[House Hearing, 108 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
H.R. 1442, TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A VISITOR
CENTER FOR THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
=======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE FIELD HEARING
before the
SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, RECREATION, AND PUBLIC LANDS
of the
COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
May 21, 2003 on the National Mall, Washington, D.C.
__________
Serial No. 108-21
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Resources
Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/
house
or
Committee address: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov
______
83-959 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2003
____________________________________________________________________________
For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Internet: bookstore.gpr.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; (202) 512�091800
Fax: (202) 512�092250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402�090001
COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES
RICHARD W. POMBO, California, Chairman
NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia, Ranking Democrat Member
Don Young, Alaska Dale E. Kildee, Michigan
W.J. ``Billy'' Tauzin, Louisiana Eni F.H. Faleomavaega, American
Jim Saxton, New Jersey Samoa
Elton Gallegly, California Neil Abercrombie, Hawaii
John J. Duncan, Jr., Tennessee Solomon P. Ortiz, Texas
Wayne T. Gilchrest, Maryland Frank Pallone, Jr., New Jersey
Ken Calvert, California Calvin M. Dooley, California
Scott McInnis, Colorado Donna M. Christensen, Virgin
Barbara Cubin, Wyoming Islands
George Radanovich, California Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Walter B. Jones, Jr., North Jay Inslee, Washington
Carolina Grace F. Napolitano, California
Chris Cannon, Utah Tom Udall, New Mexico
John E. Peterson, Pennsylvania Mark Udall, Colorado
Jim Gibbons, Nevada, Anibal Acevedo-Vila, Puerto Rico
Vice Chairman Brad Carson, Oklahoma
Mark E. Souder, Indiana Raul M. Grijalva, Arizona
Greg Walden, Oregon Dennis A. Cardoza, California
Thomas G. Tancredo, Colorado Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam
J.D. Hayworth, Arizona George Miller, California
Tom Osborne, Nebraska Edward J. Markey, Massachusetts
Jeff Flake, Arizona Ruben Hinojosa, Texas
Dennis R. Rehberg, Montana Ciro D. Rodriguez, Texas
Rick Renzi, Arizona Joe Baca, California
Tom Cole, Oklahoma Betty McCollum, Minnesota
Stevan Pearce, New Mexico
Rob Bishop, Utah
Devin Nunes, California
VACANCY
Steven J. Ding, Chief of Staff
Lisa Pittman, Chief Counsel
James H. Zoia, Democrat Staff Director
Jeffrey P. Petrich, Democrat Chief Counsel
------
SUBCOMMITTEE ON NATIONAL PARKS, RECREATION, AND PUBLIC LANDS
GEORGE P. RADANOVICH, California, Chairman
DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN, Virgin Islands, Ranking Democrat Member
Elton Gallegly, California Dale E. Kildee, Michigan
John J. Duncan, Jr., Tennessee Ron Kind, Wisconsin
Wayne T. Gilchrest, Maryland Tom Udall, New Mexico
Barbara Cubin, Wyoming Mark Udall, Colorado
Walter B. Jones, Jr., North Anibal Acevedo-Vila, Puerto Rico
Carolina Raul M. Grijalva, Arizona
Chris Cannon, Utah Dennis A. Cardoza, California
John E. Peterson, Pennsylvania Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Guam
Jim Gibbons, Nevada Nick J. Rahall II, West Virginia,
Mark E. Souder, Indiana ex officio
Rob Bishop, Utah
Richard W. Pombo, California, ex
officio
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on May 21, 2003..................................... 1
Statement of Members:
Bordallo, Hon. Madeleine Z., a Delegate in Congress from the
Territory of Guam.......................................... 6
Christensen, Hon. Donna M., a Delegate in Congress from the
Territory of the Virgin Islands............................ 5
Pombo, Hon. Richard W., a Representative in Congress from the
State of California........................................ 3
Prepared statement of.................................... 4
Radanovich, Hon. George P., a Representative in Congress from
the State of California.................................... 2
Prepared statement of.................................... 3
Rahall, Hon. Nick J. II, a Representative in Congress from
the State of West Virginia, Prepared statement of.......... 6
Udall, Hon. Tom, a Representative in Congress from the State
of New Mexico.............................................. 7
Statement of Witnesses:
Cullinan, Dennis, Legislative Director, Veterans of Foreign
Wars, Washington, DC....................................... 34
Prepared statement of.................................... 34
Duvall, Robert, Actor, Middleburg, Virginia.................. 8
Prepared statement of.................................... 9
Jones, Rick, Legislative Director, AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland.. 32
Prepared statement of.................................... 32
Karnow, Stanley, Pulitzer-Prize Winner and Author, Potomac,
Maryland................................................... 17
Prepared statement of.................................... 18
Kimsey, James, Founding CEO and Chairman Emeritus, America
Online, Inc., Washington, DC............................... 14
Prepared statement of.................................... 16
Oxendine, Dorothy, National President, American Gold Star
Mothers, Inc., Washington, DC.............................. 30
Prepared statement of.................................... 31
Prichard, Peter, President, The Freedom Forum, Arlington,
Virginia................................................... 10
Prepared statement of.................................... 12
Scruggs, Jan, Founder and President, Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund, Washington, DC.............................. 26
Prepared statement of.................................... 28
Smith, P. Daniel, Special Assistant to the Director, National
Park Service, Washington, DC............................... 40
Prepared statement of.................................... 42
LEGISLATIVE FIELD HEARING ON H.R. 1442, TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION OF A VISITOR CENTER FOR THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
----------
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
U.S. House of Representatives
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands
Committee on Resources
National Mall, Washington, DC
----------
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m., on
the Mall, Hon. George Radanovich [Chairman of the Subcommittee]
presiding.
Present: Representatives Radanovich, Peterson, Gibbons,
Christensen, Tom Udall, Cardoza, and Bordallo.
Also Present: Representatives Pombo and Hunter.
Mr. Radanovich. Good morning. The Subcommittee on National
Parks, Recreation and Public Lands will come to order. I want
to welcome everybody to the first ever congressional hearing in
the core memorial area of West Potomac Park and the National
Mall. Thank you for being here. Sorry we couldn't do better
with the weather, but thank God we have a tent.
Before I make my opening statement, I would like to thank
the National Park Service, the National Park Police, and the
House Sergeant at Arms for their help in making this historic
hearing possible.
First, though, we will have a presentation of the colors
presented by the U.S. Park Police.
[Colors presentation.]
Rev. Coughlin. As we gather here so close to the sacred
wall that nobly bears the honored names of women and men who
gave their lives in the Vietnam War, we are moved once again to
mourn their loss with their comrades and families. Yet we stand
strong and are invigorated by their witness of bravery and
patriotism. And this we give credit to all the veterans in that
memorable conflict.
Lord, our faces and the present life of America is mirrored
on this commanding tablet. Let us never forget. Help us to
deepen our wisdom because of its lessons and inspire a new
generation of generous and committed Americans.
As we approach the Nation's Memorial Day, we remember all
veterans of all wars who defend this country and stand for
freedom. Strengthen now our efforts of homeland security and
fortify young men and women in military service. Change the
hearts of people around the world that we might overcome all
prejudice and negative thinking and be instruments in Your
hands to build a world of peace and security. This we pray, for
we seek your blessing now and always. Amen.
Mr. Radanovich. I want to recognize the Agnon Middle School
from Beechwood, Ohio, the seventh grade class, who let us in
the Pledge of Allegiance. And, also, I want to recognize
Reverend Daniel Coughlin, the Chaplain for the House of
Representatives, who, of course, led us in prayer. Thank you
very much to all of you who participated in the ceremony.
Before I begin my testimony, it is--or allow you to begin
your testimony, it is customary at congressional hearings, as
is the custom, I would ask the witnesses to stand and take the
oath, please. If you would please stand and raise your right
hands?
[Witnesses sworn.]
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much. You may be seated, and
we will begin the testimony. Let the record show that all those
who have testified have answered in the affirmative.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. Radanovich. This morning, the Subcommittee will receive
testimony on H.R. 1442, legislation sponsored by the Committee
Chairman Richard Pombo, of California, which would authorize
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to design a construct a
visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Many in the
audience may not be aware, but back in 1979, Congress
authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to raise the
necessary funds to build a Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The fund
met its goal, raising over $8 million, and on November 13,
1982, the Wall was open to the public.
Today, over 4.4 million people annually visit the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, the most visited Memorial in our Nation's
capital. Some come to the Wall that heals to sketch the name of
their fallen mother or father, brother or sister on a piece of
paper, while others come for a solemn moment with a fallen
comrade.
Whatever the reason, the magnificent Wall behind me has
come to represent so much to so many who visit it, and I
believe most would agree that it has also become the quietest
place in our Nation's capital.
Today, 58,235 names are inscribed on the Memorial, and
while the names send a strong statement to many, others who
were not born or who were very young during the Vietnam era may
today walk away from the Memorial with more questions than
answers.
With that, I yield to the Chairman of the Resources
Committee, my Chairman, Mr. Richard Pombo, for his opening
statement.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Radanovich follows:]
Statement of The Honorable George Radanovich, Chairman,
Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands
Good Morning. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and
Public Lands will come to order. I want to welcome everyone to the
first ever Congressional hearing in the core memorial area of West
Potomac Park and the National Mall.
Before I make my opening statement, I would like to thank the
National Park Service, the National Park Police and the House Sergeant
at Arms for their help in making this historic hearing possible.
First, we will have the Presentation of the Colors presented by the
U.S. Park Police [ Wait for Presentation].
Now, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance, led by the Seventh
Grade Class of the Agnon School from Beechwood, Ohio. Would everyone
please stand.
Now, Reverend Daniel Coughlin, the Chaplin for the House of
Representatives will lead us in prayer.
Thank you all for your participation in out opening ceremony.
This morning the Subcommittee will receive testimony on H.R. 1442,
legislation sponsored by our Committee Chairman Richard Pombo of
California, which would authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to
design and construct a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial.
Many in the audience may not be aware but back in 1979 Congress
authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to raise the necessary
funds to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Fund met its goal--
raising over $8 million, and on November 13, 1982, The Wall was opened
to the public.
Today, over 4.4 million people annually visit the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial--the most visited memorial in our Nation's capital. Some come
to ``The Wall That Heals'' to sketch the name of their fallen mother or
father, brother or sister on a piece of paper while others come for a
solemn moment with a fallen comrade. Whatever the reason, the
magnificent Wall behind me has come to represent so much to so many who
visit it. I believe most would agree it has also become the quietest
place in our Nation's Capital.
Today, 58,235 names are inscribed on the memorial. While the names
send a strong statement to many, to others who were not born or who
were very young during the Vietnam era, may today walk away from the
Memorial with more questions than answers.
With that, I yield to the Chairman of the Resources Committee, Mr.
Pombo for his opening Statement.
______
STATEMENT OF THE HON. RICHARD W. POMBO, A REPRESENTATIVE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Shortly after becoming the Chairman of the Resources
Committee, I was approached by a number of Vietnam veteran
organizations asking for my help in making their long sought
after vision of a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial a reality. This is a common-sense idea. I decided to
introduce the legislation before us today because I believe too
many visitors to this great Wall behind us walk away not truly
knowing the impact the Vietnam War had on our country, the men
and women who fought in Vietnam and the lives of those families
who lost their mothers and fathers, sons and daughter.
While I was only a child when the war began, I was a
teenager in 1975 when I watched on television as the last of
our troops and hundreds of civilians were airlifted from the
roof of our Embassy in Saigon. I remember a country at war with
itself and no homecoming for those men and women who had spent
months and years fighting in the most horrendous conditions for
the freedom you and I enjoy today.
Simply put, I believe the Vietnam War represents more than
58,000-plus names on the Wall. Their stories deserve to be
told, as well as the thousands of other stories that were tied
to the war and its long-term effects on our Nation.
I think the Vietnam Veterans Memorial should offer the
visitor a more comprehensive understanding as to why America
first got involved in Vietnam in the early 1950's and committed
to the conflict until 1975. I believe I am correct when I say
that the Vietnam War represents the country's longest military
campaign. It spanned six Presidential administrations, involved
over 3 million Americans in the Southeast Asia theater, and
sacrificed the lives of 52,235 Americans.
Before the hearing, I stood at the Wall and read the
inscription, which reads: ``In honor of the men and women of
the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam
War.'' The names of those who gave their lives and those who
remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from
us. I believe they deserve more.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I will yield back so that we
may continue with the hearing.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Pombo follows:]
Statement of The Honorable Richard Pombo, Chairman,
Committee on Resources
Thank You, Mr. Chairman
Shortly after becoming Chairman of the Resources Committee, I was
approached by a number of Vietnam veteran organizations asking for my
help in making their long sought-after vision of a visitor center for
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a reality.
This is a common-sense idea. I decided to introduce the legislation
before us today because I believe too many visitors to this great Wall
behind us walk away not truly knowing the impact the Vietnam War had on
our country, the men and women who fought in Vietnam, and the lives of
those families who lost their mothers and fathers, sons and daughters.
While I was only a child when the war began, I was a teenager in
1975 when I watched on television as the last our troops and hundreds
of civilians were airlifted from the roof the our embassy in Saigon. I
remember a country at war with itself and no homecoming for those men
and women who had spent months and years fighting in the most
horrendous conditions for the freedom you and I enjoy today.
Simply put, I believe the Vietnam War represents more than 58,000-
plus names on The Wall. Their stories deserve to be told as well as the
thousands of other stories that were tied to the War and its long-term
effects on our Nation.
I think the Vietnam Veterans Memorial should offer the visitor a
more comprehensive understanding as to why America first got involved
in Vietnam in the early 1950's and committed to the conflict until
1975. I believe I am correct when I say that the Vietnam War represents
the country's longest military campaign--it spanned six Presidential
Administrations, involved over 3 million Americans in the Southeast
Asia Theater, and sacrificed the lives of 52,235 Americans.
Before the hearing I stood at The Wall and read the inscription
which reads...``In honor of the men and women of the armed forces of
the United States who served in the Vietnam war. The names of those who
gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the
order they were taken from us.''
I believe they deserve more.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I yield back my time.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Before turning time over to Mrs. Christensen, I would ask
unanimous consent that members not on the Committee be
permitted to sit on the dais for the hearing. Without
objection, so ordered.
I now turn to the Ranking Member from the Virgin Islands,
Mrs. Christensen, for any opening statement she may have.
STATEMENT OF THE HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN, A DELEGATE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE TERRITORY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
Mrs. Christensen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you
for calling this hearing right here on the Memorial grounds.
And you have made history many times in my association with you
on this Committee, and this is another one.
First, I want to take the opportunity to welcome the young
people who have joined us and the veterans and the
representatives of the veterans organizations, and to thank all
of our distinguished witnesses for their time and effort to be
here today. I know that you are all here because the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial is very important to all of you, and I know
we are all looking forward to hearing what the panelists before
us have to say about the proposal to build the visitor center
here.
Let me also say that while the logistics can be a bit
complicated, allowing members to see the actual area on the
National Mall that would be affected by this proposal is
invaluable, and I am very happy that we are able to hold a
meeting here.
