[Senate Hearing 111-318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 111-318
NATIONAL PARKS LEGISLATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS
of the
COMMITTEE ON
ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
ON
S. 760 S. 2726
S. 1838 S. 2738
S. 2097 H.R. 1849
S. 2722 H.R. 3689
__________
DECEMBER 3, 2009
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Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
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COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
JEFF BINGAMAN, New Mexico, Chairman
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
RON WYDEN, Oregon RICHARD BURR, North Carolina
TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming
MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas ROBERT F. BENNETT, Utah
BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont JIM BUNNING, Kentucky
EVAN BAYH, Indiana JEFF SESSIONS, Alabama
DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan BOB CORKER, Tennessee
MARK UDALL, Colorado
JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire
Robert M. Simon, Staff Director
Sam E. Fowler, Chief Counsel
McKie Campbell, Republican Staff Director
Karen K. Billups, Republican Chief Counsel
------
Subcommittee on National Parks
MARK UDALL, Colorado Chairman
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota RICHARD BURR, North Carolina
MARY L. LANDRIEU, Louisiana JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, Arkansas JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
BERNARD SANDERS, Vermont JIM BUNNING, Kentucky
EVAN BAYH, Indiana BOB CORKER, Tennessee
DEBBIE STABENOW, Michigan
Jeff Bingaman and Lisa Murkowski are Ex Officio Members of the
Subcommittee
C O N T E N T S
----------
STATEMENTS
Page
Alexander, Brian, President & CEO, National World War I Museum at
Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, MO.............................. 25
Barboza, Maurice A., Founder & CEO, Liberty Fund DC.............. 30
Burr, Hon. Richard, U.S. Senator From North Carolina............. 4
Cleaver, Hon. Emanuel, II, U.S. Representative From Missouri..... 8
Foundation, Edwin L., Director, World War I Memorial Foundation.. 42
Madden, David, Chair, Louisiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial
Commission, Black Mountain, NC................................. 37
Robinson, Harry G., III, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.......... 33
Rockefeller, Hon. John D., IV, U.S. Senator From West Virginia... 5
Stevenson, Katherine H., Assistant Director, Business Services,
National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Accompanied
by Peter May, Associate Regional Director for Lands, Resources,
and Planning, National Capital Region.......................... 15
Thune, Hon. John, U.S. Senator From South Dakota................. 6
Udall, Hon. Mark, U.S. Senator From Colorado..................... 1
Webb, Hon. Jim, U.S. Senator From Virginia....................... 7
APPENDIX
Additional material submitted for the record..................... 53
NATIONAL PARKS LEGISLATION
----------
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2009
U.S. Senate,
Subcommittee on National Parks,
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:30 p.m. in
room SD-366, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Mark Udall
presiding.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK UDALL, U.S. SENATOR FROM
COLORADO
Senator Udall. The Subcommittee on National Parks will come
to order.
This afternoon we have a very full agenda of eight bills,
including several national memorial proposals. While some of
the bills appear to be noncontroversial, a few of the bills do
raise issues that will require greater review.
Three of the bills on the agenda concern a proposed World
War I National Memorial. S. 760, sponsored by Senators
McCaskill and Bond, would designate the Liberty Memorial at the
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the
National World War I Memorial, as does the House companion
measure, H.R. 1849, sponsored by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver,
who we will hear from in just a few minutes.
We will also be receiving testimony on a different World
War I memorial proposal, S. 2097, sponsored by Senators Thune,
Webb, Rockefeller, and several others, which would rededicate
the District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and
District of Columbia World War I Memorial.
The other bills on the subcommittee's agenda include S.
1838, Senator Landrieu's bill to establish a commission to
commemorate the sesquicentennial--the 150th anniversary of the
Civil War; S. 2722, Senator Barrasso's bill to authorize a
study of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming, to
assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the site
as a unit of the National Park System; S. 2726, Senator
Johnson's bill to modify the boundary of the Minuteman Missile
National Historic Site in South Dakota; S. 2738, sponsored by
Senators Dodd and Grassley, which would authorize establishment
of a memorial in the District of Columbia to honor free persons
and slaves who fought for independence, liberty, and justice
for all during the American Revolution; and H.R. 3689,
sponsored by Congressman Rahall, which would extend the
legislative authority for construction of the Vietnam Veteran's
Memorial visitors center.
We do have a lengthy witness list this afternoon. Several
of our colleagues have asked to testify, we need to hear the
administration's views on all bills, and we have several
witnesses testifying on the various proposals.
I'm also informed that there are likely to be votes on the
Senate floor this afternoon, beginning around 2:45. So that we
have enough time to hear from everyone, I would ask everyone to
please summarize your statements as much as possible. We will
include your written statements and any other materials in the
official hearing record.
At this point, I'd like to recognize the ranking member of
the subcommittee, Senator Burr, for any comments he may have.
[The prepared statements of Senators Landrieu, Dodd,
Barrasso, and Enzi follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Mary L. Landrieu, U.S. Senator From
Louisiana, on S. 1838
The American Civil War, fought from 1861-1865, tore the United
States apart, and engaged the U.S. in the most deadly struggle that has
ever befallen our great Nation. As we approach the War's 150th
anniversary, we must remember the contributions of our forefathers,
those many Americans who gave their lives to make America what it is
now. That is why I introduced the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Act of 2009, along with my colleague, Senator Webb, to commemorate this
turning point in American history.
We all studied the Civil War in school. We know that the opening
shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter, South Carolina in
April of 1861 and that Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant agreed to
peace at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865. We
recognize those most horrific battles-Antietam, Gettysburg,
Fredericksburg, and the 10,000 other sites from New Mexico to Vermont
that were host to fighting. We celebrate the strength and bravery of
individuals such as Frederick Douglas and Harriett Tubman who risked
everything to combat the deplorable institution of slavery. And every
February, we observe President Lincoln's birthday, a day to recollect
his legacy. The Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg address are
two of the most memorable documents in American history, and it is
thanks to President Lincoln that slavery was eradicated.
These are the most memorable aspects of the Civil War, but the
influence and impact reaches so much further. The American Civil War
has reverberated throughout our history. Every aspect of American life
was affected whether economic, cultural, political, or otherwise. The
most profound consequence of the Civil War was to end the legal edifice
that justified the subjugation of people based on accidental
characteristics such as race.
We must remember what our forefathers sacrificed for us. More than
3 million men fought in the Civil War. They left their homes and their
loved ones to fight for their beliefs, their families, their Nation.
620,000 of those soldiers gave their lives.
We must remember the untold number of civilians who lost their
lives or welfare because the battles were taking place all around them.
No State, city, community, or family was untouched by devastation or
loss.
We must remember the legacies of the Civil War. The United States
emerged completely altered after the four years of struggle, and as a
testament of American resilience, grew stronger than it was before. The
cultural and political ramifications still shape the American landscape
today. It was in the era of Reconstruction that Congress adopted the
13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution, acknowledging
black Americans as free and equal citizens of the United States.
The Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission Act of 2009 is about
preserving the memory. It will establish a Commission to ensure a
suitable national observance. Consisting of 25 members from government,
business and academia, this commission will develop and carry out
programs to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It will
work together with State and local governments, as well as various
organizations, to assist with these activities and ensure that
remembrance occurs at every level.
The year 2011 marks the anniversary of a monumentally tragic time
in American history, but also a time of intensive change, growth, and
hope. We must use this opportunity to reflect upon the Civil War, the
sacrifices, legacies, and changes in our Nation. I urge my colleagues
to support quick passage of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Act of 2009.
Thank you for your consideration.
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. Christopher J. Dodd, U.S. Senator From
Connecticut, on S. 2738
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for holding this hearing on the National
Liberty Memorial Act, a bill I introduced with my colleague Senator
Grassley. This important legislation would authorize the construction
of a memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring the African American
patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War.
For too long, the role these brave Americans played in the founding
of our nation has been relegated to the dusty back pages of history.
Fortunately, historians are now beginning to uncover their forgotten
heroism, and they estimate that more than 5,000 slaves and free blacks
fought in the Army, Navy, and militia during the Revolutionary War.
They served and struggled in major battles from Lexington and Concord
to Yorktown, fighting side by side with white soldiers. More than 400
of these brave Americans hailed from my home state of Connecticut.
More than twenty years ago, Congress authorized a memorial to black
Revolutionary War soldiers and sailors, those who provided civilian
assistance, and the many slaves who fled slavery or filed petitions to
courts or legislatures for their freedom. Unfortunately, the group
originally authorized to raise funds for and build the memorial was
unable to conclude its task, and there remains no memorial to the
important, and too often unacknowledged, contributions made by these
5,000 Americans.
But a group of committed citizens has formed the Liberty Fund DC to
complete this memorial and ensure that these patriots receive the
tribute they deserve here in our nation's capital. I'm grateful that
the Committee has invited Mr. Maurice Barboza to testify to the
importance of this memorial today today, and I am honored to work
alongside Mr. Barboza and the many others who have made honoring the
contributions of these Americans their life's work.
The time has come to recognize the sacrifice and the impact of the
African Americans who fought for the birth of our country. I urge my
colleagues to support the National Liberty Memorial Act.
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. John Barrasso, U.S. Senator From Wyoming,
on S. 2722
Thank you for holding this hearing today Mr. Chairman on S.2722,
the ``Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act.'' This legislation
will authorize the National Park Service to conduct a special resource
study of the site of Heart Mountain Relocation Center near Powell,
Wyoming.
The site is an important part of our national history and of the
history of our communities in western Wyoming. Between 1942 and 1945,
when Japanese American families from the West Coast were forcibly moved
to Park County, Wyoming and interned at the site near Heart Mountain.
During those years, the Heart Mountain site was the third-largest
community in Wyoming, housing nearly 11,000 Japanese Americans. The
experience during those years shaped internees and local residents
alike. It represents an important chapter in American history.
This legislation is a credit to the individuals, local communities
and grassroots organizations supporting recognition of the Heart
Mountain site. I have submitted eleven separate letters of support for
S.2722 to be a part of today's hearing record. I encourage Senators to
read the heartfelt comments of Senator Alan Simpson and Secretary
Norman Mineta about their experience as children at Heart Mountain.
They are accompanied by support from local organizations, including the
Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and the Park County Commissioners,
along with national organizations, including The Conservation Fund, the
Japanese American Citizens League, the National Parks Conservation
Association, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act will help to define
this historic site. It will allow us to determine the best way to
recognize the site as an important part of our national history. I look
forward to working with this Committee to advance consideration of this
bill.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
______
Prepared Statement of Hon. Michael B. Enzi, U.S. Senator From Wyoming,
on S. 2722
Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding a hearing today on S. 2722, the
Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act of 2009. The bill would
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource
study to determine the suitability and feasibility of adding the Heart
Mountain Relocation Center as a unit of the National Park System.
Heart Mountain, Wyoming was one of ten relocation centers created
during World War II to house Japanese and Japanese-Americans who were
forcibly relocated inland from the west coast. The current site
contains the most existing structures of any site in the country. To
memorialize this history, the Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation is
working to develop a Learning Center on the site of the Internment
Camp. The Foundation is a well-established and credible organization
with notable Board and Advisory Board members including former Senator
Alan Simpson and former U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department
of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Senator Simpson and
Secretary Mineta first met as Boy Scouts when Senator Simpson's Cody,
Wyoming Scout Troop visited Secretary Mineta's troop while he was
interned as a young man in the Heart Mountain camp. They developed a
bond that would last for decades and eventually served in Congress
together.
Private and public entities alike strongly believe that Heart
Mountain, Wyoming should be preserved for future generations. I, too,
believe preservation of one of our country's landmarks from World War
II should be saved so our children and grandchildren have another tool
to learn about our country's history. There are many ways to preserve
this important landmark, and our legislation allows for study of one of
those methods.
With introduction of S. 2722, we are examining whether the Heart
Mountain Relocation Center meets the criteria to be a part of our
National Park System. Simply because we introduced this legislation
does not guarantee that Heart Mountain will become a part of the
National Park System. The bill will allow the Secretary to study that
question and to make a recommendation based on the merits of Heart
Mountain and how it would fit within the entire National Park System.
Heart Mountain Camp internees want to leave a legacy of learning
through this Center to future generations such that abridgements of
freedoms and lack of ethnic understanding not occur again in this great
country. Preserving the land and structures and building the Learning
Center will do just that. The Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study
Act of 2009 is the next step forward in making their dream a reality.
Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, for considering the merits of the
Heart Mountain Relocation Center Study Act of 2009. Senator Barrasso
and I look forward to working with you on further advancing this
legislation this Congress.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BURR, U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH
CAROLINA
Senator Burr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We do have a full agenda--and I'll be brief--an agenda that
includes 8 bills.
I understand that today's hearing is probably the last of
this subcommittee this year. Yay. We're glad to be at that
point, and I'd like to take this moment to acknowledge the
leadership of Chairman Udall of the subcommittee. It's been
very productive so far this year, and I know all the members
appreciate the leadership in addressing their bills in a timely
fashion.
Most of the bills before us today involve memorials in
Washington, DC, and elsewhere. All these memorials commemorate
very important historic events in our Nation's history, but one
bill is particularly important to me, S. 2097, which I
cosponsored, to rededicate the DC War Memorial as a National
and DC World War I Memorial, also known as the Frank Buckles
World War I Memorial Act.
We are very honored to have Mr. Buckles here with us today,
and I would like to not only thank him for his service to his
country, but also for joining us here today in an effort to
establish a World War I Memorial for all of our Nation's
veterans on our National Mall.
Having said that, there's also competing legislation. I
think it's important for all members to thoroughly look at both
pieces of legislation and to fairly evaluate both proposals
that are on the table.
I would like to thank all of our witnesses for being here.
I yield the floor.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Senator Burr.
I would also like to acknowledge Mr. Buckles' daughter,
Suzanne, is here. I was pleased to learn from her that Mr.
Buckles is a big fan of cowboy boots, and I was lucky enough to
have my cowboy boots on today. So, I want to associate myself
with the fine words of Senator Burr and thank Mr. Buckles for
taking the time to be with us.
Let me turn to Senator Rockefeller for comments he would
have.
Senator Rockefeller, the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, IV, U.S. SENATOR FROM
WEST VIRGINIA
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and the ranking
member, with whom I serve on the Veterans Committee.
This is a very important effort that Senator Thune, Senator
Webb, myself, and others are making here, the so-called ``Frank
Buckles World War I Memorial Act.'' I'm especially proud to
introduce Mr. Buckles, and, with the committee's permission,
after--I understand the committee will allow him to say a word.
His daughter, Suzanne, as you pointed out, is here. She's
integral to his life. I've been to his house and walked with
awe through his library to see books written in Chinese and
German and French and Spanish, all of which he spoke at one
time or another, and probably still does. Extraordinarily--not
just patriotic but educated and visionary patriot.
I think it's really important that we have this memorial. I
recognize there are others that have their views, but this is
Washington, DC. This would not be the creation of a new mall,
it would be the rededication of a mall--of a memorial that
Herbert Hoover dedicated for those who served in World War I,
but it's never really gone over to the full veteran side of
matters, as have--is the case with some others that just honor
those who died in World War I. The wounds from World War I were
often not very well treated, and--so that Frank Buckles is not
here today just to share his remarkable story of valor and his
own historic nature, but also as chairman of the World War I
Memorial Foundation.
Washington is the capital of the Nation. It's the center
point of the spiritual value. Some could say that Congress
doesn't always present all those spiritual values in the most
admirable way, but, in terms of our fighting soldiers and our
great moments in history and our great patriots, this is the
center, and this is where they deserve to be honored.
I honestly believe, and strongly believe, that our Nation
owes a tremendous debt--more 4.3 million Americans, who, like
Frank Buckles, offered to go to service for a period of 4
years. So, I strongly support Senator Thune, Senator Webb's and
my proposal to have that firmly established, not just for the
dead, but also for the survivors, of whom there is only one,
and he's with us in this room. At the conclusion of the other
two members' presentation, I would ask--hope that I could ask
Mr. Buckles to say a word.
I thank the Chair.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Senator Rockefeller.
Let me turn to Senator Thune for his remarks.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE, U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
Senator Thune. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is a great honor to be able to be here today, in the
presence of the lone survivor of that great conflict. I
appreciate Senator Rockefeller, who is Mr. Buckles' home-State
Senator, taking a lead on this, and Senator Webb, who has
combat experience, been a great advocate for those who have
served our country.
We think that this bill--what it does is, it does something
that I think is very fitting, and that is to add a memorial to
those veterans of World War I. We have what we call the
``memorial triangle'' on the National Mall today--World War II,
Korea, Vietnam. There were, as Senator Rockefeller said, over 4
million Americans who served in World War I; over 100,000
casualties. It really was the first step in America's path to
superpower status, something that--there was so much sacrifice
that was made by people in this country, although we were only
involved in the conflict for about 18 months.
So, I think it's fitting that all the great wars of the
20th century have their place on the National Mall, so that the
people, when they come here to pay their respects and to honor
and pay tribute to those who served in all those great
conflicts, to also have the opportunity to honor the veterans
of World War I.
So, I hope that we can move this legislation. I hope we can
move it fairly quickly. I understand the issues with regard to
Missouri. I hope that we can work through those. It seems, to
me at least, that where--with respect to our National Mall,
that we ought to have a place that recognizes the service and
sacrifice of our World War veterans--World War I veterans.
Particularly honored, as I said, to have the lone survivor,
the last man standing from World War I with us here today, in
Mr. Frank Buckles.
So, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the opportunity, and
appreciate the chance to have a hearing on this legislation.
[The prepared statement of Senator Thune follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. John Thune, U.S. Senator From South Dakota,
on S. 2097
Chairman Udall, Ranking Member Burr, distinguished colleagues,
thank you for the opportunity to discuss S. 2097, the Frank Buckles
World War I Memorial Act. For far too long, the sacrifices of American
World War I veterans have gone unrecognized on the National Mall in
Washington, DC. Senator Rockefeller, Senator Webb and I introduced this
legislation to provide proper recognition, which is long overdue.
The Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act would rededicate the
existing District of Columbia War Memorial as the National and District
of Columbia World War I Memorial on the National Mall in Washington,
DC. The act is named for Frank Buckles of West Virginia, who at 108
years of age is the last surviving American World War I veteran.
While the United States was in World War I for only 18 months, the
war had profound effects on our nation. Without question, World War I
thrust the U.S. onto the world stage. The U.S. lost over 100,000 brave
men fighting the war, more than both the Korean War and Vietnam War
combined.
Today, memorials on our National Mall rightfully honor the men and
women who served and sacrificed during World War II, the Korean War,
and the Vietnam War. However, nowhere on the National Mall do we
recognize the service and sacrifices of all American World War I
veterans--veterans like Frank Buckles.
At 108 years old, Frank Buckles is the last surviving American
World War I veteran. He joined the Army at the age of 16 and served in
Europe during World War I, driving ambulances and motorcycles for a
casualty detachment. Mr. Buckles is also the Honorary Chairman of the
World War I Memorial Foundation, which is seeking refurbishment of the
District of Columbia War Memorial and its establishment as the National
World War I Memorial on the National Mall. S. 2097, The Frank Buckles
World War I Memorial Act will help to make this vision a reality.
The District of Columbia War Memorial honors the 499 District of
Columbia residents who died in World War I. This legislation would
rededicate the District of Columbia memorial as the ``National and
District of Columbia World War I Memorial.'' The legislation would also
authorize the non-profit World War I Memorial Foundation to make
repairs and improvements to the existing memorial, as well as install
new sculptures or other commemorations at the memorial to underscore
the sacrifice of over 4 million Americans who served in World War I.
The bill would not require any taxpayer dollars because the World
War I Memorial Foundation would raise the necessary funds through
private donations.
All of the major wars our nation has fought in the 20th century are
memorialized on the National Mall. Rededicating the District of
Columbia World War I Memorial as the National and District of Columbia
World War I Memorial fits the narrative of the Mall, with its wonderful
memorials to World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. I think
it only makes sense to rededicate a memorial to this twentieth century
war that established our nation's path to superpower status among the
community of nations. I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Buckles
and his departed comrades than by passing this bill which would provide
long overdue recognition of all World War I veterans in our nation's
capital.
Thank you for holding this hearing today. I look forward to working
with this subcommittee and my colleagues to pass this bill.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Senator Thune, for those
thoughtful remarks and for taking the time to join the
subcommittee.
Senator Webb.
STATEMENT OF HON. JIM WEBB, U.S. SENATOR
FROM VIRGINIA
Senator Webb. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and also, Senator
Burr, for your cosponsoring of the measure. I appreciate that--
the timely hearing that you brought forward here.
I would like also to express my appreciation to Senator
Thune for having originally brought forth this idea. It's a
very sensible approach. Actually, My personal view is that we
might be able to do something in concert with the other
proposal. I recently spoke at the National Civil War Museum.
It's in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It would be logical, if they
were able to make their case for a World War I Museum, that it
might be appropriately located in Missouri, where President
Truman hailed from. He was a veteran of World War I. But, in
terms of a national memorial to World War I service, I don't
think there could be any better place.
If I could just ask my staff member to put this--with
thanks to Google Earth. This the Mall. To your left would be
the Lincoln Memorial; to the right would be the Washington
Monument. You can see the--just the natural flow of the wars of
the 20th century, if we were to put the--to take this memorial
in the right--lower right-hand corner, which is now the
District of Columbia War Memorial, not add any more space, and
no cost--this is privately funded--then you would have, in the
Mall area, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and then, going
clockwise, the World War II Memorial, the World War I Memorial,
and the Korean War Memorial. I can think of no greater tribute
to those who fought the larger wars of the 20th century, to
have them located in a way that they can be accessible to those
who come and visit our national capital.
With that, I again thank the Chair for this timely hearing.
I hope we can work out something with the situation in
Missouri.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Udall. Senator Rockefeller, let me turn to you, if
I might, because the vote has just been called. We have been
joined by Congressman Cleaver, and I know we want to hear his
testimony, but I think it's very important to hear from Mr.
Buckles, so I'd like to recognize you and----
The Chairman. There's no need to introduce Frank Buckles.
He's the last man standing, and an extraordinary man, at that.
