Bush Signs Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Bill

[melody1181]

Thought this might be of some intrest to some of ya'll.

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President Bush Signs Visitor Center Bill


PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER BILL INTO
LAW

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 18, 2003 ? As the final step in a long
legislative
process, President George W. Bush signed a bill yesterday to authorize
the
design and construction of a visitor center at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial,
announced Jan C. Scruggs, Founder and President, Vietnam Veterans
Memorial
Fund.

President Bush signed H.R. 1442 yesterday ensuring the creation of the
center
which will not only honor the memory of Vietnam veterans, but most
importantly
will educate visitors of the sacrifices our veterans have made in the
name of
freedom. The House and Senate unanimously approved the bill earlier
this month
after ironing out differences between previous versions of the
legislation.

?We are grateful to President Bush for authorizing the construction of
the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center, therefore guaranteeing that
future
generations will better understand the principles of service, sacrifice
and
patriotism,? Scruggs said. ?This addition to the Memorial is a tribute
to the
three million men and women who served in the Vietnam War and will
transform
The Wall that heals into The Wall that educates.?

Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE), one of the bill?s biggest supporters, first
introduced the Visitor Center bill in September 2000 along with fellow
Vietnam
veteran Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and John McCain (R-AZ). After being
stalled
in the 106th and 107th sessions, Senators Hagel, Kerry and McCain along
with
House Resources Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA), Vice Chairman Jim
Gibbons (R-
NV) and Ranking Member Nick Rahall (D-WV) have been instrumental in the
bill?s
progress through the 108th Congress.

Said Senator Hagel: ?The Vietnam War was a defining moment in American
history. [Yesterday] marks a historic step to create a Visitor Center
so
everyone will be able to have a greater understanding and appreciation
for
those who served in the Vietnam War and those who serve in America's
Armed
Forces. The Visitor Center will help provide lessons in history for
future
generations.?

Chairman Pombo said: ?I can think of no better way to honor the
memories of
the brave men and women who served our country in the war than to
create a
Visitor Center to educate our youth of their sacrifices.?

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center will provide a
thought-provoking
educational experience with exhibits working in synergy with the
Memorial. The
facility will feature photographs of those who were killed or remain
missing,
some of the more than 60,000 items that have been left at The Wall and
other
engaging displays that will be developed over the next year.

The Memorial Fund will be responsible for raising the funds to build
the
Visitor Center, which will cost more than $13 million and take about
three
years to complete. No federal funds will be used for the Visitor
Center.
Between 1980-1982, the Memorial Fund raised $8.4 million to build The
Wall
with contributions from individuals, veterans organizations,
foundations and
corporations.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the most visited memorial in the
nation?s
capital with more than four million visitors each year. It is dedicated
to all
who served with U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and its black
granite
panels are inscribed with the names of the 58,235 men and women who
made the
ultimate sacrifice.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the
non-profit
organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in
Washington, D.C. Today, through a series of outreach programs, the
organization works to preserve the legacy of The Wall, to promote
healing and
to educate about the impact of the Vietnam War.

Thanks for posting that.Just hope that it's well done and that they don't plan on raising the rest of the money by chargeing and entry fee.