Any potential changes to this Memorial must be considered
very carefully. This Wall is an incredibly powerful tool for
reconciliation and healing. It is also a permanent record of
sacrifice and loss. Millions of Americans feel a deep personal
connection to this Wall, and we are its stewards. We must
consider this and any other proposals affecting memorials on
the Mall carefully.
My own personal experience in coming here with my husband,
a Vietnam War veteran, for his first time more than 30 years
after his service was a very moving one. And I wonder if a
visitor center nearby would not have taken away from that
awesome, peaceful, uncluttered moment when you are just there
with the Wall, and even the people around you disappear--just
you and the Wall with all its deep meaning and poignant
memories.
I am not sure I would want to change that, but I am willing
to listen to those for whom the Memorial is really an up-front
and very, very personal experience.
In this instance, a visitor center would allow the National
Park Service and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to provide
visitors to this Wall a context that might further their
understanding of the war. For many of the younger visitors
here, this list of more than 58,000 names inscribed on black
granite is certainly moving, but their personal understanding
of and connection to the events surrounding this conflict are
limited. A small underground visitor center could become a
powerful tool in expanding visitors' connection with this
Memorial and with its subject matter.
Certainly there are technical details to be considered. How
best to design and construct this proposed center so that it
will not intrude upon this or any other memorial on the Mall,
as well as how best to fund, staff, and maintain the center if
it is built must all be explored. However, these issues can and
will be resolved, and today's hearing will be very, very
helpful in that process.
Again, I want to thank our witnesses here today, and we
look forward to your invaluable input. And, Mr. Chairman, I
would like to ask unanimous consent to enter the statement of
the Ranking Member of the full Committee, one of the original
cosponsors, Congressman Nick Rahall, into the record.
Mr. Radanovich. There being no objection, so ordered.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Rahall follows:]
Statement of The Honorable Nick J. Rahall II, Ranking Member,
Committee on Resources
Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1442, sponsored by our Full Committee Chairman,
Mr. Pombo, authorizes the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund, the
organization that designed and built the Vietnam Memorial, to design
and construct a Visitor Center for the Wall as well. As an original
cosponsor of this measure, along with my friend Jack Murtha, I fully
support this legislation and am pleased that you are holding this
important hearing today.
While the Vietnam War was a difficult, divisive and bloody chapter
in American history, the Memorial to those who served during that war
has become a catalyst for reconciliation and healing.
At the time of its construction, many wondered if such a simple,
stark memorial was appropriate and even those who fully supported Maya
Lin's brilliant design could never have imagined the powerful effects
this Wall would come to have.
Millions of visitors each year leave millions of heartfelt tributes
at the wall but, more important, each visitor leaves having been
touched forever by their visit.
However, as the war itself fades further into our history, more and
more of the visitors to the Wall have no personal connection with
Vietnam. We should encourage young people, born after the war, to visit
the Wall and learn about the sacrifice involved in defending democracy.
And we should continue to hope that these young people will have no
personal experiences of war.
At the same time, however, these younger visitors must be provided
some context for their visit. A small, underground visitor center at
the Wall will allow people some understanding of the circumstances
surrounding the Vietnam War and provide a glimpse of the intense
emotions so many Americans still feel when Vietnam is mentioned.
In addition, this visitor center proposal is particularly
appropriate given the vast collection of items left at the Wall, some
of which could be displayed in this new facility.
The Wall memorializes the more than 58,000 men and women who, as
President Lincoln said about a different group of soldiers, gave the
``last full measure of devotion'' for this nation.
But the Wall has always been about those who survived the war and
those who seek to understand the war years later, as well. The addition
of this visitor center will provide an important new tool in
accomplishing each of these valuable missions.
I want to thank our witnesses for their time and effort to be here
today and I look forward to continuing our efforts to see H.R. 1442
enacted.
______
Mrs. Christensen. Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mrs. Christensen.
Are there any others on the panel wishing to make an
opening statement before we go to the witnesses? Ms. Bordallo?
STATEMENT OF THE HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, A DELEGATE IN
CONGRESS FROM THE TERRITORY OF GUAM
Ms. Bordallo. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I am
representing the Territory of Guam. I am a proud cosponsor of
this legislation and believe it is important for us to
authorize the establishment of a visitor and interpretive
center to complement the Memorial Wall.
This center will stand to educate generations of young
Americans, and we must ensure that the war experience, the
honor, the service, and the sacrifice of our veterans is
remembered for generations to come.
Guam contributed in high numbers in the Vietnam War and
endured the most military casualties of native sons per capita
in the United States.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank the witnesses
who have come here to testify today, and I look forward to
their testimonies.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Ms. Bordallo.
Any other members wishing to make any statement? Mr. Udall?
STATEMENT OF THE HON. TOM UDALL, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
FROM THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
Mr. Tom Udall. I am very interested in hearing the
witnesses, so I am just going to be very brief.
I think that there are individuals that are here that have
worked a long time to see this wall become a reality, and I
applaud them for their efforts. I, too, as our Ranking Member
here said, want to hear the proposals consider them carefully,
and do everything we can within the structure that is
applicable today to make this a reality.
So thank you to all of you for coming, and I would waive
any further time so we can get to this distinguished panel of
witnesses we have.
I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Udall.
Anybody else wish to make an opening statement? If not, we
will go right to our panel. I want to thank the gentlemen for
being here today to testify on this issue.
As is customary in hearings, we usually have a little clock
here. Actually, it is not a clock. It is a set of lights, just
like a traffic light. Green means go, yellow means speed up,
and red means stop. So we are going to try to abide by the 5-
minute rule, although I want to make sure that every
information that is necessary to get into the record is had. So
if you can abide by the clock, I won't gavel you down or
anything, but I might remind you if you go quite far beyond.
And if you don't mind, I may interrupt some folks during
the hearing because of the jets going overhead if it gets to be
a little bit too loud and if I think that people aren't able to
hear. I think we got a good mike system. I think we will be OK,
but just in case, I want to let you know.
Joining us today is Mr. Robert Duvall, who is an actor,
from Middleburg, Virginia; also Mr. Stanley Karnow, who is a
Pulitzer Prize journalist from Potomac, Maryland; Mr. James
Kimsey, founding CEO and Chairman Emeritus of America Online,
from Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Peter Prichard, who is the
President of the Freedom Forum in Arlington, Virginia.
Gentlemen, again, thank you very, very much. We will start
with 5 minutes' testimony from each, and then we will open up
the panel for questions by the members. So, Mr. Duvall, welcome
very much, and thank you for being here. And if you would like
to begin your testimony, we would be anxious to hear it.
STATEMENT OF ROBERT DUVALL, ACTOR,
MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
Mr. Duvall. Mr. Chairman and members of the House Resources
Committee, I am honored to be here, and I am honored to show my
support for a visitor center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
I am the son of a career naval officer. My father first went
into the United States Naval Academy when he was just 16 years
old. He was the youngest of his class, youngest captain in the
Navy during World War II.
I learned love of my country from my father, and the love
of country also made me a veteran of the United States Army. So
love of country, where else can we see this love more vividly
than at this place? Over 58,000 citizens have their names
engraved here. Who is not moved by these names? Who is not
moved by these heroes?
So let us pass this bill. America's youth will someday see
the photographs of the brave soldiers who did their duty for
our country in a privately funded visitor center. This may
become the most profoundly memorable educational experience in
Washington, D.C., as the experience of the center works in
synergy with the Memorial.
This is the third time Congress has tried to pass this
bill. The third time. Mr. Chairman, I salute you for your
dedication to finally getting this job done.
There were those who two decades ago did not want this
Memorial on the Mall, but the wisdom of the Congress prevailed,
thankfully. Now we must complete the task. And as this Memorial
has evolved from ``The Wall That Heals'' to ``The Wall That
Educates,'' America's youth must have the opportunity to learn
patriotism and sacrifice at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Every decent American I know agrees with me when I say
there is nothing to fear in the precedent of educating youth
that will be set by this visitor center. Good education is
never dangerous. Young Americans could and should have learned
about patriotism and sacrifice at the Wall with a visitor
center long ago. I especially thank the President of the United
States and National Park Service Director Fran Mainella for
support of this concept.
Actually, I had a great line from ``Apocalypse Now,'' where
I played Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, and the line was, I
quote--it is not the one that you think it is, but ``Some day
this war is gonna end.''
In a profound sense, the societal impact of that war is not
over. The Vietnam War changed our country and has ongoing
implications for all Americans. Yet here at this sacred site,
those who took opposing views stand united in respect for the
citizens whose names are engraved. And this is where we must
have the visitor centers--right here at the Wall.
This is a historic day, a historic hearing at the site of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A visitor center for America is
closer to becoming a reality.
I was moved at looking at the young people here today. I
think we all are, because future leaders of our country are
here to petition Congress.
There is a visitor center at the Jefferson Memorial and the
Lincoln Memorial, and one is planned for the Washington
Monument as well.
Yet Vietnam veterans have to wage this struggle again and
again for this noble cause. So I am pleased to be a part of it
and again salute the wisdom of this Committee.
The youngsters here deserve to learn; they deserve to learn
right here, not anywhere else but right here. This is what this
hearing is about. It is about America's youth. They are here
today petitioning Congress, so this hearing is about American
democracy.
We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. We
are also a land which is at war with terrorists who want to
destroy our civilization, period. Some of these youngsters may
have to serve as soldiers to defend our Nation in the future.
Hopefully note.
I end today with a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg
Address: ``It is for us the living to be here dedicated to that
cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion--
that we here rightly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain, that this Nation under God shall have a new birth
of freedom and that government of the people, by the people,
and for the people shall not perish from the earth.''
The spirits of the soldiers on this Memorial speak to us
today with the sound of a thousand trumpets as they echo the
words of the prophet Isaiah: ``Open ye the gates that the
righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.''
So I urge all efforts to pass H.R. 1442. Let's bring about
this visitor center. We owe it to those who are on this
Memorial. We owe this to our fellow citizens. We owe it to
those who are too young to know.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Duvall follows:]
Statement of Robert Duvall, Actor, Middleburg, Virginia
Mr. Chairman and Members of the House Resources Committee.
I am honored to show my strong support for a Visitor Center at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I am the son of a career naval officer. He
taught me love of country. That love of country also made me a veteran
of the U.S. Army.
Love of country. Where else can we see this love so vividly than at
this place? Over 58,000 citizens have their names engraved here. Who is
not moved by these names, these heroes?
Let us pass this bill. America's youth will someday see the
photographs of the brave soldiers who did their duty for our country in
a privately funded Visitor Center. This just may become the most
profoundly memorable educational experience in Washington, D.C. as the
experience of the Center works in synergy with the Memorial.
This is the third time Congress has tried to pass this bill. Mr.
Chairman, I salute you for your dedication to finally getting this job
done.
There were those who two decades ago did not want this Memorial on
the Mall. But the wisdom of the Congress prevailed. And thankfully. Now
we must complete the task. As this Memorial has evolved from The Wall
that Heals to The Wall that Educates--America's youth must have the
opportunity to learn patriotism and sacrifice at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial.
Every decent American I know agrees with me when I say there is
nothing to fear in the precedent of educating youth that will be set by
this Visitor Center. Education is never dangerous. Young Americans
could and should have learned about patriotism and sacrifice at The
Wall with a Visitor Center long ago. I especially thank the President
of the United States and National Park Service Director Fran Mainella
for support of this concept.
I had a great line from Apocalypse Now--where I played Lt. Colonel
Kilgore.
The line: ``Some day this war is gonna end.''
In a profound sense the societal impact of the war is not over. The
Vietnam War changed our country and has ongoing implications for all
Americans. Yet here at this sacred site--those who took opposing views
stand united in respect for the citizens whose names are engraved. This
is where we must have the Visitor Center. Right here at The Wall.
This is a historic day. This is a historic hearing at the site of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial--a Visitor Center for America is closer
to becoming a reality.
I am moved as I look at the young people here today--future leaders
of our country are here to petition Congress.
There is a visitor center at the Jefferson Memorial and the Lincoln
Memorial. A visitor center is planned for the Washington Monument as
well.
Yet Vietnam Veterans have to wage this struggle again and again for
this noble cause! I am just so pleased to be a part of it and again
salute the wisdom of this committee.
The youngsters here deserve to learn--they deserve to learn right
here. This is what this hearing is about. It is about America's youth.
They are here today petitioning Congress. This hearing is about
America's youth and understanding our nation's democracy.
We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. We also are
a land which is at war with terrorists who want to destroy our
civilization. Some of these youngsters may have to serve as soldiers to
defend our nation.
I end today with a quote from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address:
``It is for us the living to be here dedicated to that cause for which
they gave their last full measure of devotion--that we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation
under God shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the
people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the
earth.''
The spirits of the soldiers on this Memorial speak to us today with
the sound of a thousand trumpets as they echo the words of the prophet
Isaiah: ``Open ye the gates that the righteous nation which keepeth the
truth may enter in.''
I urge all efforts to pass H.R.1442. Let's bring about this Visitor
Center. We owe it to those who are on this Memorial.
We owe this to our fellow citizens.
We owe it to those who are too young to know.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Duvall.
[Applause.]
Mr. Radanovich. As is customary, there is generally no sign
of reaction to speaking in congressional hearings. I would like
to remind the audience of that as we hear this testimony.
We are going to go right down the line here. Mr. Prichard,
I want to welcome you to the Subcommittee hearing, and if you
would like to begin your testimony, please do so.
STATEMENT OF PETER S. PRICHARD, PRESIDENT,
THE FREEDOM FORUM, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
Mr. Prichard. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is an honor for me to be here today with other Vietnam
veterans, with Members of Congress, and with Gold Star Mothers
and friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to speak in
support of the proposed visitor center, which I believe is an
excellent idea which fills a pressing need.
Although I am speaking strictly for myself today, in my
professional life I am president of the Freedom Forum and the
Newseum, the new interactive museum of news that will open its
new facility at 6th and Pennsylvania in a few years. And I am
also a former editor in chief of USA Today, so I bring the dual
perspectives of a journalist and a museum educator to the
subject.
Today, nearly 30 years after the Vietnam War ended, it is
becoming harder to recall the intense turmoil and the bitter
divisions that war brought to the lives of Americans. If you
will indulge me for a moment, I would like to take you back to
the spring of 1967 and share a moment from my life with you.
I was 22 years old. I was teaching English literature to
high school seniors in western Massachusetts. I had no desire
to teach high school. I was teaching because under the arcane
rules of the Selective Service System of the time, I could
escape the draft. And my motivation, I must confess, was not
exactly a service to my students.
I walked out to my mailbox in Amherst, Massachusetts, on
that fine spring day and found two letters. The first was from
the Peace Corps, accepting me as a volunteer and offering me a
position teaching English on a small island in the Pacific.
Visions of a tropical paradise danced in my head.
The second letter was from General Lewis B. Hershey. He
wrote: Greetings. You must report to an induction center in
Hartford, Connecticut. You have been drafted. I don't believe
that General Hershey signed that letter personally.
Unsure of what to do, I called the Peace Corps and
explained my dilemma. The woman in Washington was very nice,
but firm. She said, ``I am sorry, Mr. Prichard, but the Defense
Department takes precedence in these cases.''
So, despite fears for my safety and ambivalence about the
cause, I reported for duty. I was one of the few Ivy League
graduates to be drafted, which is another commentary on the
unfairness of the Selective Service System of the time. I
served 13 and a half months in Vietnam, most of it in a small
town called Sadec in the Mekong Delta. Although, thank God, I
was not shot at very often, I gained a lifelong respect for the
courage and competence of the American soldier, no matter how
controversial the cause, or how dirty and dangerous the duty.
And although over time I grew to oppose the war and later
publicly questioned the wisdom of our commitment, I learned the
value of service to one's country, even in the most unpopular
of wars. One can disagree with one's country, but still serve
with respect and dedication when called.
Twelve years after I returned from Vietnam, I was a young
editor at a startup newspaper, USA Today. It was Veterans Day
1982, and I read in the Washington Post that on that particular
Saturday there would be a parade of Vietnam veterans marching
down Constitution Avenue to dedicate Washington's newest
memorial, that long black wall that had been so controversial
to build.
The veterans who marched down Constitution that day in
support of the Memorial were a rag-tag, long-haired bunch. They
reminded me of the American rebels of 1776, that ``rabble in
arms'' that secured our independence from the greatest
superpower of that day.
I had grown up in a small Minnesota town near the Canadian
border, Thief River Falls, and when the Minnesota contingent
came marching by that day on Constitution Avenue, it was led by
a high school friend of mine who had been wounded with the 25th
Division. I had not seen him in many years. He was pushing his
buddy in a wheelchair; they had both been blown up when their
armored personnel carrier had been hit by rocket-propelled
grenades.
Forsaking my young family, I jumped off the curb and joined
the parade, marching along together with the other veterans,
swept up in the joy and gratitude of all of the veterans. We
finally felt that our service to our country was beginning to
be recognized. We had fought and served and suffered in the
most unpopular war in American history. More than 58,000 of us
had died. And, finally, we felt some measure of thanks and
appreciation and acknowledgment for our service, thanks to Jan
Scruggs and all of the other determined veterans and people who
got this Wall built.
And today, as many have said, this is the most popular
Memorial in Washington.
But, as Chairman Pombo has observed, more than half of the
visitors to this Memorial were born after the Vietnam War
ended. Many--perhaps most--have little or no knowledge of why
the war was fought, how we became involved, whether we won or
lost or just fought to a draw, and what we learned from one of
the most wrenching American experiences of the 20th century.
And no museum in Washington deals with this subject in any
depth.
What could be more appropriate to redress this gap in our
knowledge and understanding than this visitor center? What
better way could there be to teach our young people and young
people around the world about some of our most precious ideals:
the value of service to one's country, even for an unpopular
cause; the freedom to speak out in a democracy, for or against
any issue; the bravery of those who fought, even when they knew
the American public was ambivalent or antagonistic; and,
finally, the healing that is still needed, for those who lost
loved one, for the veterans who suffered and were forever
changed, and for the Nation to close the wounds that this war
left on the American psyche.
What better place could there be for a visitor center than
here at this sacred wall? Building it here will stimulate
millions of Americans to learn more about the Vietnam War and
the lessons it still teaches us. This is in the best tradition
of our war memorials, which are built so that future
generations will always remember, will never forget, the
sacrifices that were made.
Almost 40 years ago, when I was a Specialist Four hoping to
survive in Vietnam, I found in the PX a paperback book by the
great French journalists, Bernard Fall. That book educated me
about the roots of the conflict. After I read it, I finally
understood something about how I--and the other half a million
Americans on the ground then--had ended up in what many thought
was a quagmire. I was grateful for that book because it brought
me a measure of understanding. If by building a visitor center
in this sacred space we can bring some similar measure of
understanding to the millions of young people who visit this
hallowed ground each year, our capital and our Nation will be
better for it.
Thank you very much.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Prichard follows:]
Statement of Peter S. Prichard, President, The Freedom Forum
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is an honor for me to be here today with other Vietnam Veterans,
with Gold Star Mothers and friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to
speak in support of the proposed Visitors Center, which I think is an
excellent idea which fills a pressing need.
Although I am speaking strictly for myself today, in my
professional life I am the president of the Freedom Forum and the
Newseum, the interactive museum of news that will open its new facility
at Sixth and Pennsylvania in a few years, just across the street from
the National Art Gallery. I am also a former editor-in-chief of USA
TODAY, so I bring the dual perspectives of a journalist and a museum
educator to the subject that is before us today.
Today, nearly three decades after the Vietnam War ended, it is
becoming harder to recall the intense turmoil and the bitter divisions
the war brought to Americans' lives. If you would indulge me for a
moment, I would like to take you back to the spring of 1967, and share
a moment from my life with you. I was twenty-two years old, and I was
teaching English to high school seniors in Western Massachusetts. I had
no desire to teach school; I was teaching because under the arcane
rules of the Selective Service System of the time, I could escape the
draft. My motivation was not exactly a service to my students.
I walked out to my mailbox in Amherst, Massachusetts on that fine
spring day and found two letters. The first was from the Peace Corps,
accepting me as a volunteer and offering me a position teaching English
on a small island in the Pacific. Visions of grass skirts danced in my
head.
The second letter was from Lewis B. Hershey. He wrote: Greetings,
you are to report to an induction center in Hartford, Connecticut. You
have been drafted. I don't believe General Hershey signed the letter
personally.
Unsure of what to do, I called the Peace Corps and explained my
dilemma. The woman in Washington was very nice, but firm. She said,
``I'm sorry, Mr. Prichard, but the Defense Department takes precedence
in these cases.''
So, despite fears for my own safety and deep ambivalence about the
cause, I reported for duty. I was one of the few Ivy League graduates
to be drafted. I served thirteen and a half months in Vietnam, most of
it in a small town called Sadec in the Mekong Delta. Although, thank
God, I was not shot at very much, I gained a lifelong respect for the
courage and competence of the American soldier, no matter how
controversial the cause, or how dirty and dangerous the duty. And
although over time I grew to oppose the war, and later publicly
questioned the wisdom of our commitment, I learned the value of service
to one's country, even in the most unpopular of wars.
Twelve years after I returned from Vietnam, I was a young editor at
a start-up newspaper called USA TODAY. It was Veterans Day, 1982, and I
read in The Washington Post that on that Saturday there would be a
parade of Vietnam Veterans marching down Constitution Avenue to
dedicate Washington's newest memorial, that long black wall that had
been so controversial to build.
The Veterans who marched that day in support of the Memorial were a
rag-tag, long-haired bunch. They reminded me of the American rebels of
1776, that ``rabble in arms'' that secured our independence from the
greatest superpower of that day.
I grew up in a small Minnesota town near the Canadian border called
Thief River Falls, and when the Minnesota contingent came marching by
on Constitution Avenue, it was led by a high school friend of mine who
had been wounded with the 25th Division. He was pushing his buddy in a
wheelchair; they had both been blown up when their armored personnel
carrier had been hit by rocket propelled grenades.
Forsaking my young family, I jumped off the curb and joined the
parade, marching along together with the other veterans, swept up in
the joy and gratitude of all of the veterans. We finally felt that our
service to our country was beginning to be recognized. We had fought
and served and suffered in the most unpopular war in American history.
More than fifty-eight thousand of us had died. And finally, we felt
some measure of thanks and appreciation and acknowledgment for our
service, thanks to Jan Scruggs and all of the other determined people
who got this Wall built.
And today it is the most popular Memorial in Washington, with more
than four million visitors a year.
But, as Chairman Pombo has observed, more than half of the visitors
to this Memorial were born after the Vietnam War ended. Many--perhaps
most--have little or no knowledge of why the war was fought, how we
became involved, whether we won or lost or just fought to a draw, and
what we learned from one of the most wrenching American experiences of
the Twentieth Century. And no museum in Washington deals with this
subject in any depth.
What could be more appropriate to redress this gap in our knowledge
and understanding than this Visitors Center? What better way could
there be to teach our young people, and young people around the world,
about some of our most precious ideals:
LThe value of service to one's country, even for an
unpopular cause;
LThe courage to speak out in a democracy, for or against
any issue;
LThe bravery of those who fought, even when they knew the
American public was ambivalent or antagonistic;
LAnd finally, the healing that is still needed, for those
who lost loved ones, for the veterans who suffered and were forever
changed, and for the nation to close the wounds that this war left on
the American psyche.
What better place could there be for a Visitors Center, than here
at this sacred wall? Building it here will stimulate millions of
Americans to learn more about the Vietnam War and the lessons it
teaches us. This is in the best tradition of war memorials, which are
built so that future generations will always remember, will never
forget, the sacrifices that were made.
Almost forty years ago, when I was a Specialist Four hoping to
survive in Vietnam, I found a paperback book in a PX by the great
French journalist, Bernard Fall. That book educated me about the roots
of the conflict. After I read it, I finally understood something about
how I--and the other 550,000 Americans on the ground then--had ended up
in what many thought was a quagmire. I was grateful for that book,
because it brought me understanding. If, by building a Visitors Center
in this sacred space we can bring some similar measure of understanding
to the millions of young people who visit this hallowed ground each
year, our capital and our nation will be the better for it.
Thank you very much for the privilege of testifying today.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Prichard, thank you very much.
Appreciate your testimony.
Mr. James Kimsey, welcome to the Committee, and if you
would like to begin your testimony as well, you are welcome to
do so.
STATEMENT OF JAMES V. KIMSEY, FOUNDING CEO AND CHAIRMAN
EMERITUS, AMERICA ONLINE, INC., WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Kimsey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a Vietnam veteran,
a graduate of West Point, and a native Washingtonian, I am
honored to be part of these proceedings today. For more than 3
years, I have been actively involved with the efforts by the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to place a visitor center at the
Memorial.
I would like to state for the record that I fully support a
visitor center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Currently I serve as Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Corporate Council, business leaders who represent many
of the world's largest corporations and who all share the
common bond of service in the Vietnam War. The Corporate
Council works to move forward the Memorial Fund's mission of
honoring, healing, and educating through several innovative
outreach programs.
Just over 5 years ago, it was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Corporate Council that brought forward the idea of expanding
the mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to include
the education about the impact of the Vietnam War. What
resulted was a comprehensive curriculum kit featuring a
teachers' guide, books, and other valuable resources. The
educational program, known as ``Echoes from the Wall,'' was
sent free of charge to the Nation's 40,000 secondary schools.
Today, teachers and students throughout the U.S. are
benefiting from the educational programs of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund. But that good start cannot end in
America's classrooms. It must continue when those students
visit our Nation's capital. It must continue when they visit
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This underground visitor center
must be here on this site.
As the founding CEO of America Online, I have been an
ardent supporter of technology and education, and through my
foundation I have been dedicated to helping bring a brighter
future for and tapping into the vast potential of this area's
youth. I sit on numerous boards and lend my support to many
civic and charitable organizations.
Throughout this work, I have had the opportunity to speak
with educators about challenges that they face in today's
classrooms. I have listened carefully to their concerns. One of
their biggest: making history relevant so our young people
understand the principles that helped to build our country and
make it the most powerful in the world.
A few years ago, we commissioned a survey about Vietnam War
education in America's secondary schools. Vietnam, as you have
heard, was the longest war in our Nation's history. It
splintered this country unlike any other in modern history.
But students do not learn about Vietnam. In fact, the
survey found that high school students are taught less about
the Vietnam War than any other major American conflict.
Only one-third of students between the ages 12 and 17 is
taught about the Vietnam War as opposed to nearly two-thirds
who learn about the Revolutionary War and World War II. It also
found that less than two-thirds of students between the ages of
12 and 17 know on which continent Vietnam is located. Thirteen
percent of the students thought that Vietnam was located in
Europe, and 3 percent of the respondents believed Vietnam was
in North America.
Mr. Chairman, as we celebrate the Wall and all that it has
accomplished, we realize there is more to be done. Our most
important mission: educating our children about the war, our
Nation's longest and most divisive conflict.
There are some who have referred to Vietnam veterans as
America's forgotten veterans. I reject that. All you here today
will have the power to make certain that those veterans and
that war will not be forgotten.
We will teach our children the lessons we learned as
soldiers and as a country, and we will accomplish two goals:
first, we will educate our country's youth; and, second, we
will continue the Wall's work at healing our Nation.
Many of our country's children know very little, if
anything, about the Vietnam. There is a generational
disconnect. We cannot let this happen, not as veterans, not as
a Nation.
We were young men and women fighting in an unpopular war,
the youngest armed forces the U.S. has ever sent into combat.
So when we embark on our educational outreach to young people
across the U.S., they will be able to understand that the
Vietnam War was not some political battle of old men in a
faraway land.
These were people almost their own age, faced with
difficult choices and incredible challenges--challenges that
they may have to face someday. They should be ready and we owe
it to them to make sure they are.
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I encourage you
to support H.R. 1442 to ensure that our Nation's young people
will have the opportunity to learn about service and sacrifice
at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for generations to come.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Kimsey follows:]
Statement of James V. Kimsey, Founding CEO and Chairman Emeritus,
America Online, Inc., Washington, D.C.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the House Resources Committee as a
Vietnam veteran, a 1962 Graduate of West Point and a native
Washingtonian, I am honored to be part of these proceedings today. For
more than three years, I have been actively involved with the efforts
by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to place a Visitor Center at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
I would like to state for the record that I fully support a Visitor
Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Currently I serve as Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Corporate Council, business leaders who represent many of the world's
largest corporations and who all share the common bond of service in
the Vietnam War. The Corporate Council works to move forward the
Memorial Fund's mission of honoring, healing and education through
several innovative outreach programs.
Just over five years ago, it was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Corporate Council that brought forward the idea of expanding the
mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to include Educating
about the impact of the Vietnam War. What resulted was a comprehensive
curriculum kit, featuring a teachers' guide, books and other valuable
resources. The Educational program, known as Echoes From The Wall, was
sent free of charge to the nation's 40,000 secondary schools.
Today, teachers and students throughout the U.S. are benefitting
from the educational programs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
But that good start cannot end in America's classrooms. It must
continue when those students visit the Nation's Capital. It must
continue when they visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This
underground Visitor Center MUST be here--on this site.
As the founding CEO of America Online, Inc., I have been an ardent
supporter of technology and education, and through my Foundation I have
been dedicated to helping bring a brighter future for, and tapping into
the vast potential, of this area's youth. I sit on numerous boards and
lend my support to many civic and charitable organizations.
Through this work, I have had the opportunity to speak with
educators about challenges that they face in today's classrooms. I have
listened carefully to their concerns. One of their biggest: making
history relevant so that our young people understand the principles
that helped to build our country and make it the most powerful in the
world.
A few years ago, we commissioned a survey about Vietnam War
education in America's secondary schools. Vietnam was the longest war
in our nation's history. It splintered this country unlike any other in
modern history.
But, students do not learn about Vietnam. In fact, the survey found
that high school students are taught less about the Vietnam War than
any other major American conflict.
Only one-third of students between ages 12 to 17 is taught about
the Vietnam War as opposed to nearly two thirds who learn about the
Revolutionary War and World War II. It also found less than two-thirds
of students between the ages of 12-17 know on which continent Vietnam
is located. Thirteen percent of the students thought that Vietnam was
located in Europe and 3% of the respondents believed Vietnam was in
North America.
Mr. Chairman and Members of Committee, as we celebrate The Wall and
all that it's accomplished, we realize there is more to be done. Our
most important mission: Educating our children about the war--our
nation's longest and most divisive conflict
There are some who have referred to Vietnam veterans as America's
Forgotten Veterans--I reject that. All you here today will have the
power to make certain that those veterans and that war will not be
forgotten.
We will teach our children the lessons we learned as soldiers and
as a country, and we will accomplish two goals. one, we will educate
our country's youth, and two, we will continue The Wall's work of
healing our nation.
Many of our country's children know very little, if anything, about
the Vietnam War. There's a generational disconnect. We cannot let this
happen, not as veterans, not as a nation.
We were young men and women fighting in an unpopular war, the
youngest armed forces the U.S. has ever sent into combat. So, when we
embark on our educational outreach to young people across the U.S.,
they will be able to understand that the Vietnam War was not some
political battle of old men in a faraway land.
These were people almost their own age, faced with difficult
choices and incredible challenges; challenges they may have to face
someday. They should be ready and we owe it to them to make sure they
are.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I encourage you to
support H.R.1442 (The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Act) to
ensure that our nation's young people will have the opportunity to
learn about service and sacrifice at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for
generations to come.
Thank you.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Kimsey.
Mr. Stanley Karnow, thank you very much for being here.
Welcome to the Subcommittee.
STATEMENT OF STANLEY KARNOW, PULITZER PRIZE JOURNALIST,
POTOMAC, MARYLAND
Mr. Karnow. It is certainly an honor to be invited to speak
here. I am a grunt reporter, and I want to tell you that my
span in Vietnam goes back a long way.
As a reporter, I made my first trip to Vietnam in the
summer of 1959. I happened to be in Saigon working for Time
magazine when I heard that two American military advisers had
been killed at Bien Hoa, which was a camp, a military camp,
about 25 miles north of Saigon. So I naturally drove up there,
gathered the details, and wrote a piece for my magazine, which
earned all of three paragraphs, which, of course, was all it
deserved at the time. This was a pipsqueak incident in a
faraway place that nobody had ever heard of.
Of course, looking back, it is hard to imagine, impossible
to imagine that I was a witness to one of these moments of
history. I have spent a lot of my time at historic moments that
I didn't know were historic at the time. And I want to say that
the two military advisers are the first two names on the Wall:
Major Dale Buis and Master Sergeant Chester Ovnand. And, of
course, as has been said, I could never have imagined that
these were going to be at the head of more than 58,000 names on
the Wall, which, of course, nobody had ever thought would exist
at the time.
If I could just inject one more point, when we talk about
the number of Americans who died in Vietnam--I know it is not
within the purview of this--I want to remind people that
something like 2 to 3 million Vietnamese also died in the war,
and I am talking about Vietnamese on both sides. And I read in
the paper this morning that a memorial is going up in Southern
California to the South Vietnamese soldiers who died.
Well, I think a lot of this would have been forgotten if
the Wall had not been built. The struggle, of course, was the
most divisive war we fought since the Civil War, ripping the
country apart and, has been said, returning veterans were
criticized either for failing to make progress or criticized by
critics of the war for committing atrocities of one sort or
another. I think these were despicable accusations.
I have a lot of reservations about the war. That is another
matter which is not for this discussion here. But whatever one
thought about it, the veterans, the men who fought the war, the
men and women who fought the war were not responsible for it.
The responsibility lies with our political leaders and our
military leaders.
And if I could just digress for an anecdote, I was on a
panel the other day with a former member of Lyndon Johnson's
administration who told me about all the mistakes and all the
lies that they told during the war. And he ended and said,
``Well, I don't want to blame anybody,'' he said, ``looking
back.'' And I kind of lost my temper in this very sedate
surrounding, the Council on Foreign Relations. I said, ``What
do you mean, you don't want to blame anybody? There are 58,000
dead and you don't want to blame anybody? What are we supposed
to do? Just forget about it?''
At any rate, as you know, Robert McNamara wrote a book in
which--a dismal book, in my opinion--in which he said we were
wrong, terribly wrong. And, you know, Senator--what's his
name?--from Georgia. Senator Cleland.
Mr. Radanovich. Max Cleland.
Mr. Karnow. Max Cleland said, ``McNamara should have called
that book `Sorry About That.'''
At any rate, the founders and patrons of the Wall, and Jan
Scruggs in particular, have been involved in many projects that
go beyond the Wall itself, and one of them, of course, is the
Teaching Center, and I think it is vital to educate young
people. I am interested to hear that not many know about the
war, but I must say that I get phone calls every month or so
from some high school student who wants me to write his term
paper for him. And people ask me questions, and I find that
there is a certain amount of interest in the war.
And I think, again, being the last hitter on this panel, I
tend to--I think I may be repeating what has already been said.
I think it is vital that people understand it so that we avoid
terrible situations and tragedies like this again.
The Wall was intended to commemorate the dead, and I think
it has succeeded admirably. And I think the center will
transcend that function and become both educational and, I
think, an instrument of good will and help to promote peace in
a way by avoiding situations like Vietnam.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Karnow follows:]
Statement of Stanley Karnow, Pulitzer-Prize Winner,
Author, Vietnam: A History
By chance I was in Saigon in July 1959 as a correspondent for Time
when I heard that two U.S. military advisers had been killed at Bien
Hoa, a South Vietnamese army camp about 25 miles north of the city. I
quickly drove to the base through the torrid tropical heat, gathered
the details and wrote a report of the incident. It earned only a couple
of paragraphs in the magazine--all the minor event deserved.
But, looking back, it was far more significant than I imagined. I
had witnessed the opening shot of a war that would drag on for the next
14 years--the longest in our history and our only defeat. Nor did I
envision that the names of the slain men, Major Dale Buis and Master
Sergeant Chester Ovnand, would ultimately head the roster of more than
58,000 others engraved on the poignant Memorial Wall in Washington.
Perhaps those heroes would be forgotten if The Wall had not been
built. The struggle, the most divisive since the Civil War, ripped the
country apart. Returning veterans were often castigated by supporters
of the conflict for its failures, or vilified by its critics of
committing atrocities. The accusations were despicable. The troops who
fought and died in Vietnam were not responsible for the involvement in
Southeast Asia. The architects of the venture were politicians and
senior officials, some of whom have conceded that it was a mistake.
The Wall has dramatically changed public opinion. Since its
construction, Americans of widely divergent views have come to the
realization that the servicemen were fulfilling their duty. This
reassessment is mirrored in the fact that the monument is the most
visited in the nation's capital. So it stands as a vivid symbol of both
unity and redemption. Vietnam is behind us, but it reminds us of one of
the most tragic experiences in our country's experience.
To their credit, its founders and patrons are now engaged in
several ambitious projects that reach beyond the monument itself. One
of the most important is the effort to educate young Americans on the
war. Teachers have been provided with curriculums and other materials
that will enable them to instruct their students, either directly or
through the Internet. The response to the program has been
overwhelmingly positive, and I am proud of the role I played in its
formulation.
This, however, is just one part of the outreach. Today, so many of
the visitors to the Memorial are far too young to recall the events of
the Vietnam War themselves. A visitor center on the site of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial would go far in illustrating the human toll of this
period in history. This visitor center would serve to create a context
for the existence of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, presenting a
historical background of the conflict and the subsequent construction
of the Memorial. The names on The Wall represent not only a period in
time that cannot be ignored, but tributes to individuals that will
forever be caught in that era.
I closely observed the complex and astounding events that
transpired throughout the Vietnam War. As an historian and journalist,
I believe the visitor center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is
unequivocally necessary in providing a proper educational experience
for all visitors. With several million visitors to the Memorial each
year, the potential to make an impact on these people is an opportunity
that cannot go untapped. The effort is well worth ensuring that each
visitor walks away with a better understanding of the Memorial and our
nation's history for generations to come.
The Wall was originally intended to commemorate the dead, and it
has succeeded admirably. But with the visitor center here, on this very
site, it will transcend that function to become an instrument of
goodwill and that elusive dream--peace on earth.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Karnow. I appreciate that
very much.
Now it comes time on the Committee where members may ask
questions. I am going to lead off with one. I have the
privilege of representing Yosemite National Park in California.
And I got to tell you, you can't hiccup in that park without an
environmental impact statement and upsetting thousands of
people whenever you propose to do anything in Yosemite. And the
Mall is very similar to that. It is beloved certainly by all
people in the United States, but when you begin to discuss
development on the Mall, it always raises controversy. That was
my first thought when the issue of a visitor center for the
Vietnam Memorial came up.
And it sounds like all of you gentlemen have been involved
in this for a number of years. Can you give me a sense of--you
know, there is a difference as a visitor center that looks like
a couple of double-wide mobile homes that are sitting on top of
the ground as opposed to something that may be underground. And
I have heard the issue of underground. But can you speak at all
to what might have been some preliminary designs over the years
and what it might look like and also speak to the issue of
development on the Mall?
You may want to respond by demonstrating the need for the
visitor center, although I think it was fairly well established
I your testimony. I think the issue is development on the Mall
and how something like this might be accomplished in an
unobtrusive way. And I would ask that to the panel in general,
if anybody in particular wants to respond to it.
Mr. Karnow. I am not very good on architecture. I was
thinking one kind of model that might be interesting is if you
have been in Paris, in the courtyard of the Louvre, there is
that pyramid that was designed by I.M. Pei. To some people it
is controversial. But what is interesting is you go downstairs,
and there is an underground place which is absolutely
marvelous.
If you took the pyramid away, you could still have a way
down there and so forth. But down there you find all sorts of
educational things. And I think talking about doing it
underground I think ought not to offend people who are
concerned with what the landscape is going to look like.
Mr. Radanovich. Very good.
Mr. Kimsey. Let me just add, rather than us going into long
explanations here, we do have an architect here in Jan Scruggs,
who is going to cover this in part of his testimony. But we
have had a couple of preliminary designs that caused some
agitation, and as Stanley correctly points out, this is an
underground facility we are talking about. We do have some
architectural renderings, and it should not cause anybody to be
upset because it is belowground and it is a natural adjunct to
the Wall, of course, which is aboveground.
So I think any detailed questions that anybody has about
what it is going to look like and how it will affect the
aesthetics of the Mall, we are prepared, I think, to give you
some detail on that.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much.
All right. I recognize the gentlelady from the Virgin
Islands, Mrs. Christensen, for any questions she might have.
Mrs. Christensen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I guess that pretty much answers my first question. It is
not a question of an aboveground versus an underground. It is
pretty well decided underground. OK.
Was consideration given to doing it away from the Memorial
itself?
Mr. Kimsey. It has been suggested that it be away from the
Memorial, which I believe is counterintuitive. We believe it is
a natural adjunct to have it collocated with the Wall. It is
important that the many busloads of kids who come to see the
Memorial get a broader perspective of the context of the war
visually.
We believe this will be a benefit to teachers. As they give
some precis on what the Vietnam War is all about in 10 minutes
or less, that it will help the whole educational process, which
is why many teachers bring their students to Washington, D.C.,
and the Wall is, as you know, the most visited monument in the
city.
Mr. Prichard. I think speaking from the museum perspective,
it is very important that the educational experience be
adjacent to the object that you are looking at. That is when
the teaching moment occurs. That is when you have the greatest
opportunity to reach the people you are trying to reach. And I
think it would really be a mistake to move it very far away
from the Mall because people wouldn't go in numbers to it. It
ought to be next to it or close by.
Mrs. Christensen. Anybody else?
Mr. Duvall. One, the Wall is the impact, and then you go
downstairs, it is another impact. So there are two instances of
impact that they need to be adjacent, I think, because it is an
immediate thing you can't separate, really.
Mrs. Christensen. I just had one other question. Thank you
for those answers.
No Federal funds are supposed to be used in the planning,
design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Could any of
you speak to the outlook for fundraising? How much needs to be
raised? And how optimistic are you that that is going to be
successful?
Mr. Kimsey. Anybody that has had any experience with Jan
Scruggs knows, as that Wall testifies, he is nothing if he is
not indefatigable and persistent. He has got numbers and
estimates and so forth, but it is true that there is no
intention to use public funds to build this, and there is no
doubt in my mind that Jan would be able to raise the money to
build it.
Mrs. Christensen. Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mrs. Christensen.
I now recognize the Chairman of the Resources Committee,
Mr. Pombo.
The Chairman. Thank you.
I thank the panel for your testimony. I think as I sat here
and listened to you talk about your experiences and your desire
to help in building this visitor center, I think it stirred the
emotions in all of us. And as I was sitting here listening, I
was thinking that the thing about this Wall, about the
Memorial, the thing that we all love the most about it and hate
the most about it is the same thing, and that is the emotions
that it stirs up in all of us.
There is not a huge amount of controversy in Congress right
now about the need to do something like this. And I think that
you can tell by the line of questioning that the question is
whether or not to put it here and what the impact is going to
be on the rest of the Mall and the rest of the memorials and
the monuments that are built here.
That is what we have to fight again. Since we started
talking about this, since the legislation was introduced, none
of my colleagues has told me that there is not a reason to do
this. But they do question here, you know, where to do it, how
to do it, what is going to look like, and I think the job that
we have and that you have is just to educate members and to
work with them and to answer their questions about what the
impact is going to be on the site and how that is all going to
fit together. I think that is going to be our biggest challenge
that is ahead of us in trying to move forward.
I don't really have any questions for you. I think you guys
did a fantastic job of presenting your side of this and your
opinion. I just look forward to working with all of you in the
future so that we can hopefully see this done in a timely
fashion and without a huge amount of controversy through the
Congress. So thank you all very much.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Chairman Pombo.
I now recognize Mr. Dennis Cardoza from the Central Valley
of California. Dennis?
Mr. Cardoza. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't have a
question for this panel, but I do want to say that I had the
pleasure of having dinner with several of them last night, and
their dedication and commitment to this project is just very
special. And I salute you all for your work and for your
efforts, and I look forward to working with you as you move
forward and make this a reality. I am honored to serve with
you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Cardoza.
I recognize Mr. Peterson from Pennsylvania.
Mr. Peterson. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I want to thank this panel for your leadership, your
vision. For me, the Vietnam War was very real because my next
youngest brother went there, served for 14 months, and his name
is Bruce. And I vividly remember those 14 months of waiting and
hoping and praying that the letters he sent us and the tapes he
sent us wouldn't be our only memories, that Bruce would come
back.
I live in a small town of 986 people, and I also remember
Danny Bennett, who lived across the street from me, who I was
very fond of. And I remember the young Wells boy who I was very
fond of. They went to Vietnam about the same time my brother
did, and neither of those returned. And I still see the sadness
in the eyes of their families, and they were just nice kids.
They were kids. They were just out of high school. And they
gave their entire life for us.
And so the Vietnam War has been very personal to me, and I
guess we don't realize that if you don't have that sort of
happening, it is not personalized to many and it is certainly
not personalized to those who have come after us and weren't
around when that was there.
I guess I would say that there are a lot of lessons that
were learned from the Vietnam War. I think as we watch this
administration as it came into some involvements, they didn't
make some of the mistakes that were made in Vietnam. Because
when we decide to have a conflict, we win, we get it over with.
We don't do it in stages. We don't do it in degrees. We don't
decide whether we should turn it over. When we make a decision
to fight, we win.
