Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2306) to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2306, the bill now under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act, led by my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

Mr. Speaker, although our Nation's Capital contains towering and iconic tributes to many of our Founding Fathers, we still have no memorial for President Adams and his family.

Their remarkable dynasty of public service gave America not one but two Presidents, a Secretary of State, an ambassador, an abolitionist, and one of our most accomplished first ladies.

John Adams was a chief architect of independence, our Vice President, and our second President, whose lifelong correspondence with his chief political rival, Thomas Jefferson, stands as a shining example of the power of speech and shared principles.

Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights and shaped the second Presidency through her letters and advice to her husband. Their son, John Quincy Adams, served as our sixth President and later was a fierce opponent of slavery in this very body, as the only former President to be elected to the House of Representatives.

In 2001, Congress sought to finally cement the legacy of the Adams family in our Nation's rich history by approving the creation of a memorial to the Adams family in Washington, D.C. In 2019, Congress further authorized the Adams Memorial Commission, a bipartisan panel comprised of Members of Congress and Presidential appointees, tasked with spearheading planning, raising private funds, and educating the public on the Adams family legacy of patriotism and civic duty. With the majority of commission members approved as of last year, the commission has begun the site selection process for the memorial.

Representative Moolenaar's bill extends the authorization of the Adams Memorial Commission until 2032, allowing its members to continue their work to create the first memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the Adams family. The bill would authorize a new site for the memorial just south of the White House, where John and Abigail Adams were the first Presidential family to reside.

During a legislative hearing in the Federal Lands Subcommittee, Jackie Gingrich Cushman, the chair of the Adams Memorial Commission, testified: ``The Adamses exemplified strength of character, belief in God, and the importance of family, education, and public service. John Adams and his family demonstrated that ideas, hard work, and determination can change an entire nation for the better. This memorial will inspire new generations of Americans by reigniting pride in our shared American values and our constitutional Republic.''

This bipartisan bill will give our Nation the opportunity to honor John Adams and his family with the memorial they deserve. As America approaches its 250th birthday, there is no better time to honor a family whose ideas and sacrifices helped build our Nation and protect its principles for generations to come.

I commend Representative Moolenaar for his leadership in this effort and take a moment to recognize the late Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who we sadly lost earlier this year. Representative Connolly not only sat on the Adams Memorial Commission but also was the main Democratic sponsor of this legislation and a champion for the Adams Family Memorial.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2306, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), the lead sponsor of the bill.

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

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

Just down the hall from this Chamber, we get to take our constituents many times on a tour through Statuary Hall and we see the desk location where John Quincy Adams served as President.

Some of our Founding Fathers tolerated slavery. John Quincy Adams knew it for what it was, a stain on our soul, and he worked so hard, dedicating his life to eliminating slavery. I can't help but think of the divine providence that allowed John Quincy Adams for one term to serve in the same Chamber as Abraham Lincoln. I think God smiled upon our Nation when he did that to pass the torch on to Abraham Lincoln and end that scourge for America and for mankind.

Mr. Speaker, by reauthorizing the Adams Memorial Commission, H.R. 2306 would provide the time needed to thoroughly design, locate, and construct a memorial truly worthy of the Adams family's commitment to America.

I, once again, recognize Representative Moolenaar for his bipartisan commitment to honoring one of America's most accomplished founding families ahead of our Nation's 250th birthday.

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

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Adams Memorial Commission, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act. This legislation would extend until 2032 the existing authorization to build the Adams Memorial in the President's Park, dedicated to the contributions to our Nation by John and Abigail Adams, John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams, Charles Francis Adams and Henry Adams and their family.

The exciting part of this is that while efforts have been made in the past, we have finally arrived upon what I think is a suitable location for this memorial. It is shown in this small rectangle here, not very far from the White House itself on the Ellipse. I think that is the key to the success of this effort, and I give great credit to the bill's sponsor, John Moolenaar, and my other colleagues on the Adams Commission for making the effort and advocating that the Adams family receive the recognition, and the appropriateness of this memorial speaks to that as well.

