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H.Con.Res. 57House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Expressing the sense of Congress that a museum should be established and operated in Washington, DC, for the purpose of memorializing the victims of communist regimes, educating Americans and foreign visitors about the ideology of communism and its history, and encouraging visitors to meet the challenges of the human rights abuses presented by communist regimes today.

Sponsored by Dennis A. RossRep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL)
Introduced May 18, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:34 PM UTC

The resolution asks Congress to support the creation of a museum in Washington, D.C. that would honor the victims of communist regimes, teach visitors about the history and ideas of communism, and highlight ongoing human‑rights concerns. It is aimed at the American public, foreign visitors, and anyone interested in learning about the impact of communist governments.

Key Provisions

  • Calls for a museum that profiles victims of communism, explores the lives of people living under current communist governments, and celebrates dissidents who opposed those regimes.
  • Requests that the museum educate visitors about the national, ethnic, and religious traditions suppressed by communist rule and promote learning across the United States.
  • Urges federal agencies to help acquire underused federal property in Washington, D.C., for the museum and to provide operational support, while noting that no federal funding is being requested for construction or operation.
  • Declares that the atrocities of totalitarian communist regimes should be recognized and condemned, and that the contributions of dissidents should be celebrated.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 18, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 18, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee

May 18, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.Con.Res. 57 on the floor

1 Republican
Dennis A. Ross
Rep. Dennis A. RossR-FL-15 · Jul 19, 2017

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Captive Nations Week. In 1959, Congress authorized and requested the President proclaim the third week in July as Captive Nations Week. During this week, we…

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Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 18, 2017

IV

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. CON. RES. 57

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 18, 2017

Mr. Ross submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that a museum should be established and operated in Washington, DC, for the purpose of memorializing the victims of communist regimes, educating Americans and foreign visitors about the ideology of communism and its history, and encouraging visitors to meet the challenges of the human rights abuses presented by communist regimes today.

Whereas knowledge of communism is critical to understanding and meeting the challenges of today and developing a vision for our future;

Whereas the recognition of victims of communism is woefully lacking and communism’s history is misunderstood in our Nation’s culture;

Whereas the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation intends to acquire underutilized Federal property for the creation of a museum that will—

(1)

profile the lives of the victims of communism throughout history;

(2)

explore the experiences of individuals who currently live in nations ruled by Communist Parties;

(3)

celebrate the role of dissidents who stood up to communism;

(4)

educate visitors about the national, ethnic, and religious traditions that were suppressed by communist regimes; and

(5)

foster learning at the museum and throughout the United States;

Whereas the museum will be supported by numerous ethnic and human rights’ organizations and private individuals;

Whereas this year is the centennial anniversary of the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, which will be commemorated by government institutions with special projects and events all over the world;

Whereas the people of the United States do not have a comprehensive and accurate picture of communist history;

Whereas the museum would attract visitors across the globe;

Whereas no Federal appropriations are being sought to provide funding for the design, construction, or operation of the museum or for its exhibitions or components; and

Whereas the museum will benefit all people: Now, therefore, be it

That it is the sense of Congress—

(1)

that the past, present, and future atrocities committed by totalitarian regimes under the banner of communism should be recognized and condemned;

(2)

that the past, present, and future contributions of dissidents in the fight against communist oppression should be recognized and celebrated; and

(3)

that Federal agencies and other Federal institutions should support the establishment of a prospective museum to memorialize the victims of communism by—

(A)

providing operational support for the acquisition of underutilized Federal property for the museum in Washington, DC; and

(B)

supporting the museum and its objectives in all other respects.