I just think that he should, as chairman of the Foundation--
honorary chairman of the Foundation, have something to say. I
appreciate your courtesy on this matter, of course.
Senator Udall. Mr. Buckles, the floor is yours.
Voice: Papa, you want to--go ahead and tell them what you
think. Can you do it?
Mr. Buckles. What am I supposed to say?
Voice: You're supposed to tell them what you think about
having a World War I Memorial on the Mall.
Mr. Buckles. Oh. I think it's an excellent idea. I think it
was a nice idea to call it a National and--DC.
Voice: Thank you, sir.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Buckles.
I'm tempted to adjourn the hearing, because the case has
been made----
[Laughter.]
Senator Udall [continuing]. But I know Senator Bond and
Senator McCaskill would want to have their say, as well, as
Congressman Cleaver is here to testify.
Congressman Cleaver, thank you for making the trip over to
the Senate side. It's great to see you. We served together in
the House. You'd like to share your testimony with us at this
time, and the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER, II, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE FROM
MISSOURI
Mr. Cleaver. Sure. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, it is somewhat uncomfortable testifying in
opposition to some folk with whom I agree, about 99 percent of
the time. But, I think it may have some importance for me to
share with this committee what's going on in Kansas City. I
think it is important, also, that, if you have not seen the
Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, that it's difficult to have a
good perspective.
Mr. Chairman, before you is a newspaper article--front-page
newspaper article, from the Kansas City Star. This newspaper
article is important because, shortly after I became mayor, the
first directive from me was to restore the eternal flame at the
top of the Liberty Memorial. It's actually steam, it's not
flame. The Liberty Memorial, which you'll hear from our
director shortly, was an effort put together by people in the
community shortly after the end of World War I. It was built
completely, and financed, by the people of Kansas City,
Missouri. It went into some decay.
I came to Washington as mayor, made a request that the
Liberty Memorial be taken over by the National Park Service.
They politely declined, saying that the National Park Service
had difficulty trying to maintain all of the memorials they
presently hold responsibility for.
I went back to Kansas and City and made a pitch to the
voters Kansas City. They responded and approved a sales tax,
which was used to restore the Liberty Memorial. From that point
on, the people of Kansas City, Missouri--the voters--decided
that this was something that we would do. We would assume the
responsibility. We did not want one dime from the Federal
Government. This is no small monument.
This is the Liberty Memorial today. This is downtown Kansas
City in the background, Missouri's largest city. This is the
Liberty Memorial. Just 11 months ago, President Barack Obama
stood on the mall with 75,000 people in the background. I drew
the people there, but he spoke----
[Laughter.]
Mr. Cleaver [continuing]. After I spoke. Seventy-five
thousand people on the mall of the Liberty Memorial.
Every year, there's a Veterans Day observance, where people
from all over--all over the country--in fact, Mr. Buckles, 2
years ago, I sat next to him and his daughter at the Liberty
Memorial on Veterans Day. The people of Kansas City, Missouri,
are saying to the U.S. Senate the same thing they said to the
House, which voted 418 to 1 to support this, that we want
absolutely no money from the United States Federal Government.
We don't need to raise any money around the country. We are
going to assume the responsibility for supporting and
preserving the Liberty Memorial, which was built not as a
municipal memorial, but as the national memorial, which is why
100,000 people, including all five leaders of the allied
forces, gathered here for the beginning and opening to the
Liberty Memorial. This is a national monument. If there is,
sometime in the future, a need for repair, we will do it.
We've added an entire dimension to it--a new dimension to
this, because now we have a museum on the lower level of the
museum. It is one of the most stately monuments that you will
see anyplace, day or night. You can see it from all over Kansas
City. Our community is a city that stretches 322 square miles.
You can virtually see the top of the Liberty Memorial anyplace
in Kansas City, Missouri. It is a city, as we say, on a hill.
So, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I think that
what we are trying to say to you, and we successfully said it
to our colleagues in the House, across party lines, that this
was something that our community will continue to give for the
Nation. We assume the responsibility completely, and we hope
that you would see fit to give the people of Kansas City the
opportunity to continue to spend their own money to preserve
something for the Nation.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Cleaver follows:]
Prepared Statement of Emanuel Cleaver, II, U.S. Representative From
Missouri, on S. 760 and H.R. 1849
Chairman Udall, Ranking Member Burr and other members of the
Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on behalf of S.
760 and H.R.1849 to designate the Liberty Memorial as the National
World War I Memorial and to establish a World War I Centennial
Commission. Along with my Missouri colleagues, Representatives Akin,
Blunt, Carnahan, Clay, Emerson, Graves, Luetkemeyer, and Skelton, plus
101 other House cosponsors, we introduced and passed a bill in the
House of Representatives designating the Liberty Memorial at the
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri as the National
World War I Memorial by a vote of 418-1. This bill also establishes a
Centennial Commission to ensure a fitting observance of the centennial
of World War I.
The First World War extended through four of the bloodiest years in
world history. This truly global conflict involved the world's major
powers, mobilizing over 70 million military forces. The War to End All
Wars ended with an armistice on November 11, 1918 on the Western Front
in Europe, after approximately 16 million military and civilian deaths
across the globe, including 375,000 American casualties. The death and
destruction of World War I irrevocably impacted the lens through which
people viewed the world: The optimism that initiated the early 1900s
was swiftly sobered by a consciousness that came to be known as the
Lost Generation.
Many people, however, were determined to make this generation a
generation remembered and honored. Concerned American citizens in
Kansas City, Missouri initiated a movement to erect a lasting and
meaningful monument to the men and women who served and died for
liberty in World War I.
According to R.A. Long, the founding president of the Liberty
Memorial Association, the 217-foot Liberty Memorial was intended to
represent ``on the part of all people, a living expression for all time
of the gratitude of a grateful people to those who offered and who gave
their lives in defense of liberty and our country.'' In 1919, the
people of Kansas City, Missouri expressed an outpouring of support and
raised more than $2,500,000.00, or the equivalent of $30, 815,028.90
today, in two weeks for a memorial to the service of Americans in World
War I. This fundraising was an accomplishment unparalleled by any other
city in the United States and reflected the passion of public opinion
about World War I, at the forefront of everyone's memory.
H. Van Buren Magonigle won a national architectural competition
officiated by the American Institute of Architects to further transform
the Liberty Memorial idea into reality. On November 1, 1921, nearly
200,000 people witnessed the dedication of the site for the Liberty
memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. The dedication marked the only time
in history that the five allied military leaders--Lieutenant General
Baron Jacques of Belgium, General Armando Diaz of Italy, Marshall
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. General Pershing echoed the significance of the dedication
by asserting, ``[t]he people of Kansas City, Missouri are deeply proud
of the beautiful memorial, erected in tribute to the patriotism, the
gallant achievements, and their 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.''
Shortly after its dedication, the Liberty Memorial was again
distinguished during an Armistice Day ceremony in 1926 when President
Calvin Coolidge marked the beginning of its three-year construction
project by laying the cornerstone of the memorial. In his dedication
speech, President Coolidge declared that ``[. . .] the magnitude of
this memorial and the broad base of popular support on which it rests,
can scarcely fail to excite national wonder and admiration [. . .].'' A
message on the Liberty Memorial's tower bears an inscription that
inspired its namesake: ``In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War
in Defense of Liberty and our Country.'' Four stone ``Guardian
Spirits'' representing courage, honor, patriotism, and sacrifice
proudly perch above an observation deck, making the Liberty Memorial a
noble tribute to all who served in World War I.
The evidence articulated above demonstrates that the Liberty
Memorial already is, has been, and deserves to be regarded as a
national tribute to World War I. This legislation aims to make official
what so many people already consider to be the National World War I
Memorial.
While we look to the Liberty Memorial in remembrance of World War
I, we likewise must look to the upcoming World War I centennial, to be
honored in 2017. To ensure a proper observance of the World War I
centennial, this legislation also aims to create a commission to be
known as the World War I Centennial Commission. The Commission will
promote not only a suitable observance of the centennial of World War
I, but will also recognize the values of honor, courage, patriotism,
and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these values
through the four Guardian Sprits sculpted on the Liberty Memorial
Monument. The Commission will plan, develop, and execute programs,
projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.
With Kansas City, Missouri as its official host, the Commission will be
composed of twenty-four members who will work together to facilitate
and coordinate activities throughout the United States to honor the
Great War.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Burr, it is with great pride that I
speak for myself, our Missouri Congressional Delegation and the
citizens of Missouri in support of this legislation to make official
the historic, powerful, and unparalleled stature of the Liberty
Memorial as the National World War I Memorial coupled with the
establishment of the World War I Centennial Commission to properly
observe the World War I centennial. We owe the Liberty Memorial's
designation as the National World War I Memorial to the hundreds of
thousands of people, including those who served our country in World
War I, who have looked to the Liberty Memorial as the interminable
symbol of sacrifice and sovereignty that continue to shape our country.
The World War I Centennial Commission will further observe America's
historic commitment to freedom and appropriately remember those who
fought for our country in the War to End All Wars.
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Burr, attached to my testimony is an
overview of events at the Liberty Memorial, a time line of Significant
Dates at the Liberty Memorial and reasons to support the Liberty
Memorial designation as the National World War I Memorial.
attachment.--overview, timeline and reasons to support of the liberty
memorial as the national wwi memorial
Historical Background Overview
An armistice was declared on November 11, 1918 to end the
fighting on the Western Front.
Concerned citizens in Kansas City, Missouri were determined
to commemorate those who served in WWI.
Shortly after the armistice in November 1918, community
leaders galvanized a campaign to raise money for the
construction of a lasting tribute to the men and women who
fought in WWI.
Within ten days--during an influenza epidemic--Kansas
Citians raised $2.5 million for the construction of what came
to be known as the Liberty Memorial. $2.5 million calculated
for inflation in today's currency would be worth
$30,815,028.90.
This fundraising was an accomplishment unparalleled by any
other city in the United States and reflected the passion of
public opinion about World War I, at the forefront of
everyone's memory. The slogan of the campaign was ``Lest the
Ages Forget.''
Following the fund raiser was a national competition for the
selection of the New York architect H. Van Buren Magonigle.
Construction of the Liberty Memorial began in 1921 which was
commemorated with a dedication ceremony on November 1, 1921,
attended by General John J. Pershing of the United States;
Admiral Lord Beatty of Great Britain; General Armando Diaz of
Italy; Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France; and Lieutenant General
Baron Jacques of Belgium.
--The dedication marked the only time in history that the five
allied military leaders were together at one place.
--The allied military leaders spoke to a crowd of nearly 200,000.
--General Pershing echoed the significance of the dedication by
asserting, ``[t]he people of Kansas City, Missouri are
deeply proud of the beautiful memorial, erected in tribute
to the patriotism, the gallant achievements, and their
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.''
--Harry S. Truman played a high-profile role in the parade
following the 1921 dedication ceremony as Vice Chairman of
the Decoration Committee of the American Legion.
On Armistice Day in 1926, President Calvin Coolidge marked
the beginning of the three-year construction project by laying
the cornerstone of the memorial.
--In his dedication speech, President Coolidge declared that ``[. .
.] the magnitude of this memorial and the broad base of
popular support on which it rests, can scarcely fail to
excite national wonder and admiration [. . .].''
There has been a Veterans Day observance at the Liberty
Memorial every year since 1926.
There has been a Memorial Day observance at the Liberty
Memorial every year since 1948.
A rededication ceremony in 1961 was marked by the attendance
of President Harry S. Truman and President Dwight D.
Eisenhower.
--Then Mayor H. Roe Bartle expressed his support of the
rededication ceremony: ``For four decades Kansas City has
pointed to its unique and unusual war memorial with pride.
Millions of people from over the globe have visited our
shrine to our heroic dead who fought in World War I for
freedom of the world. It pleases me that the American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veterans'
associations are joining hands with the city to make the
40th anniversary program an event not soon to be
forgotten.''
--Representatives from 57 nations were present at the rededication
ceremony; this was the largest diplomatic gathering ever
assembled in the Middle West.
--A crowd of 40,000 attended the ceremony; as in the celebrations
of 1921 and 1926, schools dismissed afternoon classes and
businesses around Kansas City closed their doors for the
event.
--President Eisenhower delivered a speech addressing his hopes for
everlasting world peace and the elimination of totalitarian
power.
A rededication ceremony in 2002 was attended by General
Myers as the Keynote as well as dignitaries from Italy, France,
Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
The Liberty Memorial that overlooks Kansas City extends far
beyond the Kansas City limits. The Memorial serves as a
perennial reminder of and for all Americans who served our
country during World War I.
Reasons to Support the Liberty Memorial as the World War I National
Memorial
The Liberty Memorial already exists and would not require
any additional construction.
The Liberty Memorial is open to a partnership with the
National Parks Service, but would prefer independent
administration.
The Liberty Memorial was recognized by the 106th Congress as
a national symbol of World War I. (The concurrent Resolution
was passed on October 24, 2000, ``Recognizing the Liberty
Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, as a national World War I
symbol honoring those who defended liberty and our country
through service in World War I.'')
The Liberty Memorial is a National Landmark (as of September
20, 2006).
The Liberty Memorial has been designated as a National
Symbol for World War I.
The Liberty Memorial ultimately seeks the recognition as the
National WWI Memorial; it does not necessarily wish to be
managed by the National Parks Service. As with the designation
of the National WWI Museum, the Liberty Memorial would prefer
to be independently administered. Hundreds of thousands of
people--since the memorial's inception and even today--regard
the Liberty Memorial as a powerful symbol of and tribute to
Americans who served in World War I.
There is no nationally recognized memorial honoring the
service of Americans who served in World War I.
Kansas City is home to the National World War I Museum (as
designated by Congress in 2004), which is adjacent to the
Liberty Memorial.
An inscription on the Liberty Memorial tower reads, ``In
honor of those who served in the world war in defense of
liberty and our country.''
Many other national monuments exist outside of Washington,
DC (examples include the Mt. Rushmore National Memorial in
South Dakota; the Jefferson National Expansion memorial in St.
Louis, Missouri; the AIDS Memorial Grove in San Francisco,
California; the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Chamizal National Memorial in
Texas, etc.)
Not only does the Liberty Memorial already exist, it boasts
an extensive and unparalleled history.
H.R. 1849, the World War I Memorial and Centennial Act of
2009, passed the House of Representatives on November 5, 2009,
by a vote of 418-1.
Important Dates at the Liberty Memorial
November 11, 1918 at 11am Armistice ended fighting on the Western front.
...................................................
November 1918 Citizens gathered to gather support to create a
lasting monument to those who serve and those who
died.
...................................................
1919 Campaign initiated to raise money. In only ten days
and in the middle of a deadly influenza epidemic,
Kansas Citians gave generously to the fund drive,
whose slogan was ``Lest the Ages Forget.''
...................................................
1921 Site Dedication: Construction began with a
dedication ceremony with General John J. Pershing
of the United States, Admiral Lord Early Beatty of
Great Britain, General Armando Diaz of Italy,
Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, and Lieutenant
General Baron Jacques of Belgium. Harry S. Truman
played a high-profile role in the parade following
the 1921 dedication ceremony for the Liberty
Memorial. Vice President Coolidge was also in
attendance.
...................................................
1926 Armistice Day, Opening day and Dedication for the
Liberty Memorial led by President Coolidge who
gave a speech.
...................................................
1926-present Every Veterans Day has been observed at the Liberty
Memorial.
...................................................
1948-present Every Memorial Day has been observed at the Liberty
Memorial.
...................................................
1961 Rededication Ceremony--President Harry S. Truman
and President Dwight D. Eisenhower where in
attendance.
...................................................
2002 Rededication--General Myers was Keynote,
Dignitaries from Italy, France, Belgium and United
Kingdom were also in attendance.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Congressman Cleaver, for those
compelling words, and for the history that's attached to the
project that you led and brought to fruition. We look forward
to working with you, and the Senators that are here, to find a
reasonable way forward, to commemorate the work of people like
Frank Buckles, and the heroism that is attached to it.
I think we do have a vote on the floor of Senate at this
time. I think we ought to recess the committee, and we'll
return as quickly as we can to continue the hearing.
So, thanks, again, to the witnesses who took the time to
join us. Thanks, to Mr. Buckles.
[Recess.]
Senator Udall. The Subcommittee on National Parks will come
to order.
Before I recognize Ms. Stevenson for her testimony, I
wanted to make a few announcements.
Senator McCaskill, the sponsor of S. 760, was unable to be
here today, but has submitted a statement, and, without
objection, it will be included in the hearing record. She has
also submitted letters of support from the American Legion, the
VFW, and the family of Sergeant Alvin C. York, and, without
objection, those letters* will be included in the record, as
well.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* See Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[The prepared statement of Senator McCaskill follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Claire McCaskill, U.S. Senator From Missouri
I would like to thank the Chairman Udall and Ranking Member Burr
for holding this hearing on S.760 and H.R. 1849, to designate the
Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri as the National World War I
Memorial and to establish a World War I Centennial Commission. These
bills seek to honor the patriotism and dedication of those who fought
in World War I (WWI), as well as those who have to sought to preserve
that honor embodied in a national memorial and museum.
Just two weeks after the 1918 Armistice, members of the Kansas City
community embarked on a campaign to create a grand monument and museum
to honor all those who fought and lost their lives in WWI. A community-
based fundraising drive in 1919 raised over $2.5 million from citizens
across the in US in just ten days. This was unprecedented for the time
and reflected the passion of citizens from across the United States to
support Kansas City's efforts to establish a memorial to all of WWI's
fallen heroes. The national scope of the support for the endeavor and
the inclusion of all of the nation's WWI fallen as part of the Memorial
set the foundation for the Memorial to be recognized as a National
memorial, a moniker we now seek to finally give the memorial.
Underscoring the scope and breadth of the Memorial, during the 1921
site dedication in Kansas City, the military commanders from each of
the five Allied nations attended the dedication--the only time in
history the five senior most military leaders from WWI were together in
one place at the same time. Subsequently, after 3 years of
construction, the two hundred and seventeen foot tall memorial was
dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge before a crowd of 150,000
people.
In the decades since, veterans of the Great War and their families
have come to this site to honor and remember those who fought. More
recently, their experience has been enhanced with the expansion of the
WWI Museum. In 2006, after a $105 million renovation, the WWI Museum
reopened its newly renovated 32,000 square feet of exhibitions that
nobly honor the heroes of WWI. At the updated museum, visitors can view
films dedicated to the War in a state of the art theater; follow US
involvement in the war from the United States' entry in 1917 to the
Paris Peace Conference in 1919; and read real accounts of those
connected to the war. Over 1 million people have visited the site since
the reopening in 2006.
On October 24, 2000 the Liberty Memorial was recognized by Congress
as a ``national World War I symbol honoring those who defended liberty
and our country through service in World War I''. And in 2004, Congress
designated the museum at the Liberty Memorial the National World War I
Museum. Given this national recognition it is only befitting that the
Liberty Memorial be finally and rightfully recognized as the nation's
National World War I Memorial.
This legislation has received substantial support. The American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the family of Sgt. Alvin C.
York, the most decorated U.S. World War I soldier, have all written
letters supporting the designation of the Liberty Memorial at the
National World War I Memorial. Each of these letters are attached to my
testimony. Also attached to my testimony is a photo which helps to
illustrate the grandeur and magnificence of the Liberty Memorial and
its presence in the city. There is truly nothing like it.
I am aware that others are seeking to establish the District of
Columbia World War I Monument, which resides on the National Mall here
in Washington, D.C., as a National World War I Monument. I am saddened
by the disrepair of the D.C. Monument and the general lack of care it
has received over many years. I believe this must be addressed and
remedied as soon as possible and I applaud those who have taken up this
cause. However, I do not believe that a monument's presence on the
National Mall alone should entitle it to the moniker of a National
monument. Nor should a monument's presence elsewhere be exclusionary.
Other considerations should also include the scope, history and care of
a Monument, as well as the general manner in which the Monument is
perceived by our citizens. With these types of considerations, it is
clear that the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City is our nation's National
World War I Monument. I firmly believe we should assign it that moniker
as we approach the 100th Anniversary of World War I. I look forward to
working with my friends supporting the D.C. Monument and to seeking a
solution that wins that monument revitalization and appropriate
recognition associated with its location while also recognizing the
national nature of the Liberty Memorial.
Again, I want to thank Chairman Udall and Ranking Member Burr for
holding this hearing. As you can tell from my testimony am so proud to
be the lead sponsor of this legislation and even prouder of the
citizens of Kansas City.
Senator Udall. We also have letters from the National
Coalition To Save Our Mall opposing H.R. 3689, the Vietnam
Memorial Visitor Center bill, and one from the AFL-CIO Building
and Construction Trades Department in support of the same bill.
We have a statement from District of Columbia shadow
Senator Paul Strauss, opposing S. 2097, the DC World War I
Memorial bill.
All these letters and statements will be included in the
hearing record.
With that, let me turn to Ms. Stevenson, who is the
assistant director of business services, the National Park
Service, Department of the Interior.
Ms. Stevenson, nice to see you. It isn't your first visit
to the subcommittee.
Ms. Stevenson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Udall. The floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF KATHERINE H. STEVENSON, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
BUSINESS SERVICES, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR, ACCOMPANIED BY PETER MAY, ASSOCIATE REGIONAL DIRECTOR
FOR LANDS, RESOURCES, AND PLANNING, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Ms. Stevenson. Thank you very much. Thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today to offer the views of
the Department of the Interior on the eight bills before you.
I'll summarize my remarks and ask that the full text be
entered into the record.
With me today is Peter May, the Associate Regional Director
for Lands, Resources, and Planning with the National Capital
Region, in case you have any detailed questions about the
projects on the Mall.
S. 760 would designate the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City,
Missouri, as the National World War I Memorial. A companion
bill, H.R. 1849, would also establish the World War I
Centennial Commission. The Department supports the intent of
establishing such a commission, but believes it is premature to
designate the Liberty Memorial as the National World War I
Museum until a study of the various World War I memorials in
the United States has been completed. That study would
determine which memorial is best suited to be named the
official National World War I Memorial. Such a study would be
timely, as S. 2097, before you today, also proposes designation
of the DC World War I Memorial as a National World War I
Memorial. In 2008, the Congress directed the National Park
Service to study the Soldier Memorial Military Museum in Saint
Louis, also a World War I Memorial, as a potential addition to
the National Park System.
S. 1838 would establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial
Commemoration Commission to ensure that there's a suitable
national observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
The Department supports enactment, with some minor amendments.
S. 2097 would rededicate and enhance the DC War Memorial as
a National and District of Columbia World War I memorial. The
Department cannot support S. 2097, both for the reasons I
explained regarding other World War I Memorial candidates, and
because the sculptural or commemorative elements proposed would
so alter the existing memorial in purpose and design that the
result would be, in effect, the creation of a new memorial
within the reserve. Our position is supported by the National
Capital Memorial Advisory Commission and by the American Battle
Monuments Commission.
S. 2722 would authorize the Secretary to conduct a study to
determine whether it is suitable and feasible to add Heart
Mountain Relocation Center as a unit of the National Park
Service. The Department supports this bill. However, we feel
that priority should be given to the 49 previously authorized
studies.
S. 2726 would modify the boundary of the Minuteman Missile
National Historic Site in South Dakota by transferring 25 acres
of Buffalo Gap National Grassland from the U.S. Forest Service
to the National Park Service for use as a visitor facility and
administrative site. The Department supports this bill, with
some technical amendments.
S. 2738 would authorize the National Mall Liberty Fund DC
to establish a memorial in DC on Federal land to honor free
persons and slaves who fought during the American Revolution.
The Department supports the bill if it is amended to conform to
the principles, purposes, and requirements of the Commemorative
Works Act. While S. 2738 states that the memorial shall in
established in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act, the
bill contravenes a critical requirement of that Act by
preselecting Area 1 as the site. You will recall that the
Commemorative Works Act was amended in 2003 to provide for the
establishment of a reserve where no additional memorials may be
located.
Finally, H.R. 3689 would extend by 4 years the authority of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to establish
a visitor center. The Department supports that bill.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared testimony. I'd be
happy to answer any questions you might have.
[The prepared statements of Ms. Stevenson follow:]
Prepared Statement of Katherine H. Stevenson, Assistant Director,
Business Services, National Park Service, Department of the Interior,
Accompanied by Peter May, Associate Regional Director for Lands,
Resources, and Planning, National Capital Region
s. 760 and h.r. 1849
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before your
committee to present the views of the Department of the Interior on S.
760 and H.R. 1849, bills to designate the Liberty Memorial at the
National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National
World War I Memorial. H.R. 1849 also establishes the World War I
Centennial Commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial
of World War I.
The Administration appreciates the sponsors' recognition of the
sacrifices of Americans who served in World War I. This is an important
era in American history which has been honored through a number of
monuments throughout the nation. The Administration shares the
sponsors' sentiment on this subject and would like to continue working
with the Congress on it.
We believe however, that it is premature to designate the Liberty
Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri,
as the National World War I Memorial. There has not been any study
authorized or conducted to determine which of the various World War I
Memorials in the United States would be best suited to be named as the
single or official National World War I Memorial. The Department of the
Interior supports the intent of establishing a World War I Centennial
Commission; however, the Department of Justice has advised that it has
constitutional concerns about certain appointment provisions in the
bill and we understand Justice is providing its recommended amendments
to the Committee to resolve these concerns. The Office of Personnel
Management and the Office of Government Ethics would also welcome the
opportunity to work with the Committee to address matters related to
the status of the Commission's members and employees for purposes of
various laws governing Federal employment. We defer to those agencies
for the specifics of their concerns..
Both S. 760 and H.R. 1849 as passed by the House would designate
the Liberty Memorial at the National World War I Museum in Kansas City,
Missouri, as the National World War I Memorial. H.R. 1849 also would
establish the World War I Centennial Commission to plan and execute
various activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I,
encouraging private organizations and other governmental entities to
participate in the centennial, and coordinate these activities
throughout the United States. The Commission would consist of 21
members appointed by the President and certain members of Congress and
would also include the executive director of the American Legion and
the president of the Liberty Memorial Association. The bill authorizes
$500,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2019 to carry out the activities
of the commission. The Administrator of General Services would provide
the administrative support services to the Commission.
Mr. Chairman, our Department would be pleased to work with the
Commission if it is established. This concludes my testimony. I will be
pleased to answer any questions from members of the Committee.
s. 1838
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you
today to present the views of the Department of the Interior on S.
1838, a bill that would establish a commission to commemorate the
Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.
The Department supports the enactment of this legislation subject
to addressing some minor amendments discussed in our testimony and the
concerns of the Department of Justice, which has advised that it may
have constitutional concerns about an appointment provision in the bill
and will provide its recommended amendments, if any, at a later date to
address these concerns. The Office of Personnel Management and the
Office of Government Ethics also welcome the opportunity to work with
the Committee to address matters related to the status of the
Commission's members and employees for purposes of various laws
governing Federal employment. We defer to those agencies for the
specifics of their concerns.
S. 1838 would establish a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration
Commission to cooperate with and assist States and national
organizations with programs and activities to ensure a suitable
national observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It also
authorizes a grant program for the development of programs, projects,
and activities on the Civil War that have lasting educational value.
The Civil War was, in the words of Robert Penn Warren, ``the great
single event of our history.'' It was the both the greatest disaster
that has ever befallen our nation, and also our era of greatest
achievement. It was a wrenching conflict that resulted in the loss of
620,000 lives, the liberation of four million African American slaves,
and the ratification of three Constitutional amendments that forever
changed the face of American democracy. S. 1838 is mindful of this
reality as it directs the Commission to recognize ``the experiences and
points of view of all people affected by the Civil War,'' and provides
for the development of ``programs, projects, and activities on the
Civil War that have lasting educational value.''
As S. 1838 acknowledges, the military aspects of the Civil War are
important events to commemorate. It is equally important, however, as
we prepare to reflect on the war from the vantage point of a-century-
and-a-half later, that we explore the causes of the conflict to
understand better why the democratic framework of the country failed to
resolve the sectional issues short of war. Likewise, we would be doing
a disservice to those who fought and fell, if the Sesquicentennial did
not fully examine and reflect upon the consequences of the Civil War
including not only the Reconstruction era and its aftermath, but also
the subsequent constriction of equal rights for African American
citizens, and the ultimate achievement of those civil rights for the
descendents of enslaved peoples almost a century later.
As the country approaches the 150th anniversary of the war, the
meaning of the Civil War should be explored fully. Its causes and
consequences, subjects which Congress directed the National Park
Service to address in its programs and materials beginning in 1999, can
and must be a major part of the Sesquicentennial. The Sesquicentennial
should assume the broadest possible approach to remembering and
commemorating the war. With that in mind, and subject to the concerns
of the other federal agencies referenced above, the Department would
recommend the following suggestions for strengthening S. 1838 and
making its implementation more efficient and effective.
First, the findings mention specific organizations and places
important to the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. It is important to
remember that the Civil War was a national experience and its
Sesquicentennial commemoration should likewise represent a broad
spectrum of the nation. For example, the Virginia Center for Digital
History (University of Virginia) with its The Valley of the Shadow
project could contribute much to our understanding of the war. Other
entities that might logically be considered would include the Center
for Study of the American South at the University of North Carolina and
the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of
Mississippi. We recommend that other scholarly centers and programs be
acknowledged so that the social, political, and economic aspects of the
war receive emphasis.
Second, respecting the importance of the appointments to this
nationally important commission, we recommend that the bill allow for
180 days instead of 60 days for the selection of the commission
members.
Third, the bill envisions a commission that would include twenty-
seven members. We believe a commission of this size would significantly
impede the timely selection of its members, diminish its ability to
work efficiently and effectively, and would be too costly. We recommend
a smaller commission, with perhaps fifteen or seventeen members. We
would be glad to work with the committee on language for these proposed
amendments.
Establishing a commission, subject to modifications as discussed
above, to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Civil War as
envisioned in S. 1838 would provide the nation an opportunity to
reflect upon this momentous event within an environment that would be
inclusive and contemplative. The Department of the Interior and the
National Park Service stand ready to contribute its resources and
expertise to this important commemoration. It would enable all
Americans to reflect anew upon the war, its consequences, and its
lasting legacies. It would result, we can hope, in greater public
insight into the war and promote increased awareness of its remarkable
influence upon our society today.
This concludes my prepared testimony, Mr. Chairman. I would be
pleased to answer any questions you or the committee might have.
s. 2097
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the
Interior's views on S. 2097, to authorize the rededication of the
District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District of
Columbia World War I Memorial to honor the sacrifices made by American
veterans of World War I.
The Administration appreciates the sponsors' recognition of the
sacrifices of Americans who served in World War I. This is an important
era in American history which has been honored through a number of
monuments throughout the nation. The Administration shares the
sponsors' sentiment on this subject and would like to continue working
with the Congress on it.
However, we feel that it would be premature to designate the
District of Columbia War Memorial (Memorial) as the National and
District of Columbia World War I Memorial. There has not been any study
authorized or conducted to determine which of the various World War I
Memorials in the United States would be best suited to be named as the
single or official National World War I Memorial. Further, the bill
undermines several significant provisions of the Commemorative Works
Act. Therefore, the Department cannot support S. 2097.
S. 2097 would authorize the World War I Memorial Foundation
(Foundation) to establish a commemorative work rededicating the
existing District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District
of Columbia World War I Memorial by restoring the Memorial and adding
an appropriate sculptural or other commemorative element.
The District of Columbia War Memorial was authorized by Congress on
June 7, 1924, to commemorate the citizens of the District of Columbia
who served in World War I. The Memorial was funded by both
organizations and citizens of the District of Columbia. Construction of
the Memorial began in the spring of 1931 and was dedicated by President
Herbert Hoover on November 11, 1931. It was the first war memorial to
be erected in West Potomac Park and remains the only local District
memorial on the National Mall. The Memorial is a contributing structure
in East and West Potomac Parks entry in the National Register of
Historic Places.
Designed by Washington architect Frederick H. Brooke, with Horace
W. Peaslee and Nathan C. Wyeth as associate architects, inscribed on
the base of the Memorial are the names of the 499 District of Columbia
citizens who lost their lives in the war. The Memorial was designed to
be used as a bandstand and is large enough to hold an 80-member band.
Concerts were held there until May 1, 1960. Today's visitors are likely
those who are there for its peaceful and contemplative setting.
The Department concurs with the findings of the National Capital
Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) and the American Battle Monuments
Commission (ABMC) that adding a National World War I Memorial near the
District of Columbia War Memorial would allow a new memorial into the
Reserve as well as encroach upon the existing Memorial, either of which
would be violations of the Commemorative Works Act Moreover, the
sculptural or commemorative elements that S. 2097 proposes would so
alter the existing District of Columbia War Memorial--in both its
purpose and design--that the result would be, in effect, the creation
of a new memorial.
This legislation exempts this proposal from key provisions which
are at the heart of the Commemorative Works Act. Section 8908 of the
Act precludes the addition of new memorials in the Reserve, the great
cross-axis of the Mall, which generally extends from the United States
Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the
Jefferson Memorial. Section 8905 of the Act requires the site and
design for a new memorial be developed in a public process, first
obtaining the advice of the National Capital Memorial Advisory
Commission, and then obtaining approvals by the National Capital
Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.
Veterans of World War I are honored at the General John J. Pershing
Park, which is a national World War I Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Pershing Park, located in the center of Pennsylvania Avenue, between
14th and 15th Streets, was built by the Pennsylvania Avenue Development
Corporation and includes a statue of General Pershing, as well as
artwork detailing the major battles in World War I that involved U.S.
troops. This commemorative work represents all who served in that
conflict. Quotations on this existing World War I Veterans Memorial
include General Pershing's tribute to the officers and men of the
American Expeditionary Forces of World War I and a commemoration of
those who served in the United States Navy in World War I. Veterans of
World War I are also honored on the Mall near the White House by the
1st Division and 2nd Division Memorials.
The Department appreciates the interest in improving the conditions
at the District of Columbia War Memorial. While, as with other
memorials, this memorial receives routine maintenance, the National
Park Service has recognized it needs comprehensive attention. Open
mortar joints and failed metal flashings have allowed water
infiltration into the brick, terra cotta tile, and marble. Marble
displacement, spalling, and cracking have also occurred.
The character of the Memorial's grounds has also changed. The
Memorial grove is now a mix of hardwoods, evergreens, understory
plantings, and non-native plants, altering the intended character of
the open grove. The bluestone paving is severely deteriorated and
broken from vehicular use.
As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $7.3
million has been set aside for an extensive three-stage project to
restore and rehabilitate the Memorial and grounds. First, stone
conservators are conducting tests to determine the best methods for
cleaning and removing general and biological soiling, stains, and old
paint to restore the Memorial to an appearance consistent with the
structure's age and material character. Corrections to the built-in
gutter and drainage systems will also be made to help eliminate
moisture infiltration and the associated staining and spalling.
Second, the project will restore the original planting plan, re-
establishing the 50-foot open lawn around the Memorial, set within a
grove of trees.
Third, the current deteriorated condition of the surrounding stone
plaza and walkways will be rehabilitated with thicker, more durable
stone paving and the walkways widened from eight feet to ten feet to
address contemporary use.
The National Park Service received approval for this restoration
and rehabilitation project from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on
September 17, 2009, and from the National Capital Planning Commission
on September 24, 2009. Final design, as well as final approvals from
both Commissions, is expected to be complete this spring, with the
rehabilitation expected to be complete by September 30, 2012.
As the District of Columbia World War I Memorial is dedicated to,
and was built with funds from the citizens of the District of Columbia,
any modification to rededicate it and turn this local memorial into a
national memorial would run counter to the letter and spirit of its
original authorization and to the intent of the Commemorative Works
Act. Rather than making exceptions to the Commemorative Works Act and
setting this precedent--superimposing a new memorial over an existing
one, the Department believes that greater recognition could be given to
studying opportunities to improve upon the national World War I
Memorial in Pershing Park, in accordance with the Commemorative Works
Act. . The Department believes that the memorial in Pershing Park could
be given an even greater national stature, without impinging on the
Commemorative Works Act.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks. I would be happy
to answer any questions that you or any other members of the
subcommittee may have.
s. 2722
Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the
Interior's views on S. 2722, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior
to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and
feasibility of adding the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, in the
State of Wyoming, as a unit of the National Park System.
The Department supports S. 2722. However, we feel that priority
should be given to the 49 previously authorized studies for potential
units of the National Park System, potential new National Heritage
Areas, and potential additions to the National Trails System and the
National Wild and Scenic River System that have not yet been
transmitted to Congress.
S. 2722 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary)
to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and
feasibility of designating the Heart Mountain Relocation Center as a
unit of the National Park System. The study would also consider other
alternatives for the preservation, protection and interpretation of the
site by federal, State, or local governmental entities, or private and
nonprofit organizations. The bill also directs the Secretary to
identify any potential impacts to private landowners if the site is
designated as a unit of the National Park System and specifies that the
Secretary, through the study process, shall consult with interested
federal, State, or local governmental entities, federally recognized
Indian tribes, private and nonprofit organizations, and owners of
private property that may be affected by any designation. Not later
than three years after funds are made available, the Secretary is
directed to submit the results and recommendations of the study to
Congress. We estimate that this study will cost approximately $240,000.
Located in northwest Wyoming, in the Shoshone River Valley, the
Heart Mountain Relocation Center is one of 10 relocation centers
established by the U.S. military to incarcerate Japanese Americans
during World War II. The Center opened on August 11, 1942, and operated
for 39 months, closing on November 10, 1945. At its peak, Heart
Mountain contained 10,767 Japanese Americans, nearly all of whom were
former residents of California, Oregon, and Washington, and two-thirds
of whom were United States citizens.
The site tells the story of a group of American citizens whose
constitutional rights were abrogated during a time when our nation was
at war. Heart Mountain is also directly associated with one of the
largest single draft resistance movements in United States history. To
protest the confinement of their families, 315 Japanese Americans from
all 10 relocation centers were imprisoned for resisting induction into
the military. Heart Mountain had the highest rate of resistance with 85
men imprisoned for their resistance to the draft.
The Heart Mountain Relocation Center originally encompassed 21,521
acres. However, the center's core developed area, which included the
residential and administrative areas, contained approximately 740
acres.
Jointly managed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Heart
Mountain, Wyoming Foundation, the current Heart Mountain National
Historic Landmark contains 124 acres with the remaining parts of the
area privately owned. The Bureau of Reclamation owns and administers 74
acres, which includes the site of the original hospital complex and a
portion of the administrative complex. The Heart Mountain, Wyoming
Foundation owns 50 acres, which includes the relocation center's
military police compound. The Foundation is currently engaged in a
significant fundraising campaign to construct an 11,000 square foot
Interpretive Learning Center at the site. To date, nearly one-half of
the needed funds have been raised.
Although, as a nation, we are not proud of what happened at the
Heart Mountain Relocation Center and the other nine detention sites
where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, such
sites allow us to learn from our history and remind us of how far we
have come. The designation of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center as a
National Historic Landmark has brought increased public recognition and
awareness of the site. However, this designation does not guarantee
additional safeguards or protection of the site. The special resource
study process would allow all interested parties to comment on ways to
preserve and allow for visitor enjoyment of the Heart Mountain
Relocation Center.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks. I would be happy
to answer any questions you or any other members of the subcommittee
may have.
s. 2726
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to appear before your
committee to present the views of the Department of the Interior on S.
2726, a bill to modify the boundary of the Minuteman Missile National
Historic Site in the State of South Dakota.
The Department supports S. 2726 with some technical amendments
included at the end of this statement.
S. 2726 would authorize the Secretary to transfer 25 acres of
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands from the U.S. Forest Service to
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site in Philip, South Dakota, to
establish a visitor facility and administrative site. The new facility
would be located north of exit 131 on Interstate 90 in Jackson County,
South Dakota. Minuteman Missile's enabling legislation states, ``On a
determination by the Secretary of the appropriate location for a
visitor facility and administrative site, the boundary of the historic
site shall be modified to include the selected site.'' The enabling
legislation also included a map of the visitor center site indicating
that the proposed area would be 10 acres in size. Later planning
indicated that a minimum size for the visitor center site would require
25 acres. National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service personnel, in
consultation with our respective lawyers, have discussed that in view
of the increase in acreage, it would be appropriate to provide for that
increase in new legislation. There would be no cost involved in this
land transfer.
The U.S. Forest Service (Buffalo Gap National Grassland) is in
agreement with the recommended land transfer and has provided Minuteman
Missile NHS with an outline of the land transfer process. The National
Park Service's Midwest regional architects and engineers conducted an
on-site visit in March 2009 with the Minuteman Missile NHS staff to
determine the number of acres necessary for the land transfer. The
National Grassland representatives met with representatives from the
National Park Service to discuss the proposed land involved in the
transfer and the U.S. Forest Service has agreed to the transfer of 25
acres. We note that the U.S. Forest Service also has identified the
Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937 as another possible vehicle for
this transfer.
Public Law 106-115 established the Minuteman Missile National
Historic Site. The General Management Plan/Environmental Impact
Statement (GMP/EIS) scoping began in 2001 and the record of decision
was signed on July 2, 2009. The GMP's preferred alternative included
the development of a visitor center/administrative facility and a land
transfer from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service for
the site of the facility. The GMP recommended the preferred location at
I-90 South Dakota Exit 131 with ``up to'' 25 acres for the complete
facility.
The estimated cost to build the visitor center and administrative
site is $4.7 million, and the estimated cost to annual operate and
maintain both facilities would be approximately $750,000. All funds
would be subject to NPS priorities and the availability of
appropriations.
The transfer between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest
Service would be conducted in accordance with applicable laws,
regulations, and policies.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my testimony. I look forward to
working with the Committee on these amendments and other technical
issues. I am prepared to answer any questions from members of the
Committee.
Proposed amendments to S. 2726, the Minuteman Missile National Historic
Site Boundary Modification Act
Page 2, line 2, by striking `` respectively; and '' and
inserting ``respectively;''
Page 2, line 6, by inserting ``also'' after `` historic site
''.
Page 2, line 18, by striking `` 2009 ' . '' and inserting ``
2009 '; and ''
Page 2, after line 18, by inserting
`` (3) in section (3)(a)(3), as redesignated by paragraph
(1), by striking `` (4) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.--The map described
in paragraph (2)'' and inserting `` (4) AVAILABILITY OF MAPS.--
The maps described in paragraphs (2) and (3) ''
----(4) in section (3)(e)(1), by striking ``Except as
provided in paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``Except as provided
in paragraphs (2) and (3)''.
----(5) in section (3)(e), by adding a new paragraph (3) as
follows:
(3) The Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer
administrative jurisdiction over the lands described in
paragraph 3(a)(3) to the Secretary, and shall modify the
boundaries of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland to exclude the
transferred lands from the grassland boundaries. As soon as
practicable after the transfer, the Secretary shall prepare a
map and a legal description of the lands described herein,
which shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
s. 2738
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the
Interior's views on S. 2738, a bill to authorize the National Mall
Liberty Fund D.C. to establish a memorial on federal land in the
District of Columbia to honor free persons and slaves who fought for
independence, liberty, and justice for all during the American
Revolution.
The Department supports S. 2738 if amended to conform to the
principles, processes, and requirements set forth in the Commemorative
Works Act, which has successfully guided the process for establishing
monuments in the Nation's Capital since it was enacted in 1986 and as
amended since that time. We also recommend that one technical
correction be made to a map reference in the bill.
The bill would authorize the establishment of a memorial on federal
land in the District of Columbia to recognize and commemorate the
contributions of 5,000 African Americans who served as soldiers and
sailors or provided civilian assistance during the American
Revolutionary War. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds to
establish the memorial, directs that the memorial be established
according to the Commemorative Works Act, and repeals two laws for the
authorization and site selection of a similar memorial proposal that
expired.
In 1986, Congress enacted the Commemorative Works Act to guide the
process for establishing memorials in the Nation's Capital. Since its
enactment, the Act has played an important role in ensuring that
memorials in the Nation's Capital are erected on the most appropriate
sites and are of a caliber of design that is worthy of their
historically significant subjects. The Act was amended in 2003 to,
among other things, provide for establishment of a Reserve where no
additional memorials may be located.
While S. 2738 states that the memorial shall be established in
accordance with the Commemorative Works Act, the bill contravenes a
critical requirement of the Commemorative Works Act by pre-selecting
Area I as the site for this memorial.
Area I is located within the Monumental Core of the Nation's
Capital extending around the Capitol Reflecting Pool to the eastern
boundary of Arlington National Cemetery and along the Virginia
shoreline. Area I excludes the Reserve, the great cross-axis of the
Mall, which generally extends from the United States Capitol to the
Lincoln Memorial, and from the White House to the Jefferson Memorial.
Congress, in the Commemorative Works Act, reserved Area I for subjects
determined to be of preeminent and lasting historic significance to the
Nation and it established a process for making this determination which
has worked well for over 20 years. Through this process, a new memorial
may be located in Area I only if the Secretary determines, after
consulting with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission,
which holds public meetings, that the memorial's subject warrants
location in Area I and recommends it to Congress. If Congress agrees
with the recommendation, it enacts a law within 150 days approving the
location. As currently written, S. 2738 bypasses this important
process.
Following the Commemorative Works Act, in the Department's view,
would not hinder the Liberty Memorial Foundation in its ability to
establish this memorial. In fact, if it obtains an Area I designation
through this process, it would be granted an additional seven years to
complete the memorial, for a total of 14 years. This change was made by
Congress when it amended the Commemorative Works Act in 2003, and as a
result sponsors no longer need to fear that seeking an Area I
designation might cost them their authority to establish the memorial
at all.
We also would note out that S. 2738 makes no provisions for the
disposition of monies raised in excess of funds needed for the
establishment of the memorial or to hold in reserve the amount
available should the authority to establish the memorial expire before
completion. The Department recommends that the bill be amended to
clarify the disposition of these funds.
The Department also notes that the bill references the 1986 map,
which Congress amended in 2003 when it changed the boundaries of Area I
and created the Reserve. The 1986 map is no longer valid. We recommend
that the bill be amended to reference the revised map, numbered 869/
86501B and dated June 24, 2003.
The Department reiterates our support of the establishment of a
memorial in the Nation's Capital that recognizes and commemorates the
contributions of African Americans who fought for independence, liberty
and justice during the Revolutionary War. We look forward to the
opportunity to work with the subcommittee to develop language that
would provide for such authorization in a manner consistent with the
principles, processes, and requirements set forth by existing
authorities.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my prepared testimony, I would be glad
to answer any questions that you or other members of the subcommittee
may have.
h.r. 3689
Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today to present the Department of the
Interior's views on H.R. 3689, a bill to provide for an extension of
the legislative authority of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.
(the Fund) to establish a Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitor center, and
for other purposes.
The Department supports H.R. 3689 as passed by the House.
The visitor center was authorized by Public Law 108-126, signed on
November 17, 2003. Following site analysis and the completion of an
environmental assessment, the visitor center was approved to be located
on the NPS proposed site on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial,
bounded by Constitution Avenue, Henry Bacon Drive, Lincoln Memorial
Circle, and 23rd Street, N.W., so long as certain mitigation set forth
in design standards developed jointly by the National Capital Planning
Commission (NCPC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) are met.
To protect the sensitive landscape of the site, which includes views to
and from the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the
design team is responding to these critical design standards and
criteria. The criteria have been helpful to move this important
commemorative work forward while minimizing potential impacts to the
surrounding views and nearby memorials. In addition to public
consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the
Commemorative Works Act requires an important series of reviews and
approvals by NCPC and CFA. To meet the challenges associated with
designing this project on such a sensitive and highly visible site, and
the legislative requirement that it be located underground, the NPS and
the Fund have made design refinements as needed during this process.
We are pleased to report that significant progress has been made
gaining approvals for the design. Furthermore, the NPS believes that
the design will be fully approved in a timely fashion and that the
visitor center can be completed and open to the public within the
additional four years that H.R. 3689 would allow. Without the proposed
extension, the Fund's current authority to establish this visitor
center will expire on November 17, 2010.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to comment. This
concludes my prepared remarks and I will be happy to answer any
questions you or other committee members might have.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Ms. Stevenson.
I will recognize myself for a series of questions.
Your testimony states that the administration believes that
the designation of a World War I memorial at this time is
premature, since there hasn't been a study yet. Do you have an
estimate as to how long it would take and what it would cost?
Ms. Stevenson. We ordinarily testify that between $200- and
$300,000 is required for such a study and that it takes
approximately 3 years.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification.
As you know, the statue in Pershing Park is considered to
be a World War I memorial. The cross in the Mohave National
Preserve has been designated as a National Memorial
commemorating World War I, as well. Do you think there should
be a single official national World War I memorial, or whether
it makes sense to have multiple recognized memorials?
Ms. Stevenson. I believe we'll defer that answer to the
Congress.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that opportunity.
[Laughter.]
Senator Udall. My understanding is the Liberty Memorial in
Kansas City is privately owned. Do you have any concerns with
designating a private facility as a national memorial?
Ms. Stevenson. That would depend on how the designation was
written. We have other private buildings that are units in the
National Park System, and agreements have been worked out.
Senator Udall. You mentioned in your testimony that $7.3
million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is
available to restore the District of Columbia War Memorial. Do
you know if these funds are sufficient to restore the memorial,
or would additional funds be necessary?
Ms. Stevenson. May I ask Mr. May to assist me with that
question?
Senator Udall. Of course.
Mr. May, join us at the witness table and----
Mr. May. Thank you very much----
Senator Udall. Would you give your name and title, for the
record, please.
Mr. May. Certainly.
Senator Udall. Thank you.
Mr. May. Peter May, Associate Regional Director for Lands,
Resources, and Planning for the National Capital Region of the
National Parks Service.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. May. You're recognized.
Mr. May. Thank you.
We do believe that we have sufficient funds to complete the
restoration of the DC World War I Memorial.
Senator Udall. Thank you.
Feel free to continue to sit at the witness table.
Ms. Stevenson, let me turn to World War I and Civil War
Commissions. With respect to those two bills authorizing
Federal commissions to commemorate the anniversaries of the
Civil War and World War I, just to clarify for the record, the
administration supports the creation of both commissions, but
wants to modify the way in which commission members are
appointed in order to avoid appointments cause--clause
conflicts. Is that correct?
Ms. Stevenson. That is as we understand it. The Justice
Department is the one that has raised that objection. So, it
will be they who deal with you all.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification.
Let me move to the Black Revolutionary War Patriots
Memorial. That is S. 2738, which would a be a new authorization
for the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial. You object
to a provision in the bill which finds that the subject matter
of the proposed memorial is of preeminent and lasting
significance to the United States, as required under the
Commemorative Works Act. Given that the Secretary of the
Interior and Congress has already made that determination for
the previously authorized memorial, and since the subject of
the new memorial is identical to the previously authorized one,
why does the Park Service believe it's a problem to acknowledge
that significance in this legislation?
Ms. Stevenson. Mr. May.
Senator Udall. Mr. May, you're recognized.
Mr. May. Thank you.
On a certain level, this is a matter of principle in the
execution of the Commemorative Works Act. We believe that the
Congress very wisely set a specific process for establishing
when something is worthy of being in Area 1. We'd like to see
that confirmed at this point for this memorial.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification.
I have no further questions.
I know Senator Burr, because of the busy nature of this
week, and this day in particular, has been unable to join us
immediately. He may well have questions for you, and I know
you'll be willing to----
Ms. Stevenson. I'd be delighted to answer----
Senator Udall [continuing]. Answer those questions.
Thank you for taking the time to----
Ms. Stevenson. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Udall [continuing]. Come up to the Hill. We will
see you again soon, I'm sure.
Ms. Stevenson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Udall. As Ms. Stevenson, Mr. May depart, I'd ask
the next panel to take your seats at the table, and we'll turn
to your testimony.
[Pause.]
Senator Udall. Thank you. Good afternoon, to you panel
members that have joined us.
I'd like to turn to your testimony with dispatch. So, what
I'll do is introduce each of you in turn, and I'll start with
Mr. Alexander, who's on my left, and on the right of those of
you sitting at the table. Mr. Brian Alexander is president, CEO
of the National World War I Museum, Kansas City, Missouri.
Sir, the floor is yours. We'd ask you to keep your
testimony within a 5-minute timeframe, give or take, and would
make that same request of all those who are going to testify.
Welcome, and I look forward to hearing what you have to
say.
STATEMENT OF BRIAN ALEXANDER, PRESIDENT & CEO, NATIONAL WORLD
WAR I MUSEUM, KANSAS CITY, MO
Mr. Alexander. Chairman Udall, thank you for the
opportunity to present the views of the National World War I
Museum on H.R. 1849 and S. 70, to designate the Liberty
Memorial as a National World War I Memorial and to establish a
World War I Centennial Commission.
Shortly after the 1918 armistice, citizens in the heart of
our Nation raised money to build a memorial in Kansas City,
Missouri, to honor the 4 million American men and women who
served during the first World War. In 2 weeks, they raised over
$2 million, roughly the equivalent of $30 million today. The
1921 Site dedication in Kansas City was attended by the
military commanders of the five allied nations--France, Italy,
Great Britain, Belgium, and the United States, represented by
General John J. Pershing of Missouri. It was at the Liberty
Memorial that these five leaders met together for the first
time.
The Liberty Memorial opened on November 11, 1926. During
the dedication, President Calvin Coolidge addressed the more
than 100,000 attendees, saying, ``Erected in memory of those
who defended their homes and their freedom in the World War, it
stands for service and all that service implies. Today, I
return in order that I may place the official sanction of the
national government upon one of the most elaborate impressive
memorials that adorn our country.'' Today, we're here to
request that you formalize President Coolidge's sanction by the
national government.
For 8 decades, all American veterans from the Great War
have been honored by the words carved on the base of the 217-
foot-tall Liberty Memorial tower, ``In honor of those who
served in the World War in defense of liberty and our
country.''
In 1961, former Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, both
World War I veterans, joined together to rededicate the Liberty
Memorial, further recognizing it as the national memorial.
H.R. 760 also establishes a Centennial Commission to
oversee the 100th anniversary of World War I. While the matter
is not directly before this committee, the National World War I
Museum is strongly supportive of this legislation that will
properly coordinate the national program to commemorate the
great sacrifices of those who served.
Through the years, more than 60,000 historical objects from
the war have been donated to the Liberty Memorial from around
the world, resulting in the most comprehensive collection of
World War I materials in our country.
Our efforts were greatly enhanced with the massive
expansion of a new museum built directly beneath the Liberty
Memorial. In 2004, the 108th Congress enacted legislation
designating the museum as the National World War I Museum. The
new state-of-the-art museum opened its doors to critical
acclaim in 2006. That same year, the Liberty Memorial was also
designated by the Department of Interior as a National Historic
Landmark.
Since the 2006 grand opening, more than a million guests
have visited the 80,000-square-foot complex and 47-acre
grounds, including more than 55,000 school students.
For 83 years, the Liberty Memorial has honored all those
who served this country in the war. Since then, American
soldiers, on their way to subsequent conflicts, have visited
the memorial to honor those who came before them. As an
example, General David Petreus toured the museum shortly before
his deployment to Iraq. Other dignitaries have acknowledged the
importance of the memorial and museum through their visits,
including, among others, Vice President Dick Cheney, former
Secretary of State Colin Powell, and then-Senator Barack Obama.
On Veterans Day 2009, the son and grandson of Sergeant
Alvin York, the most decorated American World War I
``doughboy,'' were special guests of the museum and memorial.
We are proud that the York family has endorsed our legislative
efforts and that members of the York family are here today.
We are also proud to have two national member-based
organizations representing nearly 5 million veterans endorse
our efforts for national memorial designation and the creation
of a Centennial Commission. I have with me a resolution that
was passed unanimously by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well
as a letter of support from the American Legion and its
members. We are grateful that both organizations are
represented here today.
We are not asking that ongoing operational funding be tied
to this designation. Our request is simply to recognize the
Liberty Memorial as the Nation's official World War I memorial,
fulfilling President Coolidge's pronouncement in 1926.
In conclusion, since the end of the war, the American
people established hundreds of memorials throughout our Nation
to honor their countrymen who served. Right here in the
District of Columbia, one can find several memorials dedicated
to soldiers from this area. We support the renovation of these
and other memorials. However, the Liberty Memorial stands apart
from all other efforts, in size, in scale, and in its ongoing
commitment in interpreting and honoring all veterans from the
first World War.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement, and I'm happy to
answer any questions.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Alexander follows:]
Prepared Statement of Brian Alexander, President & CEO, National World
War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, Kansas City, MO, on S. 760 and H.R.
1849
Chairman Udall, Ranking Member Burr and other members of the
committee, thank you for the opportunity to present the views of the
National World War I Museum on H.R. 1849 and S.760 to designate the
Liberty Memorial as the National World War I Memorial and to establish
a World War I Centennial Commission.
The events of 1914 through 1918 profoundly shaped world history and
forever changed America's role on the world stage. Shortly after the
1918 Armistice, citizens in the heart of our nation raised money to
build a memorial in Kansas City, Missouri to honor the four million
American men and women who served during the First World War.
In two weeks they raised over two million dollars--the equivalent
of more than 26 million dollars today. Following this successful
fundraising drive, a national architectural competition for a monument
design was held.
The 1921 site dedication in Kansas City was attended by the
military commanders of the five Allied nations--France, Italy, Great
Britain, Belgium and the United States, represented by General John J.
Pershing of Missouri. It was at the Liberty Memorial that these five
leaders met together for the first time.
The Liberty Memorial opened on November 11, 1926. During the
dedication, President Calvin Coolidge addressed the more than 100,000
attendees, saying:
It is with a mingling of sentiments that we come to dedicate
this memorial. Erected in memory of those who defended their
homes and their freedom in the World War, it stands for service
and all that service implies. Today I return . . . in order
that I may place the official sanction of the national
government upon one of the most elaborate and impressive
memorials that adorn our country.
Today we are here to request that you formalize President
Coolidge's official sanction of the national government. For eight
decades all American veterans from the Great War have been honored by
the words carved on the limestone base of the 217-foot tall Liberty
Memorial Tower--``In Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in
Defense of Liberty and Our Country.''
In 1961 former Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, both World War I
veterans, joined together to rededicate the Liberty Memorial--further
recognizing it as the national memorial.
H.R. 760 also establishes a Centennial Commission to prepare for
and oversee the 100th anniversary of World War I. While this matter is
not directly before this committee, the National World War I Museum is
strongly supportive of this legislation that will properly coordinate a
national program to commemorate the great sacrifices of those who
served by making available the vast resources of the Museum.
Through the years, more than 60,000 historical objects from the war
have been donated to the Liberty Memorial from around the world--
resulting in the most comprehensive collection of World War I materials
in our country.
Our ability to share the stories and honor those who served in the
First World War was greatly enhanced with the massive expansion of a
new museum built directly beneath the Liberty Memorial. In 2004 the
108th Congress enacted legislation designating the museum as the
National World War I Museum. The new state-of-the-art Museum opened its
doors to critical acclaim in 2006. That same year, the Liberty Memorial
was also designated by the Department of the Interior as a National
Historic Landmark.
Since the 2006 grand opening, more than a million guests have
visited the museum and its historic grounds including more than 55,000
students on school sponsored field trips.
For 83 years, the Liberty Memorial has honored all those who served
this country in the First World War. Since then, American soldiers on
their way to subsequent conflicts have visited the memorial to honor
those who came before them. As an example, General David Petraeus
toured the Museum shortly before his deployment to Iraq.
Other dignitaries have acknowledged the importance of the Memorial
and Museum through their visits including Vice President Dick Cheney,
former Secretary of State General Colin Powell and then Senator Barack
Obama.
On Veterans Day 2009, the son and grandson of Sergeant Alvin York,
the most decorated American World War I doughboy, were special guests
of the Museum and Memorial. We are proud that the York family has
endorsed our legislative efforts, and that members of the York family
are here today. As the Centennial approaches and world attention
focuses on this event, other family descendants, historians and
organizations throughout the world are turning to us to help in their
remembrance.
We are proud to have two national member-based organizations,
representing nearly five million veterans, endorse our efforts for
National Memorial designation and the creation of a Centennial
Commission. I have with me a resolution to this effect that was passed
unanimously at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention, as
well as a letter of support from the American Legion and its members,
who also formally endorsed our proposed legislation.* We are grateful
that both organizations are represented here today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Documents have been retained in subcommittee files.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I ask unanimous consent that these letters and the letter from the
York family be included in their entirety along with my full statement.
We are not asking that ongoing operational funding be tied to the
designation as national memorial. Our request is to simply recognize
the Liberty Memorial as the nation's official World War I Memorial--
fulfilling President Coolidge's pronouncement in 1926.
In conclusion, since the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918, the
American people established hundreds of memorials throughout our nation
to honor their countrymen who served in the Great War. Right here in
the District of Columbia one can find several memorials dedicated to
soldiers from this area. However, the Liberty Memorial stands apart
from all other efforts--in size, in scale and in our ongoing commitment
in honoring and interpreting this event.
For more than 80 years, the Liberty Memorial has served as the de
facto national memorial. The grandeur of the Liberty Memorial combined
with nearly a century of honoring ALL United States veterans from the
First World War positions the Memorial uniquely as the national symbol
for World War I.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my statement. I would be pleased to
answer any questions you or any members of the subcommittee may have.
Attachment.--Additional Comment
national world war i museum at liberty memorial funding structure
The 2009 operating budget for the National World War I Museum at
Liberty Memorialas $2,802,250. The Museum is able to fulfill its
mission through various revenue streams which include earned income, a
city subsidy and philanthropic contributions.
earned income (admission)
An admission fee is charged to each guest which allows access to
the view the galleries and to ride the Tower elevator. As the largest
revenue generator for the Museum, the admission revenue equals 32% of
the Museum's budget. Guests ages 12 to 64 pay $10 to see the National
World War I Museum and the view from the top of the Tower. The Museum
does not charge admission for active duty military or career retired
military.
It is important to understand that the Museum does not charge a fee
to view the Liberty Memorial. Visitors can view the 217-foot Liberty
Memorial Tower, the Guardian Spirits, and symbolic sphinxes for free
daily from dawn to dusk. Tens of thousands of guests visit the Memorial
grounds annually without paying an admission fee.
earned income (other)
Earned income from other sources, which makes up another 27% of the
Museum's revenue, includes Museum Store sales; Over There Cafe sales;
Walk of Honor brick sales; and rental events.
The Museum Store features a selection of WWI treasures ranging from
vintage t-shirts to military collectibles. The goal of the Museum Store
is to inform, educate and extend the visitor's experience by offering
quality products and excellent service.
At the Over There Cafe, guests dine surrounded by WWI-themed decor
featuring the flags of the Allied and Central Powers, a poppy field
mural and music of the era.
The Walk of Honor currently has more than 7,500 bricks bought to
recognize individuals and organizations. The Walk of Honor is divided
into three sections. 1) a section dedicated solely to those who served
in World War I, 2) a section for veterans of any military service and
3) a section to honor civilian friends, family or organizations.
Each year, more than 200 private events are held on Museum grounds.
Revenue is earned from both facility rentals and catering fees.
city funding
The National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial and surrounding
47 acres are owned by the City of Kansas City. The Museum is managed by
the nonprofit Liberty Memorial Association through a long-term contract
with the City of Kansas City. In 2009, the Museum received $625,000
from the City of Kansas City as part of a contractual subsidy and
maintenance endowment, which equals 22% of the Museum's revenue.*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Graphic has been retained in subcommittee files.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
philanthropic contributions
Philanthropic gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations
currently make up 17.5% of the Museums budget. Revenue in this area
comes from individual gifts, memberships, grants, sponsorships, planned
gifts and commemorative gifts.
The Museum successfully completed a We the People challenge grant
from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2009. This
prestigious grant establishes two important endowments. The Education
Endowment will support programming that strengthens and improves the
visitor's understanding of World War I history and the Acquisitions
Endowment will fund the purchase of significant World War I artifacts.
Under the terms of the grant, the National World War I Museum raised
$1.5 million with matching money of $500,000. Both the Education
Endowment and the Acquisitions Endowment are restricted funds which can
only be used to support their respective missions.
Other major grants have been awarded to the Museum by the Ewing
Marion Kauffman Foundation, Save America's Treasures, U.S. Department
of Education, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Alexander, for that
testimony.
I, too, want to offer my welcome to the York family. I
think every American is familiar with that phenomenal story
from World War I. So, welcome to your Nation's capital, to the
York family.
We've been joined by Mr. Maurice A. Barboza, who's the
founder and CEO of the National Mall Liberty Fund DC, based
here in Washington, DC.
Mr. Barboza, welcome, and the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF MAURICE A. BARBOZA, FOUNDER & CEO, NATIONAL MALL
LIBERTY FUND D.C.
Mr. Barboza. Thank you very much, Chairman Udall and
members of----
Senator Udall. If you'll turn your mic on. I didn't set a
very good example, starting this panel, but----
Mr. Barboza. Thank you.
Thank you for inviting me to testify on the National
Liberty Memorial Act. We commend the sponsors, Senator Chris
Dodd and Senator Charles Grassley, for 25 years of fidelity to
the project.
I'm the founder and CEO of the organization. Our purpose is
to create a memorial to the unique circumstances and
aspirations of African American soldiers, sailors, patriots,
and freedom-seekers of the American Revolutionary War. This is
not a war memorial. These men and women strove to become ``We
the People,'' and to have children and grandchildren who were
secure in their own skin and free to give of themselves to the
Union.
What stirred the slave at sunrise, could instruct Americans
today. In 1988, Congress approved, and President Reagan signed,
a bill setting aside the land on the mall. The history was
declared a preeminent historical and lasting significance.
However, in 2005, 2 years after the moratorium was approved,
the separate authorization of the sponsor expired and the site
became unavailable. Although the memorial was not built,
discoveries inspired by the exposure are meaningful and
mounting. The long delay is revealing itself as a building
block instead of a missed opportunity.
Emerson said, ``Liberty is a slow fruit. It is made
difficult because freedom is the perfection of man.'' Approval
of this bill would reaffirm the worthiness of the history. The
National Park Service and the new organization could then
identify potential sites in Area 1, outside of the reserve.
