Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) for yielding me this time, and I thank our dear colleague from Nevada (Mr. Porter) for allowing us this time on the floor. Also, to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), I would like to thank him personally and to his able assistant, Ted Van Der Meid, for helping us move this legislation. I also want to thank the gentleman from the great State of Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for making this moment a reality.

I want to say, Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to bring to the floor H. Con. Res. 423, which authorizes the use of these Capitol grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the World War II Memorial on May 29, Memorial Day weekend, just a week from this Saturday.

Mr. Speaker, the dedication ceremony for the World War II Memorial will mark the beginning of the end of a 20-year journey. It will mark the recognition by this Nation that a grateful Nation does remember the most unselfish generation America has ever known. And when that memorial is dedicated between the Washington Monument, which marks the founding of our Republic in the 18th century, and the Lincoln Memorial, which acknowledges the preservation of this Union during the 19th century, this memorial will represent the fulcrum of the 20th century, that is the victory of liberty over tyranny in a just war.

The ceremony that will occur, including here on the Capitol grounds, will mark the culmination of a process that took form here in the people's House some 17 years ago when the original authorizing legislation that the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) referred to was first introduced by me. Many, many Members were a part of making this possible. It has taken 10 Congresses and three Presidents. And I want to place in the Record, if I might, the wonderful Members of this House who made this ceremony and this Memorial Day possible:

Congressman Sonny Montgomery, Mississippi, now retired; Congressman Bob Stump, Arizona, now passed; the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans), currently the ranking member on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs; Congressman Henry Gonzalez of Texas, now passed; Congressman Bill Clay of Missouri, retired; Congressman Esteban Torres of California, now retired; Congressman John Grotberg, the Speaker's predecessor of the great State of Illinois, now passed; and from the other body, in particular, Senator John Glenn, retired; and Senator Strom Thurmond, now passed.

I think people tend to forget that the World War II Memorial which opened to the public approximately 3 weeks ago to rave reviews was a House idea, a House initiative, a House effort that the House kept alive for 2 decades.

On Thursday we will have a ceremony here in Statuary Hall to honor the six World War II veterans who currently serve in our people's House. We will present at that time to them the two flags that were handmade in the Buckeye State, in the State of Ohio, as we give them over to the Nation. And I would like to say a special thank you to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Regula), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Houghton), the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

The legislative history behind the World War II Memorial is replete with struggle and controversy and occasional disappointment, but in the end a great victory and a magnificent tribute. There were stops and starts along the way, and no one knows this better than I; but in the end nothing could stop this powerful idea that came from the Heartland of America, from the Buckeye State, from the heart of one veteran named Roger Durbin from Berkey, Ohio, population 265, Lucas County; It is and idea that came from the grassroots of America. It was so meritorious that it eventually arrived here in our Nation's Capital and now has full expression on our Mall of democracy.

As we prepare to formally dedicate the memorial on May 29, this resolution will facilitate the use of the Capitol grounds and facilities to honor the hundreds of thousands of World War II- generation members and their families and their children and their grandchildren, as we dedicate that sacred soil on the Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

In our district, as in other districts around the country, plans are already under way by many veterans organizations including the American Legion for local celebrations to coincide with the May 29 dedication here in our Nation's Capital. There will be satellite uplinks from all of the celebrations here. In our home town of Toledo, Ohio, local organizers will hold a ceremony in Fifth Third Field, the city that is home to the Toledo Mud Hens baseball team. Plans are already underway. Our community will hold the largest parade our citizenry has ever seen.

In Vermilion, Ohio, the local funeral director, Judy Riddle, has helped organize an event for the World War II veterans in that community. And it is an understatement to say that the funeral directors in Ohio raised more money than any other State to help build this memorial. In Wellington, Ohio, a local school teacher, Calvin Woods, has organized a group of students and parents to visit the memorial next week. They will be honoring local World War II veterans on the 29th as well.

I can say this, that when Roger Durbin first walked up to me 17 years ago--God rest his soul, he passed in the year of 2000--this was his last dying wish that this memorial be completed. He did not ask for himself. His statement was, Congresswoman Kaptur,

why is there no World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. where I can bring my grandchildren so they can understand the causes to which my life was dedicated?

So his desire was that our grandchildren, his grandchildren, America's grandchildren understand. It was rather coincidental, and some would say divine providence, that on the day that the plaza opened to the general public a few weeks ago, the very first group through that site was from Jones Junior High School from the county of Lucas, his home county; and that was not planned.

In fact, when Tim Russert was down there from NBC News, the children were all excited that they could see such a famous reporter. It was totally unplanned. I know Roger Durbin's hand was in that because he intended to be there for that dedication, and he always was dedicated to the future generations.

Thousands of veterans and their families are making their way already to Washington, D.C. to attend this ceremony here on our Nation's Mall. The logistical challenge is daunting. And of the hundreds of thousands of people on the National Mall, over half of them will be World War II veterans and their spouses, and almost all of them will be over 80 years of age.

We are planning a variety of events here in our congressional offices for that weekend. And we are very grateful that the Speaker has permitted the Capitol and its grounds to be open. Along with most Members' offices, our office in Washington will be open to our constituents.

We are also working with the office of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Strickland) to host Ohio's veterans at the American Legion Post 8 here on Capitol Hill, both on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. We are expecting several busloads of veterans just from northwest Ohio, and those are the ones that we actually know about. We know some of them, well, they are just going to drive with their grandkids in campers and show up, and we are ready for them.

This concurrent resolution is essentially a formality. But it is the precursor to Congress rolling out the red carpet for the greatest generation America has ever known--our World War II veterans and their families, and other members of the World War II generation who served on the home front, their friends and family members, and other Americans who will be in town for the Memorial Day weekend. It is going to be a very heart-rending weekend. We are looking forward to it with great anticipation.

If my colleagues have been down to the site already, they cannot come away with a dry eye. As veterans and their families, some in wheelchairs, some walking with canes, some just there to reflect, come and touch the marble stone where perhaps where they fought is engraved. I watched one man go up, just touch the words Okinawa and he just stood there. I met a Purple Heart standing there on the plaza , and he thanked me. I said, sir, I was not even born. This is for you, thank you, because America does remember.

I again want to deeply thank the office of the gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert); the minority leader's office, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi); and both sides of the aisle of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their help with this concurrent resolution; and I urge its adoption.

God bless our veterans and God bless America. I thank the gentlewoman for the time.

Madam President, lastly, the other matter that is before the Senate is H. Con. Res. 423, a resolution authorizing the Capitol Grounds to be used for a public event providing additional space in conjunction with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial on May 29, 2004, and such other dates that the Speaker of the House and representatives of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate may designate.

It is a very wise step to try to help in some way the extraordinary turnout in response of veterans who will be coming to the Nation's Capitol to be present at the memorial dedication, but for reasons of shortage of seats and other reasons, we are trying to accommodate them. I commend the Senate and the House for working on the means by which to make the Capitol Grounds available.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 423, which is at the desk.

Madam President, I also ask unanimous consent to print in today's Record some historic information about the memorial and a partial schedule of the many events that are occurring in connection with the dedication. I hope this record, which will be printed today in the proceedings of the Senate, will serve as a useful tool to Senators as they are working with their constituents on this matter.

I would like to conclude, again reflecting on Senator Dole's role. Again, he is national chairman of the World War II Memorial campaign. I recall when he undertook this assignment, working together with Fred Smith, the cochairman of the national campaign, Senator Dole said their goal would be approximately $100 million and that they wanted to raise it from the people of the United States, individuals.

Over 600,000 individuals came forward. Also, 400 veterans groups, and over 1,400 schools took up contributions. All 50 States and Puerto Rico contributed $1 for every citizen of that State who participated during World War II. The breadth of this campaign, envisioned by Senator Dole and others and the Battle Monuments Commission, and, of course, his cochairman,

Mr. Smith, was extraordinary, and the outpouring from all across America was equally extraordinary. They set a goal of around $100 million, but it is my understanding they are approaching $200 million, showing the depth and feeling and gratitude of all citizens of our Nation.

With the greatest humility I compliment Senator Dole, Mr. Smith, and others who undertook this task and achieved beyond all possible dreams. The dedication is just shaping up to be one of the great moments in the contemporary history of the United States of America.

