Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	3,022	n/a	n/a
Engrossed in House	3,018	30	18%
Received in Senate	3,055	5	3%
Engrossed Amendment Senate	2,154	16 Show Changes Hide Changes	36%

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HR 6364 RDS

112th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. EASCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 6364

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 13, 2012

Received

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AN ACT

T) entitled ‘An Act to establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, to provide for the designation of memorials to the service of members of the United States Armed Forces in World War I, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

’, do pass with the followingCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Frank Buckles World War I MemorialWorld War I Centennial Commission Act’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Findings. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3. Definitions. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 5. Duties of Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 6. Powers of Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 7. Centennial Commission personnel matters. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 8. Termination of Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 9. Designation of National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri.

Sec. 10. Establishment of National World War I Memorial in the District of Columbia.

Sec. 11. Prohibition on obligation of Federal funds. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations around the world will mark the centennial of World War I, including the entry of the United States into the war in April 1917. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) America’s support of Great Britain, France, Belgium, and its other allies in World War I marked the first time in United States history that American soldiers went abroad in defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked the true beginning of the ‘American century’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Although World War I was at the time called ‘the war to end all wars’, in fact the United States would commit its troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in the 20th century. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United States served in uniform during World War I, among them 2 future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Two million individuals from the United States served overseas during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who served on the seas. The United States suffered 375,000 casualties during World War I, including 116,516 deaths. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the United States, and the lives of millions of people. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for people in the United States to learn about and commemorate the sacrifices of their predecessors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow people in the United States to learn about the history of World War I, the United States involvement in that war, and the war’s effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and to commemorate and honor the participation of the United States and its citizens in the war effort. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) America’s NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM- The term ‘America’s National World War I Museum’ means the Liberty Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-375; 118 Stat. 2045). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CENTENNIAL COMMISSION- The term ‘Centennial Commission’ means the World War I Centennial Commission established by section 4(a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) MEMORIAL FOUNDATION- The term ‘Memorial Foundation’ means the World War I Memorial Foundation authorized to establish the National World War I Memorial in the District of Columbia under section 10.(4) VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION- The term ‘veterans service organization’ means any organization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of veterans undersection 5902 of title 38, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

(a) Establishment- There is established a commission to be known as the ‘World War I Centennial Commission’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Membership- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPOSITION- The Centennial Commission shall be composed of 12 members as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Two members who shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) One member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Two members who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) One member who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) Three members who shall be appointed by the President from among persons who are broadly representative of the people of the United States (including members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and representatives of veterans service organizations). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) One member who shall be appointed by the executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) One member who shall be appointed by the executive director of the American Legion. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) One member who shall be appointed by the president of the Liberty Memorial Association. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TIME FOR APPOINTMENT- The members of the Centennial Commission shall be appointed not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT- Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) VACANCIES- A vacancy in the Centennial Commission shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Meetings- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) INITIAL MEETING- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Centennial Commission have been appointed, the Centennial Commission shall hold its first meeting. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) LOCATION- The location for the meeting held under subparagraph (A) shall be the America’s National World War I Museum. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The Centennial Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) FREQUENCY- The Chair shall call a meeting of the members of the Centennial Commission not less frequently than once each year. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) LOCATION- Not less frequently than once each year, the Centennial Commission shall meet at the America’s National World War I Museum. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) QUORUM- Seven members of the Centennial Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Chair and Vice Chair- The Centennial Commission shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. DUTIES OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

(a) In General- The duties of the Centennial Commission are as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) To encourage private organizations and State and local governments to organize and participate in activities commemorating the centennial of World War I. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the United States relating to the centennial of World War I. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about events and plans for the centennial of World War I. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the President for commemorating the centennial of World War I. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Reports- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PERIODIC REPORT- Not later than the last day of the 6-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, the Centennial Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report on the activities and plans of the Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RECOMMENDATIONS- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Centennial Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a report containing specific recommendations for commemorating the centennial of World War I and coordinating related activities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. POWERS OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

