H. R. 2135

One Hundred Third Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,

the twenty-fifth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-four

An Act

To provide for a National Native American Veterans’ Memorial.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native American Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1994’’.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Native Americans across the Nation—Indians, Native

Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians—have a long, proud and

distinguished tradition of service in the Armed Forces of the

United States.

(2) Native Americans have historically served in the Armed

Forces of the United States in numbers which far exceed their

representation in the population of the United States.

(3) Native American veterans count among themselves a

number of Medal of Honor recipients. Their numbers are also

conspicuous in the ranks of those who have received other

decorations for valor and distinguished service. (4) Native Americans have lost their lives in the service

of their Nation and in the cause of peace.

(5) The National Museum of the American Indian was

established as a living memorial to Native Americans. Its mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of Native

American cultures, including art, history, language, and the

contributions Native Americans have made to our society. (6) The National Museum of the American Indian is an

extraordinary site and an ideal location to establish a National

Native American Veterans’ Memorial.

(7) A National Native American Veterans’ Memorial would

further the purposes of the National Museum of the American

Indian by giving all Americans the opportunity to learn of

the proud and courageous tradition of service of Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the United States.

SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The National Museum of the American Indian

(established by the National Museum of the American Indian Act

(20 U.S.C. 80q et seq.)), in close consultation with the National

Congress of American Indians and other Native American groups,

is authorized to construct and maintain a National Native American
H. R. 2135—2

Veterans’ Memorial (hereafter in this Act referred to as the

‘‘memorial’’).

(b) LOCATION.—The memorial shall be located at a site determined to be suitable by the Museum within the interior structure

of the facility provided for by section 7(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C.

80q–5(a)) (relating to housing the portion of the Museum to be

located in the District of Columbia).

(c) DESIGN AND PLANS.—(1) The National Congress of American

Indians, in consultation with the Museum, is authorized to hold

a competition to select the design of the Memorial. Any design

so selected shall be compatible with both the purpose of the

Museum, as set forth in section 3(b) of the National Museum

of the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q–1), and with any existing

design plans for the Museum’s structure and its surroundings.

(2) Any design so selected shall be subject to the approval

of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

SEC. 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES AND USE OF NAME.

(a) RESPONSIBILITY OF NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN

INDIANS.—The National Congress of American Indians shall be

solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment

of the expenses of, the establishment of the memorial. No Federal

funds may be used to pay any expense of the establishment of

the memorial.

(b) USE OF NAME.—Use of the name of the Smithsonian Institution or the National Museum of the American Indian in any material regarding the memorial produced by the National Congress

of American Indians, other than in a manner simply describing

the location of the memorial, shall be subject to consultation with,

and the approval of, the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian

Institution.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and

President of the Senate.