Stop to think: It took 11 years to get the legislation through. Hostilities ceased with the surrender of Japan. It is my recollection-- I was but a young sailor then in training in the United States--it was in the summer of 1945, August, is my recollection, and the surrender of Germany, I think, occurred previously in that year, if my recollection is correct, May 8 or 9.

That extraordinary chapter and struggle of mankind to preserve freedom came to a quiet and reverent conclusion with extraordinary losses. Over 400,000 Americans alone gave their lives and probably in the millions who were wounded, including our distinguished colleagues, Senator Dole and Senator Inouye.

I am at a loss for words to express the gratitude of this country. We are here today exercising the right of free speech because of those sacrifices and elsewhere in the world, exercising various levels of democracy and freedom of speech solely because of the enormity of the sacrifices of that generation referred to now as ``the greatest generation.''

Madam President, I, at this time, again acknowledge the participation of our former colleague, Senator Dole, and the participation of all Members of the Chamber today and those who served in the 11 years preceding who participated in the legislative steps to bring about and fulfill the role of the Congress as it relates to this magnificent chapter in American history.

Madam President, I see another colleague, a very valuable member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, seeking recognition. Having spoken briefly before, my understanding is that the Senator will be speaking on the bill; is that correct?

The Senator may speak for whatever time he wishes.

Whatever the distinguished Senator desires.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 423) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the National World War II Memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 423, introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), permits the use of the Capitol grounds for an overflow audience from the National World War II Memorial dedication ceremony.

This ceremony, which will occur at the National World War II Memorial, dedicates the memorial in honor of hundreds of thousands of men and women that gave their lives in the cause of freedom from 1941 through 1945.

Mr. Speaker, much has been said and written about the Greatest Generation, about the economy and country they built when they returned from the war. We are honored to have a number of those veterans serving in this body, and I am certainly personally grateful to have been able to work with each and every one of them. It is important that we as Congress do all we can to facilitate this very important ceremony,

and this concurrent resolution will allow more veterans to participate, albeit from a distance.

In my home State of Nevada, we have one of the fastest-growing veteran populations in the Nation with an increase in 30 percent with the veteran population in the 1990s. More than 18 percent of the approximately 240,000 veterans living in Nevada served during World War II, and I am honored to support this resolution on their behalf.

I support this resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I also would like to recognize my father who served in World War II, what a great tribute to him and his friends and all those other folks that served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to my uncle who was in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter). I rise in support of this resolution to authorize the use of the Capitol grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the World War II Memorial. The main dedication event is scheduled for Saturday, May 29, during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for public events in conjunction with the dedication. In 1993, President Clinton signed PL 103-32 to authorize the construction of a memorial in Washington, D.C., to all the members of the armed services who served in World War II. In 1995, President Clinton dedicated the site on the Mall and the proposed design was unveiled at the White House in 1997.

The gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) is a leading advocate for the memorial and has been its staunch champion and sponsored this resolution.

Consistent with any event on the Capitol grounds, this event shall be free of charge and open to the public. To accommodate overflow visitors and participants, the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to set up a stage and any sound equipment that may be required for the event. Further, the Capitol Hill Police shall enforce the traditional restrictions on advertising on the Capitol grounds.

The dedication is an event long anticipated by World War II veterans and their families. I support the resolution and urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 423 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for activities associated with the dedication of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. I'm proud to support this resolution and to support the dedication of the memorial to honor the achievements and sacrifices of our ``Greatest Generation.''

In 1993, P.L. 103-32 authorized the construction of a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia to honor members of the armed services who served in World War II and to commemorate United States participation in that conflict. Further, the public law authorized the American Battle Monuments Commission to solicit and accept private contributions for the memorial. The formal dedication event for the memorial is scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2004.

The Capitol Grounds will provide additional space for this event, and the Architect of the Capitol is authorized to set up on the Grounds sound devices, related structures, and equipment as may be required to bring the event to a larger audience. Consistent with all events on Capitol Ground, the Capitol Police will enforce the ban on sales, advertisements, displays, and solicitations.

The dedication will be open to the public and free of charge and is expected to draw many hundreds of thousands of visitors and participants to the Capitol. Use of the Capitol Grounds will enable our veterans and the general public to participate more fully in the day's activities and enjoy this much-deserved dedication.

I support the resolution and urge its adoption.