(a) Hearings- The Centennial Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Centennial Commission considers appropriate to carry out its duties under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Powers of Member and Agents- If authorized by the Centennial Commission, any member or agent of the Centennial Commission may take any action which the Centennial Commission is authorized to take under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Information From Federal Agencies- The Centennial Commission shall secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Centennial Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Upon the request of the Chair of the Centennial Commission, the head of such department or agency shall furnish such information to the Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Administrative Support Services- Upon the request of the Centennial Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration shall provide to the Centennial Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Centennial Commission to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Contract Authority- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Centennial Commission is authorized-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to procure supplies, services, and property; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) LIMITATION- The Centennial Commission may not enter into any contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond the date of the termination of the Centennial Commission under section 8(a). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Postal Services- The Centennial Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises- The Centennial Commission shall accept, use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of covering the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission to carry out its duties under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. CENTENNIAL COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

(a) Compensation of Members- Members of the Centennial Commission shall serve without compensation for such service. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Travel Expenses- Each member of the Centennial Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Staff- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Chair of the Centennial Commission shall, in consultation with the members of the Centennial Commission, appoint an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Centennial Commission to perform its duties. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COMPENSATION- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B), the Chair of the Centennial Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and any other personnel appointed under paragraph (1). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) LIMITATION- The Chair of the Centennial Commission may not fix the compensation of the executive director or other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) at a rate that exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule undersection 5315 of title 5, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) WORK LOCATION- If the city government for Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial Association make space available in the building in which the America’s National World War I Museum is located, the executive director of the Centennial Commission and other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) shall work in such building to the extent practical. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Detail of Government Employees- Upon request of the Centennial Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the Centennial Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services- The Chair of the Centennial Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services undersection 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Source of Funds- Gifts, bequests, and devises of services or property, both real and personal, received by the Centennial Commission under section 6(g) shall be the only source of funds to cover the costs incurred by the Centennial Commission under this section. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF CENTENNIAL COMMISSION.

(a) In General- The Centennial Commission shall terminate on the earlier of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the date that is 30 days after the date the completion of the activities under this Act honoring the centennial observation of World War I; or CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) July 28, 2019. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the activities of the Centennial Commission under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXCEPTION- Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not apply to the Centennial Commission. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 9. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

(a) In General- The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at America’s National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby designated as the ‘National World War I Museum and Memorial’.

(b) Ceremonies- The Centennial Commission may plan, develop, and execute ceremonies to recognize the designation of the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

SEC. 10. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

(a) Authority to Establish Commemorative Work- The World War I Memorial Foundation may establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to consist of an appropriate sculptural or other commemorative elements to serve as the National World War I Memorial.

(b) Limitation on Size of Memorial- The National World War I Memorial may not exceed 0.5 acres in size.

(c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works-

(1) IN GENERAL- Chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, shall apply to the establishment of the National World War I Memorial in the District of Columbia and its environs.

(2) EXCEPTION FROM PROHIBITION ON ADDITIONAL COMMEMORATIVE WORKS IN RESERVE- Section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, does not apply with respect to the selection of the site for the National World War I Memorial.

(3) NO INFRINGEMENT UPON EXISTING MEMORIAL- The site selected for the National World War I Memorial may not infringe upon or adversely impact the District of Columbia War Memorial.

(d) Limitation on Total Cost- The total cost to design and construct the National World War I Memorial may not exceed $10,000,000.

(e) Deposit of Excess Funds-

(1) UPON ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMORIAL- If, upon payment of all expenses for the establishment of the National World War I Memorial (including the maintenance and preservation amount required by section 8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the memorial, the Memorial Foundation shall transmit the amount of the balance to the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of such title.

(2) UPON EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL- If, upon expiration of the authority for the National World War I Memorial under section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the memorial, the Memorial Foundation shall transmit the amount of the balance to a separate account with the National Park Foundation for memorials, to be available to the Secretary of the Interior or Administrator of General Services (as appropriate) following the process provided in section 8906(b)(4) of such title for accounts established under section 8906(b)(3) of such title.

(f) Ceremonies- The Centennial Commission may plan, develop, and execute ceremonies to recognize the establishment of the National World War I Memorial.

(g) Memorial Area Defined- In this section, the term ‘District of Columbia and its environs’ has the meaning given that term in section 8902(a)(2) of title 40, United States Code.

SEC. 11. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

No Federal funds may be obligated to carry out this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives December 12, 2012.

Attest:

KAREN L. HAAS,

Clerk.

Attest: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink