Mark Udall: “I rise in support of H.R. 2201. I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall as well as Subcommittee…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2201. I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall as well as Subcommittee Chairman Radanovich and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Dr. Christensen for their leadership in having the Resources Committee act so promptly on this bill. And I greatly appreciate the cooperation from the Veterans' Affairs Committee that has made it possible for the bill to come to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the bill is to help the government and the public to keep track of the many important war memorials on public lands throughout our country. It would also provide for a report to Congress to determine if there should be a permanent fund within the Treasury for the upkeep of these memorials. These memorials remind us that the freedom we enjoy in the United States has not just been given to us--Americans have made great sacrifices, including their lives, to protect our way of life. Unfortunately many of these memorials don't receive the care they deserve and have fallen into disrepair. These memorials may not be as large as those on the National Mall or Arlington Nation Cemetery but they are just as important and should be taken care of. In 2002, Congress agreed to a resolution expressing the need for cataloging and maintaining public memorials. The bill would follow through by taking the first step of cataloging our public war memorials.”