To authorize the Every Word We Utter Monument to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-hr-7309
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2]
Introduced: 2018-12-13
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

District of Columbia

Monuments and memorials

Voting rights

Women's rights
Latest action: action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-12-13
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill authorizes the establishment on federal land in the District of Columbia of the Every Word We Utter Monument in commemoration of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7309 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 13, 2018 Mr. Polis (for himself, Mr. Tipton , Mr. Perlmutter , and Ms. DeGette ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To authorize the Every Word We Utter Monument to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs, and for other purposes.

1. Findings Congress finds as follows: (1) A monument as a tribute to the magnitude of the suffragists' seven-decade effort to pass the 19th Amendment in a way that engages the viewer and serves as a call to action for present and future generations is appropriate on Federal land. (2) Such a monument should include— (A) a sculptural portrait to honor Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton with her daughter Harriot Stanton Blatch, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, and Ida B. Wells; and (B) a depiction of the Declaration of Sentiments and Ratification Flag with the names of other women instrumental in fighting for women's suffrage included in the depiction of the word WE of the Declaration of Sentiments with raised lettering on ripples radiating from the monument. (3) The preferred site location for the monument is Area II, near Belmont-Paul National Monument and the Supreme Court. 2. Authorization to establish commemorative work (a) In General The Every Word We Utter Monument may establish a commemorative work on Federal land in the District of Columbia and its environs to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. (b) Compliance With Standards For Commemorative Works The establishment of the commemorative work under this section shall be in accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the Commemorative Works Act ). (c) Prohibition on the use of federal funds (1) In general Federal funds may not be used to pay any expense of the establishment of the commemorative work under this section. (2) Responsibility of the Every Word We Utter Monument The Every Word We Utter Monument shall be solely responsible for acceptance of contributions for, and payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work under this section. (d) Deposit of excess funds (1) In general If upon payment of all expenses for the establishment of the memorial (including the maintenance and preservation amount required by section 8906(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code), there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the commemorative work, the Every Word We Utter Monument shall transmit the amount of the balance to the Secretary of the Interior for deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of title 40, United States Code. (2) On expiration of authority If upon expiration of the authority for the commemorative work under section 8903(e) of title 40, United States Code, there remains a balance of funds received for the establishment of the commemorative work, the Every Word We Utter Monument shall transmit the amount of the balance to a separate account with the National Park for memorials, to be available to the Secretary of the Interior or Administrator (as appropriate) following the process provided in section 8906(b)(4) of title 40, United States Code, for accounts established under 8906(b)(2) or (3) of title 40, United States Code.