Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3705, which is, I believe, the original companion to H.R. 469. I thank my friend and fellow House administrator and fellow House appropriator Mrs. Bice for her comments and her support of this important legislation.

As I have previously noted on the floor, this bipartisan legislation would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to bury a time capsule on July 4th, 2026, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to be opened on our Nation's 500th anniversary in the year 2276.

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. I did say last year that I hope to be there at the opening. I am not sure that is possible, but I will do everything I can.

This year's celebration of America's anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of the American experiment. Our Nation has faced countless tests to our strength and our unity, including a civil war, two world wars, natural disasters, and more.

Yet through each of these profound challenges, this country has endured and continues to strive toward the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago.

During this time of deep division and heightened partisanship, this anniversary reminds us of our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality that have defined this Nation for two- and-a-half centuries.

I, again, thank the Semiquincentennial Commission for its leadership and planning for this momentous occasion. I particularly commend my colleague, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, for her leadership in advancing the bill. I also want to recognize the service of a fellow New Yorker, former House Representative Joe Crowley, whose time and talents have made an indelible mark on the Commission's achievements.

I look forward to seeing the items chosen for the time capsule, which I may not be able to see when they are opened, but I do encourage my colleagues to support this measure. It is an important measure. It is an important part of our history and our legacy, and I look forward to its passage.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Mrs. Watson Coleman), who is the author of the bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Madam Speaker, I think for all the reasons that have been described, this is an important part of maintaining the history of the last 250 years and making certain that we preserve this so that future generations will know how we got here and how we see the world.

I agree with Mrs. Bice that books may not be particularly relevant 250 years from now, and I suppose we should not write in cursive because people won't know what that means. But this is really important.

I think it is a reflection of the amazing American experiment, and I look forward to the bill being signed. I hope and I pray that 250 years from now we will have moved toward, in the words of Jefferson, ``a more perfect Union.''

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

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3705) to provide for the creation of a congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes.

Madam 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.

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

Madam Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to support S. 3705, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act. This is the Senate companion to H.R. 6243, introduced by my colleagues, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Aderholt, Maria Salazar, and Dwight Evans.

This nonpartisan legislation would authorize the burial of a time capsule in the Capitol Visitor Center to mark the 250th anniversary of our Nation's independence.

This time capsule is one way that Congress will participate in the Nation's yearlong celebration of liberty and independence. Amidst our toughest challenges of the day, this legislation reminds us that we can all work together.

Under this bill, leaders from both parties will work alongside the Architect of the Capitol to compile the capsule's contents. This will include a letter from congressional leadership, books, manuscripts, relics, memorabilia, and more. I am optimistic that the contents of this capsule will reflect what makes this country great, as well as the challenges we faced during this time.

The capsule will remain sealed until July 4th, 2276, and the burial site will be marked by a plaque approved by the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

I thank the ranking member, Mr. Morelle, for working with me on this effort.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I want to mention, my colleague, Mr. Morelle, referenced opening the capsule in 2276, and I, too, would love to see the contents, although I do wonder if our future colleagues will look at the contents and think: Why did they put books in here? That is because it may be a little technologically behind by the time it is opened.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), who is my fellow appropriator.

Madam Speaker, I could not have said it any better myself. I urge my colleagues to support S. 3705, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding.

Madam Speaker, the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, marked a turning point not just in our Nation's history but in the global pursuit of democracy and self-governance. The work remains unfinished, and each generation has been tasked with carrying it forward.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of that moment, Congress has a responsibility to reflect honestly on where we have been and what we will choose to pass on.

This legislation authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule to be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center where it will be unsealed on our Nation's 500th anniversary on July 4th, 2276.

While we won't be there to open it, we should be there to see what goes into it.

The capsule will include items, as has been mentioned, that capture the institutional history of Congress, significant legislative milestones, and a message from the 119th Congress to those who will serve long after we are gone.

As a cofounder and co-chair of the America250 Caucus, I am proud to see this legislation move forward as a part of our Nation's 250th anniversary. As I said, none of us will be here when this capsule is opened. That is the point. Our responsibility is to the generations who will inherit the consequences of our choices.

What we do in this Chamber every day is history. What we choose to speak up for and speak out against defines us, and it will be the legacy that we leave for every governing body that holds this space for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the bill, S. 3705, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, as led by Congresswoman and fellow commissioner on the Semiquincentennial Commission, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and also by Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

This bill, of course, makes technical changes to Representative Watson Coleman's bipartisan House-passed bill, H.R. 469, to create a congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial. I think it should be clearly pointed out here that this bill is truly bipartisan, and it is bicameral. It is a piece of legislation

that requires the four corners of congressional leadership to agree on the contents of the capsule including a joint letter.

I look forward to the final product of this legislation and look forward to seeing what will be in it. Again, this will be something that we all can agree on, and it is great to be working at a time when we can all work together and celebrate our Nation's birthday for this 250th celebration.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the legislation.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3705, which is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read three times and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.