And if we don't remember history, we have the likeliness to
repeat it. And I think it is vital to this country to
understand the intricacies of the Vietnam War, the mistakes
that were made there so that we don't repeat them.
And I just want to commend each and every one of your for
your leadership. I mean that sincerely. This is history that
has to be personalized for all Americans, and I guess I just
challenge you. How do we personalize it? It will be forever
personal to me and my family. I have vivid memories that will
never fade in my mind as long as I am alive, and I will teach
that to my grandchildren and children. But I think it is vital
that all of America understand the difficult time that the
Vietnam War was in this country. But the lives that were given,
you know, brightest and best young people who went and never
came back, and we mustn't forget them and we must not forget
the message that they gave to us and that we learned from that
war.
And so I just encourage you to continue with your
creativity of how we personalize this for all Americans so we
never forget.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Peterson.
Jim, did you have any questions?
Mr. Gibbons. No, but I would just like to make a few
comments.
Mr. Radanovich. The gentleman from Nevada, Mr. Gibbons.
Mr. Gibbons. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Sitting
over here on this side as a Republican with the Democrats tells
you that we are all in this together. This is a bipartisan
effort, a nonpartisan effort on behalf of this Committee, to
recognize the service of those people who served in that time.
And as a veteran of the Vietnam War myself, I can say that we
can show no greater love, no greater respect than to recognize
the service of those individuals who served their country and
served their country to the ultimate sacrifice in that war.
I am one of the original cosponsors on this bill, and I am
really glad that we are here and we are here today in what
appears to be a very similar day to the rainy season in that
part of the world that our young men and women served in and
the difficulties that they encountered. This is something that
I think everybody in this country would support, encourage, and
enjoy once we have completed our goal here of this visitor
center.
So I want to thank the witnesses who have appeared before
us today and give them our greatest admiration for coming out
in this day to help us with this bill. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Gibbons.
Ms. Bordallo, did you have any questions of the panel?
Ms. Bordallo. No, thank you, Mr. Chairman. But I couldn't
help but listen to all of the witnesses here this morning. They
are such a distinguished panel, and they are all from varied
backgrounds. And yet they all had the same thoughts and are
together in support of this Memorial and this visitor center.
And I think it is wonderful that we have brought them all
together in support, and I am looking forward to hearing the
other panels that we have this morning.
Again, I would like to reiterate that I am also a cosponsor
of this bill. Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Ms. Bordallo.
We are honored to be joined by the Chairman of the Armed
Services Committee, Mr. Duncan Hunter, from California, another
Californian. Duncan, welcome to the Committee. If you have any
questions, please feel free.
Mr. Hunter. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thanks for
letting me come down and put in my 2 cents' worth. And thanks
for having the hearing, and, Mr. Pombo, thank you for letting
me know about it and trying to make sure I got down here.
Let me just offer my experience with respect to this type
of a project and some thoughts that I have about it. You know,
we had an exhibit in the Smithsonian on World War II, and it
was designed by one of the executives in the Smithsonian, and
the effect of it, which got some Members of Congress on the
prod, the message in that exhibition, it was about the Enola
Gay and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And the thrust
of the message in that exhibit was that the Americans were very
cruel people.
I remember part of the text that was written originally,
proposed for that exhibit, was that the Americans did with low-
level bombing in Germany and Japan things that even Adolf
Hitler wouldn't do with respect to hitting centers of
population.
The thrust of the message was that we were pretty rotten
people, and a number of us met with the Smithsonian and we
ended up being able to change the direction of that exhibit. I
don't know how many folks here are familiar with that, but the
message to me was what you exhibit carries a message. And so
with respect to having a visitor center, I think visitor
centers are darn good if they carry the right message. And I
think one message that the American people learned by having
all of these reporters embedded in the operation in Iraq was
that GIs are good people. They had never seen that before, at
least in modern times, and certainly never to the degree that
was made possible by all of this real-time camera work that was
coming back to the American audience that was fixated on that
operation. But they saw that GIs were good people, that they
cared about the non-combatants, that they were careful, that
they had compassion, that they served our country well and
honorably.
And, you know, I thought about that when that operation was
over, and I had initially been against, incidentally, embedding
news media with the troops and had commented on it and written
to the Secretary because I thought it would distract people
from doing their job. But it turned out to be a wonderful thing
because it gave the real picture of the American GI to the
American people.
Now, I contrasted that with what was written or what was
shown about Vietnam with respect to movies, TV series, and
having watched the last movie that I saw about Vietnam, and one
of the few that I thought that was good, ``We Were Soldiers,''
with Hal Moore, was a movie that reflected the real goodness of
the American GIs. And I thought before that, ``The Green
Berets'' did the same thing, a movie made by John Wayne, I
think in 1966 or 1967.
In between, you had a number of movies that reflected
Americans as being people that couldn't wait to get to the next
village to burn it, which was not true, not accurate; people
who took out enormous anger and psychiatric problems on the
villagers of Vietnam, which was not true; and an image that was
totally false. That image was created by folks in Hollywood,
most of whom had never seen Vietnam, but who viewed Vietnam
through the prism of their own political perspectives.
So I just wanted to say, Mr. Chairman, that what is shown
in this exhibit is very important, and I am all for this
exhibit if it shows the honor and the goodness of American GIs,
and, I think, Mr. Chairman--and I speak for myself--the honor
of the cause. The only time when Vietnam had any freedom, any
modicum of freedom--and if anybody thinks that they have got a
modicum of freedom today, please go on over and take a look--
was when the Americans were there.
And I looked at the rules. I was reading the rules again
the other night, the rules that were laid down by Washington,
where our fighter pilots and bomber pilots were admonished not
to hit targets because civilians were there. I remember as a
platoon leader in Vietnam being given the order through
headquarters that you can't bring artillery on that base in the
Sui Kai Valley because there might be people nearby, even
within a thousand meters, even within a kilometer of that
particular location.
And so, Mr. Chairman, I fully endorse the idea of having a
visitor center. I think it is good. But I think that message
has to be an accurate message. And if it is a message which is
aberrated through the prism of people who didn't like the
United States activity there and want to make an editorial with
respect to it by modifying whatever is displayed in this center
or who somehow came to the conclusion that the GIs who were
over there on the whole and as a group weren't outstanding
Americans, then I don't want to support it because I think that
is one of the great disservices that we did to our folks who
came back. And if you watched those young GIs and the
reflections on them that were so good through the American news
media who showed what they were really doing in real time, I
had to kind of reflect, you know, those are the kids of the
guys who were in Vietnam. And you know something? The guys who
were in Vietnam were just as good. They weren't there with
``Full Metal Jacket.'' They weren't there with ``Apocalypse
Now'' and all this other stuff of looking for the next village
to burn or looking for the next villager to beat up. On the
whole, they were outstanding Americans. And the story of that
honor and determination is just now beginning to be told.
So this monument or this visitor center can be a tool in
that accurate telling of what kind of people these folks were,
or it can continue what is now beginning to die out, especially
in the wake of the Iraq operation, but this distorted view of
the character of the folks who served in Vietnam.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman. Don't put me down as undecided.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate that.
Before I let you gentlemen go, can you give me an idea--and
this might be more appropriate for the next panel, but are we
within view of where it is thought the visitor center might be?
Mr. Kimsey. I think the next panel--Jan will show you
exactly where it is going to be, and I have been sitting here
the whole time this testimony is going on watching platoons of
kids circle that Wall, and I am sure they would all be
clustered in that underground visitor center right now.
Mr. Radanovich. Getting educated.
Gentlemen, I want to thank you very much for being here as
witnesses and your testimony today. I really appreciate it. And
with that we will move on to the next panel. Thank you very
much.
Mr. Radanovich. If everybody will sit down, we will begin
with our next panel. Joining us is Mr. Dennis Cullinan,
Legislative Director for the Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Washington, D.C.; Mr. Rick Jones, the Legislative Director of
AMVETS, Lanham, Maryland; Dorothy Oxendine, the National
President of the American Gold Star Mothers, Incorporated, from
Washington, D.C.; and also Jan Scruggs, who is the Founder and
President to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington,
D.C.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. Welcome to
the Subcommittee. And, Mr. Scruggs, if you would like to begin
your testimony, we will work 5 minutes each all the way down
the line and then open up the panel for questions.
STATEMENT OF JAN CRAIG SCRUGGS, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, VIETNAM
VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND, WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Scruggs. Mr. Chairman, I would like to begin especially
now by recognizing young people, those who will be served by
this patriotic visitor center, from the Agnon School in Ohio
and from Osborne School in Manassas, Virginia. I believe they
have some signs they want to hold up.
Mr. Radanovich. I think they disappeared on us.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Scruggs. That is what happens when--oh, there they go.
Well, you missed it by a few minutes, but they had a bunch of
signs to hold up.
Maybe to continue a little bit of levity before we get into
the serious issues at hand, you may be just sort of interested
in the legislative history of the visitor center bill, which
was supposed to pass Congress. It was on the unanimous consent
calendar of the U.S. Senate October 27 of the year 2000. One
Senator pulled it off. It was then inserted in a supplemental
appropriations bill December of 2000. The same Senator's staff
took it out of the appropriations bill. It was next placed on
the unanimous consent calendar May 23rd of the year 2001.
Another Senator took it off the unanimous consent calendar who
wanted hearings. We did have hearings. And last year, this last
Memorial Day, we had had the hearings. It was on the unanimous
consent calendar. Yet another Senator--we always had 99 votes,
but one Senator took it off and kept his hold on the
legislation until it ended. And about a month ago, the efforts
of a number of Senators, very serious legislators, attempted to
put it into a supplemental appropriations bill. Once again we
had 99 people ready to pass the bill but one who stopped it.
It is an honor to be here. Others will be speaking of the
very compelling case for the visitor center to serve the
public. Therefore, I will turn my testimony to other issues
which I think are of great interest and significance to you. I
last testified in front of this Committee March 2000 on the
issue of a plaque honoring veterans who died prematurely due to
their military service. We really expressed reservations about
the precedent of adding new things to the Memorial. But we
promised this Committee that if this bill passed, we would hire
prominent architects and get the job done, this unfunded
mandate.
I will turn at this time to my first exhibit, Exhibit 1 and
1-A in your packet and on those signs. This is the actual
plaque that will be placed here at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. It would be close to the size of that. It will be
placed near the statue. There was an earlier design, absolutely
terrible, amazingly turned in by the National Park Service, and
it was rejected by all parties. We hired the very finest
architects available, including men who designed Constitution
Gardens, and they did the appropriate siting, appropriate
plaque. All we are waiting for is a construction permit and a
final budget from the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The Senate, on June 3rd--by the way, that concludes my
discussion of that issue--will be considering S. 296. This is
legislation calls for adding new names to the Memorial,
literally more names than will fit on the Memorial itself. We
don't think this is a good idea, obviously, but this
legislation and the plaque legislation and future legislation
are metaphors for the desire of people to be recognized here:
scout dog handlers, CIA agents, Red Cross workers and others.
And this is yet another reason why the visitor center must be
built, to save the site from future memorialization. We can
recognize them in the visitor center in some way.
A new lighting system for the Wall, by the way, has been
designed. We have received all approvals. The lighting scheme
will cost approximately $350,000 to install, paid for by the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. We have already paid about
$75,000. I note this because this is an example of our 20 years
of partnership with the National Park Service working on very
important issues.
At this time, we have for the past year paid a private
electrical contractors, Power Solutions, a company here in
Washington, to maintain the lights at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial. They come each week. They change the gaskets. They
change the light bulbs, transformers. They recently replaced
some transformers until we can get the new lighting system in
place.
We built this Memorial without any money from the U.S.
Government. We will build this visitor center without any money
from the U.S. Government as well. We take pride in that. We
take pride in the fact that we think we are saving the
taxpayers a little bit of money here.
We are very honored as well to provide advice to the World
Trade Center Memorial design competition, which is now
underway, is being modeled after our design competition.
Exhibit 2 is a letter showing the appreciation of the Office of
the Mayor of New York for our work. We have done work as well
on the Oklahoma City Memorial, the National Police Officers
Memorial, and have given advice as well to Mr. Robert Dole with
the World War II Memorial.
We do appreciate the support of the Bush administration for
the visitor center. Exhibit 3 is a letter from National Park
Service Director Fran Mainella, who points out our 20 years of
cooperation and expresses her support for the underground
visitor center.
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am informed
that we have surprise testimony today, shocking testimony to
me, from Mr. P. Daniel Smith, representing the National Park
Service. He will testify that the letter, the representations
of support for the visitor center are null and void, and his
testimony, which I would love an opportunity to rebut in
person, will come out against this.
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Scruggs, if you could wrap up, please,
you are beyond the 5 minutes.
Mr. Scruggs. OK. Let me just go through the exhibits real
quick, if I may.
Exhibit 5 is a soda stand, which is right here next to--
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Scruggs, actually, if you want to wait,
we can ask you questions after you are done.
Mr. Scruggs. OK.
Mr. Radanovich. I think that would probably be the best way
to do it.
Mr. Scruggs. All right.
Mr. Radanovich. Since the weather is bad out here.
Mr. Scruggs. All right.
Mr. Radanovich. I appreciate that.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Scruggs follows:]
Statement of Jan Craig Scruggs, Esq., Founder and President,
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
It is a distinct honor to be at Washington's most visited
Memorial--a most compelling and logical place to discuss the reasons
for H.R. 1442 and to address the issue in its entirety.
A Visitor Center will transform the Memorial into a profound
learning experience for America's youth and others who desire the
optional experience of the Center. Exhibits such as photos of those who
are on The Wall, with skilled educators on hand, will engage them.
There will be memorable displays of both the Vietnam War and of
historic events that have taken place at the most visited Memorial in
Washington, D.C.
Young people will gain a better understanding of a Memorial that is
now older than they are. Further, the Center will help them to gain a
better appreciation for their visits to the other memorials they will
see during their time in Washington. These memorials all honor service
to our great nation, service that has kept our country free.
I will let others speak of the compelling case for the Visitor
Center here to serve the public. My remarks will address another
significant matter--architectural excellence.
I last testified before this committee in March 2000 on the issue
of PL 106-214 creating a plaque honoring veterans who have died
prematurely due to their service. We expressed reservations about the
precedent, but gave our support for the bill with the proviso that the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund put together a design team to assure the
highest standards of architectural excellence be placed into the
project.
We did just that. Exhibits 1-A and 1-B are drawings of the design
by architects JC Cummings, George Dickey and Henry Arnold. These
architects were paid by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to obtain
this striking design. Our architects obtained approval from all the
relevant agencies. We look forward to its dedication. We simply are
awaiting a construction permit. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will
put into place the funding, if needed, to complete this task.
Let me also point out that the Senate is considering S.296. A
Hearing will consider this bill on June 3, 2003. The bill calls for
adding new names to the Memorial--more names than can fit. This
legislation, and the Plaque legislation, are metaphors for others
desiring a presence at the site of The Wall.
