ALTMIRE, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. HASTINGS of 
Florida, Mr. DREIER, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. BARROW, 
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, 
Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. CHU, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BART-
LETT, Ms. KOSMAS, Mr. KISSELL, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. WILSON 
of Ohio, Mr. TAYLOR, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. MCMAHON, Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, Mr. LINDER, Mr. WATT, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. MCHENRY, 
Mr. LUJA´N, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mr. ELLISON, Mrs. MCCARTHY of New 
York, Mr. BLUMENAUER, and Mr. GONZALEZ 
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 
Reported from the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with an 
amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 
Committee on Natural Resources discharged; committed to the Committee of 
the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 1, 2009] 
A BILL 
To designate the Liberty Memorial at the National World 
War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National 
World War I Memorial, to establish the World War I 
centennial commission to ensure a suitable observance 
of the centennial of World War I, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘World War I Memorial 
and Centennial Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) More than 4,000,000 men and women from 
the United States served in uniform in the defense of 
liberty during World War I, among them two future 
presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisen-
hower. 
(2) 2,000,000 individuals from the United States 
served overseas during World War I, including 
200,000 naval personnel who served on the seas. 
(3) The United States suffered 375,000 casualties 
during World War I. 
(4) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the 
world, our country, and the lives of millions of people 
in countless ways. 
(5) The centennial of World War I offers an op-
portunity for people in the United States to learn 
about the sacrifices of their predecessors. 
(6) Commemorative efforts allow people in the 
United States to gain a historical understanding of 
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the type of conflicts that cause countries to go to war 
and how those conflicts are resolved. 
(7) Kansas City is home to the Liberty Memorial 
and America’s National World War I Museum (as so 
recognized in the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 
108–375)). 
(8) America’s National World War I Museum 
seeks— 
(A) to preserve the history of World War I; 
and 
(B) to educate and enlighten people about 
this significant event, the consequences of which 
are still with us. 
(9) Kansas City is home to the national head-
quarters for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. 
(10) Missouri is the home State of General John 
Joseph Pershing, who commanded the American Ex-
peditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. 
(11) The Kansas City area is the home of the 
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum. 
(12) The Dwight David Eisenhower Presidential 
Library and Museum is located close to Kansas City 
in the neighboring State of Kansas. 
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(13) There is no nationally recognized memorial 
honoring the service of Americans who served in 
World War I. 
(14) In 1919, the people of Kansas City, Mis-
souri, expressed an outpouring of support and raised 
more than $2,000,000 in two weeks for a memorial to 
the service of Americans in World War I. That fund-
raising was an accomplishment unparalleled by any 
other city in the United States irrespective of popu-
lation and reflected the passion of public opinion 
about World War I, which had so recently ended. 
(15) Following the drive, a national architec-
tural competition was held by the American Institute 
of Architects for designs for a memorial to the service 
of Americans in World War I, and the competition 
yielded a design by architect H. Van Buren 
Magonigle. 
(16) On November 1, 1921, more than 100,000 
people witnessed the dedication of the site for the Lib-
erty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. That dedi-
cation marked the only time in history that the five 
allied military leaders; Lieutenant General Baron 
Jacques of Belgium, General Armando Diaz of Italy, 
Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France, General John J. 
Pershing of the United States, and Admiral Lord 
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Earl Beatty of Great Britain, were together at one 
place. 
(17) General Pershing noted at the November 1, 
1921, dedication that ‘‘[t]he people of Kansas City, 
Missouri, are deeply proud of the beautiful memorial, 
erected in tribute to the patriotism, the gallant 
achievements, and the heroic sacrifices of their sons 
and daughters who served in our country’s armed 
forces during the World War. It symbolized their 
grateful appreciation of duty well done, an apprecia-
tion which I share, because I know so well how richly 
it is merited’’. 
(18) During an Armistice Day ceremony in 
1924, President Calvin Coolidge marked the begin-
ning of a three-year construction project for the Lib-
erty Memorial by the laying of the cornerstone of the 
memorial. 
(19) The 217-foot Liberty Memorial Tower has 
an inscription that reads ‘‘In Honor of Those Who 
Served in the World War in Defense of Liberty and 
Our Country’’ as well as four stone ‘‘Guardian Spir-
its’’ representing courage, honor, patriotism, and sac-
rifice, which rise above the observation deck, making 
the Liberty Memorial a noble tribute to all who served 
in World War I. 