The Sons of the American Revolution estimates that as many
as 10,000 African Americans fought for independence, serving
largely in integrated units. They were killed, captured, and
wounded. Slaves and free persons volunteered, in hopes of
winning liberty and citizenship. Afterward, they lived
exemplary lives, nurturing families and liberty. Some founded
churches and self-help groups; these eventually spawned the
civil rights movement. Many were farmers and artisans, others
become preachers and entrepreneurs. A few even voted. Tens of
thousands of slaves were emboldened to run away or petition for
liberty. Some bartered chains for muskets. These declarations
of independence are footprinted on roads, backwoods, and
newspaper ads seeking to apprehend them in their tracks.
Books and scholarship about their tenacity have blossomed
since 1986. Records and the spirits abiding within them have
been unshackled; they're free and discoverable. Last year, the
names of over 5,000 were released. ``Forgotten Patriots''
contains proof of their military service, and clues to spouses
and children. Asa Snelling, Henry Bakeman, and Sergeant Isaac
Brown are among dozens of patriots reunited with their
families. Absalom Martin, a North Carolina soldier is one of
them. Any one of your States' citizens could be a descendant of
the 10,000. Heirs to this legacy could number in the millions.
Hundreds more will discover their inheritance over the next
decade. The coming together of ancestor and descendant
liberates both.
I've seen women organize commemorations to convey ancient
recollections to the living. I have seen Black and white
families honor common ancestors and ancestors who knew one
another. I have seen it bring grown men to tears. In
Connecticut, Venture Smith and his son, a Revolutionary War
soldier, is celebrated annually by his family and community.
Historians, anthropologists, and genealogists will gather
tomorrow in Hartford for the Documenting Venture Smith
Conference. Citizens of Montrose, Iowa, celebrate the life of
Cato Mead, a Connecticut soldier who moved to Lee County and
died there in 1846. Citizens of Savannah, Georgia, and Haiti
built a monument to Haitian soldiers who fought there with
General Pulaski in 1779. Oscar Marion was honored in the
capital in 2007, near his portrait with General Marion.
The National Park Service has identified 103 Black soldiers
at Bunker Hill and many others at other historic battles.
Next year, the Cato Freedom Project, at Hartwick College in
New York, will announce the National Freedom Descendants
Commission. Students are writing papers, searching for
descendants, and traipsing through woodlands to discover graves
and ancestral lands. The history is required reading in the
grade schools of New Jersey. A traveling exhibit, ``Oh,
Freedom,'' commemorates the State's Black patriots.
A treasure map of the Nation's birth--cherished principles
is being redrawn. Americans of all races and points of view are
finding common identity, common values, and common purpose. The
day is coming when the spell cast over history by slavery and
Jim Crow is broken. No longer will that warp the way an
American sees himself and colors see one another. Lincoln
cautioned, ``A house divided against itself cannot stand.''
Imagine this future memorial as a lighthouse guiding us to
where all citizens are bound beyond doubt as ``We the People.''
In that aim is the preservation of liberty.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Barboza follows:]
Prepared Statement of Maurice A. Barboza, Founder & CEO, Liberty Fund
D.C., on S. 2738
Chairman Udall, Senator Burr and members of the Subcommittee, thank
you for inviting me to testify on S. 2738, the National Liberty
Memorial Act. We commend the sponsors, Senator Chris Dodd and Senator
Charles Grassley, for 25 years of fidelity. I am the founder and CEO of
Liberty Fund D.C.\1\ Our purpose is to create a memorial to the unique
circumstances and aspirations of African American soldiers, sailors,
patriots and freedom seekers of the Revolutionary War. Above all, these
men and women strove to become ``We the People'' and to have children
and grandchildren who are secure in their own skin and free to give of
themselves to the union. What stirred the slave at sunrise could
instruct Americans today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ This 501(c)(3) non-profit was incorporated in the District of
Columbia in 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 1988, Congress approved, and President Reagan signed, a bill
setting aside land on the Mall. Public Law 100-265, a prerequisite,
declares the deeds of ``preeminent historical and lasting
significance.''\2\ However, in 2005, two years after the moratorium was
approved, the separate authorization of the sponsor expired and the
site became unavailable.\3\ Although, the memorial was not built,
discoveries inspired by the exposure are meaningful and mounting. The
long delay is revealing itself as a building block, instead of a missed
opportunity. Emerson said, ``liberty is slow fruit. It is never cheap.
It is made difficult because freedom is the accomplishment and
perfection of man.'' Approval of S. 2738 would reaffirm the worthiness
of the history. The National Park Service and the new organization
could then identify potential sites in Area 1--outside of the Reserve.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Public Law 100-265, March 1988, declares the history of these
patriots to be of preeminence: ``. . .slaves and free black persons who
served as soldiers and sailors or provided civilian assistance during
the American Revolution and to honor black men, women, and children who
ran away from slavery or filed petitions with courts and legislatures
seeking their freedom''.
\3\ Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial, Public Law 99-558,
October 1986.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sons of the American Revolution estimates that as many as
10,000 African Americans fought for Independence. Serving largely in
integrated units, they were killed, captured and wounded, from 1775 to
1783. Slaves and free persons volunteered in the hope of winning
liberty and citizenship. Afterward, they lived exemplary lives,
nurturing families and the tree of liberty. Some founded churches and
self-help groups. These eventually spawned the Civil Rights Movement.
Many were farmers and artisans; others became preachers and
entrepreneurs. A few even voted. Tens of thousands of slaves were
emboldened to run away or petition for liberty. Some bartered chains
for muskets. These declarations of independence are foot-printed on
roads, backwoods and newspaper ads seeking to apprehend them in their
tracks.
Books and scholarship about their tenacity have blossomed since
1986. Records, and the spirits abiding within them, have been
unshackled; they are free and discoverable. Last year, the names of
over 5,000 were released, after 24 years. Forgotten Patriots\4\
contains proof of their military service, residences and clues to
spouses and children. Asa Snelling, Henry Bakeman and Sergeant Isaac
Brown are among dozens of patriots reunited with their families.
Absalom Martin, a North Carolina soldier, is one of them. Any one of
your state's citizens could be a descendant of the 10,000. Heirs to
this legacy could number in the millions. Hundreds more will discover
their inheritance over the next decade. The coming together of ancestor
and descendant liberates both. I have seen women organize
commemorations to convey ancient recollections to the living. I have
seen black and white families honor common ancestors and ancestors who
knew one another. I have seen it bring grown men to tears.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Forgotten Patriots, African American and American Indian
Patriots in the American Revolution, Washington, D.C.: Daughters of the
American Revolution, 2008 (Required by membership settlement agreement
of Lena Santos Ferguson, May 1984).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Connecticut, Venture Smith and his son, a Revolutionary War
soldier, are celebrated annually by his family and community.
Historians, anthropologists and genealogists will gather tomorrow in
Hartford for the Documenting Venture Smith Conference. Citizens of
Montrose, Iowa, celebrate the life of Cato Mead, a Connecticut soldier,
who moved to Lee County and died there in 1846. Citizens of Savannah,
Georgia and Haiti built a monument to Haitian soldiers who fought there
with Gen. Pulaski in 1779. Oscar Marion was honored in the Capitol near
his portrait with Gen. Marion. The National Park Service has identified
103 black soldiers at Bunker Hill.
In April 2010, the Cato Freedom Project at Hartwick College in New
York will announce the National Freedom Descendants Commission.
Students are writing papers, searching for descendants and traipsing
through woodlands to discover graves and ancestral lands. The history
is required reading in the grade schools of New Jersey. A traveling
exhibit, ``Oh Freedom!'', commemorates the state's black patriots. A
treasure map of the nation's birth and cherished principles is being
redrawn. Americans of all races and points-of-view are finding common
identity, common values, and common purpose.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ In March 1984, Congress approved Public Law 98-245 to encourage
commemorative and educational activities to honor the black patriots.
President Reagan signed the Act in a ceremony in the Oval Office. This
precursor to the authority for the Black Revolutionary War Patriots
Memorial offers thanks to descendants.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The day is coming when the spell cast over history by slavery and
Jim Crow is broken. No longer will they warp the way an American sees
himself and colors see one another. Lincoln cautioned, ``a house
divided against itself cannot stand.'' Imagine this future memorial as
a lighthouse guiding us to where all citizens are bound beyond doubt as
``We the people.'' In that aim is the preservation of liberty.
[Additional materials submitted have been retained in subcommittee
files.]
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Barboza, for those powerful
words.
We now turn to Mr. Harry G. Robinson III. He's board of
directors, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Washington, DC.
Mr. Robinson, welcome, the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF HARRY G. ROBINSON, III, BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND
Mr. Robinson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I'm Harry Robinson, currently appointed as the Silcott
Chair of Architecture and Dean Emeritus at Howard University.
I'm joined today by Jan Scruggs, the young man who had the
idea of The Wall, and actually built it.
I speak to you today as a member of the Board of Vietnam
Veterans Memorial fund and as a combat veteran of the war in
Vietnam, for which I was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple
Heart.
My purpose here today is to support and extension of H.R.
3689, the authorization to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Education Center, from the year 2010 to 2014. I offer a special
perspective on this request. I was twice appointed by the
President to serve on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, served
as his chair and vice chair of that body. Suffice it to say, I
understand the requirements of normal flow of approvals for
projects on the Mall.
In a--November 2003, Congress passed legislation,
subsequently signed by the President, authorizing that a
visitor center be built at or near the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. The Memorial Fund starting working on the project
immediately. By February 2004, we had commissioned a
comprehensive site study and environmental analysis to
determine the most suitable site for the Mall--for the center.
We retained design professionals who cared deeply about the
National Mall, who had deep involvement in its development. Our
requirements and theirs were to conduct a study that respected
and protected the Mall's historic character and national
heritage.
Subsequently, the Fund held a national design process to
choose an architect and an exhibit designer. The selection
committee chose Polshek Partnership Architects and Ralph
Appelbaum Associates, a team that had worked together on many
award-winning projects.
Supporting this effort, we formed a National Advisory Board
to develop recommendations about purpose and content. We chose
a broad range of U.S. citizens for this committee--veterans,
distinguished former military leaders, authors, journalists,
educators, and sociologists--who would guide us in the best way
to tell story of the Vietnam War in the Center.
We also began meeting with the Federal commissions
responsible for overseeing all the structures built on the
National Mall. This is where the delays began. Over the period
of more than 4 years, the Fund and its consultants were
subjected to extreme and often unwarranted delays and
disruptive staff maneuvering, including the 2005 December
removal of the Education Center from the agenda of NCPC. At
every turn, the Fund and its consultants and the National Park
Service cooperated in good faith with the agencies. We
conducted and paid for every study requested and were
forthcoming in changes to the concept design. To date, we have
spent more than $1 million on concept design fees directly
related to concept design proposals and revisions, and an
$80,000 environmental study.
Our response to delays was measured, passed by the House,
and considered by the Senate, to end delays. It was only at the
presence of this pending action that the site was approved by
NCPC, nearly a year and a half from the first meeting with
those agencies. I should note that the changes to the Memorial
Fund that we were willing to make have been sufficient,
including reducing the size of the structure, removing
skylights, redirecting walkways, and reorienting the building
on the site. We have also reduced the size of the structure
significantly.
Most recently, fortunately, we had a meeting with NCPC and
CFA together, and we are on track to move forward, with their
consent.
This committee, quite appropriately, needs to know why we
are asking for an extension. Here is one answer: Our good-faith
efforts to meet the unprecedented demands of the Federal
commissions have cost us considerable time and money that we
need to recoup. There's another reason. We are in the middle of
the worst recession our Nation has experienced in decades. I
don't have to tell any of you the challenges that every citizen
is facing, from families trying to make ends meet to small
businesses trying to survive in tough times.
But, in the midst of this, there is good news to report. In
spite of the economy, people believe in this project enough to
put their money behind it. We have raised more than $3.5
million in 2009. This includes a $2.5-million pledge that is
not only the largest individual pledge for the Center, it's the
largest that the Fund has ever received. These pledges have
reinvigorated our efforts. We have raised nearly $25 million in
donations and in-kind gifts, and we estimate that it will take
85 million to build the Center.
Momentum for this project is also building because of our
new corporate chairman, San Antonio Spurs owner, Peter M. Holt,
who actively pushed the movement forward on all fronts. He is
joined by a robust leadership that includes seven Governors
from Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida,
Georgia. We have pledged to gather support for the Center in
their States. The AFL-CIO and its building construction trades
department have endorsed this project, as has the VFW, which
has pledged $1 million. Of importance, it has been determined
that the construction of this center will generate 200 new
jobs.
When Congress passed this bill, authorizing the Center in
2003, you approved the final language unanimously, in both the
House and Senate. We ask you to join the House in approving
H.R. 3689.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Robinson follows:]
Prepared Statement of Harry G. Robinson, III, Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund, on H.R. 3689
Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee--good afternoon. My name
is Harry Robinson. I am a trained architect and city planner, currently
serving as professor of urban design and dean emeritus of Howard
University. I am also the principal of my own international design
firm, TRG Consulting.
I am here today to talk about the Education Center at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, and I offer a unique perspective. Twice I was
appointed by the president to serve on the Commission of Fine Arts--one
of the organizations you will be hearing about today. In fact, I was
CFA's chairman. I am also a long-time member of the board of directors
of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the group that is working with
the National Park Service to build the Education Center. I am myself a
Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, including
a tour of duty in Vietnam, where I received the Bronze Star and the
Purple Heart.
I stand before you today, wearing all of these hats, to ask that
you support HR 3689 to extend the authorization deadline for the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center for four years--from 2010 to
2014.
You are probably wondering why this project needs an extension. I'd
like to give you some background.
In November 2003, Congress passed legislation, subsequently signed
by the president, authorizing that a visitors' center be built ``at or
near'' the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Memorial Fund started working
on the project immediately. By February 2004, we had commissioned a
site study and environmental analysis to determine the most suitable
site for the center. The survey evaluated visitor circulation,
vegetation, vistas, historic landmarks, sound and visual activity, as
well as pedestrian and traffic counts. In short, every possible way
that the visitor center would affect the area around it was evaluated.
And we chose people who care deeply about the National Mall to
conduct this study: JC Cummings, the architect of record for the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial; as well as Henry Arnold and George Dickie,
who designed Constitution Gardens, where the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
is located. We were confident that this team would not recommend a site
that was in any way detrimental to the National Mall--and, indeed, that
was one of our original stipulations in choosing a site.
The Memorial Fund also held a national design contest to choose an
architect and exhibit designer. We formed an Advisory Board to give us
recommendations about displays. We chose a broad range of Americans for
this committee: veterans, former military leaders, authors,
journalists, educators and sociologists who could guide us in the best
way to tell the story of the Vietnam War in this center.
We also began meeting with the federal commissions responsible for
overseeing any new structures built on the National Mall. This is where
the delays began. Once the results of our site survey were completed,
we presented the results, along with our recommendation, to the
National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission. After the first meeting,
which was held in March 2005, the Commission asked for further study of
three sites. After the second meeting the following May, the Commission
gave approval to two sites: the site on Henry Bacon Drive for which we
ultimately won approval, and a site within the Department of Interior
South building.
CFA approved the Henry Bacon Drive site at a September 2005 meeting
``subject to conditions of architectural development.'' While the
Memorial Fund and the National Park Service had reasonable expectations
that NCPC would follow suit, instead, it deadlocked on every vote on
the subject after lengthy debate during an October 2005 meeting. In the
end, NCPC asked for further study of the front lawn of the Interior
South Building, even though the Secretary of the Interior had removed
this building from consideration the previous June. In addition, they
asked for further study of one other site and ``program information''
for the preferred site. In other words, although site approval had not
been given, NCPC was asking the Memorial Fund to provide design details
for the building it wanted to place there--a building that could not be
designed until the final location was known.
While the Memorial Fund and the National Park Service prepared to
make a presentation to NCPC at its December 2005 meeting, we were
shocked to find that the Education Center had been stricken from the
agenda, with the Commission saying it wanted an environmental study
completed before it would consider the site favored by the Memorial
Fund.
So, working in good faith with NCPC, the Memorial Fund hired an
engineering firm to conduct a thorough environmental study on two sites
at or near the Memorial to comply with the request. The study took
several months to complete and cost $80,000.
In the end, it nearly took an act of Congress to get site approval
for the Education Center. In spite of the fact that the Memorial Fund
and National Park Service had submitted to every request of every
federal commission they met with, there was no progress. In March 2006,
the House passed a measure that would end the delays in site approval
by a wide margin, and the Senate began considering the measure the
following May. It was only then that NCPC was moved to grant site
approval in August 2006--nearly three years after Congress had approved
the idea of a visitor center, and nearly a year and a half from the
time that the Memorial Fund first met with the federal commissions.
All of that time and money spent--and it was just for site
approval.
The complex work began with the design process. Congress mandated
that the structure be built ``underground.'' And indeed, everyone
involved with this project, including the Memorial Fund and National
Park Service, have been sensitive to preserving the historic vistas
near that end of the National Mall. On the other hand, we also need to
ensure that our visitors--especially the disabled, and veterans who may
have PTSD issues, feel comfortable and safe in the visitor center
environment.
We are fortunate to have on our team one of the world's leading
architectural firms, Polshek Partnership Architects. These award-
winning architects, led by Jim Polshek, have designed a number of
nationally celebrated buildings, as well as some highly successful
underground spaces. In Polshek's capable hands, the daunting challenge
of an underground visitor center was managed with innovation and
creativity.
To be sure, we still had differences to work out with the federal
commissions. But, during meetings with both CFA and NCPC, commissioners
were complimentary of the efforts of Jim Polshek and his team, noting
that if any architect could take a set of almost impossible conditions
and make them work, it was Polshek.
In August 2006, CFA and NCPC jointly issued a set of 15 design
guidelines for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center. While
these were guidelines and not binding requirements, the Memorial Fund
and National Park Service took these suggestions seriously and worked
to incorporate as many as possible into the subsequent building plans.
By the spring of 2007, our architects had developed three different
plans for how an underground center could be achieved. We took these
plans to CFA and NCPC in informal meetings to get their feedback, so we
would know how we should proceed. We worked in good faith with these
commissions every step of the way, and this good faith work paid off.
CFA gave us design concept approval in October 2007 and NCPC, while it
does not vote for concept approval, indicated that the design should
move forward.
We continue to work with CFA and NCPC to refine our design of the
visitor center and work through the approval process. We conducted
informational and formal presentations of our latest design earlier
this year, receiving feedback from both groups and acting on those
recommendations. I should note that the changes the Memorial Fund has
been willing to make have been significant, including reducing the size
of the structure, removing skylights, redirecting walkways and
reorienting the building on the site. At every meeting, we have proven
our willingness to listen and accept the commissioners' advice.
Informal meetings with the commissioners have shown us we are on track
and moving forward.
I think everyone involved with this project has been relieved that
the delays and disagreements of the site approval phase have not
resurfaced during the design approval phase. However, it cannot be
ignored that site approval ate up hundreds of thousands of dollars and
years of effort that could have been better used later.
This committee, quite appropriately, needs to know why we are
asking for an extension, and here is one answer: our good faith efforts
to meet the unprecedented demands of the federal commissions have cost
us time and money that we need to recoup.
There's another reason: we are in the middle of the worst economy
our nation has experienced in decades. I don't have to tell any of you
the challenges that every American is facing--from the family trying to
make ends meet to the corporation trying to survive in tough times. All
of this affects nonprofit organizations, like the Memorial Fund, as we
try to raise money for our various programs. The economy has affected
our fundraising for the center as well.
But in the midst of all of this, there is good news to report. In
spite of the economy, people believe in this project enough to put
their money behind it. We have raised more than $3.5 million in 2009
alone. This included a $2.5 million pledge that is not only the largest
individual pledge the center has received, but also the largest
individual donation the Memorial Fund itself has ever received. These
pledges have reinvigorated our fundraising efforts. We have raised
nearly $25 million in donations and in-kind gifts, and we estimate it
will take $85 million in total to build the center.
Momentum for this project is also building because of our new
campaign chairman, San Antonio Spurs owner Peter M. Holt, who has
actively pushed the movement forward on all fronts. He is joined by a
robust leadership team that includes seven governors, from Texas,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia and New Mexico, who
have pledged to gather support for the center in their states. The AFL-
CIO, and its Building and Construction Trades Department, have endorsed
the project--and many veterans' organizations are behind us as well. In
fact, VFW pledged $1 million. We feel that this is a good indication of
how much support we have from all facets of the American public.
When Congress passed the bill authorizing the Education Center in
2003, you approved the final language unanimously in both the House and
the Senate. We took that as overwhelming evidence that Congress wants
this important learning facility built, so future generations can
remember and honor the sacrifices of those who served in Vietnam. The
Education Center was conceived as a way to help put faces to the
thousands of names on The Wall, to educate future generations about
these honorable men and women who gave everything for their country and
to give a glimpse into their lives. Help us keep the momentum going by
giving us more time. We respectfully ask you to approve HR 3689 at the
committee level, and ask for your help to provide for its consideration
on the floor of the Senate.
Thank you.
[Additional documents and graphics submitted have been retained in
subcommittee files.]
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Robinson.
If I might, I'd thank you for your service, on behalf of
all the members of this subcommittee and the Senate in general.
Your story is one of many that inspires us. Thank you for being
here today.
Mr. Robinson. Thank you.
Senator Udall. I'd now like to turn to Mr. David Madden,
who hails from Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Mr. Madden, the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF DAVID MADDEN, CHAIR, LOUISIANA ABRAHAM LINCOLN
BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION, BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC
Mr. Madden. Thank you, Senator Udall.
My testimony comes out of this background. I was founding
director of the United States Civil War Center, present chair
of the Louisiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and
the author of 40 books, including some Civil War history.
Profoundly convinced of the enduring truth that, in the
words of the late venerable historian Shelby Foote, ``The Civil
War is the crossroads of our being,'' I initiated, several
years ago, the grassroots effort that has led to S. 1838.
Shelby Foote put the emphasis on ``is,'' not on ``was,'' as I
do today, because the 4 years of battles, which begin and end,
produced almost 12 years of reconstruction, the legacy of which
Americans in the North and in the South have experienced, to
this very day.
