America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1945) to designate the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1945

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Fulton, Missouri.

(2) College.--The term ``College'' means Westminster College, located at 501 Westminster Avenue in the City.

(3) Landmark.--The term ``Landmark'' means the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark designated by section 3(a).

(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Missouri. SEC. 3. AMERICA'S NATIONAL CHURCHILL MUSEUM NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK.

(a) Designation.--America's National Churchill Museum located at the College, including the Winston Churchill Memorial listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is designated as the ``America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark''.

(b) Cooperative Agreements.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the State, the City, and the College, may enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate public or private entities, for the purposes of--

(A) protecting historic resources at the Landmark; and

(B) providing educational and interpretive facilities and programs at the Landmark for the public.

(2) Technical and financial assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to any entity with which the Secretary has entered into a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1).

(c) No Effect on Actions of Property Owners.--Designation of the America's National Churchill Museum as a National Historic Landmark shall not prohibit any actions that may otherwise be taken by a property owner (including the College and any other owner of the Landmark) with respect to the property of the owner.

(d) No Effect on Administration.--Nothing in this section affects the administration of the Landmark by the State, the City, or the College. SEC. 4. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a special resource study of the Landmark.

(b) Contents.--In conducting the study under this section, the Secretary shall--

(1) evaluate the national significance of the Landmark;

(2) determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Landmark as a unit of the National Park System;

(3)(A) consider alternatives to that designation for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of the Landmark by the Federal Government, the State, the City and other affected units of local government, or private and nonprofit organizations (including the College); and

(B) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, interpretation, operation, and maintenance associated with the alternatives described in subparagraph (A); and

(4) consult with interested Federal agencies, the State, the City and other affected units of local government, private and nonprofit entities (including the College), and other interested individuals.

(c) Requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct the study under this section in accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.

(d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date on which funds are first made available to carry out the study under this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes--

(1) the results of the study; and

(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 1945.

I rise in support of H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Onder).

This bill recognizes a place of global consequence in the heart of small-town America: America's National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri.

On March 6, 1946, on the heels of a devastating world war, Sir Winston Churchill traveled to Fulton to deliver an address that foreshadowed the next stage of America's global conflict against evil. In his now- famous speech, ``Sinews of Peace,'' Churchill warned that an Iron Curtain had descended across Europe and urged a new Western alliance against the aggression of the totalitarian Soviet Union.

For five decades, the museum in Fulton has conserved the speech's history and allowed the public to experience that pivotal moment. It is also home to a remarkable structure, the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, a 12th century church which was transported from London to Fulton in the 1960s to commemorate Churchill's speech. Today, the entire site serves as a civic center of engagement and educational programming that brings to life the story of Winston Churchill.

H.R. 1945 builds on that historic legacy. Representative Onder's bill would designate America's National Churchill Museum as a national historic landmark. In doing so, the museum would be able to enter into cooperative agreements with the National Park Service to protect historic resources and support public programming. This is a simple bill that strengthens stewardship of a unique historical site without adding to the Federal estate.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1945, the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

H.R. 1945 does ensure that America's National Churchill Museum receives recognition equal to its educational impact and importance to 20th century history.

Designating the site as a national historic landmark will bring further prominence to the special place and allow future generations of Americans to learn about the moment that marked the start of the Cold War and the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. I commend Representative Onder for his leadership on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this very important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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