Mr. Speaker, during the 118th Congress, I was honored to be appointed to the Adams Memorial Commission by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. I also recognize and thank the commission chair, Jackie Cushman, who was essential to this whole process and really was a driving force in bringing all of us together, as well as Commissioner Major General Peter Cooke, and Commissioner Richard Houghton for their dedication to this effort. In addition, I thank my fellow Members of Congress on the commission, Congressman Morgan Griffith of Virginia and also the lead sponsor of this bill, Congressman John Moolenaar of Michigan.

As others have also noted, our dear friend and colleague, the late Congressman Gerry Connolly also served on the Adams Commission until his passing earlier this year. Gerry dedicated his life to serving his community and our Nation and stood for what was fair and just, as did our former Presidents John and John Quincy Adams.

Congressman Connolly is deeply missed, and the remaining members of the commission greatly appreciate his work and the work of my Massachusetts delegation colleagues, first Bill Delahunt, who we lost a couple years ago and worked on this commission, and Congressman Bill Keating, who actually stood in Gerry Connolly's place to join the commission and carry on Representative Connolly's legacy.

As the gentleman from Colorado noted, the success of this endeavor is greatly aided by the designation of this particular site for the purpose of establishing this memorial.

President John Adams was one of our most influential Founding Fathers, negotiating the Treaty of Paris that secured our independence from Britain. He was also a steadfast public servant who believed staunchly in the rule of law, defending British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, even when it was unpopular, and ensuring the first peaceful transfer of power after his loss in the 1800 Presidential election.

His son, John Quincy Adams, was equally as devoted to public service, and I am honored to hold the same seat in the House of Representatives that he once held after his Presidency, where he made the fight against slavery one of his primary causes. His advocacy for public education and the sciences is a legacy that I am proud to continue.

Mr. Speaker, this is the third attempt at this effort. It is a glaring oversight that on the eve of our 250th anniversary there is still no memorial in our Nation's Capital honoring John Adams, John Quincy Adams, both Presidents, and their family, and their leading role in shaping our country. This recognition is long overdue.

In closing, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this act, and I thank you for the time and courtesy.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, legislation introduced by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).

This bill would extend the authority for the Adams Memorial Commission and authorize a prominent location for the eventual memorial to commemorate the legacy and contributions of John Adams and the entire Adams family, including Abigail and their son, John Quincy Adams.

It has been nearly a quarter-century since Congress first authorized this memorial in 2001. It is time to finish what we started.

We are speaking of a family that didn't merely participate in the American experiment but helped define it. Thomas Jefferson called John Adams the Colossus of Independence, and his thoughts on government frame the very Constitution we swear to uphold every day we report to work here in our Nation's Capitol.

Abigail Adams was an early beacon for women's rights, and John Quincy Adams fought the gag rule and slavery right here in the House. The contributions of the Adams family to the founding and development of our country are countless.

Finally, because John Adams was the first to live in the White House, it is only fitting that this memorial will be located nearby. We can only hope that the hard work, wisdom, and dedication of these American heroes rub off on the current and future residents of the White House.

I thank Representative Moolenaar and all of the members of the Adams Memorial Commission for their dedication to this project. Hopefully, we will all be able to visit the new memorial very soon.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his strong support. I also thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work in this area.

Today, I rise in support of H.R. 2306, the Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act. This bipartisan legislation will extend the Adams Memorial Commission, which is tasked with establishing a national memorial honoring President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, and their family for their leadership in shaping the early course of this Nation.

As we look to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this bill celebrates a family pivotal to the foundation of this country. The United States would not be where it is today without multiple generations of Adams family members serving the country and working tirelessly to ensure its success.

John Adams served as our first Vice President and second President, with Abigail supporting him throughout as his most valued and trusted adviser. They were the first family to occupy the newly constructed White House, which this monument will be immediately adjacent to.

Their son, John Quincy Adams, was America's sixth President, and so dedicated to this country that following his administration, he returned to the Halls of this very building to continue his service as a Member of Congress, arguing adamantly for the abolition of slavery.

This memorial will educate generations to come about this historic family's role in our Nation's founding and inspire all Americans to honor their

principles of leadership, courage, and public service.

I am pleased to support the ongoing work that has brought the Adams Memorial closer to reality, ensuring that our Nation's first leaders are remembered in a fitting and lasting way.

I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.