Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, the Vietnam War spanned twenty years with nearly 60,000 American soldiers' lives lost. Many others served in this war and either came back wounded or were changed forever. Simply put, this war shaped an entire generation. It is imperative that we honor and commemorate this generation of American service members who sacrificed their livelihood, and in some cases their lives, for the sake of their Nation.

I firmly believe that history is our greatest teacher. In an attempt to venerate and educate the American public of the sacrifices American soldiers made in Vietnam, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was founded. Dedicated in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial spans over 493 feet with the names of fallen servicemen and women inscribed into the black granite. Each year millions come to pay their respects at The Wall.

To further commemorate the sacrifices made by American soldiers, the Education Center at The Wall will be added as an addition to the Memorial. It will aid in the continual education of the sacrifices made in the Vietnam War, so that all who visit may learn from this period of history and pass it on to the generations to come.

The Education Center at The Wall will be an underground center, located near The Wall. The proposed center will show the faces of each soldier whose name is on the wall, showcase some of the artifacts left behind at The Wall, and highlight the inspiration of the monument designer Maya Lin.

In 2003, Congress authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) to raise funds to construct a visitor and education center. The funds needed to complete this project must be completely raised by private donations. The project is estimated to cost approximately $130 million and after fifteen years of fundraising, the VVMF still needs a few extra years to raise the needed capital.

I am proud to introduce the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Extension Act along with my colleague, Senator Duckworth. This bill will extend the authorization for an additional four years until 2022, to allow VVMF the time they need to complete this important project to honor those who served and died in Vietnam.

It is imperative that we continually educate the American public and all who visit about those who served and sacrificed for their country during the Vietnam War. The Education Center at The Wall will allow for this unique educational opportunity. I ask my colleagues to join Senator Duckworth and me in supporting this bipartisan effort.

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