To permit each State to provide a statue of an individual representing that State to be displayed in the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Heroes Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Each State has chosen statues of 2 local heroes to 
        exhibit in the Capitol.
            (2) Most of these heroes depict figures who lived during 
        the early years of the Nation's history.
            (3) The completion of the construction of the Capitol 
        Visitor Center will increase the size of the public space 
        inside the Capitol complex, making more space available in 
        which statues of noteworthy Americans should be displayed.
            (4) On September 11, 2001, the passengers of United 
        Airlines flight number 93 made a unique contribution which 
        helped to protect the Capitol from attack.

SEC. 3. STATE HERO DESIGNATION.

    (a) In General.--Each State may provide 1 statue of an individual 
representing that State which shall be displayed in the Capitol Visitor 
Center.
    (b) Criteria for Heroes.--The statues displayed in the Capitol 
Visitor Center shall be depictions of individuals who participated in 
the life of the State they represent in ways that will inspire young 
Americans to embrace the ideals of the United States as reflected in 
the Constitution.
    (c) Selection of Heroes.--No statue shall be displayed in the 
Capitol Visitor Center unless the individual depicted in the statue was 
selected in the manner described in section 4.
    (d) American Hero Administrator.--
            (1) In general.--The Clerk of the House of Representatives 
        and the Secretary of the Senate shall jointly assign to 1 of 
        their employees the post of the American Hero Administrator, 
        with such term as agreed upon by the Clerk and the Secretary.
            (2) Statue guidelines.--The American Hero Administrator 
        shall prepare guidelines establishing the size, weight, and 
        other necessary restrictions to be placed on the statues to be 
        displayed in the Capitol Visitor Center under this Act.

SEC. 4. STATE AMERICAN HERO COMMISSIONS.

    (a) In General.--In order for a statue provided by a State to be 
placed in the Capitol Visitor Center under this Act, the State shall 
establish an American Hero Commission to select the individual to 
represent that State.
    (b) Duties of the Commission.--
            (1) Selection of heroes.--Each American Hero Commission 
        shall choose, by a majority vote, after considering any 
        suggestions submitted under subsection (b), the individual 
        whose statue will represent the State of that Commission.
            (2) Commission and delivery of statue.--Each American Hero 
        Commission shall commission an artist to design and create the 
        statue and shall arrange for the delivery of the statue to the 
        Capitol Visitor Center.
            (3) Procurement of funds.--Each American Hero Commission 
        shall raise private or State funds to pay for the cost of 
        commissioning the statue and delivering it to the Capitol 
        Visitor Center.
    (c) Commissioners.--
            (1) Appointment.--Each American Hero Commission shall be 
        comprised of commissioners who are appointed by Members of 
        Congress.
            (2) Number.--Each Member of Congress shall appoint 1 
        commissioner to the American Hero Commission for that Member's 
        State so that the total number of commissioners shall be equal 
        to the number of Senators plus the number of Members of the 
        House of Representatives for the State.
            (3) Qualifications.--Commissioners shall be individuals who 
        are respected in their communities and who are residents in 
        good standing of the State represented by the appointing 
        Member.
            (4) Compensation.--Commissioners shall serve on the 
        American Hero Commission without compensation.
            (5) Administration.--The commissioners of each American 
        Hero Commission shall establish the rules, meeting schedules, 
        and deadlines that they consider appropriate in carrying out 
        their duties.
    (d) Consultation of Essays.--
            (1) Request for essays.--Each American Hero Commission 
        shall ask that young people who are between the ages of 14 and 
        18 and who live in the State to write essays suggesting 
        individuals to represent the State in a statue displayed in the 
        Capitol Visitor Center under this Act and to submit the essays 
        to the Commission.
            (2) Consultation.--In determining who will represent their 
        State, the commissioners of each American Hero Commission shall 
        consider any individuals suggested in the essays submitted 
        under paragraph (1).

SEC. 5. STATUE HONORING THE PASSENGERS OF FLIGHT 93.

    (a) Procurement and Installation of Statue.--The Architect of the 
Capitol shall procure and install a statue honoring the passengers of 
United Airlines flight number 93 who died on September 11, 2001 for 
their heroic role in protecting Washington, DC from attack.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Summary: American Heroes Act - Authorizes each State to provide one statue of an individual representing that State to be displayed in the Capitol Visitor Center. Specifies criteria for such statues. Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to assign jointly to one of their employees the post of the American Hero Administrator to prepare statue guidelines. Requires: (1) a State to establish an American Hero Commission to select the individual to represent that State. And (2) the Architect of the Capitol to procure and install a statue honoring the passengers of United Airlines flight number 93 who died on September 11, 2001, for their heroic role in protecting Washington, D. C. from attack.