Oct. 15, 2009
House Advances Rahall Bill to Help Complete Vietnam Veterans Education Center
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) – A planned underground visitor and education center to be located near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. would be given an extended timeframe for completion, courtesy of bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-3) that was unanimously approved late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 by the House of Representatives.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial – better known as the Wall – is among one of the most visited sites in our Nation’s capital and serves as an international symbol of reflection and healing for veterans, family and friends, and interested citizens alike. I am so pleased that Members of the House of Representatives could work together in a bipartisan manner to advance this legislation, which will help to play a critical role in highlighting for future generations the sacrifice and bravery of the heroic men and women who fought for our country during the Vietnam War,” said Rahall, who is the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the National Park Service.
H.R. 3689 would provide a four-year extension to complete the work on the underground visitor and education center. The current authorization is set to expire on November 17, 2010; H.R. 3689 would extend the authorization to November 17, 2014.
Rahall has been closely involved with the development of the visitor center. In 2003, Rahall was an original co-sponsor of legislation that authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to construct the underground center near the existing Memorial. The authorizing legislation required that the center be constructed in compliance with the Commemorative Works Act, which governs all monuments and memorials in and around the District and stipulates that such authorizations last seven years from the date of enactment.
Despite attempts by Rahall in the 109th Congress to expedite the construction of the center, securing the necessary approvals within the current authorization timeframe has been difficult, making an extension necessary.
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House Advances Rahall Bill to Help Complete Vietnam Veterans Education Center
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Washington, DC (HNN) – A planned underground visitor and education center to be located near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. would be given an extended timeframe for completion, courtesy of bipartisan legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (WV-3) that was unanimously approved late Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 by the House of Representatives.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial – better known as the Wall – is among one of the most visited sites in our Nation’s capital and serves as an international symbol of reflection and healing for veterans, family and friends, and interested citizens alike. I am so pleased that Members of the House of Representatives could work together in a bipartisan manner to advance this legislation, which will help to play a critical role in highlighting for future generations the sacrifice and bravery of the heroic men and women who fought for our country during the Vietnam War,” said Rahall, who is the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over the National Park Service.
H.R. 3689 would provide a four-year extension to complete the work on the underground visitor and education center. The current authorization is set to expire on November 17, 2010; H.R. 3689 would extend the authorization to November 17, 2014.
Rahall has been closely involved with the development of the visitor center. In 2003, Rahall was an original co-sponsor of legislation that authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to construct the underground center near the existing Memorial. The authorizing legislation required that the center be constructed in compliance with the Commemorative Works Act, which governs all monuments and memorials in and around the District and stipulates that such authorizations last seven years from the date of enactment.
Despite attempts by Rahall in the 109th Congress to expedite the construction of the center, securing the necessary approvals within the current authorization timeframe has been difficult, making an extension necessary.
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