Congressman Cleaver Applauds Funding for WWI Centennial Commission

Statement

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is proud to announce the inclusion of $3 million for the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission (WWICC) in the draft of the Department of the Interior FY 2019 Appropriations Bill.

The World War I Centennial Commission was created in 2013 by an Act of Congress, sponsored by Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) to honor, educate and commemorate soldiers and participants of World War I.

"This funding will allow the WWICC to continue their mission of honoring the sacrifices of our WWI veterans," said Congressman Cleaver. "Over 4.7 million men and women served our nation in uniform and over 116,000 Americans gave their lives in defense of liberty." Earlier this year, the WWICC received $7 million from the Omnibus Spending Bill for FY2018. That funding is dedicated to educational efforts in all 50 states during the centennial.

Congressman Cleaver has been a long-time supporter of WWI commemoration efforts. He was the co-author of the 2014 WWI American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. The coin was struck this past November. In addition, the National World War I Museum and Memorial is located in Kansas City, MO.

After the war, local Kansas Citians joined to together to raise over $2 million to create that lasting monument. In 1921, more than 100,000 people gathered to see General Pershing and the supreme Allied commanders dedicate the site of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.

Congressman Cleaver attended the ground breaking for a second national WWI memorial to be located at Pershing Park in our nation's capital. Commemoration events are scheduled throughout the next year nationwide to educate American citizens about the causes and consequences of the "war to end all wars" and to honor the heroism and sacrifices of those Americans who served.

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