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103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. R. 2135

To provide for a National Native American Veterans’ Memorial.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 17, 1993

Mr. THOMAS of Wyoming (for himself, Mr. MONTGOMERY, Mr. ROSE, Mr.

MILLER of California, Mr. RICHARDSON, Mr. YOUNG of Alaska, Mrs.

SCHROEDER, Mr. STUMP, Mrs. MINK, Mr. BEREUTER, Mr. WILLIAMS,

Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SPRATT, Mrs. VUCANOVICH, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr.

SMITH of Oregon, Mr. TORRES, Mrs. MEYERS of Kansas, Mr. JOHNSON

of South Dakota, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. KYL, Mr.

FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. CALVERT, Ms.

ENGLISH of Arizona, and Ms. FURSE) introduced the following bill; which

was referred to the Committee on House Administration

A BILL

To provide for a National Native American Veterans’

Memorial.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Native American

5 Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1993’’.

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

7 The Congress finds the following:
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1 (1) Native Americans across the Nation have a

2 long, proud and distinguished tradition of service in

3 the armed forces of the United States.

4 (2) Native Americans have historically served in

5 the armed forces of the United States in numbers

6 which far exceed their representation in the popu7 lation of the United States.

8 (3) Native American veterans count among

9 themselves a number of Medal of Honor recipients.

10 Their numbers are also conspicuous in the ranks of

11 those who have received other decorations for valor

12 and distinguished service.

13 (4) Native Americans have lost their lives in the

14 service of their Nation and in the cause of peace.

15 (5) The National Museum of the American In16 dian was established as a living memorial to Native

17 Americans. Its mission is to advance knowledge and

18 understanding of Native American cultures, includ19 ing art, history, language, and the contributions Na20 tive Americans have made to our society.

21 (6) The National Museum of the American In22 dian is an extraordinary site and an ideal location to

23 establish a National Native American Veterans’ Me24 morial.
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1 (7) A National Native American Veterans’ Me2 morial would further the purposes of the National

3 Museum of the American Indian by giving all Ameri4 cans the opportunity to learn of the proud and cou5 rageous tradition of service of Native Americans in

6 the armed forces of the United States.

7 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

8 As used in this Act:

9 (1) The term ‘‘Native American’’ means an In10 dian, a Native Hawaiian, and an Alaska Native.

11 (2) The term ‘‘Native Hawaiian’’ means any in12 dividual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people

13 who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sov14 ereignty in the area that now comprises the State of

15 Hawaii.

16 (3) The term ‘‘Alaska Native’’ means any Es17 kimo, Aleut, or Alaska Indian.

18 (4) The term ‘‘Memorial’’ means the Native

19 American Veterans’ Memorial established by section

20 3 of this Act.

21 (5) The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the National

22 Museum of the American Indian established by the

23 National Museum of the American Indian Act (20

24 U.S.C. 80q et seq.).
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1 SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMO2 RIAL.

3 (a) MEMORIAL.—The Museum, in close consultation

4 with Native American groups, is authorized to design, con5 struct, and maintain a National Native American Veter6 ans’ Memorial.

7 (b) SITE.—The Museum shall select a suitable site

8 for the Memorial within the interior structure of the facil9 ity provided for by section 7(a) of the National Museum

10 of the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q-5(a)) to house

11 the portion of the Museum to be located in the District

12 of Columbia.

13 (c) DESIGN AND PLANS.—The Museum is authorized

14 to hold a competition to select the design of the Memorial.

15 Any design so selected shall be compatible with both the

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

17 the National Museum of the American Indian Act (20

18 U.S.C. 80q-1), and with any existing design plans for the

19 Museum’s structure and its surroundings.

20 (d) DONATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provi21 sion of law, the Museum may accept, retain, and expend

22 donations of funds, property, or services from individuals,

23 foundations, corporations, or public entities for the pur24 pose of designing, constructing, or maintaining the Memo25 rial.
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1 (e) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—The United States

2 Government shall not pay any of the expenses of the estab3 lishment of the Memorial other than providing the site re4 ferred to in subsection (b).

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