Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

By Mr. STEVENS (for himself, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Kerry):

S. 2419. A bill to ensure the proper remembrance of Vietnam veterans and the Vietnam War by providing a deadline for the designation of a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I come to the floor to introduce a bill, which seeks to honor Congress' commitment to our Vietnam Veterans. Joining me in sponsoring this legislation is Senator Hagel, a Vietnam veteran himself.

On November 5, 2003 this body passed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Act by unanimous consent.

That bill authorized the construction of a center to educate the nearly 4 million visitors annually to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

This center will be an important resource for current and future generations, enabling them to have a better understanding of the Vietnam War and to pay tribute to the brave Americans who answered the call to duty.

Unfortunately, the Visitor Center project has stalled due to bureaucratic delays.

This bill would create a 30-day deadline following its enactment for the approval of the Visitor Center.

We owe it to the Vietnam Veterans, and to the Wall's future visitors to follow through with this project. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

http://thomas.loc.gov/