I
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.
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 ‘‘Native American
Veterans’ Memorial Establishment Act of 1993’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Native Americans across the Nation 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 popu-
lation 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 In-
dian was established as a living memorial to Native
Americans. Its mission is to advance knowledge and
understanding of Native American cultures, includ-
ing art, history, language, and the contributions Na-
tive Americans have made to our society.
(6) The National Museum of the American In-
dian is an extraordinary site and an ideal location to
establish a National Native American Veterans’ Me-
morial.
(7) A National Native American Veterans’ Me-
morial would further the purposes of the National
Museum of the American Indian by giving all Ameri-
cans the opportunity to learn of the proud and cou-
rageous tradition of service of Native Americans in
the armed forces of the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) The term ‘‘Native American’’ means an In-
dian, a Native Hawaiian, and an Alaska Native.
(2) The term ‘‘Native Hawaiian’’ means any in-
dividual who is a descendant of the aboriginal people
who, prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sov-
ereignty in the area that now comprises the State of
Hawaii.
(3) The term ‘‘Alaska Native’’ means any Es-
kimo, Aleut, or Alaska Indian.
(4) The term ‘‘Memorial’’ means the Native
American Veterans’ Memorial established by section
3 of this Act.
(5) The term ‘‘Museum’’ means the National
Museum of the American Indian established by the
National Museum of the American Indian Act (20
U.S.C. 80q et seq.).
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF MEMO-
RIAL.
(a) MEMORIAL.—The Museum, in close consultation
with Native American groups, is authorized to design, con-
struct, and maintain a National Native American Veter-
ans’ Memorial.
(b) SITE.—The Museum shall select a suitable site
for the Memorial within the interior structure of the facil-
ity provided for by section 7(a) of the National Museum
of the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q-5(a)) to house
the portion of the Museum to be located in the District
of Columbia.
(c) DESIGN AND PLANS.—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.
(d) DONATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Museum may accept, retain, and expend
donations of funds, property, or services from individuals,
foundations, corporations, or public entities for the pur-
pose of designing, constructing, or maintaining the Memo-
rial.
(e) PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.—The United States
Government shall not pay any of the expenses of the estab-
lishment of the Memorial other than providing the site re-
ferred to in subsection (b).
Æ