Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I will begin by thanking my friend and colleague, the chair of the Committee on House Administration, Chairman Steil, for his leadership, his friendship, and for helping us get this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 469. This bipartisan legislation would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to bury a time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, to be opened on our Nation's 500th anniversary in the year 2276.

As my colleague and friend has indicated, the items in the capsule will be determined by bipartisan, bicameral congressional leaders. It will include written materials relating to the anniversary, representations of notable legislative and institutional milestones, and a message from this Congress to future colleagues in the 244th Congress. It seems remarkable.

The upcoming anniversary marks a powerful testament to the resilience of the American experiment. Our Nation has faced countless tests to our strength and unity, including a civil war, two world wars, natural disasters, and more. Yet, through each challenge, this country has stood and remains committed to fulfilling the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago.

As we navigate a time of deep division, partisanship, and growing threats to the values that sustain our democracy, this anniversary serves as a reminder to our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality championed by our Founders.

I extend my thanks to the Semiquincentennial Commission for its leadership in planning for this momentous occasion, and I particularly commend my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, for her introduction of this measure.

I also acknowledge the service of a fellow New Yorker, former Representative Joseph Crowley, who has lent his time and talents to the work of the Commission, as well.

I look forward to seeing the items chosen for the time capsule, and I commend my colleagues to recommend that they support this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I note that, last year on the floor, when we passed the bill in the House, I committed to being here when the capsule is opened, so I hope we pass it this year because I am not getting any younger. It is going to be hard to hold on that long, but I am committed to doing it.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank our chairman for his work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, was an essential milestone in the progress of all humanity toward a more fair, just, and democratic society. It is work that continues to this day. As we reflect upon the last 250 years of progress toward these ideals, we must impart the lessons that we have learned to future generations.

As a cofounder and co-chair of the America 250 Caucus, along with my co-chairs, Mr. Evans, Mr. Aderholt, and Ms. Salazar, it is an honor to see this legislation come forward today as just one small part of our Nation's 250th anniversary celebration.

This bill will authorize, as we have heard, the Architect of the Capitol to create a time capsule and have it buried on the West Lawn, to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, the Nation's 500th anniversary.

The contents will include items that represent important legislation and institutional milestones of Congress, a message from the 119th Congress to the 244th Congress, and other items that reflect our history.

No one here today will see it when it is opened, but an old Greek proverb states: ``A society grows great when the old plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.''

The body does its best work when we don't seek fame or followers, renown or retweets, but rather when we work so that distant generations of Americans for whom our names will be mere footnotes will enjoy the fruits of our work here today.

This bill passed last Congress, and I certainly look forward to its passage again today. I am honored to be able to speak to this piece of legislation today.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of our colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am delighted that we are able to pass both of these bills, hopefully unanimously. I think that shows our work together on this committee on two important pieces of really remembering our legacy and our history. Hopefully this helps us to keep that in mind as we continue to navigate these difficult waters and, hopefully to our posterity, that they will remember these moments of people coming together to honor our Founders and to honor our future.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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