I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 938 
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial 
of World War I and to designate memorials to the service of men 
and women of the United States in World War I. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 8, 2011 
Mr. POE of Texas (for himself, Mr. CLEAVER, and Mr. HUIZENGA of Michi-
gan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee 
on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance 
of the centennial of World War I and to designate memo-
rials to the service of men and women of the United 
States in World War I. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act’’. 
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(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. Purpose. 
Sec. 4. Definitions. 
Sec. 5. Establishment of World War I Centennial Commission. 
Sec. 6. Duties of the Commission. 
Sec. 7. Powers of the Commission. 
Sec. 8. Commission personnel matters. 
Sec. 9. Termination of the Commission. 
Sec. 10. Designation of National World War I Memorials. 
Sec. 11. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 12. Effective date. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) From 2014 through 2018, the United 
States and nations around the world will mark the 
centennial of World War I, including the entry of 
the United States into the war in April 1917. 
(2) America’s support of Great Britain, France, 
Belgium, and its other allies in World War I marked 
the first time in United States history that Amer-
ican soldiers went abroad in defense of liberty 
against foreign aggression, and it marked the true 
beginning of the ‘‘American century’’. 
(3) Although World War I was at the time 
called ‘‘the war to end all wars’’, in fact the United 
States would commit its troops to the defense of for-
eign lands 3 more times in the 20th century. 
(4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from 
the United States served in uniform during World 
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War I, among them 2 future presidents, Harry S. 
Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Two million in-
dividuals from the United States served overseas 
during World War I, including 200,000 naval per-
sonnel who served on the seas. The United States 
suffered 375,000 casualties during World War I, in-
cluding 116,516 deaths. 
(5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped 
the world, the United States, and the lives of mil-
lions of people. 
(6) The centennial of World War I offers an op-
portunity for people in the United States to learn 
about and commemorate the sacrifices of their pred-
ecessors. 
(7) Commemorative programs, activities, and 
sites allow people in the United States to learn 
about the history of World War I, the United States 
involvement in that war, and the war’s effects on the 
remainder of the 20th century, and to commemorate 
and honor the participation of the United States and 
its citizens in the war effort. 
(8) While the other great conflicts of the 20th 
century, World War II, the Korean War, and the 
Vietnam War, have national memorials on the Mall 
in Washington, DC, there currently exists no nation-
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tionally recognized memorial honoring the service of 
the United States and its citizens in World War I. 
(9) In 1921, the people of Kansas City, Mis-
souri, dedicated a site in that city for a memorial to 
the service of Americans in World War I, a cere-
mony attended by General John J. Pershing and 
military leaders of Great Britain, France, Belgium, 
and Italy. In 1924, the cornerstone of the 217-foot 
Liberty Memorial Tower was laid. On Armistice Day 
1926, President Calvin Coolidge delivered the key 
note address at the Memorial’s dedication ceremony. 
The Memorial and surrounding grounds were com-
pleted in 1938, with an inscription that reads ‘‘In 
Honor of Those Who Served in the World War in 
Defense of Liberty and Our Country.’’. 
(10) The 106th Congress recognized the Lib-
erty Memorial as a national symbol of World War I. 
(11) The 108th Congress designated the mu-
seum at the base of the Liberty Memorial as ‘‘Amer-
ica’s National World War I Museum’’. The museum 
preserves the story of World War I, and educates 
and enlightens people about this significant event. 
(12) The District of Columbia War Memorial 
was authorized in 1924 by resolution of the 68th 
Congress, and was dedicated on Armistice Day 1931 
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by President Herbert Hoover. The DC War Memo-
rial, erected in memory of the 499 residents of the 
District of Columbia who died in World War I, is 
often overlooked by residents and visitors to Wash-
ington. 
(13) The DC War Memorial is located on the 
national Mall in Washington, adjacent to the World 
War II, Korean War, and Vietnam memorials. Of 
these memorials, which now compose a quartet of 
memorials to the 4 great wars of the American Cen-
tury, only the DC War Memorial is not a national 
memorial. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this Act is to— 
(1) establish a commission, in Kansas City, 
Missouri, to ensure a suitable national observance of 
the centennial of World War I; and 
(2) rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas 
City and the District of Columbia War Memorial, re-
spectively, as the ‘‘National World War I Museum 
and Memorial’’ and the ‘‘District of Columbia and 
National World War I Memorial’’. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
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(1) AMERICA’S NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MU-
SEUM.—The term ‘‘America’s National World War I 
Museum’’ means the Liberty Memorial Museum in 
Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by Congress in 
section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 
(Public Law 108–375; 118 Stat. 2045). 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the World War I Centennial Commission es-
tablished by section 5(a). 
