AUTHORIZING THE PLACEMENT OF THE BELL KNOWN AS THE AMERICAN LEGION'S FREEDOM BELL IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ON LAND OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES SEPTEMBER 15, 1976.-Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. HALEY, from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.J. Res. 915] The Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, to whom was referred the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 915) to authorize the placement of the bell known as the American Legion's Freedom Bell in the District of Columbia on land of the national park system, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon with amendments and recommend that the joint resolution as amended do pass. The amendments are as follows: Page 1, lines 5 and 6, strike out "on land of the national park System". Page 1, lines 9 through 11, strike out all of Section 2 and insert in lieu thereof the following: SEC. 2. All plans for the choice of the site and the placement of the freedom bell pursuant to the first section of this Resolution are subject to (1) the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission on Fine Arts, and the National Capitol Planning Commission, and (2) the placement of the bell being begun within five years after the date of enactment of this Resolution. Amend the title so as to read: To authorize the placement of the bell known as the Americar Legion's Freedom Bell on lands owned by the United States, and for other purposes. Purpose H.J. RES. 921 The purpose of H.J. Res. 9151 is to authorize the placement of the American Legion's Freedom Bell on Federal lands in the District of Columbia or its environs. Background The American Legion's Freedom Bell, a Bicentennial gift to the nation from the American Legion, was cast in 1975, and has since been exhibited around the country on the American Freedom Train. This twice scale replica of our original Liberty Bell is intended to serve as a reminder of the freedom we enjoyed after 200 years as a nation. The American Legion has raised funds to construct a suitable structure to house the bell as a permanent memorial. H.J. Res. 915 is intended to permit the placement of the bell, without government expense, at a suitable location. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS Section 1 authorizes the American Legion to place the Freedom Bell on lands owned by the United States in the District of Columbia or its environs. Section 2 provides that all plans for the choice of the site and the placement of the Freedom Bell will be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capitol Planning Commission. The placement of the bell is to be begun within five years from the enactment of this resolution for this authorization to remain in effect. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY Hearings were held on H.J. Res. 915 on August 6, 1976. Favorable testimony was heard at this time from witnesses from the Department of the Interior and the American Legion. The Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation reported the measure on September 2. 1976, after adopting amendments providing that the placement of the bell could be considered on any federally owned land in the District of Columbia or its environs, and that the plans for the placement would be subject to certain approvals and must occur in five years. In approving the measure, members expressed an interest in seeing some locations in the vicinity of the United States Capitol being given consideration as the site for placement of the bell. COST H.J. Res. 915 simply authoriezs the placement of the Freedom Bell at no cost to the federal government. 1 H.J. Res. 915 was introduced on April 7, 1976, by Representative Allan Howe H.J. Res. 961 and H.J. Res. 962, companion measures were introduced on May 20, 1976 by Representatives Howe, Abdnor, Addabbo, Archer, Baucus, Burgener, Cohen. Domi nick V. Daniels, Harkin, Hughes, Jenrette, Keys, Lagomarsino, Lott, Mazzoli, Melcher Miller of Ohio, Moorhead of Pennsylvania, Murphy of New York, Ottinger, Pattison o New York, Pepper, Preyer, Roe, Sebelius, Simon, Treen, Whitehurst, and Bob Wilson. H.R. 1563 BUDGET ACT COMPLIANCE H.J. Res. 915 does not authorize any federal expenditure. INFLATIONARY IMPACT No inflationary impact will occur from enactment of H.J. Res. 915. OVERSIGHT STATEMENT H.J. Res. 915 is a legislative initiative. No oversight discussions were held as a part of the hearings and no recommendations were submitted to the Committee pursuant to Rule X, Clause 2 (b) (2). COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS Two amendments were adopted by the Committee as follows: 1. Section 1 was amended to permit consideration of placement of the Freedom Bell on any federally owned land in or near the District of Columbia. This is to permit broader flexibility in consideration of sites than the original language, which was restricted to national park system lands in the District of Columbia. 2. A new section 2 was substituted which requires approval of the plans by the appropriate planning commissions in addition to the Secretary of the Interior. The placement must also be begun within five years. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION On September 9, 1976, after adopting the amendments as discussed, the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, meeting in open session, reported H.J. Res. 915 by voice vote, and recommends that the bill, as amended, be approved. DEPARTMENTAL REPORT The favorable report of the Department of the Interior, dated August 5, 1976, is here printed in full: Hon. JAMES A. HALEY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Chairman, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: This responds to your request for the views of this Department on H.J. Res. 915, a bill "To authorize the placement of the bell known as the American Legion's Freedom Bell in the District of Columbia on land of the national park system, and for other purposes." We recommend that the bill be enacted if amended as suggested herein. H.R. 1563 |