To study, meditate upon, and commemorate the Civil War
throughout the years 2011-2015 is to understand 150 years of
aftershocks as we also become more informed and aware of the
positive effects, one of which is that African Americans now
hold a multitude of high offices throughout this land.
I understand that the commission described in this bill
will ensure a suitable national observance of the
sesquicentennial of the Civil War by cooperating with and
assisting State and national organizations, encouraging
inclusiveness and appropriately recognizing the experiences and
points of view of all people affected by the Civil War, and by
providing assistance in the development of programs, projects,
and a vast array of activities about the Civil War and
reconstruction that have lasting educational value.
When I created the U.S. Civil War Center, 15 years ago, I
envisioned a sesquicentennial that would be far richer in
possibilities than the centennial, given the fact that we are a
far different Nation. A sesquicentennial would look at the war
through the perspectives of every academic discipline,
profession, and occupation, greatly enhanced by the
perspectives of African Americans, Native Americans, and other
ethnic minorities, and civilians, generally, especially women
and children. By overemphasizing the battles, Americans have
missed the war's many other facets, including the national
effects of reconstruction.
Our emotions, our imaginations, and our intellects have not
yet completed the unfinished business to which Lincoln referred
in the Gettysburg Address. The 4-year commemoration of the
centennial of the Civil War, in the years 1961 to 1965, had a
special relevance back then, and produced a national interest
in the war that has continued to this day. The sesquicentennial
provides a second time, and the last time, for Americans living
today to deepen and broaden our understanding of the causes and
effects of the war. Or, as the bill states, ``The
sesquicentennial presents a significant opportunity for
Americans to recall and reflect upon the Civil War and its
legacy in a spirit of reconciliation and reflection.''
As even more special time--an even more special time exists
for us today as we try to understand the Civil War of other
countries in which we are engaged and the numerous other civil
wars worldwide that demand our attention and our concern. The
historical context for our Civil War is, then, global. For
almost every Nation throughout history has forged its being in
civil war.
Civil War Web sites throughout the country reveal that our
Civil War is helping other nations understand their own civil
wars. President Abraham Lincoln's primary goal was to unite the
Nation, not just for its own sake, but also for the good of all
nations. He envisioned the leadership that our democracy would
provide for the world as a sacred obligation. It is, therefore,
only fitting, in our favored time, that, following its creation
of the commissions charged with commemorating the bicentennials
of the Nation, and, currently, of the great President Lincoln,
and the centennial of the Civil War, the Congress of these
United States create a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to
support the efforts of the States, North and South, that are
now planning, or that have already created, their own
commissions to make a 4-year revisit to the crossroads of our
being.
Thank you, sir.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Madden follows:]
Prepared Statement of David Madden, Chair, Louisiana Abraham Lincoln
Bicentennial Commission, Black Mountain, NC, on S. 1838
My name is David Madden, founding director of the United States
Civil War Center at Louisiana State University, present Chair of the
Louisiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, and the author of 40
books, including Civil War history.
Profoundly convinced of the enduring truth that, in the words of
the late venerable historian Shelby Foote, the Civil War is the
crossroads of our being, I initiated, several years ago, the grass
roots effort that has led to Senate Bill 1838. Shelby Foote put the
emphasis on ``is'', not ``was,'' as I do today because the four years
of battles that began and ended produced almost 12 years of
Reconstruction, the legacy of which Americans, in the North and in the
South, have experienced ever since.
To study, meditate upon, and commemorate the Civil War throughout
the years 2011-2015 is to understand 150 years of aftershocks as we
also become more informed and aware of positive effects, one of which
is that African Americans now hold a multitude of high offices
throughout this land.
I understand that the Commission described in this bill will ensure
a suitable national observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War
by cooperating with and assisting States and national organizations
with programs and activities, encouraging inclusiveness and
appropriately recognizing the experiences and points of view of all
people affected by the Civil War, and by providing assistance in the
development of programs, projects, and a vast range of activities about
the Civil War and Reconstruction that have lasting educational value.
When I created the United States Civil War Center over ten years
ago, I envisioned a Sesquicentennial that would be far richer in
possibilities than the Centennial, given the fact that we are a far
different nation. A Sesquicentennial would look at the war through the
perspectives of every academic discipline, every profession, every
occupation, greatly enhanced by the perspectives of African Americans,
Native Americans, other ethnic minorities, and civilians generally,
while emphasizing women and children. By over emphasizing the battles,
Americans have missed the war's many other facets, including the
effects of Reconstruction, for 150 years.
Our emotions, our imaginations, and our intellects have not yet
completed the ``unfinished business'' to which Lincoln referred in his
Gettysburg Address.
The four-year commemoration of the Centennial of the Civil War in
the years 1961-1965 had a special relevance and produced a national
interest in the war that has continued to this day. The
Sesquicentennial provides a second time and the last time for Americans
living today to deepen and broaden our understanding of the causes and
effects of the war. Or, as the bill states: ``The sesquicentennial of
the Civil War presents a significant opportunity for Americans to
recall and reflect upon the Civil War and its legacy in a spirit of
reconciliation and reflection.''
An even more special time exists for us today as we try to
understand the civil wars of other countries in which we are engaged
and the numerous other civil wars worldwide that demand our attention
and our concern. The historical context for our civil war is global,
for almost every nation throughout history has forged its being in
civil war. The United States Civil War Center's website reveals that
our civil war is helping other nations understand their own. President
Abraham Lincoln's primary goal was to unite the nation, not just for
its own sake but also for the good of all nations. He envisioned the
leadership that our democracy would provide for the world as a sacred
obligation.
It is therefore only fitting in our favored time that, following
its creation of the commissions charged with commemorating the
bicentennials of the nation and currently of its great President
Lincoln and the Centennial of the Civil War, the Congress of these
United States create a Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission to support
the efforts of the states north and south that are now planning or that
have already created their own commissions to make a four year re-visit
to the crossroads of our being.
Over a decade ago, Gabor Boritt, founding director of the
Gettysburg Civil War Institute, and I, as founding Director of the
United States Civil War Center, seeing the need to voice a grass-roots
call for a Sesquicentennial Commission, drafted passages for the bill,
first introduced by Senator Breaux of Louisiana.
Hard times and wars were probably the reason the bill has
languished. But we remain convinced that even, or especially, in hard
times, the positive effects of these commemorative activities are well
worth the resources of towns and cities, states, and the federal
government.
After resigning my directorship of the Civil War Center at LSU to
finish writing the Civil War novel, out of the research for which I
conceived the Center, I remained committed to urging the creation of
the Commission. In 2007, aware that the Sesquicentennial was drawing
nigh, I created, in the office of Louisiana Secretary of State Jay
Dardenne, the National Civil War Sesquicentennial Initiative; its
mission is to stimulate and direct efforts to plan and facilitate the
commemoration. Connecting with all Civil War organizations, I
discovered that, with time passing and fearing that no commission was
forthcoming, the leaders of most organizations were disheartened.
One year later, I am glad to report progress. Several states have
taken the idea of commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War
seriously. Some are working with their neighbors while others working
alone. Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina each have strong state
organizations and are cooperating in extended trail and tourist
marketing. Pennsylvania and Virginia have established a regional
driving route study called The Journey Through Hallowed Ground along
Route 15/20, the Old Carolina Road, from Gettysburg to Charlottesville.
West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have created
the John Brown 150th Anniversary Quad-State Committee, which
effectively begins the Sesquicentennial activities. Maryland has
created the Hear of the Civil War Heritage Area. Connecticut has
created a Sesquicentennial Commemoration group to honor the role its
soldiers played. New Jersey and Ohio have created similar bodies. West
Virginia now has the Civil War Task Force to prepare for the
celebration. Arkansas created its commission and has since divided the
state into regions that focus on campaigns fought in the state as well
as events for each year of the war. Missouri has created the Civil War
Heritage Foundation, which has similar goals. An initial effort through
the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office has begun limited planning in
the Pelican State. Texas is beginning the process of establish historic
trails and byways. All of these efforts have been created without a
great deal of synergy. Each can be strengthened and augmented by a
central planning structure and clearing house--a Civil War
Sesquicentennial Commission. The diverse nature of not only each state,
but of their efforts put forward during the Civil War exemplifies the
rich complexities of the subject and the positive challenge of the task
ahead.
Not yet in formation are several states that were heavily involved
in the war and that may be in special need of federal guidance and
assistance. However, the fact that some states and even regions have
already secured some funds and set plans in motion will lessen the need
for federal funds.
The effectiveness of states already involved will be greatly
enhanced by the leadership of the federal commission, the existence of
which may also act to encourage other states to create activities. The
Civil War and its aftermath affected every state in the Union and its
territories, including California and even Montana.
Likely activities of the Sesquicentennial extend across a broad
spectrum, consisting of commemorative ceremonies, speeches, lectures,
Civil War heritage trails, preservation projects, exhibits, plays,
movies, and other mass media presentations, newspaper and periodical
articles, and, of course, books. Many very fine books came out of the
Centennial years, as during the current Lincoln Bicentennial. Among
universities whose presses are known for publishing Civil War books are
LSU, Mississippi, University of Arkansas, University of Kansas,
Southern Illinois University, University of Tennessee, University of
Georgia, and Kent State, which also publishes a periodical.
Since the Civil War, many little known places and events of the war
have been further explored or discovered. For instance, the steamboat
Sultana, carrying homeward about 2,000 Union soldiers released from
Cataba and Andersonville prisons, exploded in the dark, in the rain
several miles above Memphis; over 1500 soldiers and about 200 civilians
drowned in the worst maritime disaster in American history, worse than
the Titanic, as President Lincoln's funeral train was crossing the
country. Even after four books and a documentary have appeared, most
Americans remain unaware. This event is a symbolic expression,
embodying every adjective for sad loss, of the Civil War. Missing so
far is a national conceptual imagination that places the Sultana
disaster in a tragic light. Meanwhile, the darkness of that night still
hangs, almost 150 years deepening, over the smoke, the screams and the
prayers of the victims and the compassionate cries of the rescuers,
some of them Confederate soldiers who were also returning home. Only
the light of an extraordinary imagination can unvex and raise this
unique and complexly meaningful event from the bottom of the Father of
Waters.
The Sesquicentennial will call attention to other places and
events.
The Centennial gave a boost to longtime efforts to create a state
park at Port Hudson, Louisiana, which kept the Union army from coming
down river to New Orleans after Vicksburg fell; even so, its fame is
not widespread. Efforts that are well underway to bring well-deserved
attention to the vital Red River Campaign may well be successful if
given encouragement and support by the Sesquicentennial Commission.
The siege at Fort Sanders in Knoxville, Tennessee and generally,
the war in the southern Appalachian region are little known.
A Sesquicentennial Commission would help speed up the effort now
underway to create a Knoxville area Civil War Center. An effort in the
Office of Louisiana's Secretary of State to create a Civil War and
Reconstruction Center is now in the planning stage.
The Commission could encourage small towns to discover and make
known as tourist attractions Civil War events in their history, thus
stimulating their economies. A good example is Black Mountain, North
Carolina, about which it is little known, even by its citizens, that so
many black slaves escaping from South Carolina made their way to Black
Mountain that its population grew from 0.3% African American, to over
89% African American.
Very seldom is the fact cited that 30,000 civilians were Civil War
casualties.
Interest in the American Civil War is worldwide. The United States
Civil War Center website has received an astonishing number of hits
from nations around the world, from Israel to Malaysia. Former
Secretary of State Madeline Albright told me that she wishes she had
had in hand the book I am writing on the nature and history of civil
wars worldwide when she was Ambassador to the UN. Many parallels are
readily apparent between our Civil War and The Taiping Rebellion, a
widespread civil war in China from 1850 to 1864, led by Christian
convert Hong Xiuquan, against the ruling Qing Dynasty. To understand
our Civil War is, then, to understand ourselves as we are; to
understand the Chinese Civil War is to understand the Chinese today.
If we think of the Civil War Sesquicentennial as four years of many
kinds of occasions for revisiting not only the history of the Civil War
but also for revisiting our entire history, we will see, as Lincoln
often did, how it reflects the legacy of the Declaration of
Independence and the consequent Revolutionary War and the legacy of the
era in which the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the 14th
Amendment were forged. The legacies of those events often played a role
in successive phases of the Civil War era.
We will see how issues dramatized throughout the pre-War and the
War years affected the conduct of the long, punitive Reconstruction
era, affected by the fact that the assassinated President could not
pursue his carefully crafted non-punitive plan for Reconstruction.
We will see how prolonged economic, racial, political, and social
problems in the former Confederate states put a drag on the progress of
democracy in the nation as a whole throughout times of both prosperity
and adversity, and through the Spanish American war, two world wars,
the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the civil rights era.
And we will see ways in which the Sesquicentennial will open up
fresh perspectives on our involvement in the Iraq and Afghanistan
``civil wars.'' How that may happen, we will see, if we remember how
the discussions, debates, and books during the conduct of the Civil War
Centennial years of 1961 through 1965 influenced the activities of the
civil rights movement in ways both negative and positive.
In such considerations of history, we made and we shall make
history.
Historian Shelby Foote also said, ``There are two sins for which
America can never atone--slavery and reconstruction.'' Even though he
was a Southerner, he stressed America, North and South in that
pronouncement. Lincoln made the first great effort to atone for
slavery; it is clear that we, both North and South, would not have to
atone for Reconstruction had Lincoln lived, newly re-elected with
enhanced power to promulgate his own plan. A major change in the study
of the Civil War since the Centennial is an increased emphasis upon the
effect of the war: Reconstruction. The one can most meaningfully
studied within the context of the other. Most obviously, the effect of
the war upon John Wilkes Booth was to assassinate President Lincoln and
that act affected the nature of Reconstruction. The legacy of
Reconstruction is in force in our daily lives.
An understanding of the causes and effects of the Civil War in the
context of these very changed United States of America will make the
democratic vistas of our future brighter, will perhaps lead us at long,
long last into an era of reconciliation between north and south and
conciliation between white and African Americans.
The Centennial's published report to the Congress and a recent
book, Troubled Commemoration by Robert J. Cook, provide guidance for a
Sesquicentennial Commission by describing the organization's structure
and its procedures, the trials and tribulations of the Centennial, and
the ways and extent to which they were conducted and overcome.
Those books also clearly show how very different the
Sesquicentennial must and may be. With the guidance of the African
American Civil War Museum in Washington, along with many other
organizations, the participation of African Americans will be stronger,
as will that of Native Americans and other minorities, including
Latinos, Asians, Jews, and Americans of every national origin.
Today, our democratic spirit of compromise and practices of
resolution make disputes among all participants far less likely. For
instance, despite infrequent and strictly localized debates over the
Confederate battle flag (often replaced by the far less problematic
Confederate states flag), the Southern states are so thoroughly
transformed, economically, politically, and socially as to make
predictions of greater cooperation with Northern states and with
African Americans credible.
The following list of the U. S. Civil War Center's advisory board
members who have served over the years will give some indication of the
sustained support for the creation of a Civil War Sesquicentennial
Commission:
Gabor Boritt, Lincoln scholar and Founding Director of the
Civil War Institute at Gettysburg, sister organization to the
USCWC; James I. ``Bud'' Robertson, Jr., formerly chair of the
Civil War Centennial board, present director of the Virginia
Center for Civil War Studies, John Hope Franklin, renowned
African American program historian (deceased); Shelby Foote,
Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and historian (deceased); Ted
Turner; Ron Maxwell, author and director of Gettysburg and Gods
and Generals; Jeff Shaara, author of Gods and Generals, two
other Civil War novels and several others depicting America's
wars, donor of the Michael Shaara prize for Civil War novels;
Glenn Seaborg, Nobel Prize winner in physics (deceased);
William Davis, author of 40 books of mostly Civil War history,
director of Virginia Center for Civil War Studies; Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar, sports legend, writing a Civil War novel; Rita
Dove, African American former U. S. Poet Laureate; Frank
Magill, publisher, who pledged a million dollars to establish
the USCWC at LSU (deceased, replaced by his son); E. O. Wilson,
Pulitzer Prize winning biologist; Ken Burns, renowned director
of the epic documentary The Civil War; T. Michael Parrish,
Civil War historian who first proposed the creation of the
Sesquicentennial Commission; John Simon, Grant historian and
director of the Grant Foundation; Ed Bearss, chief historian of
the National Park Service; Waylon Jennings, composer-singer of
Civil War songs (deceased); Tom Wicker, journalist, novelist.
The nature of the Civil War, its causes and effects, and its status
as the crossroads of our being, make the work of a Sesquicentennial
Commission peculiarly well situated to make American citizens aware of
their entire history. Our generation has already been favored with
major commemorations: The Civil War Centennial, the Bicentennial of our
nation, the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial. Nevertheless, ignorance of
our history, from Plymouth Rock to Iraq, is a reality of very serious
national concern. For instance, despite the good work of the Abraham
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and several state commissions, the hard
fact is that many Americans, among them the well educated, do not know,
within three months of the end, that the Bicentennial is underway. All
the greater was and is the need for the current Lincoln Commission and
in the following year for the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.
A major focus of most activities during the four years of the Civil
War sesquicentennial, as it has been for the one-year Lincoln
Bicentennial, will be upon the children, in schools and in other public
venues. Teaching history to our children is made all the more difficult
in a context of adult ignorance of history. A nation regarded as the
leader of the world must not act out of ignorance of its own history.
Knowing its own history will make this nation as world leader much more
credible and effective. We would do well to close that sequence of
commemorations in our time with the Civil War Sesquicentennial.
[Additional information submitted has been retained in subcommittee
files.]
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Madden. I know Dr. Foote
would have been thrilled to hear what you just shared with us.
As I glanced over your testimony, the story of the Sultana, for
example, is one that could be told more broadly.
Mr. Madden. Oh, yes.
Senator Udall. Thank you for your testimony here today.
Mr. Madden. Thank you, sir.
Senator Udall. We now turn to Mr. Edwin Fountain, who's the
director of the World War I Memorial Foundation here in
Washington, DC.
Mr. Fountain, welcome, and the floor is yours.
STATEMENT OF EDWIN FOUNDATION, DIRECTOR,
WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
Mr. Fountain. Thank you, Chairman Udall.
My name is Edwin Fountain. I'm an attorney in private
practice here in Washington, the grandson of two World War I
veterans, and a cofounder of the Foundation.
In addition to the support of Senators Webb, Thune, and
Rockefeller, I'd like to acknowledge the other cosponsors of
the bill, Senators Barrasso, Burr, Inhofe, Lieberman,
Brownback, Byrd, and Tim Johnson, and I'm advised that Senators
Inouye and DeMint will also be signing on to the bill. We also
have the support of the American Legion Department of the
District of Columbia, which holds a annual Memorial Day
commemoration at the DC War Memorial. Two days ago, the
District of Columbia city council passed a resolution in
support of S. 2097, which I would be happy to pass up to staff
to be entered into the record.
Senator Udall. We'll introduce that in the record, without
objection.
Mr. Fountain. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
We come to the question of a national World War I memorial
somewhat through the backdoor, because in the 1920s, when the
Liberty Memorial and the DC War Memorial were being developed
and built and dedicated, we didn't think of national war
memorials. Every town in the country has its own local war
memorials, whether they be to the local veterans of the Civil
War or World War I or, often, all the Nation's wars
collectively. In Washington, of course, there are numerous
memorials to generals and statesmen of the Revolution and the
Civil War. But, until the Vietnam Veterans Memorial came along,
there were no national war memorials, so to speak. The District
of Columbia War Memorial sat on the Mall, alone, for 50 years.
Then the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated, around 1980--
I forget exactly the year. Since then, the Korean War Memorial
and the World War II Memorial have come along and followed.
So, in an ad hoc fashion, we now have this war memorial
park, located around the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, including
national memorials to three of the four great wars of the 20th
century, but no national memorial to World War I. World War I
was, of course, the first time that American soldiers went
overseas in defense of liberty and against foreign aggression.
I don't think I need to make the case, at this point, for a
national memorial. But the absence of a national memorial on
the Mall has now become a glaring omission, because we tell
part of the story of the American century on the Mall, but not
the entire story, without a national memorial. I wager that
most members of the committee, like myself, drove by the DC
memorial, or walked past it, or ran past it, for years, without
ever knowing what it was. It's a neglected, forgotten memorial.
Frankly, that's part of its beauty and its poignancy. But it is
overlooked. No one really knows what it is. Part of our
purpose, frankly, is not to Federalize the DC memorial, but to
elevate its status, and give it stature commensurate with that
of the other memorials. It doesn't appear on most maps or signs
on the National Mall, directing visitors to it, or even telling
them what it is.
So, there's this quartet of memorials to the major wars of
the 20th century; only World War I lacks a national memorial on
the Mall, and the proposed bill would rectify that by
authorizing rededication of the DC memorial as a National and a
District of Columbia War Memorial, thereby giving honor to the
veterans of World War I that is equal to that bestowed on the
veterans of other majors wars, while helping future generations
of Americans to know the complete history of America's 20th-
century struggle against aggression and totalitarianism.
Director Stevenson suggested that the proposed design would
overwhelm or so alter the present site that it would become a
new memorial. To the contrary, the bill expressly provides that
any additional element introduced would complement and preserve
the existing memorial. Moreover, under the Commemorative Works
Act, any design would be subject to design review by the
Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning
Commission. So, those concerns would certainly be taken into
account.
Finally, the location of a national memorial on the Mall in
Washington need not detract from the commendable efforts of the
citizens of Kansas City. The Liberty Memorial has properly been
designated by the government as a national symbol of World War
I. The National World War I Museum is appropriately located in
Kansas City, much as the National World War II Museum is
located in New Orleans, while the National Memorial is here in
Washington. We fully support the proposal to establish a World
War I Centennial Commission based in Kansas City.
Now, speaking to commissions, the Interior Department
proposes a study for their--of World War I Memorials at a cost
of $300,000 and taking 3 years. In 3 years, we will be on the
eve of the centennial of the--of World War I, leaving no time
to make appropriate provisions for a national memorial in time
for that centennial.