(3) VETERANS
SERVICE
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term ‘‘veterans service organization’’ means any or-
ganization recognized by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs for the representation of veterans under sec-
tion 5902 of title 38, United States Code. 
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL 
COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘World War I Centennial 
Commission’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 24 members as follows: 
(A) Four members who shall be appointed 
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
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(B) Three members who shall be appointed 
by the minority leader of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(C) Four members who shall be appointed 
by the majority leader of the Senate. 
(D) Three members who shall be appointed 
by the minority leader of the Senate. 
(E) Seven members who shall be appointed 
by the President from among persons who are 
broadly representative of the people of the 
United States (including members of the Armed 
Forces, veterans, and representatives of vet-
erans service organizations). 
(F) One member who shall be appointed by 
the executive director of the Veterans of For-
eign Wars of the United States. 
(G) One member who shall be appointed by 
the executive director of the American Legion. 
(H) One member who shall be appointed 
by the president of the Liberty Memorial Asso-
ciation. 
(2) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT.—Each member 
shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. 
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(3) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. 
(4) INITIAL MEETING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date on which all members of the 
Commission have been appointed, the Commis-
sion shall hold its first meeting. 
(B) LOCATION.—The location for the 
meeting held under subparagraph (A) shall be 
the America’s National World War I Museum. 
(5) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall 
meet at the call of the Chair. 
(B) FREQUENCY.—The Chair shall call a 
meeting of the members of the Commission not 
less frequently than once each year. 
(C) LOCATION.—Not less frequently than 
once each year, the Commission shall meet at 
the America’s National World War I Museum. 
(6) QUORUM.—Thirteen members of the Com-
mission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser num-
ber may hold hearings. 
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(7) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Commission 
shall select a Chair and Vice Chair from among its 
members. 
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The duties of the Commission are 
as follows: 
(1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, 
projects, and activities to commemorate the centen-
nial 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 relating to the centen-
nial of World War I. 
(4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collec-
tion and dissemination of information about events 
and plans for the centennial of World War I. 
(5) To develop recommendations for Congress 
and the President for commemorating the centennial 
of World War I. 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) PERIODIC
REPORT.—Beginning not later 
than the last day of the 3-month period beginning 
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on the effective date of this Act and the last day of 
each 3-month period thereafter, the Commission 
shall submit to Congress and the President a report 
on the activities and plans of the Commission. 
(2) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Not later than 2 
years after the effective date of this Act, the Com-
mission shall submit to Congress and the President 
a report containing specific recommendations for 
commemorating the centennial of World War I and 
coordinating related activities. 
SEC. 7. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such 
hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this 
Act. 
(b) POWERS OF MEMBER AND AGENTS.—If author-
ized by the Commission, any member or agent of the Com-
mission may take any action which the Commission is au-
thorized to take under this Act. 
(c) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 
Commission shall secure directly from any Federal depart-
ment or agency such information as the Commission con-
siders necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
Upon the request of the Chair of the Commission, the 
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head of such department or agency shall furnish such in-
formation to the Commission. 
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Administrator of the 
General Services Administration shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative sup-
port services necessary for the Commission to carry out 
its responsibilities under this Act. 
(e) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Commission is authorized— 
(A) to procure supplies, services, and prop-
erty; and 
(B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, 
or other legal agreements. 
(2) LIMITATION.—The Commission may not 
enter into any contract, lease, or other legal agree-
ment that extends beyond the date of the termi-
nation of the Commission under section 9(a). 
(f) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mails in the same manner and under 
the same conditions as other departments and agencies of 
the Federal Government. 
(g) GIFTS, BEQUESTS, AND DEVISES.— 
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(1) ACCEPTANCE BY COMMISSION.—The Com-
mission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts, be-
quests, or devises of services or property, both real 
and personal, for the purpose of aiding or facili-
tating the work of the Commission. 