This phenomenon is yet another reason for the Visitor Center where
different groups--including CIA agents, Red Cross Workers and those who
are the subject of S296 can be recognized. A brilliant scheme of
lighting for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has been designed and we
have received all approvals. It was the last issue that the respected
Fine Arts Chairman J. Carter Brown was personally involved with. We are
merely awaiting a construction permit. The lighting scheme will cost
about $350,000 to install and will be paid for by the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund. We have already given over $75,000 to the National Park
Service to help them pay their contractor. I note this as an example of
our 20 years of cooperation with the National Park Service in
addressing the needs here at The Wall. Until the new lighting system
has been installed, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will pay
lighting specialists, Power Solutions, to maintain the lights on a
weekly basis. Every week since Spring 2002, our electricians visit The
Wall to make sure that each and every light is functioning properly. We
have been paying for this ongoing maintenance for over a year.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is honored to have been selected
to provide advice to the planned World Trade Center Memorial. I am
proud to say that their design competition is modeled precisely after
the competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Again, this
exemplifies our dedication and reputation for architectural excellence.
Exhibit 2 is a letter expressing appreciation for our efforts with the
World Trade Center Memorial. We also have provided advice to the
Oklahoma City Memorial, the National Law Officers Memorial and to the
World War II Memorial as well.
I am honored to have the support of the Bush Administration for the
Visitor Center. In a letter I received in February 2002 (Exhibit 3),
National Park Service Director Fran Mainella, whose late husband was a
Vietnam veteran, wrote: ``For 20 years we have worked together with you
to support your efforts to increase visitor awareness and understanding
of the war and its national significance and we look forward to working
with you in the future. We are very supportive of the concept to
develop an underground facility to accomplish a continuation of these
efforts...''
I now call to your attention Exhibit 4. This shows a huge
corrugated aluminum building in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. How
could something like this be on our nation's Mall?
Exhibit 5 is a soda stand--about 200 yards from where we sit today.
The rusting roof is unsightly. Yet this structure is on the Mall. These
photos were taken at 10:00 a.m. on May 9, 2003.
Exhibit 6 is a tourmobile stand--unused sitting in the shadow of
the Lincoln Memorial.
Exhibits 7, 8, 9 and 10 are vending areas--which have achieved a
permanent status at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They stay in place
24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Exhibit 11 is a legal opinion showing
how their rights as demonstrators can be protected, while allowing the
National Park Service to require each vendor stand to leave at the end
of the day.
Exhibit 12 shows the plan for a visitor center at the Washington
Monument. This impacts in a significant manner historic sightlines of
the Mall. The glass area over the Mall also will impact pedestrian
traffic. I enter this exhibit into the record as an example of what is
acceptable and enthusiastically endorsed by the National Park Service.
Exhibit 13 illustrates the Mall area and the Structures therein
near the Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials. These drawings
are done as close to scale as possible to show what is acceptable on
the Mall. This provides context to illustrate the minimal impact of the
Visitor Center.
Exhibits 14, 15 and 16 show the actual Visitor Center as envisioned
in operation--with people being educated.
As you can plainly see the Visitor Center at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial is diametrically opposed to the low standards of the exhibits
you have just reviewed. Nor will it impact the historic sightlines like
the structure planned for the Washington Monument. The Center will be
beautiful--as should every structure on the Mall. The underground
facility will be 10,000 square feet and will provide a profound
educational experience for visitors who desire this optional
experience--especially young Americans.
Of course, there will be an aboveground component to allow ingress
and egress of the visitors. Architect William Lecky who brought about
the Korean and Vietnam Veterans Memorials is enthusiastic to begin
work. With the use of earth tone colors and proper landscaping, there
will be minimal impact--unlike the structure in the historic vista of
the Washington Monument. This minimal impact will be far exceeded by
the educational impact for those like these youngsters here today.
Again I call your attention to Exhibit 13 which shows the scale of
structures in existence today.
Just as we built the Memorial with private funding, so too, shall
we do so for the Visitor Center. We also will maintain the center to
spare the government any financial expense. A 20-year lease is in the
legislation to be reviewed at 7-year intervals. The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund will staff and maintain the Center pursuant to a
memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of the Interior with
whom we will share it for joint purposes including agreed upon uses for
National Park Service staff. Examples of this arrangement and
cooperation between Federal agencies and the private sector abound. In
the Lincoln Memorial--near his statue--is a bookstore. Ford's Theater
has a museum and has plays that are shown to the public almost daily.
Go to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial to see a large bookstore/
visitor center--a truly integral component of the visitor experience--
yet of minimal educational value due to its commercial nature.
For your consideration we have enclosed an independent survey
(Exhibit 17) showing the overwhelming support for the Visitor Center by
the American public. As Exhibit 18 we have also enclosed Echoes From
The Wall, a curriculum package sent to each of America's high schools
and middle schools by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The Visitor
Center is an extension of our mission to the young people who will one
day lead our great nation.
Let us not forget the profound importance of today's hearing. We
must reach out to America's youth from a place where they can be
visually, intellectually and emotionally engaged. The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial is such a unique place. Your decision to allow this long
delayed Visitor Center will go a long way toward this goal, a goal that
veterans' groups, educators, journalists and the American public
strongly supports.
I end my remarks today by pointing out that this effort has gone on
for three years. This bill was ready for passage in October 2000, but
was taken off the Unanimous Consent Calendar by one Senator. In May
2001, the bill was again on the Unanimous Consent Calendar. Former
Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. awaited the bill--again the
Legislation was removed from the Unanimous Consent Calendar. For
Memorial Day 2003 again Congressman Watts awaited Senate passage. Again
the bill was not allowed to come to the Floor for a vote. Despite
months of efforts by Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE), John Warner (R-VA),
John McCain (R-AZ), John Kerry (D-MA), Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-
SD) and others, the Legislation failed to come to a vote. Thousands of
individual Americans, educators, school kids, prominent CEOs and
respected military leaders petitioned Congress--to no avail.
We learned a great deal. One profound lesson was to begin this
effort in the House of Representatives. We are grateful to the Members
of this Committee and their staff. Chairman Pombo looked at the facts
surrounding the Visitor Center. He decided that the time had come to
allow democracy and the will of the people to prevail. My thanks to him
and to Congressman Rahall for making this day come to pass.
I thank you, our Vietnam veterans thank you and our nation's young
people thank you.
[NOTE: All exhibits have been retained in the Committee's official
files.]
______
Mr. Radanovich. Mrs. Dorothy Oxendine, welcome to the
Subcommittee, and you may begin your testimony. And we look
forward to hearing from you.
STATEMENT OF DOROTHY M. OXENDINE, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, AMERICAN
GOLD STAR MOTHERS, INC., WASHINGTON, D.C.
Ms. Oxendine. Mr. Chairman, Congressman Rahall, and members
of the Committee, it is an honor to be here. This historic
hearing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is noteworthy and
important. I am Dorothy Oxendine, national president of the
American Gold Star Mothers--mothers who lost their sons in all
wars, including Vietnam.
We meet today at a sacred place--a place where veterans and
family members come to remember and, often, to mourn. This is a
place where love is shown--love for those lost in Vietnam.
Patriotic men and women answered the call there, just as
they did at Normandy Beach, at Yorktown, and at Gettysburg. In
a profound sense, this is a resting place for those who did not
return. They are together here.
Etched row upon row they serve our Nation still today. They
serve to remind Americans of the price of freedom. And
Americans are moved here. I am a Christian. I take solace in
the words: ``No greater love has any man than to lay down his
life for his friends.''
I am moved by the words of Major General David Grange. He
wrote these eloquent words about his visits to the Wall: ``I
whisper with tears in my eyes to the names on the Wall,
`Thanks, you that have fallen, you made a difference then...and
now.'''
They do make a difference now. And that is why we are here
today.
So let us move to the issue of a visitor center. The
Memorial is obviously very powerful. Yet if the Memorial is to
do its job, it must reach out to America's youth. And that is
why we need to see the visitor center at the Memorial. This
hearing is about the future, the future of the Memorial as an
educational device.
Inside of the visitor center will be photographs--
photographs of those enshrined here. I can picture it right
now: a group of school kids in the center. They look at the
photos of young Americans nearly their age. When they see these
photographs, they will journey to the Wall. And the Wall will
really have an impact, a memorable impact.
Willie Oxendine III is upon the Wall. Willie, my son, gave
his life on May 30, 1968. I will live long enough to see his
photograph in the visitor center.
While there will not be a Willie Oxendine IV, Willie will
live on by inspiring young Americans. They will see his
photograph. They will be moved. We hope they will be stirred to
learn more about the Vietnam War and leave with a greater
interest in American history.
We are today mindful of the past. Yet we keep an eye toward
the future. Today we express our commitment to our Nation's
youth and the message of patriotism and sacrifice that will be
part of the visitor center.
We share your commitment as is evidenced by this hearing
today.
We salute the wisdom of the Committee and look forward to
speedy passage of H.R. 1442.
Gentlemen, thank you for hearing my testimony today.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Oxendine follows:]
Statement of Dorothy Oxendine, National President,
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee. It is an honor to be
here. This historic Hearing at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is
noteworthy and important. I am Dorothy Oxendine, National President of
the American Gold Star Mothers--mothers who lost their sons in all wars
including Vietnam.
We meet today at a sacred place--a place where veterans and family
members come to remember and, often, to mourn. This is a place where
love is shown--love for those lost in Vietnam.
Patriotic men and women answered the call there--just as they did
at Normandy Beach, at Yorktown and at Gettysburg. In a profound sense
this is a resting place for those who did not return--they are together
here.
Etched row upon row they serve our nation still today. They serve
to remind Americans of the price of freedom. And Americans are moved
here. I am a Christian. I take solace in the words: ``No greater love
has any man than to lay down his life for his friends.''
I am moved by the words of Major General David Grange. He wrote
these eloquent words about his visits to The Wall: ``I whisper with
tears in my eyes to the names on The Wall, ``Thanks, you that have
fallen, you made a difference then...and now.''
They do make a difference now. And that is why we are here today.
So let us move to the issue of the Visitor Center. The Memorial is
obviously very powerful. Yet if the Memorial is to do its job, it must
reach out to America's youth. And that is why we need to see the
Visitor Center at the Memorial. This hearing is about the future. The
future of this Memorial as an educational tool.
Inside of the Visitor Center will be photographs. Photographs of
those enshrined here. I can picture it right now. A group of school
kids is in the Center. They look at the photos of young Americans
nearly their age. When they see these photographs they will journey to
The Wall. And The Wall will really have an impact--a memorable impact.
Willie Oxendine III is upon this Wall. Willie, my son, gave his
life on May 30, 1968. I will live long enough to see his photograph in
this Visitor Center.
While there will not be a Willie Oxendine IV, Willie will live on
by inspiring young Americans. They will see his photograph. They will
be moved. We hope they will be stirred to learn more about the Vietnam
War and leave with a greater interest in American history.
We are today mindful of the past. Yet we keep an eye toward the
future. Today we express our commitment to our Nation's youth and the
message of patriotism and sacrifice that will be a part of this Visitor
Center.
We share your commitment as is evidenced by this Hearing today.
We salute the wisdom of the Committee and look forward to speedy
passage of H.R.1442.
Gentlemen, thank you for hearing my testimony today.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much, Mrs. Oxendine.
Mr. Rick Jones, welcome to the Subcommittee. You may begin
your testimony, please.
STATEMENT OF RICHARD ``RICK'' JONES, AMVETS NATIONAL
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR, LANHAM, MARYLAND
Mr. Jones. Chairman Radanovich, Chairman Pombo, Ranking
Member Christensen, members of the Subcommittee, it is a
pleasure to be here at this marvelous site with so many friends
of veterans to present our views on this matter. On behalf of
Commander Bill Kilgore, thank you.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial presents a host of emotions
from pride of service to sadness of loss. On this monument are
the names of grandfathers, fathers, spouses, acquaintances, and
friends engraved into the black granite. Each one deserves to
be listed. Our Nation honors them at this site.
Today, AMVETS reaffirms its commitment to adding a visitor
center to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We have supported
construction of a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial for nearly 6 years, when delegates of our 1997
convention in Orlando, Florida, approved a national resolution
to establish a place on this site to help people gain a better
understanding of the Memorial.
For many of us here today, the War in Vietnam was a key
event in our lives, a touchstone that has shaped who and what
we have become as adults. However, for those of younger
generations and generations yet born, the events and people
that encompass the Vietnam War are merely history, the stuff of
textbooks.
AMVETS believes that adding a visitor center to the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial will create a richer, more profound
experience for visitors, especially young people. And in large
part, it will help further pay homage to those special
Americans who the Nation records as true patriots on the Wall
behind you.
Mr. Chairman, many sacrifices have been made. Lives have
been lost in the name of duty, honor, and country. And a
visitor center can help make that wall a bridge to commemorate
and never forget their lives.
Thank you again for the opportunity to present our
testimony to your panel on H.R. 1442. This bill will help
design and construct a visitor center at the Wall, and we
appreciate your consideration and commitment to serving our
Nation's veterans and their families, and we look forward to
passage of this important bill.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Jones follows:]
Statement of Richard ``Rick'' Jones, AMVETS National Legislative
Director
Chairman Radanovich, Ranking Member Christensen and Members of the
Subcommittee:
On behalf of National Commander W.G. ``Bill'' Kilgore and the
nationwide membership of AMVETS (American Veterans), I thank you for
the opportunity to present testimony to the Subcommittee on National
Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands on H.R. 1442, a bill to design and
construct a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. My name
is Rick Jones and I serve as the AMVETS National Legislative Director.
Mr. Chairman, AMVETS has been a leader since 1944 in helping to
preserve the freedoms secured by America's Armed Forces. Today, our
organization, composed of a large number of Vietnam veterans, continues
its proud tradition, providing, not only support for veterans and the
active military in procuring their earned entitlements, but also an
array of community services that enhance the quality of life for this
nation's citizens.
AMVETS strongly supports this legislation. We firmly believe that
the development of this center will greatly enhance the experience of
those who come to this memorial.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a source of a host of emotions
from pride of service to sadness of loss. It is one of the most loved
and frequently visited memorials in Washington, D.C., and it means so
much to all those who visit to see the name of their grandfather,
father, spouse, acquaintance or friend engraved into the black granite.
Here alongside 58,235 other heroes whose names are etched on the Wall,
these brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice are not
forgotten.
As you know, only the names of veterans killed during the Vietnam
War or who subsequently died from combat-related injuries can be on the
Wall. Relatives, friends or others submit names to the Defense
Department. It verifies the information, then tells the National Park
Service and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The nonprofit
organization, which built the Wall, pays to add the names.
And, each one deserves to be listed. Our Nation honors them at this
site on our majestic National Mall. As we look around ourselves today,
we are surrounded by monuments and symbols of our freedom so many have
fought to protect. These structures honor those who have made our
nation what it is today. By their service and endeavor, those so
honored have helped establish a nation that continues to live up to its
creed and face challenges to freedom of the present and future.
Today, AMVETS reaffirms its commitment to adding a visitor center
to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We have supported construction of a
visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for nearly six years,
when delegates to our 1997 convention in Orlando, Florida, approved a
national resolution to establish a place on this site to help people
gain a better understanding of the Memorial.
For 21 years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has stood in quiet
tribute to those brave individuals who offered the ultimate sacrifice
for freedom so long ago. For many of us gathered here today, the war in
Vietnam was the key event in our lives, a touchstone that has shaped
who and what we have become as adults. However, for those of younger
generations and generations yet born, the events and people that
encompass the ``Vietnam War'' are merely history, the stuff of
textbooks.