So, we believe the Congress would diminish the sacrifice of
Frank Buckles and almost 5 million other Americans in World War
I, including 116,000 dead, if it did not honor them on the Mall
in the same manner as the veterans of the wars that followed.
We ask the Senate to pass S. 2097.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Fountain follows:]
Prepared Statement of Edwin L. Fountain, Director, World War I Memorial
Foundation, on S. 2097
Chairman Udall and members of the Committee:
My name is Edwin Fountain. I am an attorney in private practice
here in Washington, and the grandson of two World War I veterans. I am
a co-founder and director of the World War I Memorial Foundation. The
Foundation is proud to have as its honorary chairman Mr. Frank Buckles,
the last surviving American veteran of World War I.
Last year, Mr. Buckles came to Washington for a ceremony in his
honor at the Pentagon. During that trip he visited the District of
Columbia War Memorial, located on the Mall between the World War II and
Korean War memorials. He was distressed to see that it was only a
memorial to the veterans of D.C., and not a national memorial.
Throughout our country's history, towns and cities have erected
their own war memorials, be they to local veterans of the Civil War, or
of World War I, or of all the nation's wars collectively. In
Washington, there are of course numerous memorials to generals and
statesmen of the Revolution and the Civil War. But until the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial was conceived thirty years ago, there were no
national war memorials.
Today we have on the Mall national memorials to three of the four
great wars of the 20th century, located in what has become a de facto
``war memorial park'' around the Lincoln Reflecting Pool.
There is, however, no national memorial to World War I. With the
irony of hindsight, that war was at first called ``the war to end all
wars.'' In retrospect, we now know that ``the Great War'' was but the
first time that American soldiers would go overseas in defense of
liberty against foreign aggression. Over 4.7 million Americans served
in uniform, and 116,516 gave their lives--more than in Korea and
Vietnam combined.
World War I was also the first great conflict of what has come to
be known as ``the American century.'' It led directly to the Second
World War, and its consequences are still felt today in ongoing
conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Israel and Palestine, and Iraq.
Few Americans today know this history, and the absence of a
national memorial to World War I on the Mall in Washington has become a
glaring omission, all the more so because the centennial of the war is
less than five years away.
S 2097 would fill that void, by authorizing the re-dedication of
the District of Columbia War Memorial as a ``National and District of
Columbia World War I Memorial.''
The D.C. War Memorial was dedicated in 1931 as a memorial to the
499 residents of the District who died in the war. President Hoover
spoke at its dedication, and John Philip Sousa conducted the Marine
Corps band. It stood alone for fifty years, until it was joined by the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and then later by the Korean War and World
War II memorials.
As indicated on the attached map,* together with those three other
memorials, it comprises a quartet of memorials to the major wars of the
20th century. Yet alone among those memorials, it lacks national
status. Few residents or visitors are even aware of the memorial, much
less know what it is. Most maps and signs do not even refer to the
memorial.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Map has been retained in subcommittee files.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
S 2097 would authorize its re-dedication as a national memorial,
and thereby give honor to the veterans of World War I that is equal to
that bestowed on the veterans of the other major wars, while helping
future generations of Americans to know the complete history of
American's 20th-century struggle against aggression and
totalitarianism.
Re-dedication of the D.C. memorial would not be contrary to the
Commemorative Works Act. That Act prohibits the location of any new
commemorative works on the Mall. However, S 2097 does not authorize a
new commemorative work, but rather the re-dedication and enhancement of
a memorial that already exists on the Mall.
Moreover, the local character of the existing memorial would be
preserved. While Section 3 of the proposed bill permits the addition of
an appropriate sculptural or other commemorative element, in order to
give the memorial a national character, it also specifies that any such
feature shall ``complement and preserve the existing memorial and its
landscape.'' In this way the sacrifice of District residents in the war
will continue to be honored, and the peaceful and secluded character of
the site will be preserved.
We emphasize that S 2097 is not meant to somehow ``federalize'' the
District's memorial. Rather, it will bring attention to the memorial by
elevating it to the same status enjoyed by the surrounding war
memorials. At the same time, the memorial will provide visitors a
lesson in the history of our memorials, while calling their attention
to their own memorials back home.
Finally, location of a national memorial on the Mall in Washington
need not diminish the commendable efforts of the citizens of Kansas
City. The Liberty Memorial has already, and properly, been designated
by the Congress as a national symbol of World War I. The national World
War I museum is appropriately located in Kansas City--much as the
national World War II museum is located in New Orleans, while the
national memorial is here in Washington. As noted in Mr. Buckles'
letter of October 4, 2008 to the Missouri Congressional delegation
(attached),** both he and our Foundation support Kansas City's museum
and its proposal to establish a World War I centennial commission based
in Kansas City.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
** See Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twenty-five million people, from around the country and across the
world, visit the Mall each year. As we have heard from thousands of
students, veterans and citizens around the country who support our
cause, those visitors expect to honor the nation's veterans in the
nation's capital--as evidenced by the location of the other great war
memorials in Washington.
Congress would be minimizing the sacrifice of Frank Buckles and
almost five million other Americans in World War I, including 116,000
dead, if it did not honor them on the Mall in the same manner as the
veterans of the wars that followed.
We ask the Senate to pass S 2097. On behalf of Mr. Buckles and the
Foundation, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
Senator Udall. Thank you, Mr. Fountain.
I will now recognize myself for a series of questions. I
think I'd like to start by focusing on this discussion of the
World War I memorial. Mr. Alexander, I'll direct some questions
to you and then turn to Mr. Fountain.
Mr. Alexander, in your opinion, is it important that there
be one recognized national World War I memorial or are multiple
memorials in different parts of the country appropriate?
Mr. Alexander. There are numerous memorials throughout the
country, but on different levels, different scales. So, there
are, I would estimate, something like 500 different memorials,
most of which are dedicated to local communities whose members
sacrificed during World War I. The memorial in Kansas City was
designed to honor those people throughout the United States who
sacrificed during World War I. So, we're different than many
other local kinds of memorials.
In essence, we've been acting as the de facto national
memorial for 80-some years, and we've been given that sanction,
first by President Coolidge, then again by President Eisenhower
and President Truman, and we hope that we can continue doing
that in Kansas City.
Senator Udall. A second question for you. What's your
response to those who question whether it's appropriate to have
a national war memorial that's privately owned and operated and
charges an entrance fee?
Mr. Alexander. As a point of clarification, the museum and
memorial are owned by the city of Kansas City and managed by
the Liberty Memorial Association, through a management
agreement with the City, so it's not privately owned, but it's
operated independently. I'm sorry--your question?
Senator Udall. What's your response to those who would
question whether it's appropriate to have a national war
memorial that's privately owned and operated and that charges
an entrance fee?
Mr. Alexander. I mean, we are self-supporting. We get a
small subsidy from the City, but we are essentially self-
supporting. We also have taken, traditionally, no tax dollars
to support ourselves, and it's necessary for us to charge an
admission to manage ourselves. So, I think, one way or another,
the citizens of this country pay for it. In our case, the users
are actually paying directly to visit the museum, rather that
it coming through a tax base or another means.
Senator Udall. Thank you.
Let me turn to Mr. Fountain.
I'd like to know more about the World War I Memorial
Foundation. Was it established just for the purpose of
rededicating the memorial, or is it involved with other issues?
Mr. Fountain. It was established with 2 purposes. The first
was to advocate and raise funding for the restoration of the
memorial. I do want to applaud the National Park Service for
allocating funds, under the stimulus bill, to that restoration.
So, they accomplished that half of our mission for us, and
we're very grateful.
The other purpose is to, first, advocate for congressional
authorization for the rededication, and then to raise the funds
necessary to implement that, and it would be a entirely
privately funded, no-Federal-funds project.
Senator Udall. Let me follow up on the money. What kind of
money do you anticipate it would take to do the rededication
work? Do you have a plan for raising those funds?
Mr. Fountain. To be honest, if this was over $5 million,
then we were too ambitious, in terms of the scale of what we're
providing--what we're seeking. I've--you know, some sculptors
have already approached us, expressing interest in the project.
You know, a back-of-the-envelope quotation for an-foot-high
bronze is a few hundred thousand dollars. So, we're not
talking--you know, we are not talking something the size--the
scale of the World War II Memorial.
We would anticipate accommodation of corporate and private
donations. One of my cofounders was a photographer, who set out
the photograph the last surviving veterans of the war, when
there were about a dozen left, has a traveling exhibit of his
photographs and other artifacts of the war that is now going to
schools around the country that are using it as a basis of
fund-raisers, much as the DC War Memorial was funded, in large
part through schoolchildren contributions. We would seek to
include that, as well. But, a combination of corporate and
private funding.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification.
I did, for the record, want to include a conversation I had
with Senator Thune on the way to vote. He had a chance to visit
with Mr. Buckles earlier during the day, and he asked him what
his secret was--or his secrets were, to live to the age of 108.
Mr. Buckles' response was a threefold response. No. 1, it's
important to stay busy and engaged. No. 2, to exercise. No. 3,
to start young.
[Laughter.]
Senator Udall. Now, Senator Thune and I think he meant that
about exercising, but I think he also meant it in a sense of
stay young in your thinking and your outlook. But, given the
celebrity nature of his appearance here today, I want to make
sure we learned the appropriate lessons--along with his
wonderful, patriotic service.
Mr. Madden, let me turn to you. Some Senators have
criticized other Federal commissions established to commemorate
a significant historical event as a waste of money. As you
noted, several States are already planning their commemoration
efforts. Can you explain what you see the Commission adding to
the sesquicentennial commemoration efforts?
Mr. Madden. The States that have already begun, did not
begin, really, until a couple of years ago, when, I understand,
Civil War organizations generally--despite an early attempt
that I made to bring them all together to support this bill,
they felt that there probably wouldn't be, because time was
running out, a commission. So, certain States and organizations
went ahead on their own. There are very few who have made
significant progress. I think Virginia is probably in the lead,
North Carolina is significant. But, that leaves out a good part
of the Nation, and that leaves out what I consider a very
important opportunity for other parts of this nation--other
States--to get to know the significance of this crossroads of
our being, to make it part of their being, so that we need
leadership of a commission, if not funds. But, certainly funds
for those States and those places that don't have any money. We
need the leadership and some degree of funds to jumpstart, to
inspire, to encourage those States and organizations that have
not yet gone ahead on their own.
I think it would be a piecemeal celebration that would not
bring honor to this country if the rest of the Nation looks at
what Virginia, let's say, is doing, Pennsylvania is doing, but
that feels that it is a localized sort of experience. So, I
think it's essential that this have some strong national face.
As far as the money is concerned, I just want to point out
that I created the Civil War Center with almost nothing. I
conducted it for 7 years for less than 30,000 a year. So, there
are ways, with a little bit of money and with the authority I
had from the University, which is the parallel to the
commission--there are ways to do an incredible lot, as we've
done with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial in Louisiana, with
very, very little money.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification. My wife's
from North Carolina. She has a number of degrees. One of them
is in English and American Literature. She was very fond of
Faulkner. Because you're here, I wanted you to edify me. I
think she is fond of pointing out that one of Faulkner's
characters, when asked about the Civil War and whether it was
over, said something to the effect, ``No, the Civil War is not
over. It's never over. We're still fighting the Civil War.''
Mr. Madden. Oh, yes. That's right.
Senator Udall. Is that reasonably accurate?
Mr. Madden. Yes. But, I think--as I pointed out in the long
version of my testimony, I think that the conflict is not going
to be anywhere near as severe as it was in the Centennial,
which was a success, after all. This is a democracy, where you
deal with conflicts. I think that we're such a totally
different Nation, that those elements that might want to make
this a contentious occasion are in the tiny minority. But, I
will say, for your wife's edification, if I may----
Senator Udall. My edification.
Mr. Madden [continuing]. That the greatest Civil War novel
is ``Absalom, Absalom!''
Senator Udall. I take note, and I will do my best to find
the time to----
Mr. Madden. I hope she went to Appalachian State
University, where I first taught, in 1957; my first teaching
job.
Senator Udall. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but she's a Tar
Heel. She went----
Mr. Madden. What?
Senator Udall [continuing]. To school in Chapel Hill.
Mr. Madden. Oh, Chapel Hill. Oh, yes.
Senator Udall. She's a Tar Heel. So, she----
Mr. Madden. OK. Yes.
Senator Udall. But, thank you for indulging me. This is
powerful testimony, and the more we remember the right kinds of
lessons, the better our country will be. So, thank you, again,
for elaborating.
Let me turn to Mr. Barboza. Perhaps more than anyone in
this room, you have the difficulty of seeing a memorial through
to completion. Given the difficulty and the years of delay with
the previous authorization, why do you expect that a new
authorization would be more successful?
Mr. Barboza. I know what some of the problems were with the
previous one, and it didn't have anything to do with the merit
of the history or of raising funds. Certainly, enough funds
were built to build a memorial, but it didn't get done. Those
things happen. It's happened with many projects. But, I feel
that the difference here is that we have living descendants,
now, who are discovering their ancestors. This is very powerful
stuff. We needed to do this many, many years ago, generations
ago. After the Civil War, we needed to reconcile ourselves, our
history, and come to understand who we are as Americans,
because the only thing that holds us together is our
principles. If we don't understand that, and we continue to
question who an American is, because of their race, their
color, their background, their religion, their political
thought, we're never going to get anywhere. In order to
preserve our Nation, we have to preserve liberty.
This connection to the Civil War--it was my great-great-
grandfather--a photograph that I saw when--my first memory of
my grandmother's house was walking in and seeing this picture
of my great-great-grandfather in a Civil War uniform. I didn't
know who he was or what. It wasn't until years later that I
began to ask questions. That's how I discovered the Black
patriots, through my own research, finding out that I had an
ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War, having my aunt's
application rejected by the Daughters of the American
Revolution, then spending 24 years to have the Daughters of the
American Revolution fulfill her membership agreement in 1984,
and that is to identify every Black soldier who served in the
war. That has been completed. Now we know who they are, and
people are discovering their ancestors through that
documentation.
One last thing. I started young. Fortunately. Half an age
ago. So, I'm pleased to be here.
I just want to say that the name Udall stands out in my
memory of the Kennedy administration, of the very height, and
your family's contributions. So, I'm honored to be here.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that acknowledgment, and I'll
pass your regards on to my Uncle Stewart, who served as
Interior Secretary and----
Mr. Barboza. Indeed.
Senator Udall. He started young, too, given he's 90 years
old.
Mr. Barboza. Wonderful.
Senator Udall. Let me--one last question. Do you anticipate
you'd stay with the same design for the previously authorized
memorial, or----
Mr. Barboza. No.
Senator Udall [continuing]. Are you considering something
different?
Mr. Barboza. No, we'll--we will consider a new design. That
will be entirely left behind. This will be an entirely new
project with a new site and a new design.
Senator Udall. OK. Thank you for those insights and sharing
your own story. It gave me goose bumps to hear you account--
share that account with us. I think--and it's hard--what you're
saying is, we're all Americans. America is a place, but it's
also an idea; and you keep both alive by pursuing what you're
proposing.
Let me turn--not last, but not least--to Mr. Robinson.
I had--before I ask you my question, I had a wonderful
opportunity--Jan Scruggs might be interested in this--to spend
a few days with Maya Lin in, all places, Tibet, about 15 years
ago. I was on an expedition to Mount Everest. She happened to
be traveling in Tibet with a friend. She's Chinese-American.
She doesn't speak a word of Mandarin or the major Chinese
dialects, but she was eagerly soaking up all that that great
country has to offer, and she was in Tibet, as well, when I met
her. The story of that memorial and the effect it's had on all
of us is such a powerful one.
You described the efforts that the Memorial Fund has made
in securing the necessary authorizations and steps you've, so
far, taken to raise the funds. You still need to raise--I
think, it's about $60 million, which is----
Mr. Robinson. About 60 million.
Senator Udall [continuing]. More than double what you've
raised to date. How confident are you that your organization
can raise those remaining funds by the extended authorization
deadline?
Mr. Robinson. We're very confident. Our current chairman,
our current corporate campaign chairman, Peter Holt, has taken
this on as a full-time endeavor. He's--he has a firm that's
working for him on just this. In just the past several months,
we've had major contributions. We have a plan to raise this
money. One of the plans is that we would go to VFW and Military
Order of the Purple Heart chapters and ask them to support the
names that are on The Wall from those locations; $1,000 per
name. We've tried that. We've been very successful at doing it,
and we're very confident that we're going to be able to raise
this money.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that additional detail, and
for the work you've done, again, and for--as I said earlier,
for your service and your example. It's a powerful one.
Senator Udall. Let me bring the hearing to a conclusion.
I want to thank all of you for your time and the insights
you provided. Clearly, each one of you is passionate about your
specific proposal, and your testimonies helped us, and me,
better understand the issues.
Mr. Alexander, did you want to----
Mr. Alexander. Senator, may I make a point of
clarification?
Senator Udall. Yes. Sure. Of course.
Mr. Alexander. Thank you.
Senator Udall. Of course.
Mr. Alexander. I just want to note that there is no cost to
see the memorial itself at the Liberty Memorial. It is just
admission to the museum. Part of our success throughout the
years has been our ability to generate support, both publicly
and privately, to help minimize that cost.
I might also note that the National Park Service now is
forced to charge admission to many of its sites, as well. It's
one of those unfortunate necessities to sustain nonprofit
organizations.
Senator Udall. Thank you for that clarification.
That does lead into my final comments, as we formally end
the hearing, and that's that some members of the committee may
submit additional questions in writing to each of you, and, if
so, we'd ask you submit answers for the record. We'll also keep
the record open for a couple more weeks for any additional
comments you may want to make. There may be ways in which you
want to elaborate or clarify or provide us with additional
information. We want you to do that, because, as we move
forward to making decisions about how we may proceed, or
changes we might want to make, we need that information.
So, again, thank you for spending your time here this
afternoon. This was a memorable hearing today.
The subcommittee is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 4:15 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
APPENDIX
Additional Material Submitted for the Record
----------
[Due to the large amount of materials received, only a
representative sample of statements follow. Additional documents and
statements have been retained in subcommittee files.]
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Washington, DC, November 24, 2009.
Hon. Mark Udall,
U.S. Senate, Hart Senate Office Building 110, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Udall: On behalf of the 2.2 million members of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and our Auxiliaries, I
would like to offer our strong support for H.R. 3689, to provide for an
extension of the legislative authority of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund, Inc. to establish a Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitor center.
This important legislation would help build a visitors' center near
the Vietnam Memorial on the National Mall. This visitors' center would
show the many unique and meaningful items that have been left at the
memorial to honor those who gave their lives serving our country. The
center would serve as a place to educate America' youth as well as
continue the healing fought valiantly for our country. We thank you for
reviewing this bill before your committee.
We look forward to working with you to help pass this legislation
into law.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Tradewell, Sr.,
Commander-in-Chief.
______
Building and Construction Trades Department,
American Federation of Labor--Congress of Industrial
Organizations,
Washington, DC, December 1, 2009.
Hon. Jeff Bingaman,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 304 Dirksen Senate
Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Bingaman: On behalf of the skilled craft professionals
who comprise the 13 national and international unions of the Building
and Construction Trades Department, I write to you today to encourage
your active support for HR 3689, which would extend the legislative
authority for the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. and authorize
the funds for the construction of an Education and Visitors Center for
the Memorial.
The Viet Nam Veterans Memorial has become not only an iconic symbol
of the courage, bravery and sacrifice exhibited by the men and women
who served during that era, but it also serves as a spiritual
destination for millions of Americans who make the determined
pilgrimage to Washington, DC in order to come to grips with the loss of
a loved one or comrade, or to alleviate their suffering and begin the
process of healing.
The Education and Visitors Center has been conceived as a way to
put faces to the names that are on the Wall; to bring to life their
stories; and to help millions of Americans better understand, and
appropriately honor, the men and women who gave all that they had in
service to their country during that era.
Therefore, on behalf of the tens of thousands of our members who
are veterans of the Viet Nam War (including myself), I respectfully
request that you do all that you can to approve this legislation and
provide an additional boost to the momentum that is carrying us towards
the construction of this important facility.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
Mark H. Ayers,
President.
______
National Coalition to Save Our Mall,
Rockville, MD, December 1, 2009.
Hon. Mark Udall,
Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks, Senate Committee on Energy &
Natural Resources, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, DC.
RE: Reauthorization of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center
Dear Chairman Udall and Subcommittee Members: We urge you during
the December 3 hearing of the Subcommittee on National Parks to shine
new light on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center project,
especially on new circumstances that raise serious doubts about the
need, location, and long-term impact of the project on the Vietnam
Memorial itself and the National Mall. The failure of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund to secure adequate funding in seven years speaks
also to the lack of strong public support for this addition to the
Memorial.
The National Coalition to Save Our Mall is a nonprofit citizens
organization seeking a broad, visionary plan for the National Mall. We
are the only organized voice for the public on Mall matters. We have
strongly opposed the location for the visitor center at the Vietnam
Memorial, stating in writing and during public consultation meetings
that it will detract from the visitor's experience of the Memorial
itself, encroach on the nearby Lincoln Memorial, and destroy more open
space on the National Mall. We have participated actively in the
Historic Preservation Act public consultation process for this project
for several years now and our opposition has only intensified as we
learn more about the project details.
Reasons for Congress to reject reauthorization of the Visitors
Center on the National Mall site including the following:
1. Most significant is the question of need. The stated
reasons for the Visitors Center now seem redundant with the
reopening of the newly revamped National Museum of American
History. The justification for construction of this visitor
center was to explain the Vietnam War to visitors who do not
know about this critical event American history. The Vietnam
Veterans Fund also has stated that the center would put this
war in the larger context of American wars. The newly reopened
American History Museum, located only a few blocks from the
Vietnam Memorial, accomplishes these goals amply. The museum
features a marvelous new exhibit entitled ``The Price of
Freedom'' that puts the Vietnam War in an interesting
perspective as part of the larger story of Americans at war. A
separate Vietnam War visitor center is not needed and would
compete with the Smithsonian's new permanent exhibit.
2. Modern electronic communications, not yet well developed
at the time the visitor center was first authorized, can be
developed to offer simple, low-cost educational and
interpretive materials without the need for costly new
construction and the long-term maintenance and other costs
associated with underground construction. Furthermore,
electronic materials can be updated and revised as needed in
coming years to readily adapt to changing needs.
