A joint resolution to authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. to erect a memorial.
PL 96-297 (S.J.Res.119), enacted 07/01/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-297—JULY 1, 1980 
94 STAT. 827 
Public Law 96-297 
96th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
To authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., to establish a memorial. 
July 1, 1980 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of 
America in Congress assembled, That the Vietnam Veterans 
Memorial Fund, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized and existing 
under the laws of the District of Columbia, is authorized to establish a 
memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park in the District of 
Columbia, in honor and recognition of the men and women of the 
Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam war. 
SEC. 2. (a) The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., is authorized and directed to 
select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the 
National Capital Planning Commission a suitable site of approxi-
mately two acres in size located in the area of West Potomac Park 
known as Constitution Gardens in the District of Columbia: Provided, 
That if subsurface soil conditions prevent the engineering of a 
feasible foundation system for the memorial in a location in that 
area, then the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the 
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., is authorized and directed to 
select a suitable site of approximately two acres in size located in an 
area of West Potomac Park north of Independence Avenue other 
than Constitution Gardens. 
(b) The design and plans for such memorial shall be subject to the 
approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine 
Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission: Provided, That 
if the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the 
National Capital Planning Commission fails to report his or its 
approval of or specific objection to such design and plans within 
ninety days of their submission, his or its approv^ shall be deemed to 
be given. 
(c) Neither the United States nor the District of Columbia shall be 
put to any expense in the establishment of 
the memorial. 
SEC. 3. The authority conferred pursuant to this resolution shall 
lapse unless (1) the establishment of such memorial is commenced 
within five years from the date of 
enactment of 
this resolution, and (2) 
prior to groundbreaking for actual construction on the site, funds are 
certified available in an amount sufficient, in the judgment of the 
Secretary of the Interior based upon the approved design and plans 
for the memorial, to insure completion of 
the memorial. 
[S.J. Res. 119] 
Vietnam 
Veterans 
Memorial Fund, 
Inc., 
establishment. 
16 u s e 431 note. 
Site selection. 
Design plans. 
Expenses. 
Termination of 
authority. 
94 STAT. 828 
PUBLIC LAW 96-297—JULY 1, 1980 
Memorial 
SEC. 4. The maintenance and care of the memorial established 
maintenance. 
under the provisions of this resolution shall be the responsibility of 
the Secretly of 
the Interior. 
Approved July 1, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-1129 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 96-663 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources) and No. 
96-832 (Comm. of Conference). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
Apr. 30, considered and passed Senate. 
May 20, considered and passed House, amended. 
June 27, House agreed to conference report. 
June 30, Senate agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 16, No. 27: 
July 1, Presidential statement.