a).
(f) Postal Services.--The Centennial Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(g) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--The Centennial Commission shall
accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or
property, both real and personal, for the purpose of covering the costs
incurred by the Centennial Commission to carry out its duties under
this Act.
SEC. 7. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Centennial Commission
shall serve without compensation for such service.
(b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Centennial Commission
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5,
United States Code.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chair of the Centennial Commission
shall, in consultation with the members of the Centennial
Commission, appoint an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Centennial Commission to perform its duties.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Chair of the Centennial Commission may fix the
compensation of the executive director and any other
personnel appointed under paragraph (1).
(B) Limitation.--The Chair of the Centennial
Commission may not fix the compensation of the
executive director or other personnel appointed under
paragraph (1) at a rate that exceeds the rate of
payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
(C) Work location.--If the city government for
Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial
Association make space available in the building in
which the America's National World War I Museum is
located, the executive director of the Centennial
Commission and other personnel appointed under
paragraph (1) shall work in such building to the extent
practical.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the Centennial
Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on
a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the
Centennial Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under
this Act.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The Chair
of the Centennial Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
(f) Source of Funds.--Gifts, bequests, and devises of services or
property, both real and personal, received by the Centennial Commission
under section 6(g) shall be the only source of funds to cover the costs
incurred by the Centennial Commission under this section.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--The Centennial Commission shall terminate on the
earlier of--
(1) the date that is 30 days after the date the completion
of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial
observation of World War I; or
(2) July 28, 2019.
(b) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) shall apply to the activities of the Centennial
Commission under this Act.
(2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not
apply to the Centennial Commission.
SEC. 9. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL IN
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.
(a) In General.--The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at America's
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby
designated as the ``National World War I Museum and Memorial''.
(b) Ceremonies.--The Centennial Commission may plan, develop, and
execute ceremonies to recognize the designation of the Liberty Memorial
of Kansas City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
SEC. 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL IN THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.
(a) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work.--The World War I
Memorial Foundation may establish a commemorative work on Federal land
in the District of Columbia and its environs to consist of an
appropriate sculptural or other commemorative elements to serve as the
National World War I Memorial.
(b) Limitation on Size of Memorial.--The National World War I
Memorial may not exceed 0.5 acres in size.
(c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 89 of title 40, United States
Code, shall apply to the establishment of the National World
War I Memorial in the District of Columbia and its environs.
(2) Exception from prohibition on additional commemorative
works in reserve.--Section 8908(c) of title 40, United States
Code, does not apply with respect to the selection of the site
for the National World War I Memorial.
(3) No infringement upon existing memorial.--The site
selected for the National World War I Memorial may not infringe
upon or adversely impact the District of Columbia War Memorial.
(d) Limitation on Total Cost.--The total cost to design and
construct the National World War I Memorial may not exceed $10,000,000.
(e) Deposit of Excess Funds.--
(1) Upon establishment of memorial.--If, upon payment of
all expenses for the establishment of the National World War I
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 memorial, the Memorial Foundation shall
transmit the amount of the balance to the account provided for
in section 8906(b)(3) of such title.
(2) Upon expiration of authority to establish memorial.--
If, upon expiration of the authority for the National World War
I Memorial under section 8903(e) of title 40, United States
Code, there remains a balance of funds received for the
establishment of the memorial, the Memorial Foundation 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 Administrator of General
Services (as appropriate) following the process provided in
section 8906(b)(4) of such title for accounts established under
section 8906(b)(3) of such title.
(f) Ceremonies.--The Centennial Commission may plan, develop, and
execute ceremonies to recognize the establishment of the National World
War I Memorial.
(g) Memorial Area Defined.--In this section, the term ``District of
Columbia and its environs'' has the meaning given that term in section
8902(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code.
SEC. 11. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.
No Federal funds may be obligated to carry out this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives December 12, 2012.
Attest:
Clerk.
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6364
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the
centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials
to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World
War I, and for other purposes.