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(20) During a rededication for the Liberty Me-
morial in 1961, World War I veterans and former 
Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisen-
hower recognized the memorial as a constant re-
minder of the sacrifices during World War I and the 
progress that followed. 
(21) The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty 
Memorial as a national symbol of World War I. 
(22) The National World War I Museum is the 
only public museum in the United States specifically 
dedicated to the history of World War I. 
(23) The National World War I Museum is 
known throughout the world as a major center of 
World War I remembrance. 
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERTY MEMORIAL AT THE 
NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MUSEUM IN KANSAS 
CITY, MISSOURI, AS THE NATIONAL WORLD 
WAR I MEMORIAL. 
The Liberty Memorial at the National World War I 
Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby designated as 
the ‘‘National World War I Memorial’’. 
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SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 
CENTENNIAL OF WORLD WAR I. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commis-
sion to be known as the World War I Centennial Commis-
sion (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Commission is to 
ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War 
I that promotes the values of honor, courage, patriotism, 
and sacrifice, in keeping with the representation of these 
values through the four Guardian Spirits sculpted on the 
Liberty Memorial Monument at America’s National World 
War I Museum. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Commission shall have the following 
duties: 
(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, 
projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial 
of World War I. 
(2) To encourage private organizations and 
State and local governments to organize and partici-
pate in activities commemorating the centennial of 
World War I. 
(3) To facilitate and coordinate activities 
throughout the United States related to the centennial 
of World War I. 
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(4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection 
and dissemination of information about events and 
plans for the centennial of World War I. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) NUMBER AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commis-
sion shall be composed of 24 members as follows: 
(A) Four members appointed by the Speak-
er of the House of Representatives. 
(B) Three members appointed by the minor-
ity leader of the House of Representatives. 
(C) Four members appointed by the Senate 
majority leader. 
(D) Three members appointed by the Senate 
minority leader. 
(E) Seven members who are broadly rep-
resentative of the people of the United States (in-
cluding members of the armed services and vet-
erans), appointed by the President. 
(F) The executive director of the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars of the United States (or the direc-
tor’s delegate). 
(G) The executive director of the American 
Legion (or the director’s delegate). 
(H) The president of the Liberty Memorial 
Association, the nonprofit entity responsible for 
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the management of America’s National World 
War I Museum (or the president’s delegate). 
(2) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The Archivist of the 
United States and the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution shall serve in an ex officio capacity on the 
Commission to provide advice and information to the 
Commission. 
(3) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP.—If a mem-
ber of the Commission under subparagraph (F), (G), 
or (H) of paragraph (1) ceases to hold a position 
named in such subparagraph, that member must re-
sign from the Commission as of the date that the 
member ceases to hold that position. 
(4) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed 
for the life of the Commission. 
(5) DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT.—All members 
of the Commission shall be appointed not later than 
90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(6) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission 
shall— 
(A) not affect the powers of the Commission; 
and 
(B) be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
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(7) PAY.—Members shall not receive compensa-
tion for the performance of their duties on behalf of 
the Commission. 
(8) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member shall re-
ceive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with the applicable provi-
sions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(9) QUORUM.—A majority of members of the 
Commission plus one shall constitute a quorum, but 
a lesser number may hold hearings. 
(10) CHAIRPERSON; VICE
CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Commission shall elect the Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson of the Commission by a majority vote of 
the members of the Commission. 
(11) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet at the call of the Chairperson, except that 
the first meeting shall be held before the end of 
the 120-day period beginning on the effective 
date of this Act. 
(B) LOCATION.—The Commission shall hold 
the first meeting at America’s National World 
War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, and 
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thereafter shall hold at least one meeting per 
year at such location. 
(e) DIRECTOR AND ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL OF THE 
COMMISSION; EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.— 
(1) DIRECTOR AND STAFF.— 
(A) APPOINTMENT.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission shall, in consultation with the mem-
bers of the Commission, appoint an executive di-
rector and such other additional personnel as 
may be necessary to enable the Commission to 
perform its duties. 
