America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1945) to designate the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark, and for other purposes.

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 H.R. 1945.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder).

This bill recognizes a place of global consequence in the heart of small-town America: America's National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.

On March 6, 1946, on the heels of a devastating world war, Sir Winston

Churchill traveled to Fulton to deliver an address that foreshadowed the next stage of America's global conflict against evil. In his now- famous speech, ``Sinews of Peace,'' Churchill warned that an Iron Curtain had descended across Europe and urged a new Western alliance against the aggression of the totalitarian Soviet Union.

For five decades, the museum in Fulton has conserved the speech's history and allowed the public to experience that pivotal moment. It is also home to a remarkable structure, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 12th century church which was transported from London to Fulton in the 1960s to commemorate Churchill's speech. Today, the entire site serves as a civic center of engagement and educational programming that brings to life the story of Winston Churchill.

H.R. 1945 builds on that historic legacy. Representative Onder's bill would designate America's National Churchill Museum as a national historic landmark. In doing so, the museum would be able to enter into cooperative agreements with the National Park Service to protect historic resources and support public programming. This is a simple bill that strengthens stewardship of a unique historical site without adding to the Federal estate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder), the lead sponsor of this bill, a gentleman who cannot only pronounce the Aldermanbury Church correctly but has been to the Aldermanbury Church.

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

H.R. 1945 does ensure that America's National Churchill Museum receives recognition equal to its educational impact and importance to 20th century history.

Designating the site as a national historic landmark will bring further prominence to the special place and allow future generations of Americans to learn about the moment that marked the start of the Cold War and the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. I commend Representative Onder for his leadership on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1945, America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act.

This legislation will formally recognize America's National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri, as a national historic landmark, a designation long overdue and deeply deserved.

Nearly 80 years ago this week, in 1946, Westminster College hosted one of the most consequential speeches of the 20th century: Winston Churchill's ``Sinews of Peace,'' better known as the Iron Curtain speech. With President Harry Truman at his side, Churchill warned the world of the division descending over Europe. Many historians marked that moment as the beginning of the Cold War. It was also a call to defend democracy, restore alliances, and uphold freedom.

To honor Churchill's words and legacy, Westminster College embarked on an extraordinary project. Rather than erecting a statue or plaque, the college acquired, transported, and reconstructed a Christopher Wren-designed church from London, a building more than 900 years old. St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, survived the great fire of London in 1666, was rebuilt by Wren, and was nearly destroyed again during the blitz of World War II. Its walls stood in ruin for two decades before being shipped stone by stone across the Atlantic and rebuilt in Fulton as a memorial to Churchill's leadership.

This building is more than an architectural marvel. It is a symbol of resilience, partnership, and the enduring fight for freedom. Built by the British, bombed by the Germans, and rebuilt by the American Midwest, it stands as a powerful testament to our shared history and values.

Over the decades, the site has continued to shape history. Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev, Prime Minister Thatcher, and other leaders have stood at Westminster College to address the world on peace, security, and democracy using the same lectern Churchill used in 1946. The museum also houses Churchill's own annotated draft of his Iron Curtain speech, rare artifacts, and a sculpture crafted from sections of the Berlin Wall.

In 1972, the museum was added to the National Register of Historic Places and was formally renamed by Congress in 2009 as ``America's National Churchill Museum.'' H.R. 1945 will elevate that recognition to the level of national historic landmark. This is more than a title. It is a commitment to preserve the site, support education, and honor the unique role this institution plays in telling our Nation's history.

At a time when we continue to grapple with challenges to freedom and democracy around the world, there is no better moment to reinforce the lessons of Churchill's call to vigilance and cooperation. I thank Chairman Westerman and the Natural Resources Committee for their support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill and ensure that America's National Churchill Museum receives the recognition it clearly merits as a national historic landmark.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1945 will designate America's National Churchill Museum as a national historic landmark. It would also direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine whether the museum is eligible for inclusion in the National Park System.

This museum is located on the campus of Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where former Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered his famous ``Iron Curtain'' speech at the outbreak of the Cold War. It contains exhibits about Churchill, his life, and his impact, all of which play a role in our story here and in London.

The museum exhibits include a continuous section of the Berlin Wall, the gymnasium where Churchill delivered the ``Iron Curtain'' speech, and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a historic building which survived the air raids in London during World War II and was moved to Fulton in the 1960s.

These are wonderful exhibits and a truly significant historical location that is worthy of national recognition. I am proud to support the designation of this museum as a historic landmark.

However, I also want to mention my deep concern about how this administration is working to rewrite and whitewash history throughout the National Park System. We must provide the Park Service with the resources and autonomy it needs to preserve, protect, and share our Nation's stories, warts and all.

Winston Churchill himself once famously told the House of Commons, ``Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.''

We cannot learn from history if we erase history. We cannot see how far we have come if we erase the things that don't fit into the current idea of the way things should be. We can't sit idly by as this administration selectively edits our country's past.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the National Park Service in this bill and beyond, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.