National Service Animals Memorial Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill

(H.R. 6353) to authorize the National Service Animals Monument Corporation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6353, the National Service Animals Memorial Act, introduced by my colleague, Representative Susan Wild.

The bill would authorize the National Service Animals Monument Corporation to establish commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia, and its surroundings, to commemorate the heroic deeds and sacrifices of service animals--and handlers of service animals--in the United States.

The bill recognizes the National Service Animals Monument Corporation's mission to honor and recognize the broad scope of service animals through a memorial to educate the public of the contributions by service animals and of the human-animal bond between service animals and their handlers.

The memorial will ensure that the contributions of service and working animals are understood, and that their history is not forgotten.

In doing so, the bill recognizes the lifesaving and life-sustaining service these animals so generously provide to our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Wild, for introducing this legislation and championing this bill on behalf of her constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 6353, a ``yes'' vote, and 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, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6353, offered by Representative Wild, would authorize the National Service Animals Memorial Corporation to create a commemorative work on Federal land in Washington, D.C., to honor the heroic acts and sacrifices of service animals and their handlers.

The commemorative work would feature the contributions of animals, such as heroic service dogs, that have assisted humans for generations by serving as guides for those with disabilities and supporting law enforcement, search and rescue, and military personnel.

Some well-known examples of heroic dogs include Cairo, which was part of the Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden. H.R. 6353 prohibits the use of Federal funds to create or maintain this work.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Wild for her work on this legislation, and I urge adoption of this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.