(B) PAY.—The executive director and staff 
of the Commission may be appointed without re-
gard to the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service, and may be paid without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of 
chapter 53 of such title relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates, except that the 
rate of pay for the executive director and other 
staff may not exceed the rate payable for level V 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of 
such title. 
(C) WORK LOCATION.—If the city govern-
ment for Kansas City, Missouri, and the non-
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profit organization which administers America’s 
National World War I Museum make space 
available, the executive director and any addi-
tional personnel appointed under subparagraph 
(A) shall work in the building that houses that 
museum. 
(2) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commis-
sion may procure temporary and intermittent services 
under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
(3) STAFF OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Upon re-
quest of the Commission, the head of any Federal de-
partment or agency may detail, on a reimbursable 
basis, any personnel of that department or agency to 
the Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties 
under this Act. 
(f) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND SESSIONS.—For the purpose 
of carrying out this Act, the Commission may hold 
hearings, sit and act at times and places, take testi-
mony, and receive evidence as the Commission con-
siders appropriate. 
(2) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.—If au-
thorized by the Commission, any member or agent of 
the Commission may take any action which the Com-
mission is authorized to take by this section. 
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(3) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—The Commis-
sion shall secure directly from any department or 
agency of the United States information necessary to 
enable it to carry out this Act. Upon the request of 
the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of that 
department or agency shall furnish that information 
to the Commission. 
(4) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.— 
(A) ACCEPTANCE
BY
COMMISSION.—The 
Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
gifts, bequests, or devises of services or property, 
both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding 
or facilitating the work of the Commission. 
(B) DEPOSIT AND AVAILABILITY.—Gifts, be-
quests, or devises of money and proceeds from 
sales of other property received as gifts, bequests, 
or devises shall be deposited in the Treasury and 
shall be available for disbursement upon order of 
the Commission. 
(5) MAILS.—The Commission may use the 
United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other departments and agen-
cies of the United States. 
(6) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of 
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General Services shall provide to the Commission, on 
a reimbursable basis, the administrative support serv-
ices necessary for the Commission to carry out its re-
sponsibilities under this Act. 
(7) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.—The Commission is 
authorized to procure supplies, services, and property 
and to make or enter in contracts, leases, or other 
legal agreements; except that any contract, lease, or 
other legal agreement made or entered into by the 
Commission may not extend beyond the date of termi-
nation of the Commission. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) PERIODIC
REPORT.—Beginning not later 
than the last day of the 3-month period beginning on 
the effective date of this Act, and the last day of each 
3-month period thereafter, the Commission shall sub-
mit to Congress and the President a report on the ac-
tivities and plans of the Commission. 
(2) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Commission shall 
submit to the President and Congress annual reports 
on the revenue and expenditures of the Commission, 
including a list of each gift, bequest, or devise to the 
Commission with a value of more than $250, together 
with the identity of the donor of each gift, bequest, or 
devise. 
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(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the effective date of this Act, the Commission 
shall submit to Congress and the President a report 
containing specific recommendations for commemo-
rating the centennial of World War I and coordi-
nating related activities. 
(h) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT WAIVER.— 
Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.), relating to the termination of advisory committees, 
shall not apply to the Commission. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Commission to carry out this Act 
$500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2019. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available 
under this subsection shall remain available until the 
termination of the Commission as described in sub-
section (k). 
(j) ANNUAL AUDIT.—For any fiscal year for which the 
Commission receives an appropriation of funds, the Inspec-
tor General of the Department of the Interior shall perform 
an audit of the Commission, shall make the results of any 
audit performed available to the public, and shall transmit 
such results to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
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on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate. 
(k) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
on the earlier of the date that is 30 days after the activities 
honoring the centennial observation of World War I are car-
ried out, or July 28, 2019. 
(l) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on 
January 1, 2010. 
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Union Calendar No. 188 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1849 
[Report No. 111–329, Part I] 
A BILL 
To designate the Liberty Memorial at the National 
World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, 
as the National World War I Memorial, to estab-
lish the World War I centennial commission to 
ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of 
World War I, and for other purposes. 
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 
Reported from the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform with an amendment 
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 
Committee on Natural Resources discharged; committed 
to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
the Union and ordered to be printed 
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