Veterans' Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2076 Introduced in House (IH)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2076

To further the protection and recognition of veterans' memorials, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for grants to repair
veterans memorials, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 13, 2003

Mr. John introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on
the Judiciary and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To further the protection and recognition of veterans' memorials, to
amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for grants to repair
veterans memorials, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Memorial Preservation and
Recognition Act of 2003''.

SEC. 2. CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR DESTRUCTION OF VETERANS' MEMORIALS.

(a) In General.--Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1369. Destruction of veterans' memorials
``(a) Whoever, in a circumstance described in subsection (b),
willfully injures or destroys, or attempts to injure or destroy, any
structure, plaque, statue, or other monument on public property
commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces
of the United States shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 10 years, or both.
``(b) A circumstance described in this subsection is that--
``(1) in committing the offense described in subsection
(a), the defendant travels or causes another to travel in
interstate or foreign commerce, or uses the mail or an
instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce; or
``(2) the structure, plaque, statue, or other monument
described in subsection (a) is located on property owned by, or
under the jurisdiction of, the Federal Government.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``1369. Destruction of veterans' memorials.''.

SEC. 3. HIGHWAY SIGNS RELATING TO VETERANS CEMETERIES.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the terms of any agreement entered
into by the Secretary of Transportation and a State under section
109(d) or 402(a) of title 23, United States Code, a veterans cemetery
shall be treated as a site for which a supplemental guide sign may be
placed on any Federal-aid highway.
(b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply to an agreement
entered into before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this
Act.

SEC. 4. GRANTS TO REPAIR VETERANS MEMORIALS.

(a) Establishment of Grant Program.--Chapter 24 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 2412. Grants to repair memorials
``(a) Establishment of Grant Program.--Subject to the succeeding
provisions of this section, the Secretary may make grants to a State or
a qualified organization for the purpose of repairing or restoring a
covered memorial.
``(b) Application.--A grant under this section may be made only
upon submission of an application to the Secretary in such form and
manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary may require.
``(c) Amount of Grant.--(1) The amount of a grant under this
section may not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the repair or
restoration of the covered memorial, as determined by the Secretary.
``(2) The recipient of the grant shall contribute the excess of the
aggregate costs of the repair of the covered memorial over the grant.
``(3) If a recipient of a grant under this section uses any part of
the funds provided through such grant for a purpose other than that for
which the grant was made, the United States shall be entitled to
recover from such recipient the total of all grants made under this
section to such recipient in connection with the repair or restoration
of the covered memorial.
``(d) Use of Grant Funds.--Sums received pursuant to a grant in
this section shall be used for the sole purpose of repairing or
restoring a covered memorial.
``(e) Standards.--A repair or restoration of a covered memorial
under a grant under this section shall conform to such standards and
guidelines as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.
``(f) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may by
regulation prescribe such additional terms and conditions for grants
under this section as the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) The term `qualified organization' means any
organization described in section 5902(a) of this title.
``(2) The term `covered memorial' means a memorial or
monument that the Secretary determines commemorates the service
in the Armed Forces of an individual, or group of individuals,
or a particular military event, but does not include any
memorial or monument under the administrative jurisdiction of
the Secretary of the Interior.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--(1) There is authorized to
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004 and
for each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 2008 for the
purpose of making grants under subsection (a).
``(2) Sums appropriated under paragraph (1) of this section shall
remain available until expended. If all funds from a grant under this
section have not been utilized by a recipient for the purpose for which
the grant was made within three years after such grant is made, the
United States shall be entitled to recover any such unused grant funds
from such recipient.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 24 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:

``2412. Grants to repair memorials.''.
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