Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6394. This bipartisan legislation, as my colleague has indicated, would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to bury a time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, to be opened on our Nation's 500th anniversary in the year 2276.

I will note parenthetically, one of my favorite lines in the musical Hamilton says: ``Legacy. What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.'' I think this qualifies for that. I suspect I won't be here at the opening of the time capsule.

Nonetheless, the items in the capsule will be determined by bipartisan, bicameral congressional leaders and include written materials relating to the anniversary, representations of notable legislative and institutional milestones, and a message from this Congress to our future colleagues in the 244th Congress.

The upcoming anniversary marks a powerful testament to the resilience of the American experiment. Our Nation has faced countless tests to our strength and unity, including a civil war, two world wars, natural disasters, and more.

Yet, through each challenge, this country has stood strong and remains committed to fulfilling the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence nearly 250 years ago.

As we face new challenges in a time of deep division, partisanship, and extremism, this anniversary serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality championed by our Founding Fathers.

I extend my thanks to the United States Semiquincentennial Commission for its leadership in planning for this momentous occasion. I particularly commend my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, for her introduction of this measure.

I also acknowledge the service of my fellow New Yorker, former Representative Joe Crowley, who has lent his time and efforts to the work of the commission.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to seeing the items chosen for the time capsule and recommend my colleagues' support for this measure.

I thank my friend and colleague for putting the bill before to the House and for his leadership in this regard.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman).

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

Mr. Speaker, again, I encourage support from my colleagues for this bill.

I will use this moment, if I can, as these are likely the final bills of our committee for the 118th Congress, to certainly thank my friend, Mr. Steil, for his cooperation, his leadership, and his friendship during the last 2 years.

I thank all the members of the committee and certainly all the members of the staff on both sides of the aisle

who worked diligently each and every day. I know there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.

While we at times disagree, I think we work very well together in our interests collectively as to advance the work of this great institution and the support and service of the American people, and I thank the gentleman for that.

To all of my colleagues and those listening, I wish them the very happiest whatever their holiday tradition or faith tradition is. Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and to everyone, I wish them a very, very healthy and happy New Year.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6394) to provide for the creation of a Congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 6394.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6394. This bipartisan legislation would authorize a time capsule to be buried on the Capitol grounds to mark the Nation's semiquincentennial.

America is turning 250 on July 4, 2026. This time capsule represents one way that Congress will participate in the Nation's yearlong celebration of democracy and freedom.

The contents of the capsule will be sealed by the Office of the Speaker of the House, Office of the Minority Leader of the House, and Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate.

The contents of the capsule will remain sealed until July 2, 2276, the Nation's 500th anniversary.

Representative Watson Coleman introduced H.R. 6394 as a member of the commission, together with an additional 54 cosponsors.

The Architect of the Capitol has provided technical input to the commission and would work with the congressional leadership to implement the capsule.

I am pleased to have Ranking Member Morelle's efforts and support on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this and vote in favor of H.R. 6394.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I echo my colleague's remarks. It is true, we don't always agree on every policy issue of the day, but it is an honor to work with him. As is shown by these five pieces of legislation, this is a real opportunity for us to work together to move this institution and this country ahead.

As noted by my colleague, this would not be possible without the hardworking staff of both the majority and minority side, navigating through thorny issues at times. I thank my colleague and all the members of the committee as well as the staff for their hard work over the course of this Congress to make sure that the important work of this institution, but more importantly of the American people, is getting done.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation before us, as we have done with the previous four.

As my colleague jokingly said he does not suspect he will be here in 250 years when this capsule is opened in 2276. May the Record reflect I know I won't be here in 250 years, but I do think those that are here and open this capsule will be able to reflect back at the time we have spent working on behalf of our country here.

Mr. Speaker, I support and urge its passage, and I yield back balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, was an essential milestone in the progress of all humanity toward a more fair, just, and democratic society, work that continues to this day.

As we reflect on the last 250 years of progress toward those ideals, we must impart the lessons that we have learned to future generations. As cofounder and co-chair of the Congressional America250 Caucus along with my co-chairs, Mr. Evans, Mr. Aderholt, and Ms. Salazar, it is an honor to see this legislation come forward today as just one small part of our Nation's 250th anniversary celebration.

This bill, as you know, authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to create the time capsule and have it buried on the west lawn to remain sealed until July 2276, the Nation's 500th anniversary.

The contents will include items that represent important legislation and institutional milestones of Congress, a message from the 119th Congress to the 244th Congress, and other items that reflect our history.

No one here today will see it, as has been said, but to be redundant, an old Greek proverb goes: ``A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.''

This body does its best work when we don't seek fame or followers, renown or retweets, but rather when we work so that distant generations of Americans for whom our names will be mere footnotes will enjoy the fruits of our work here today.