(2) DEPOSIT
AND
AVAILABILITY.—Gifts, be-
quests, or devises of money and proceeds from sales 
of other property received as gifts, requests, or de-
vises shall be deposited in the Treasury of the 
United States and shall be available for disburse-
ment upon order of the Commission. 
SEC. 8. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Members of the 
Commission shall serve without compensation for such 
service. 
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per 
diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with the applica-
ble provisions of title 5, United States Code. 
(c) STAFF.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chair of the Commis-
sion shall, in consultation with the members of the 
Commission, appoint an executive director and such 
other additional personnel as may be necessary to 
enable the Commission to perform its duties. 
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(2) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Chair of the Commission may 
fix the compensation of the executive director 
and any other personnel appointed under para-
graph (1). 
(B) LIMITATION.—The Chair of the Com-
mission may not fix the compensation of the ex-
ecutive director or other personnel appointed 
under paragraph (1) at a rate that exceeds the 
rate of payable for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(C) WORK LOCATION.—If the city govern-
ment for Kansas City, Missouri, and the Lib-
erty Memorial Association make space available 
in the building in which the America’s National 
World War I Museum is located, the executive 
director of the Commission and other personnel 
appointed under paragraph (1) shall work in 
such building to the extent practical. 
(d) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Upon 
request of the Commission, the head of any Federal de-
partment or agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, 
any employee of that department or agency to the Com-
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mission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this 
Act. 
(e) PROCUREMENT OF TEMPORARY AND INTERMIT-
TENT SERVICES.—The Chair of the Commission may pro-
cure temporary and intermittent services under section 
3109(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 9. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall terminate 
on the earlier of— 
(1) the date that is 30 days after the date the 
completion of the activities under this Act honoring 
the centennial observation of World War I; or 
(2) July 28, 2019. 
(b) APPLICATION
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the 
activities of the Commission under this Act. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Section 14(a)(2) of such Act 
shall not apply to the Commission. 
SEC. 10. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMO-
RIALS. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF THE NATIONAL WORLD WAR 
I MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL, MISSOURI.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Liberty Memorial of 
Kansas City at the America’s National World War 
I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, is designated as 
the ‘‘National World War I Museum and Memorial’’. 
(2) CEREMONIES.—The Commission may plan, 
develop, and execute ceremonies to rededicate the 
Liberty Memorial of Kansas City as the National 
World War I Museum and Memorial. 
(b) DESIGNATION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
AND NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL.— 
(1) DESIGNATION.—The District of Columbia 
War Memorial in Washington, DC, is designated as 
the ‘‘District of Columbia and National World War 
I Memorial’’. 
(2) CEREMONIES.—The Commission may plan, 
develop, and execute ceremonies to rededicate the 
District of Columbia War Memorial as the District 
of Columbia and National World War I Memorial. 
(3) AUTHORITY
TO
ESTABLISH
COMMEMORA-
TIVE WORK.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The World War I Me-
morial Foundation may establish a commemora-
tive work at the site of the District of Columbia 
and National World War I Memorial consisting 
of an appropriate sculptural or other commemo-
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rative element reflecting the national character 
of the memorial. 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—Any commemorative 
work established under subparagraph (A) shall 
complement and preserve the memorial (includ-
ing the landscape of the memorial), as in exist-
ence on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(4) COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR COM-
MEMORATIVE WORKS; LOCATION OF MEMORIAL.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the rededication of the District of 
Columbia and National World War I Memorial 
shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 
40, United States Code. 
(B) CONGRESSIONAL FINDING.—Congress 
finds that because this Act authorizes the re-
dedication and related enhancement of a com-
memorative work that, as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act, is in existence and is sited 
within the Reserve (as defined in section 
8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code), the 
provisions regarding site approval and location 
of commemorative works under sections 8905 
and 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, do 
not apply to this Act. 
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(5) DEPOSIT OF EXCESS FUNDS.—The World 
War I Memorial Foundation shall transmit to the 
Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account 
provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of title 40, United 
States Code— 
(A) any funds that remain after payment 
of all expenses incurred in the rededication of 
the memorial (including payment of the amount 
for maintenance and preservation required 
under section 8906(b) of that title); or 
(B) any funds that remain for the com-
memorative work authorized under subsection 
(a) on expiration of the authority for the com-
memorative work under section 8903(e) of that 
title. 
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this Act $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 
2019. 
SEC. 12. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This Act takes effect on the date that is 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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