3. Congress mandated that the Visitors Center be located
``underground'' to protect the Mall's open space but the
project, while sunken below grade, is not underground but
instead creates a large open pit on this historically sensitive
site. We understand the difficulty of meeting the
``underground'' requirement. However, after three years of
trying to find a successful solution, it seems clear that the
designers are unable to build the structure underground that
also protects, as required by the Commemorative Works Act, the
Mall's historic plans and public open space. This sensitive
Mall site simply cannot accommodate the proposed project. An
added consequence of the location, which is at the main bus
drop-off for this part of the National Mall and thus the first
attraction visitors will encounter, is that visitors may choose
to visit the visitor center first and afterwards decide not to
cross busy Henry Bacon Drive to the Memorial itself--a tragic
loss for visitors and this powerfully moving Memorial.
4. This visitor facility already has spawned new calls for
such centers elsewhere, most recently in connection with the
future Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. In the case of the MLK
Memorial, a new Visitor Center/Bookstore/Restroom facility was
added to the project in 2005--two years after Congress passed
the moratorium on any future memorials or visitors centers on
the Mall--because the Memorial sponsor and the National Park
Service argued that such a visitor center was needed to provide
interpretation for the Memorial. The federal and District
project review agencies have accepted that reasoning. We are
concerned that with the Vietnam visitor center as a precedent
the floodgates will open to additional visitors centers at each
and every memorial on the National Mall, further cluttering the
open landscape with retail and exhibitions better reserved for
our national museum buildings. With no enforcement, the
moratorium is not working.
In conclusion, the Vietnam Visitors Center, so controversial and
divisive from the start, has been proven in recent years to be
redundant and destructive of the sensitive historic landscape and
should not be reauthorized.
In our view--and given the recurring problems of exceptions such as
this project being made to the Commemorative Works Act--there is a need
for a hearing about reviewing and perhaps reforming the Commemorative
Works Act. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about
such a review.
Sincerely,
Judy Scott Feldman, Ph.D.,
Chair and President.
______
November 24, 2009
Hon. Clair McCaskill,
U.S. Senator, Hart Senate Office Building, SH-717, Washington DC.
Dear Senator McCaskill: On behalf of the SGT. Alvin C. York Family,
we fully support the federal legislation to designate the Liberty
Memorial as the National World War I Memorial. We are very pleased that
this designation is under consideration.
Alvin C. York of Pall Mall, Tennessee, is the most decorated United
States World War I soldier. His battlefield exploits on October 8,
1918, earned him the Medal of Honor. He fearlessly lead seven men who
charged with great daring a machine gun nest which was pouring deadly
and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machine
gun nest was taken, together with four officers and 128 men and several
guns. The courage and sacrifice that Sergeant. York and all World War I
soldiers gave our nation are honored everyday at the Liberty Memorial.
The Liberty Memorial was built to honor all American World War I
soldiers. A fundraising drive in 1919 raised more than $2.5 million in
less than two weeks to fund it's design and construction. From the
beginning, the Liberty Memorial has been recognized as a national
treasure. As stated by President Coolidge during the 1926 opening
ceremony:
Today I return at the special request of the distinguished
senators from Missouri and Kansas, and on the invitation from
your committee on arrangements in order that I may place the
official sanction of the national government upon one of the
most elaborate and impressive memorials that adorn our county.
This was further solidified when Congress passed a resolution in
October 2000 ``recognizing the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City,
Missouri, as a national World War I symbol honoring those who defended
liberty and our country through service in World War I.''
The National World War I Museum was designated as such by the U.S.
Congress in 2004 and is located within the Liberty Memorial complex. It
is the only Museum in the United States solely dedicated to the Great
War. The site also received National Historic Landmark status in 2006.
The inscription at the base of the Liberty Memorial Tower reads,
``In Honor of Those who Served in the World War in Defense of Liberty
and Our Country,'' and for more than eighty years, the Liberty Memorial
has been the country's leading institution in remembering World War I.
I believe the National World War I Memorial should be in Kansas City,
Missouri.
Sincerely,
George Edward York.
Betsy York Lowery.
______
The American Legion,
Washington, DC, October 28, 2009.
Hon. Edolphus Towns,
Chairman.
Hon. Darrell Issa,
Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S.
House of Representatives, 2347 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Gentlemen: After reviewing the proposed Amendment in the
Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 1849, the World War I Memorial and
Centennial Act of 2009, offered by Mr. Towns (NY), The American Legion
is prepared to offer its full support of this proposed amendment.
The American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans of the War to
End All Wars--World War I. Public Law 108-375 officially recognized the
National World War I Museum. The American Legion believes it is only
fitting to officially designate the Liberty Memorial at the National
World War I Museum as the National World War I Memorial.
This legislation also calls for the establishment of a World War I
Centennial Commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial
of World War I that would promote the values of honor, courage,
patriotism and sacrifice. The American Legion would be honored to have
a representative on such a Commission.
Again, The American Legion fully supports this proposed amendment
and would encourage you and your colleagues to aggressively pursue
timely enactment.
Sincerely,
Clarence E. Hill,
National Commander.
______
The American Legion,
Jefferson City, MO, October 7, 2009.
Hon. Emanuel Cleaver, II,
U.S. Representative, 1027 Longworth Office Bldg., Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Cleaver, 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.*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Document has been retained in subcommittee files.
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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.
______
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Kansas City, MO, March 31, 2009.
Brian Alexander,
National WWI Museum, 100 West 26th Street, Kansas City, MO.
Dear Mr. Alexander, On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
the United States, we fully agree with the federal legislation granting
official status to the Liberty Memorial, designating it as the National
World War I Memorial.
As you know, just two weeks after the November 11, 1918 Armistice,
Kansas Citizens embarked on a campaign that would one day create the
National World War I Museum. A community-based fundraising drive in
1919 raised more than $2.5 million in less than two weeks to build the
Liberty Memorial. After three years of construction, the Liberty
Memorial opened on November 11, 1926, immediately becoming an iconic
landmark.
Because of their efforts, we have today a valuable repository of
America's heritage. The Liberty Memorial is a place where history,
achievement, courage and sacrifice become real for all people. The
Liberty Memorial is the strongest link we have to the more than 2
million American men and women who served during World War I.
Since its dedication, the Liberty Memorial has enabled millions of
deserving citizens and foreign visitors alike, an opportunity to travel
to Kansas City to visit and appreciate one of America's most cherished
monuments. Without the existence of the Liberty Memorial, it is quite
possible the memory of those who fought during World War I would fade
and then disappear.
The effort to secure official designation is easily supported by
the VFW. As an organization of combat veterans, we believe that it is
imperative to ensure the memory of their courage and sacrifice will not
fade or disappear into anonymity . . . that would be an irretrievable
loss to the nation. Accordingly, we will present the attached
resolution proposal at our 110th National Convention in August.
We thank you for your service and dedication in honoring such a
critical historical legacy and please let us know where we can further
assist in this noble effort.
Sincerely,
Glen M. Gardner, Jr.,
Commander-in-Chief.
______
African-American Civil War Museum,
Washington, DC, December 3, 2009.
Hon. Mark Udall,
Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks, Energy and Natural Resources
Committee, U.S. Senate, Dirksen Senate Office Building--Room
304, Washington, DC.
Re: Bill S. 2097
Dear Senator Udall: On behalf of the African American Civil War
Memorial, I am concerned anytime a memorial which was raised up for the
sole purpose of honoring a specific group brave and honorable American
soldiers is threatened with any change that would dilute it's solemn
purpose.
Re-dedicating the District of Columbia World War I Memorial to
include veteran's of the 50 States with voting congressional
representation, World War I veterans diverts attention away from the
original, intended concept, which was honoring their brave, fallen of
the District of Columbia.
Perhaps more importantly though. the dangerous precedent set by
this piece of legislation threatens the status of many other memorials
that by deliberate design are meant to honor specific groups. Once such
memorial is The African American Civil War Memorial located in D.C.'s
Shaw Community on U Street, N.W. This memorial proudly honors the lives
of African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War, but were
soon forgotten. If you pass this bill, I fear that later on some group
might come along and decide that Washington lacked a comprehensive
Civil War memorial and demand we rededicate our memorial as the
African-American and Caucasian's-Also Civil War Memorial.
It is my request that you do not allow the only existing memorial
for the soldiers of the District of Columbia, who, unlike the soldiers
from the other States, died without a voting representative in
Congress, to be altered and to honor the legacy of past Washingtonians
that toiled to create a legacy for their soldiers.
Regards,
Dr. Frank Smith,
Founding Director.
______
Statement of Paul Strauss, U.S. Senator From the District of Columbia,
on S. 2097
Chairman Udall, Ranking Member Burr, and others on the
Subcommittee, as an elected United States Senator for the District of
Columbia, I thank you for the opportunity to present this testimony for
the record regarding my opposition to Bill S. 2097, otherwise known as
the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act. I am honored to appear here
today on behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia both past
and present.
The re-authorization to re-dedicate the District of Columbia World
War I Memorial is yet a further diminution to the dignity of an already
disenfranchised people. This memorial was dedicated on the 11th hour of
the 11th day of November 1931, 13 years to the date of the Armistice.
For over 78 years, it has stood proud and serene as the only memorial
to the brave men and women from the Nation's Capital who, along with
other brave Americans, fought and died for their country. However,
unlike those other brave Americans, DC's ``Doughboys'' fought and died
without anyone in the Congress of the United States ever being able to
cast a vote to declare the war which took their lives.
Although well intentioned, Bill S. 2097, is instead a further
insult to the already underrepresented people of the District of
Columbia. Re-dedicating the District of Columbia World War I Memorial
as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial, while
noble in its intention to commemorate the lives of the Americans that
fought and died in WWI, in reality only takes away the one and only
memorial erected to specially commemorate DC's members of the armed
forces. Each of the 499 names inscribed on this memorial all died
without a vote for a country who would not give them the same
democratic rights their fellow soldiers enjoyed. Currently the memorial
stands not just as a symbol of the legacy of the men and women that
died in WWI, but also as a symbol of the spirit and patriotism of the
unrepresented and vote-less citizens of the District of Columbia.
Neither this bill, nor this hearing today is about the great
injustices that come from DC's lack of Statehood. It is, however, a
fitting and appropriate opportunity to remind Americans that the
District of Columbia provided more soldiers to the Great War than ten
states and territories and according to Star articles published after
the war, 26,000 DC men and women total served in the war, of which 535
gave their lives. Following the war, a memorial commission, comprised
of Washington citizens, was formed to mobilize a campaign for the
memorial and it was an Act of Congress in 1924 that led to the
authorization of the District of Columbia War Memorial on June 7 that
same year.
It was not on a whim or oversight that this memorial was dedicated
only to the District of Columbia's fallen soldiers. In fact, the very
history of the memorial points to the rationality that the memorial
continues on as a District of Columbia World War I Memorial. From the
locally raised funds that were raised to erect the memorial to the
local residents that helped design and build it; the District of
Columbia was the heart and soul of this memorial.
--The lead architect was local, DC based architect, Frederick H.
Booke
--Then president of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce, Harry King
insisted that, ``Construction of the war memorial by out-
of-town agencies would violate the principle and do
injustice to the people of our city.'' In that spirit, a
local construction company, James Baird Co., was chosen as
the contractor.
--At the time, it was even encouraged for individual states to
honor their fallen and an American Legion executive
committeeman for D.C. spoke out against D.C.'s lack of a
memorial, ``Washington lags behind every State in the Union
in expressing its appreciation of the services of its sons
and daughter who `went to war'.''
--The Star, a local paper at the time, reported in July 1926 on the
WWI Memorial commission's stated purpose of the memorial,
``The memorial, which, as the great bridge across the
Potomac shall speak a Nation's remembrance for her
defenders shall speak our own more intimate gratitude to
those more intimately bound to us; is to be built by
subscription from the people of Washington. . . .It will
stand through the years as the expression of a city's pride
in the men who fought in its behalf.''
Furthermore, I am concerned about the misguided education of some
of my fellow District Memorial enthusiasts that have thrown their
support behind this Bill with the false impression that its approval is
necessary to pay for the refurbishment of the memorial. A staff member
of the Council of the District of Columbia told me that the support for
this bill was based on the belief that this legislation would fund the
needed repairs. He was unaware that in the recently approved American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, money has been already allocated
to refurbish this memorial with the stimulus money presented to the
National Parks and Services to the tune of $7.3 million dollars. I am
pleased to note that in her statement today, Katherine Stevenson, the
Obama Administration's representative, also made note of these funds,
and reiterated the Department of Interior's commitment to the
monument's complete refurbishment.
The mere geographic location of the memorial, on the National Mall
is not reason enough to re-dedicate the memorial's status. DC's
memorial was erected and dedicated before the other wars for which the
additional memorials now exist. Additionally, aside from the question
as to how best to commemorate the fallen of this war, is the larger
question of the preserving our great national mall for future
generations. It must remain more than a collection of multiple
monuments to the armed conflicts of the 20th Century.
As a D.C. resident, I reject the notion that only one part of our
Nation's Capitol is appropriate to commemorate our honored veterans.
One particularly appropriate and poignant monument to brave American
veterans lies approximately 20 blocks to the north of our mall. The
African-American Civil War memorial located in the historic Shaw
community is one exceptional example of how the brave veterans of our
tragic Civil War are honored with a much dignity and sincerity as any
soldier commemorated on the mall.
This unique and special purpose memorial shows us that not only can
we honor veterans with equal dignity both on and off the mall, but it
offers a cautionary warning as well. The dangerous precedent set by
this piece of legislation threatens the status of many other memorials
that by deliberate design are meant to honor specific groups. In
addition to the overlooked African-Americans who fought in the Civil
War, many other ethnic groups also made great sacrifices. Irish-
American's in particular contributed heavily to the Union's war
efforts. If you pass this bill, what will we say to those advocates who
might later on come along and decide that Washington DC lacks a
comprehensive enough Civil War commemoration? Would they site the
precedent of this bill and later demand we rededicate that memorial as
the ``African-American and Irish-Americans also Civil War Memorial.''
What would we tell advocates of other victims of genocide when they
demand their share of exhibit space at the US Holocaust Memorial?
A memorial to commemorate all of the American lives lost during WWI
is certainly appropriate. I would happily support this effort but not
at the cost of diminishing the legacy of the late World War One
veterans of the District of Columbia. I would be proud to offer my
support and the full cooperation of my office to help identify an
appropriate location in our great District of Columbia that would both
honor all of our nation's World War One veterans appropriately.
I would ask that this Committee hold the record of this hearing
open for some number of days so that I can include some letters from my
Constituent's to whom the memorial has special significance. In
closing, let me thank, Ms. Jenna A. Kohler, my Legislative Assistant,
for her help in the preparation of this statement.
______
Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation * The Conservation Fund *
Japanese American Citizens League * National Parks
Conservation Association * National Trust for Historic
Preservation
December 1, 2009.
Hon. John Barrasso,
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Barrasso: On behalf of our organizations, we write to
express our support for your legislation (S. 2722) to authorize the
National Park Service to conduct a special resource study of the Heart
Mountain Relocation Center, located near Cody, Wyoming. We greatly
appreciate Senator Enzi also cosponsoring the legislation and
Congresswoman Lummis introducing companion legislation in the House.
During World War II, the U.S. government incarcerated over 14,000
Japanese Americans at the Heart Mountain site over its three year
period of existence.
Today, the site features important historic resources. In 2006, the
U.S. Department of the Interior designated the site as a National
Historic Landmark and the State of Wyoming has additionally named the
location as a Wyoming Heritage Site. The site retains a significant
degree of physical and historic integrity and still has a number of
buildings surviving in the original placement. The site is additionally
significant for its association with U.S. military history and U.S.
constitutional law, and for its association with Japanese American
social history.
The Heart Mountain Relocation Center opened on August 11, 1942 and
operated for 39 months, closing on November 10, 1945. At its peak,
Heart Mountain contained 10,767 Japanese Americans from California,
Washington and Oregon, two-thirds of whom were United States citizens.
As one of only ten such camps in seven mostly western states, the
center housed Japanese Americans removed from the West Coast under the
authority of Presidential Executive Order 9066. Although not charged
with any crimes and without benefit of judicial hearings, Japanese
Americans as a group were uprooted from their homes and businesses and
taken under armed guard for detention in a system of assembly and
relocation centers.
Your legislation would provide the National Park Service with the
authority to engage the public in an important dialogue about the
future of the site and to outline various options to conserve and
manage the site's important historic resources. Your bill will enable
local stakeholders to develop a vision for the long term management of
the site and provide additional information for you, Congress and the
public at large on future options to realize the full educational
potential of the Heart Mountain site.
We appreciate your strong support for conserving our nation's rich
and diverse heritage and look forward to working with you to advance
this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Shirley Higuchi, Board Chair,
David Reetz, President & Executive Director,
Heart Mountain, Wyoming Foundation.
Floyd Mori, National Executive Director,
Japanese American Citizens League.
Daniel Sakura, Vice President for Government Relations,
The Conservation Fund.
Barbara Pahl, Director, Mountain Plains Office,
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Sharon Mader, Grand Teton Program Manager,
National Parks Conservation Association.
______
Hill & Knowlton,
November 25, 2009.
Hon. Mark Udall,
Chairman, Subcommittee on Parks, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources, 304 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Udall: Please accept this letter as my support for
legislation (S. 2722) to authorize the National Park Service to conduct
a special resource study of the Heart Mountain Relocation Center,
located near Cody, Wyoming.
As you know, I was interned there with my family during World War
II so the site has special significance to me. But in addition, it is
considered to be an important historic site and in 2006 the U. S.
Department of Interior designated the site as a National Historic
Landmark. It has also been named a Wyoming Heritage Site.
This important legislation would provide the National Park Service
with the authority to engage the public in an important dialogue about
the future of the site and to outline various options to conserve and
manage the site's important historic resources.
Being such a nationally significant site, this Study will enable
stakeholders to develop a vision for the long term management of the
site and to realize the full educational potential of the historic
resource.
America has come a long ways in acknowledging the injustices of
this period, but it has lessons for future protections of individual
liberties and freedoms that must not be forgotten. You have my strong
support for conducting this critically needed study.
Sincerely,
Norman Y. Mineta,
Vice Chairman.
______
National Mall Liberty Fund D.C.
December 14, 2009.
Hon. Mark Udall,
Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, Hart Office Building,
Suite SH-317, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Udall, Thank you for conducting the hearing of
December 3, 2009, on S. 2738, the National Liberty Memorial Act,
introduced by Sen. Chris Dodd and Sen. Charles Grassley. This bill
authorizes a memorial to African American soldiers, patriots and
liberty-seekers of the Revolutionary War. It affirms the bipartisan
decision of the 100th Congress and President Ronald Reagan to designate
the history of ``preeminent historical and lasting significance.'' This
warrants praise and lasting gratitude--not re-examination by the
Interior Department. The Department might wish to rethink this request.
Among 24 witnesses commenting on this identical class of persons 24
years ago, an extemporaneous remark of Rep. Parren J. Mitchell
electrified a House hearing: ``This memorial will remind us that, from
the Revolution to Vietnam, we've been there fighting and dying for
America.'' The entire nation will have an opportunity to consider that
statement in the context of a sweeping new four-hour documentary. ``For
Love of Liberty'' will air on PBS stations in February 2010. I ask that
this explanation and the endorsements provided by filmmaker Frank
Martin be included in the Record.
Rep. Mitchell knew what we all knew--that a modest memorial derived
from the unique status of the forerunners, strategically placed near
existing and future symbols, could interact and mature with them to
tell a multi-generational story about liberty and unity that transcends
color and a time. His 19 words condensed nearly 200 pages of remarks
that day, including my own. Through Revolution, slavery, civil war, Jim
Crow, world wars and nonviolent protest ``we've been there,'' never
conceding defeat and never giving up the fight to defend, protect and
become ``we the people.''
In the process, they established liberty in America and helped
preserve the liberty of European nations that had enslaved their
ancestors. Current members of the Congressional Black Caucus are among
them. Mr. Martin and a cast of over 40 distinguished Americans,
including Morgan Freeman, a memorial advisor 20 years ago, weave the
story, from the Revolution to Iraq. This film is destined to become as
mind-opening and beloved as ``Roots.''
In 1988, Congress declared the ``preeminent'' deeds of the
forgotten founders eligible for memorialization in Area 1. Secretary
Donald Hodel made the recommendation in conformance with the
Commemorative Works Act (CWA). President Ronald Reagan signed it into
law. In 2007, the Memorial Commission confirmed the nexus between that
law and the current project. Promptly, it was rejected by the past
Secretary. Now, this Department has asked the Energy Committee to
repeal Public Law 100-265 entirely and allow the National Park Service
to reconsider the worthiness. This would expunge a legacy of the 99th
and 100th Congresses, President Reagan and Secretary Hodel.
Over two decades of observations and warm associations suggest that
the land managers have deep affection for this memorial. But they are
reading into the CWA what is not there while ignoring an established
precedent and hundreds of reaffirming books, articles and discoveries
since 1985. These need no further scrutiny, consecration or hallowing
by government agencies.
Before a hearing in the House is conducted on Rep. Donald Payne's
bill, H.R. 4036, the Department might consider the testimony of nearly
three dozen witnesses between 1985 and 1986; the absence of any
provision in the CWA that obligates Congress to approve a separate Act
to declare what it has already declared in a free-standing public law;
and recent letters praising ``For Love of Liberty'' by Sen. Carl Levin,
Sen. John McCain (cosponsors with Sens. Dodd and Grassley in 1985) and
filmmaker Ken Burns.
Then, I commend a remark of President George H.W. Bush while making
a donation in the Oval Office during Desert Storm: ``Think about how
much they must have loved this country, how they believed in its
dreams. It's an astounding devotion. It's in a league by itself.''
Moving across the president's desk in February 2010 (Black History
Month), without the worthiness of its honorees being muddled, the
National Liberty Memorial Act and ``For Love of Liberty,'' could teach
the nation a long-deferred lesson in liberty and human potential.
Sincerely,
Maurice A. Barboza,
Founder.