I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 96 
To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those whose lives were 
lost to COVID–19 and those who helped the country to recover, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 4, 2021 
Mr. ESPAILLAT (for himself and Mr. RASKIN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To authorize a national memorial to commemorate those 
whose lives were lost to COVID–19 and those who helped 
the country to recover, and for other purposes. 
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 ‘‘COVID–19 National 
Memorial Act’’. 
SEC. 2. MEMORIAL. 
There is established a memorial located at a des-
ignated location in the Bronx, New York, to honor the 
lives lost and the heroes who helped. 
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SEC. 3. ADVISORY COMMISSION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the ‘‘COVID–19 National Memo-
rial Commission’’ (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall consist of 
15 members, including the Director of the National Park 
Service, or the Director’s designee, and 14 members ap-
pointed by the Secretary. 
(c) TERM.—The term of the members of the Commis-
sion shall be for the life of the Commission. 
(d) CHAIR.—The members of the Commission shall 
select the Chair of the Commission. 
(e) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Commission 
shall not affect its powers if a quorum is present, but shall 
be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. 
(f) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson or a majority of the members, but 
not less often than quarterly. Notice of the Commission 
meetings and agendas for the meetings shall be published 
in local newspapers in the vicinity of Somerset County and 
in the Federal Register. Meetings of the Commission shall 
be subject to section 552b of title 5, United States Code 
(relating to open meetings). 
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(g) QUORUM.—A majority of the members serving on 
the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the trans-
action of any business. 
(h) NO COMPENSATION.—Members of the Commis-
sion shall serve without compensation, but may be reim-
bursed for expenses incurred in carrying out the duties 
of the Commission. 
(i) DUTIES.—The duties of the Commission shall be 
to— 
(1) not later than 3 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, submit to the Secretary and 
Congress a report containing recommendations for 
the planning, design, construction, and long-term 
management of a permanent memorial; 
(2) advise the Secretary on the boundaries of 
the memorial site; 
(3) advise the Secretary in the development of 
a management plan for the memorial site; 
(4) consult and coordinate closely with the 
State of New York, New York City, the Bronx Bor-
ough, and other interested parties; and 
(5) provide significant opportunities for public 
participation in the planning and design of the me-
morial. 
(j) POWERS.—The Commission may— 
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(1) make such expenditures for services and 
materials for the purpose of carrying out this Act as 
the Commission considers advisable from funds ap-
propriated or received as gifts for that purpose; 
(2) subject to approval by the Secretary, solicit 
and accept donations of funds and gifts, personal 
property, supplies, or services from individuals, foun-
dations, corporations, and other private or public en-
tities to be used in connection with the construction 
or other expenses of the memorial; 
(3) hold hearings, enter into contracts for per-
sonal services and otherwise; 
(4) do such other things as are necessary to 
carry out this Act; and 
(5) by a vote of the majority of the Commis-
sion, delegate such of its duties as it determines ap-
propriate to employees of the National Park Service. 
(k) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate 
upon dedication of the completed memorial. 
SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 
The Secretary is authorized to— 
(1) provide assistance to the Commission, in-
cluding advice on collections, storage, and archives; 
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(2) consult and assist the Commission in pro-
viding information, interpretation, and the conduct 
of oral history interviews; 
(3) provide assistance in conducting public 
meetings and forums held by the Commission; 
(4) provide project management assistance to 
the Commission for planning, design, and construc-
tion activities; 
(5) provide programming and design assistance 
to the Commission for possible memorial exhibits, 
collections, or activities; 
(6) provide staff assistance and support to the 
Commission; 
(7) participate in the formulation of plans for 
the design of the memorial, to accept funds raised 
by the Commission for construction of the memorial, 
and to construct the memorial; 
(8) acquire from willing sellers the land or in-
terests in land for the memorial site by donation, 
purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or ex-
change; and 
(9) to administer the memorial as a unit of the 
National Park System in accordance with this Act 
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and with the laws generally applicable to units of the 
National Park System. 
Æ 
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