Hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on National Parks - In Support of the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act (S. 2097)

Statement

Opening Statement

Chairman Udall, Ranking Member Burr, distinguished colleagues, thank you for the opportunity to discuss S. 2097, the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act. For far too long, the sacrifices of American World War I veterans have gone unrecognized on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Senator Rockefeller, Senator Webb and I introduced this legislation to provide proper recognition, which is long overdue.

The Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act would rededicate the existing District of Columbia War Memorial as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The act is named for Frank Buckles of West Virginia, who at 108 years of age is the last surviving American World War I veteran.

While the United States was in World War I for only 18 months, the war had profound effects on our nation. Without question, World War I thrust the U.S. onto the world stage. The U.S. lost over 100,000 brave men fighting the war, more than both the Korean War and Vietnam War combined.

Today, memorials on our National Mall rightfully honor the men and women who served and sacrificed during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. However, nowhere on the National Mall do we recognize the service and sacrifices of all American World War I veterans -- veterans like Frank Buckles.

At 108 years old, Frank Buckles is the last surviving American World War I veteran. He joined the Army at the age of 16 and served in Europe during World War I, driving ambulances and motorcycles for a casualty detachment.

Mr. Buckles is also the Honorary Chairman of the World War I Memorial Foundation, which is seeking refurbishment of the District of Columbia War Memorial and its establishment as the National World War I Memorial on the National Mall. S. 2097, The Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act will help to make this vision a reality.

The District of Columbia War Memorial honors the 499 District of Columbia residents who died in World War I. This legislation would rededicate the District of Columbia memorial as the "National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial." The legislation would also authorize the non-profit World War I Memorial Foundation to make repairs and improvements to the existing memorial, as well as install new sculptures or other commemorations at the memorial to underscore the sacrifice of over 4 million Americans who served in World War I.

The bill would not require any taxpayer dollars because the World War I Memorial Foundation would raise the necessary funds through private donations.

All of the major wars our nation has fought in the 20th century are memorialized on the National Mall. Rededicating the District of Columbia World War I Memorial as the National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial fits the narrative of the Mall, with its wonderful memorials to World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. I think it only makes sense to rededicate a memorial to this twentieth century war that established our nation's path to superpower status among the community of nations. I can think of no better way to honor Mr. Buckles and his departed comrades than by passing this bill which would provide long overdue recognition of all World War I veterans in our nation's capital.

Thank you for holding this hearing today. I look forward to working with this subcommittee and my colleagues to pass this bill.

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