AMVETS believes that adding a visitor center to the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial will create a richer, more profound experience for
visitors, especially young people. This center will afford visitors a
place to offer written reactions to the memorial and thereby establish
a historical archive available to future visitors. The center will
offer space to store and display the many and varied items placed in
remembrance at the memorial and provide a computer database of those
honored on the memorial. And in large part, it will help pay homage to
these special Americans who the nation records as true patriots.
AMVETS believes the cause and purpose of the fighting man and woman
in Vietnam was no different than that fought for by those brave
Americans who currently serve or have served in America's other
conflicts and wars. The 3.4 million Americans who served in the
Southeast Asia Theater and the 58,235 memorialized on this Wall fought
for freedom and each other, our nation must never forget their loyalty
and valor. The burdens and struggles endured by these brave men and
women, both during and after the battle, must be taught to our children
so they can understand what the Vietnam War was and develop a strong
respect for those who served.
Mr. Chairman, just as the places called Yorktowne, Gettysburg and
Normandy have been woven into our nation's historical fabric, so must
the sacrifices offered at Ia Drang Valley, Khe Sanh, and Hamburger
Hill. Many sacrificed their lives in the name of duty, honor and
country and the visitor center can help make the Wall a bridge to
commemorate and never forget their lives.
Thank you again for the opportunity to present testimony to your
panel on H.R. 1442, a bill to design and construct a visitor center at
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We appreciate your consideration and
commitment to serving our nation's veterans and their families, and we
look forward to passage of this important project.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Thank you for being
here.
Mr. Dennis Cullinan, welcome to the Subcommittee. Please
begin.
STATEMENT OF DENNIS M. CULLINAN, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE
SERVICE, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Cullinan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members
of the Subcommittee. On behalf of the 2.6 million men and women
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and our Ladies Auxiliary, I am
pleased to testify here today in support of H.R. 1442,
legislation to authorize the design and construction of a
visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or the Wall, has stood since
its dedication in 1982 as a national symbol of the service and
sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price in defending our
democratic way of life in Vietnam. More than this, it has come
to recognize and to honor the courage and patriotism of all of
the veterans of that war as well as all of those who have
served this Nation in uniform and stood in harm's way to
protect our precious liberty. In commemorating these fallen
heroes of Vietnam, it tangibly venerates the veterans of all
wars--past, present, and future.
Among the 4.4 million individuals who visit the Wall
annually, countless reunions and instances of mental and
spiritual healing have taken place. It has become the locus for
reflection and inspiration for veterans and non-veterans alike.
In this way, it has gone beyond its purely symbolic role and
become a place where the lessons of history are considered and,
indeed, taught on a daily basis.
This memorial offers young and old alike the opportunity to
learn the lessons of the Vietnam War and to develop a deeper
awareness and understanding of the true meaning of both
sacrifice in the service of others and patriotism itself. The
visitor center under consideration today is perfectly in
keeping with this role.
The visitor center will serve as a contemplative venue to
collect remembrances of the individuals' names that are
inscribed on the Wall. Significantly, it will allow visitors to
learn the importance of the Memorial, its role in helping to
evoke the memory of those who served, and its place in
promoting healing among those who fought in Vietnam and between
these men and women and the society they once so bravely
served. It is for this reasons that the Veterans of Foreign
Wars strongly supports the expeditious construction of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitor center on this site in
providing a unique and profound historical experience to
benefit untold generations to come.
Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Cullinan follows:]
Statement of Dennis M. Cullinan, Director, National Legislative
Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:
On behalf of the 2.6 million men and women of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars of the United States and our Ladies Auxiliary, I am
pleased to testify here today in support of H.R. 1442, legislation to
authorize the design and construction of a visitor center for the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial or The Wall has stood since its
dedication in 1982 as a national symbol of the service and sacrifice of
those who paid the ultimate price in defending our democratic way of
life in Vietnam. More than this, it has come to recognize and to honor
the courage and patriotism of all of the veterans of that war as well
as all of those who have served this nation in uniform and stood in
harm's way to protect our precious liberty. In commemorating these
fallen heroes of Vietnam, it tangibly venerates the veterans of all
wars past, present, and future.
Among the 4.4 million individuals who visit The Wall annually,
countless reunions and instances of mental and spiritual healing have
taken place. It has become the locus for reflection and inspiration for
veterans and non-veterans alike. In this way, it has gone beyond its
purely symbolic role and become a place where the lessons of history
are considered and, indeed, taught on a daily basis.
This memorial offers young and old alike the opportunity to learn
the lessons of the Vietnam War and to develop a deeper awareness and
understanding of the true meaning of both sacrifice in service of
others and patriotism itself. The Visitor Center under consideration
today is perfectly in keeping with this role.
The Visitor Center will serve as a contemplative venue to collect
remembrances of the individuals' names that will be inscribed on The
Wall. Significantly, it will allow visitors to learn the importance of
the Memorial, its role in helping to evoke the memory of those who
served, and its place in promoting healing among those who fought in
Vietnam and between these men and women and the society they once so
bravely served. It is for this reason that the Veterans of Foreign Wars
strongly supports the expeditious construction of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Visitor Center in providing a unique and profound historical
experience to benefit untold generations to come.
Thank you. This completes my testimony and I will be happy to
respond to any questions you may have.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Cullinan. Thank you for
being here.
Gentlemen, thank you for your testimony, and ladies. Mr.
Scruggs, I want to start with you because I know that you had
some panels up there. Can you briefly go through those? They
looked to me like conceptual ideas of what it should look like.
Mr. Scruggs. If you would allow me--
Mr. Radanovich. And a few that it should not look like. Go
ahead.
Mr. Scruggs. This exhibit, a short walk from here, shows
you the, quote-unquote, architectural excellence on the Mall.
This is diametrically opposed to what we stand for at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. You will not see anything like
this in any of the capitals of the world, yet it sits in the
shadow of the Lincoln Memorial.
I turn to our next exhibit at this time. This is
approximately a 3-minute walk from where you stand. The roof on
this, corrugated aluminum roof, or whatever it is, is actually
rusting. It is a terrible piece of architecture. The
architecture is exceeded only by the lack of quality of the
cuisine. If you are hungry in Washington, D.C., do yourself a
favor. Don't stop there.
The next photograph, this was taken at 10 a.m. last Friday.
It is a Tourmobile stand, sitting there, the Lincoln Memorial,
you can see it in the background. And nobody is even using it.
The next we have here, are the vending stands at the
Lincoln Memorial, and at this time I will introduce into the
record a thoughtfully, carefully written legal opinion by the
law firm of Williams and Connolly which represents the
Washington Post and other groups and is a First Amendment law
firm. This shows how the National Park Service can, on a daily
basis, force each of these vendors to move their vending tents
and leave. But this is the historic vista of the Lincoln
Memorial of the Mall, and this is what we are seeing from the
stewards of the Mall. And we find this absolutely quite
incredible.
Just one more photograph of what the guardians of the Mall
have given us. This stand has been there longer than we had
planned for the original visitor center to be part of this. We
actually planned a 10-year visitor center. Since then, things
have changed. We are going to have an underground visitor
center. It is going to be here for a while. But this shows what
is there. Just another picture of the men's room there. I do
not mean to sound confrontational or negative toward the
National Park Service. These are very dedicated civil servants.
But when you look at the lack of quality of the structures on
our Nation's Mall and when you go to some of the poorest
countries in the world, you don't see anything that bad, in
Saigon and Hanoi.
Mr. Radanovich. Right. Can you give me an idea of the other
posters next to them?
Mr. Scruggs. Yes. Here is the visitor center. You will see
the visitors are walking down, Exhibits A, B, and C. Exhibit A
shows you some visitors, and they are looking at the pictures
of a helicopter. You know, we are just thinking of that.
Exhibit B, they are looking at a map. Remember how important
geography is to a well-balanced person. And C, here are the
photographs. There will be hundreds and hundreds of them of the
men and women who gave their lives. This will give the
visitors, youngsters especially, the context to understand the
wall itself.
Mr. Radanovich. Would you explain that? You have got the
site map there, too.
Mr. Scruggs. Yes, the site map is extremely important. This
is drawn to scale--drawn to scale, I might add, by Bill Lecky,
who is here today, one of the most competent architects in
Washington, D.C., who designed the Vietnam and Korean
Memorials, all the working drawings. He was basically in charge
of it. This shows how big these things are.
Now, when we look at Figure 6, you can see this corrugated
aluminum building that is next to the Lincoln Memorial, and the
visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial sited in red,
if you could point to that, what you will see is the visitor
center for the Memorial will be approximately one-fifth the
size of these corrugated aluminum buildings which stand there.
Mr. Radanovich. Is the idea, Mr. Scruggs, to eliminate the
need for restrooms by incorporating that into a visitor center
as well as food services?
Mr. Scruggs. Yes, sir. There will not be food services, but
there will be restrooms. The visitor center as well, we have
been assured by architects, will be a safe haven in the event
of biological, nuclear, or chemical attack.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Scruggs.
I now recognize Mrs. Christensen.
Mrs. Christensen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have a couple of questions also for Mr. Scruggs, but I
want to thank everyone for your testimony. They are a little
more technical.
The existing Memorial, has that experienced any water
seepage problems given its location below grade? And is that a
concern regarding building a structure underground on these
grounds?
Mr. Scruggs. I appreciate that. That is a very thoughtful
question. In order to build the Memorial behind you, we
actually had to go down to bedrock. We had hydrologists. We
have the best engineering firm in Washington, D.C., who has
assured us that with non-permeable concrete, we can build this
with no problem.
Mrs. Christensen. Has there been seepage problems with the
Wall as it exists?
Mr. Scruggs. There were problems anticipated, but there
have been no seepage problems. There have been some hairline
cracks, and we have Parsons Brinkerhoff Engineers periodically
review the Memorial.
Mrs. Christensen. And my question actually was sort of
answered, and I just got an affirmation on it through the first
panel, the fact that the visitor center would be underground.
Is that decided on?
Mr. Scruggs. Yes, ma'am. It will be approximately 10,000
square feet. It will be underground. It was planned for 7,000
square feet. We have expanded it because of some very
thoughtful commentary that perhaps it needed to be a little
larger in order to tell a little bit more of the story.
Mrs. Christensen. So an amendment--the bill as written says
aboveground or underground. So there wouldn't be any objection
to us amending to just specifically state ``underground.''
Mr. Scruggs. We would strongly encourage you to do that,
and what you will hear in the testimony which our architect,
the finest in Washington, views as quite laughable from Mr.
Daniel Smith of the National Park Service is that it is
impossible to build the visitor center because the aboveground
element will forever destroy the sight lines, these historic
sight lines of the Mall, from the same National Park Service
who brings us these brown buildings. I am quite surprised to
have been informed of this testimony.
Mrs. Christensen. The bill also allows the Commission on
Fine Arts 1 year from the date of enactment to review and
approve the proposal. So what would happen if the CFA is not
given the design proposal until so far down in the year that
the year might be up? Wouldn't it be better for us to start the
clock running when the proposal is presented to CFA rather than
giving them 1 year to review and approve?
Mr. Scruggs. I think so. That was primarily placed in there
because the Chairman of the National Capital Memorial
Commission, who also approves the construction permit, who is
here today, Mr. John Parsons, the last time we testified, July
2001, the day of the testimony he referred to the visitor
center in the New York Times in an article by Ms. Eileen
Scottolino as ``an atrocity.'' So here is a person who is going
to be issuing the construction permit who chairs these
commissions, who, of course, coincidentally, unanimously vote
against this as they approved his $30 million underground
visitor center for the Washington Monument, which we hope does
not disturb the structure itself. There was a need to place
this in the legislation essentially to keep Mr. Parsons from
misusing his authority as a Federal employee.
Mrs. Christensen. I am glad you are not antagonistic to the
National Park Service.
[Laughter.]
Mrs. Christensen. Just one last question. Under the
legislation, once the center is in place, who would determine
the content of the information provided by the center? Would
that be the responsibility of the National Park Service or the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund or both? And who will staff it,
the National Park Service of the VVMF personnel?
Mr. Scruggs. We look upon this as pretty much a joint
project. We would turn to an exhibit at this time, ``Echoes
from the Wall.'' This has been used in high schools throughout
the United States. So some of the people who you heard from on
this panel will be doing the red, white, and blue patriotic
thing and making sure that this helps people understand the war
itself.
And, again, we have worked closely with the Park Service
for over 20 years. We do it every day. We help the Rangers when
they run out of rubbing paper, when the lights go out. I mean,
we are here. But I am sorry, for 3 years I have been fighting a
person who is very powerful in this town. He has prevailed. And
I believe the wisdom of the Congress--when he attempted to stop
this Memorial from being placed here on Constitution Gardens in
1980 in testimony, the wisdom of the Congress was that this
Memorial should be here and that Mr. Parsons was wrong. And he
is even more wrong for the efforts he has made to thwart this
visitor center, and we will not allow him to thwart the will of
Congress, assuming this bill is passed.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much.
Chairman Pombo?
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am going to defer
my questions at this point. I was just notified that they
expect a vote on the floor in about 40 minutes, so I am going
to defer my questions at this time, and any questions that I
have will be submitted in writing to the panel.
Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Pombo?
Dennis?
Mr. Cardoza. I just have a couple brief statements.
First of all, I want to thank Chairman Pombo for carrying
this piece of legislation. I think this is a very important
initiative for our country and for the soldiers who fought
there and for the children who will come after, and I salute
the Chairman for doing this. And I salute the Chairman for
holding this hearing today.
I think it is somewhat appropriate that it is raining like
hell here because you have had to fight like hell to make this
project into a reality. Nothing has been easy with regard to
the war, with regard to building this monument to begin with,
nor to get this visitor center built. And I salute you, Mr.
Scruggs, and all the panelists who continue the fight.
I would observe that I don't think you will stop until you
get it built, and I salute that, too. And so it is appropriate
that we have tough weather conditions today because I think it
just signifies the tough fight that you have all had to go
through.
I just want to thank you, Mr. Scruggs, for your years of
dedication. I brought with me the information packet that you
gave me when you visited my office the first time, and that you
distribute to middle school students and maybe some high school
students. The continuing educational efforts that you promote
are not just going to be here at the visitor center, but are,
in fact, something that you take on the road with visiting
walls and memorials that travel the country, with these
projects that you take directly to the schools. I just think it
is so important that we bring our history to life, and for what
you have done, I salute you.
We may have to leave and I may not be able to stay for the
next panel, but I also want to mention that I do understand
that the National Park Service and, in fact, Mr. Parsons, I
think, testified before a congressional Committee in 1980 in
opposition to the Wall and now are in opposition to the visitor
center because we are protecting the law that they originally
opposed. And I just think that this Committee--and I would like
to have your opinion of it, Mr. Scruggs--ought to be very
forthright in supporting Mr. Pombo's legislation.
Mr. Scruggs. We appreciate everything that has gone on
today. We understand the importance of this. We understand our
responsibility as stewards of the Wall and our responsibility
for architectural excellence at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
the type of architectural excellence that this Mall needs much
more of.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much.
Mr. Cardoza. I just have one brief question, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for your indulgence. I realize the time constraints.
