Henry Waxman: “I rise today to raise some serious concerns about H.R. 4882, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Deadline…”

“I rise today to raise some serious concerns about H.R. 4882, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Deadline Enforcement Act. I think everyone in this body, myself included, believes strongly that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial should have a visitors center. That is why Congress passed H.R. 1442 2\1/2\ years ago with unanimous support. That bill authorized the visitors center to be constructed on Federal land in the District of Colombia. It also required that the design and construction of the center comply with existing Federal law governing the placement of memorials, museums, and other facilities on the Mall. As I am sure Members know, the construction of new facilities on the Mall is a difficult and often contentious issue where the competing interests of particular advocates sometimes conflict with the need to protect the sightlines and openness of the Mall itself. In order to deal with these issues fairly, ensure that all interested parties have a voice, and protect what is truly a national treasure, Congress has created the National Capitol Planning Commission, over which the Government Reform Committee has jurisdiction. It has also established in law a process for the consideration and approval of new facilities on the Mall in the Commemorative Works Act. The bill before us, H.R. 4882, short-circuits that process in two ways. First, it would create an arbitrary deadline for the visitors center's approval--30 days from the date of enactment.…”