The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL AND CENTENNIAL ACT OF 2009” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H12390-H12394 on Nov. 5, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
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.
(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 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.
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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.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Skelton.
(Mr. SKELTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
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 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.
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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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