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114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 114-663
======================================================================
GOLD STAR FAMILIES VOICES ACT
_______
July 5, 2016.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mrs. Miller of Michigan, from the Committee on House Administration,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 4511]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on House Administration, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 4511) to amend the Veterans' Oral History
Project Act to allow the collection of video and audio
recordings of biographical histories by immediate family
members of members of the Armed Forces who died as a result of
their service during a period of war, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend
that the bill do pass.
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 4511, titled the ``Gold Star Families Voices Act,''
amends the Veterans' Oral History Project Act to include the
collection of video and audio recordings of biographical
histories by immediate family members of members of the Armed
Forces who became missing in action or who died as a result of
their wartime service.
Background and Need for the Legislation
In 2000, Congress created the Veterans History Project
(VHP) at the Library of Congress to collect and catalog the
stories of American war veterans. The purpose of the VHP (which
was established by Public Law 106-380) is ``to preserve the
memories of this Nation's war veterans so that Americans of all
current and future generations may hear directly from veterans
and better appreciate the realities of war and the sacrifices
made by those who served in uniform during wartime.''
To date, the VHP has collected the oral history records of
over 100,000 veterans who have served in military engagements
since World War I.
However, the current project Veterans' History Project
limits the scope of veterans' service, as it is not able to
provide accounts and histories of service members who did not
return from action.
H.R. 4511 allows the immediate family members of veterans
who were killed in action or are missing in action to provide
these stories on behalf of their relatives who gave their lives
for their country. Immediate family members who can participate
include parents, spouses, siblings, and/or children. This bill
is supported by the American Gold Star Mothers Inc., a group of
mothers who have lost a son or daughter in service of the
country. The organization was established in 1928 and chartered
Congress in 1984, and the organization honors lost sons and
daughters through service to veterans and patriotic events.
Conclusion
H.R. 4511 recognizes and honors this country's service
members who were either killed in action or are missing in
action. Given their enormous sacrifice, their stories should be
included in the Veterans' Oral History Project. The Gold Star
Families Voices Act will ensure we record and remember the
lives and sacrifices of all who have served.
Introduction and Referral
On February 9, 2016, Rep. Christopher Smith (NJ-4)
introduced H.R. 4511, which was referred to the Committee on
House Administration.
Hearings
There were no legislative hearings held on H.R. 4511.
Committee Consideration
On May 17, 2016, the Committee on House Administration met
to consider H.R. 4511. The Committee ordered the bill reported
favorably to the House without amendment by voice vote with a
quorum present.
Committee Record Votes
In compliance with House rule XIII, clause 3(b), requiring
the results of each record vote on an amendment or motion to
report, together with the names of those voting for and
against, to be printed in the Committee report, the Committee
states that there were no record votes during the Committee's
consideration of H.R. 4511.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
In compliance with House rule XIII, clause 3(c)(1), the
Committee states that the findings and recommendations of the
Committee, based on oversight activities under House rule X,
clause 2(b)(1), are incorporated into the general discussion
section of this report.
Statement of Budget Authority and Related Items
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4511, from the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, June 14, 2016.
Hon. Candice Miller,
Chairman, Committee on House Administration,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4511, the Gold
Star Families Voices Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christina
Hawley Anthony.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall.
Enclosure.
H.R. 4511--Gold Star Families Voices Act
H.R. 4511 would amend the Veterans Oral History Project Act
to allow the immediate family of certain members of the armed
forces to provide biographical histories of those members
through video and audio recordings. Under current law, only
histories by veterans may be collected. About $2 million was
appropriated for the project in 2016. Based on information from
the Library of Congress, CBO estimates that expansion would
result in approximately 1,000 new collections to the project,
and that the cost of the expansion would be $0.6 million.
Assuming the appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO
estimates enacting H.R. 4511 would increase spending over the
2017-2021 period by $0.6 million. Enacting the bill would not
affect direct spending or revenues, and so pay-as-you-go
procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4511
would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in
any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 4511 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Christina Hawley
Anthony. This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Performance Goals and Objectives
In compliance with House rule XIII, clause 3(c)(4), the
Committee states that the general discussion section of this
report includes a statement of the general performance goals
and objectives, including outcome-related goals and objectives.
Duplication of Federal Programs
In compliance with Sec. 3(g)(2) of H. Res. 5 (114th
Congress), the Committee states that no provision of the bill
establishes or reauthorizes: (1) a program of the Federal
Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program;
(2) a program included in any report from the Government
Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of
Public Law 111-139; or (3) a program related to a program
identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance, published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Pub. L. No. 95-220, as amended by Pub. L. No.
98-169).
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
In compliance with Sec. 3(i) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress),
the following statement is made concerning directed rule
makings: The Committee estimates that the bill requires no
directed rule makings within the meaning of such section.
Information Relating to Unfunded Mandates
This information is provided in accordance with section 423
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. No. 104-
4). The Committee has determined that the bill contains no
unfunded mandate on the private sector, nor does it impose a
Federal intergovernmental mandate on State, local, or tribal
governments.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant
to Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution granting
Congress the authority to exercise exclusive legislation in all
cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles
square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the
acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of
the United States.
Advisory on Earmarks
In accordance with House rule XXI, clause 9, the Committee
states that H.R. 4511 does not contain any congressional
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as
defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI.
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 italic, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
VETERANS' ORAL HISTORY PROJECT ACT
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM AT AMERICAN FOLKLIFE CENTER TO COLLECT
VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDINGS OF HISTORIES OF
VETERANS.
(a) In General.--The Director of the American Folklife Center
at the Library of Congress shall establish an oral history
program--
[(1) to collect video and audio recordings of
personal histories and testimonials of veterans of the
Armed Forces who served during a period of war;]
(1) to collect video and audio recordings of--
(A) personal histories and testimonials of
veterans of the Armed Forces who served during
a period of war; and
(B) biographical histories by immediate
family members of members of the Armed Forces
who became missing in action or died as a
result of their service during a period of war;
(2) to create a collection of the recordings obtained
(including a catalog and index) which will be available
for public use through the National Digital Library of
the Library of Congress and such other methods as the
Director considers appropriate to the extent feasible
subject to available resources; and
(3) to solicit, reproduce, and collect written
materials (such as letters and diaries) relevant to the
personal histories of veterans of the Armed Forces who
served during a period of war and to catalog such
materials in a manner the Director considers
appropriate, consistent with and complimentary to the
efforts described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(b) Use of and Consultation With Other Entities.--The
Director may carry out the activities described in paragraphs
(1) and (3) of subsection (a) through agreements and
partnerships entered into with other government and private
entities, and may otherwise consult with interested persons
(within the limits of available resources) and develop
appropriate guidelines and arrangements for soliciting,
acquiring, and making available recordings under the program
under this Act.
(c) Timing.--As soon as practicable after the enactment of
this Act, the Director shall begin collecting video and audio
recordings under subsection (a)(1), and shall attempt to
collect the first such recordings from the oldest veterans.
(d) Definition of Immediate Family Member.--For purposes of
subsection (a), the term ``immediate family member'' means a
parent, spouse, sibling, or child.
* * * * * * *
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