There are, as you pointed out, a number of vendors'
stations here. Would those vendors be incorporated into the
visitor center in some way so that they could be removed from
the sight lines where they are currently located?
Mr. Scruggs. I would again turn you to the exhibit that
shows exactly how their rights as demonstrators can be
protected and the National Park Service can basically disrupt
their activities by making them move on a nightly basis. But we
will not be moving vending areas into the visitor center, and
it is very interesting to hear you say vending areas, because
they are given permits because they are demonstrators.
Mr. Cardoza. I see. I misunderstood. I am sorry.
Mr. Scruggs. It is quite amazing, isn't it?
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you.
Mr. Gibbons?
Mr. Gibbons. Very briefly, I wanted to thank all of you for
your testimony, and I have just a couple of questions.
Your design has to be approved by the Commission on Fine
Arts. That is by law.
Mr. Scruggs. Yes, that is correct.
Mr. Gibbons. Now, with regard to the funding, it is not
allowed to have taxpayer funds. It is all donations. Is that
correct?
Mr. Scruggs. Yes, this will be funded by corporate leaders
and others. We are also offering to provide every penny to
maintain this visitor center. We don't think our taxpayers
should have to pay a penny to maintain a visitor center for
America's youth.
Mr. Gibbons. And one final brief question, Mr. Chairman, if
I may. Give us a time line when you expect to be completed.
Assuming we are going to get through this bill, assuming we are
going to get the design accomplished, what is your expected
time line?
Mr. Scruggs. We believe we can do it in 3 and a half years.
Mr. Gibbons. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you, Mr. Gibbons.
Mrs. Christensen, did you--
Mrs. Christensen. I just wanted to say for the record,
because Mr. Parsons has taken quite a bit of hits here today,
that his job is really defined by the Commemorative Works Act,
and he is a steward of the Mall, and it is not that he--I don't
think we can say that he opposed just the Vietnam Memorial, but
he has a responsibility to protect and preserve the Mall. And I
am sure he is as supportive as anyone else of the memorializing
of the events of the war and the people who died. But he is
just fulfilling his responsibility under the Commemorative
Works Act.
Mr. Radanovich. He is not a bad guy.
Mrs. Christensen. No.
Mr. Scruggs. No. He doesn't always make the--
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much, Mr. Scruggs and panel.
I want to thank you very much for being here, and I appreciate
your testimony. Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Next up is Mr. Dan Smith, who is Special
Assistant to the Director of the National Park Service, of
course, here in Washington, D.C. Mr. Smith, welcome to the
Subcommittee.
STATEMENT OF P. DANIEL SMITH, SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE
DIRECTOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE
INTERIOR
Mr. Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a pleasure to be
here today to represent the Department. If I could just take 2
seconds before I begin my official testimony, I am seated
before you today as a Vietnam veteran who served in the 4th
Infantry Division in the 1969 and 1970. I sit here before you
also as a person who was at the Department of Interior when we
built this Wall. I was here the day we broke ground on the
right-hand side as I face it. I was here and I staffed the
dedication that President Reagan did of the Memorial on
Veterans Day of 1982.
I have a lot of feelings and they have been brought out in
other people's testimonies today, and I am very proud to be
sitting here also as a former staff member of your
Subcommittee, Mr. Chairman. So a lot of emotions come together
today, and Mr. Gibbons hit it mostly. If it was only about 40
degrees warmer, this is a classic day in the highlands in
Vietnam that I served under.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present the
Department of Interior's views on H.R. 1442. We are deeply
appreciative of the sacrifices made by the men and women who
bravely served our country in Vietnam. Our feelings of
gratitude are heightened at this time of year, as we prepare
for Memorial Day events in memory of those who lost their lives
in that conflict. We share the interest of the congressional
sponsors of H.R. 1442 in having the American public,
particularly younger generations, better understand and
appreciate the extraordinary burden borne by those who fought
for our country during a most difficult, divisive, and painful
time in our Nation's history.
The veterans who served our Nation in Vietnam are honored
here in the Nation's capital in what many view as one of the
most emotionally moving memorials ever created. The National
Park Service is privileged to be the steward of that Memorial.
In that role, we are well aware of the deeply emotional
experience visitors have when they see the Wall. We believe
that it is vitally important that nothing detract from the
powerful emotion that the Memorial evokes, and it is that
emotion that helps keep alive the public's appreciation of
those who served in Vietnam. For this reason, as well as
others, we give careful and cautious consideration of any
proposal to add a new structure to this Memorial.
The Department wants to ensure that a structure on or
adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as envisioned in
H.R. 1442, will not detract from visitors' experience at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the nearby Lincoln Memorial. We
believe that there may be other suitable alternatives to the
proposed visitor center that should be explored. We would like
to work with the Committee to identify alternative ways of
fulfilling the goal of this legislation or to work with the
Committee to specifically deal with a structure near the site,
adjacent to the site, that certainly would be sited properly
and would certainly be of a certain size and dimension that
would be appropriate to this Memorial.
As you know, several elements have already been added to
the original black granite wall that were not part of the
original design. With each addition, the Department has been
concerned about the risk of diminishing the original work. The
proposed addition of a visitor center at this site poses a
significant new challenge since it would not just another
memorial element but, instead, a relatively large structure
adjacent to the Memorial.
A similar view is shared by the two commissions that, by
law, review proposals for structures in this monumental core
where we are sitting today. Over the past several years, there
have been proposals considered by those commissions from 1,200
square feet to 8,000 square feet, and there were problems found
with that. Some of that included aboveground designs, which, of
course, were perceived as possibly more a problem than
something would have been underground.
On February 7th of last year, the Director of the National
Park Service did write a letter to Jan Scruggs at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund, and she stated that the Park Service is
supportive for the concept of an underground facility so long
as it was appropriately sized and sited, acceptable visually,
and had a minimum of distracting qualities to the visitor
experience. The Director committed the National Park Service to
consult with the fund, as well as the National Capital Memorial
Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National
Capital Planning Communications on the options available to
enhance the interpretation of that memorial.
Mr. Chairman, the Department is fully committed to
educating the public about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and
the men and women who served our Nation in Vietnam. In
coordination with the Committee, we would like to investigate
various alternatives for fulfilling the goal of this
legislation. Several ideas could be to enhance the existing
visitor kiosk and the interpretation that is available there
for the Memorial, or possibly studying sites that are near the
Memorial but not located at the Memorial. We are open to other
ideas as well, and obviously we have this piece of legislation
in front of us today, and we look forward to working with the
Committee as this bill does move forward.
The goal of H.R. 1442 of educating the public about Vietnam
is an admirable one and one that the Department has fully
supported and will continue to do so. We look forward to
working closely with the Committee.
Mr. Chairman, there are several technical amendments that
we would like to discuss with the Committee at a later date as
this moves forward so that it is a piece of legislation that is
a little bit more clear on the roles between the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund and the Park Service and that type of
things, and we will do that at a later time if you would permit
us.
This concludes my statement, and I would be pleased to
answer any questions the Committee has.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Smith follows:]
Statement of P. Daniel Smith, Special Assistant to the Director,
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present the
Department of the Interior's views on H.R. 1442, which would authorize
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to construct a visitor center to
provide information to the public on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
We are deeply appreciative of the sacrifices made by the men and
women who bravely served our country in Vietnam. Our feelings of
gratitude are heightened at this time of year, as we prepare for
Memorial Day events in memory of those who lost their lives in that
conflict. We share the interest of the congressional sponsors of H.R.
1442 in having the American public, particularly younger generations,
better understand and appreciate the extraordinary burden borne by
those who fought for our country during a most difficult, divisive, and
painful time in our nation's history.
The veterans who served our nation in Vietnam are honored here in
the Nation's Capital in what many view as one of the most emotionally
moving memorials ever created. We are privileged to be the steward of
this memorial. In that role, we are well aware of the deeply emotional
experience visitors have when they see the Wall. We believe that it is
vitally important that nothing detract from the powerful emotion that
the memorial evokes, as it is that emotion that helps keep alive the
public's appreciation of those who served in Vietnam. For this reason,
as well as others, we give careful and cautious consideration of any
proposal to add a new structure to the memorial.
The Department wants to ensure that a structure on or adjacent to
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as envisioned by H.R. 1442, will not
detract from visitors' experience at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and
the nearby Lincoln Memorial. We believe there may be other more
suitable alternatives to the proposed visitor center that should be
explored. We would like to work with the committee to identify
alternative ways of fulfilling the goal of this legislation.
H.R. 1442 would authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to
construct a visitor center to provide information to the public on the
memorial. The bill would authorize the center to be located either
above ground or underground, on or adjacent to the memorial. It would
require the Secretary of the Interior to offer to lease the center to
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for a 20-year term, renewable in 20-
year increments. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund would be
responsible for maintaining exhibits at the center and would share
other maintenance responsibilities with the Department.
H.R. 1442 requires the visitor center to be located in a way that
prevents interference with or encroachment on the memorial and protects
open space and visual sightlines on the National Mall, and constructed
and landscaped in a manner that is consistent with the Memorial and the
National Mall. We appreciate that H.R. 1442 seeks to be sensitive to
siting and design concerns that have been raised since similar
legislation was first introduced three years ago.
As you know, several elements have already been added to the
original black granite wall that were not part of the original design.
They include the flagpole and the Three Servicemen statue, the Memorial
to Women who Served in Vietnam that was constructed in 1993, and most
recently, the In Memory Plaque, to those veterans who died after the
war as a direct result of their military service in Vietnam, which was
authorized in 2000. With each addition, the Department has been
concerned about the risk of diminishing the original work. The proposed
addition of a visitor center at the site poses a significant new
challenge, since it would not be just another memorial element but,
instead, a relatively large structure adjacent to the memorial.
A similar view is shared by the two commissions that, by law,
review proposals for structures in the monumental core--the National
Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts--as well as
the National Capital Memorial Commission, which advises the Secretary
of the Interior and Congress on such proposals. Since the time
legislation authorizing construction of a visitor or education center
was first introduced, two design concepts have been publicized. One was
a 1,200-square-foot above-ground facility that would be sited where the
existing 168-square-foot information kiosk currently stands. All three
commissions were opposed to that proposal, and the Department testified
in opposition to it in testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on
National Parks in July, 2001.
The other publicized design concept was an 8,000-square-foot
underground facility, which would include a substantial above-ground
entrance. In a February, 2002 letter to the President of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund, the Director of the National Park Service
indicated support for the concept of an underground facility, so long
as it was appropriately sized and sited, acceptable visually, and had a
minimum of distracting qualities to the visitor experience. The
Director committed the National Park Service to consult with the Fund,
as well as the National Capital Memorial Commission, the Commission of
Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission on the options
available to enhance the interpretation of the memorial.
At the time that the letter was written, we believed that it might
be possible to design an underground facility for the memorial that
was, in fact, appropriately sized and sited for the memorial. Since
that time, however, the National Park Service has consulted with
representatives of the three commissions. They have expressed serious
concerns that, because of the practical need for a large above-ground
entrance, it would be virtually impossible to design an underground
facility in close proximity to the memorial that is not intrusive on
the visitor experience. In a public meeting in September, 2002, with
the National Park Service representative abstaining, the National
Capital Memorial Commission--which includes representation from the
other two commissions--voted unanimously to oppose construction of an
underground visitor center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
In addition, members of the three commissions are concerned about
the precedent a facility of this type would set for other memorials.
Structures similar to that proposed by H.R. 1442 have been disapproved
or precluded at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt, World War II, and Martin
Luther King, Jr. Memorials because they would detract from the visitor
experience. These types of structures run counter to the Memorials and
Museums Master Plan, which was endorsed by all three commissions after
extensive public review. If a visitor center is allowed to be
constructed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, it will make it much more
difficult to deny proposals for such facilities at other similar
memorials, despite both previous denials of such proposals and the
guidelines opposing these structures contained in the approved Master
Plan.
The Department is fully committed to educating the public about the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the men and women who served our nation
in Vietnam. For more than ten years, the Smithsonian has displayed an
exhibit of the offerings left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and
collected by National Park Service rangers. Other exhibits of offerings
collected by the National Park Service have traveled to schools,
universities, museums and veterans centers all over the world. In
addition, the National Park Service has published a book and CD-ROM on
the history of the memorial and runs a website designed to educate
children about museum collections, including those associated with the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The National Park Service has been involved
in a number of news programs and television specials on the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial and the history of our nation's involvement in
Vietnam.
In coordination with the committee, we would like to investigate
various alternatives for fulfilling the goal of this legislation. Two
ideas we would like to explore are (1) enhancing the existing visitor
kiosk and interpretation at the memorial, and (2) studying sites near
the Mall where a visitor center for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial could
be located. We are open to other ideas, as well, that the committee, or
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, or others may suggest.
On the first idea we mentioned, we think that it might be possible
to modify the information kiosk at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to
include computerized touchscreens that visitors could access to find
information about the memorial, and individuals who served in Vietnam.
The use of computer technology and touchscreens would enable a wide
variety of periodically revolving information to be provided to
visitors. This type of technology is already in use at the Korean War
Veterans Memorial, and is planned for the World War II Memorial. Along
with enhancing the visitor kiosk, the National Park Service would want
to work with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to develop more
extensive visitor outreach and interpretive programs that do not
necessitate a new structure.
On the other idea, we would undertake a study to identify sites
near the Mall that are feasible for a visitor center specifically for
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We would expect to work closely with the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, as well as the committee, in conducting
this study.
The goal of H.R. 1442 of educating the public about Vietnam is an
admirable one, and one that the Department has fully supported and will
continue to do so. We believe that the two possible courses we have
suggested could lead to excellent opportunities to educate visitors
about the men and women who served our nation in Vietnam, and would do
so while preserving the sanctity of the memorial so that it
appropriately honors them. And, as I mentioned, we are open to other
ideas for pursuing the same goal. We look forward to working closely
with the committee to fulfill the spirit of this legislation.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my statement. I would be pleased to
answer any questions that you or other members of the committee may
have.
______
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you very much, Mr. Smith.
Any questions from the panel? Mr. Pombo?
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just very quickly.
Mr. Smith, I have had a number of conversations since this
legislation--before and after the legislation was introduced
with members of your Department and members of the
Administration about where we go from here. And one of the
reasons that the legislation was drafted the way it was was to
give us the flexibility to work with the Administration to come
up with something that would work down here.
Mrs. Christensen talked about the legislation was drafted
to say aboveground or belowground, and in a bunch of different
areas it gave that flexibility. And I have been assured that
the Administration and the Park Service will continue to work
with us to further refine that legislation and come up with
something that hopefully can support and the Administration can
support in the end that this Committee can pass and move
through Congress.
Has anything changed from where we were, you know, last
week until today in terms of that relationship that I thought
we had?
Mr. Smith. Mr. Chairman, I do not believe so. I am aware
that you met with the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks Thursday a week ago, and certainly the message that
came from that Assistant Secretary is the way we would like to
proceed with the Committee to coordinate on this legislation.
The Chairman. I have no desire on my part to ram anything
down anyone's throat when it comes to getting this through.
Whatever we ultimately come up with, I want it to be something
that works. And I am willing to work with you guys to get that
done, but this is something I care about. And I would like to
move forward with that. So hopefully we can have the kind of
discussions in order to move forward and get that done, because
I think this is something that the time has come that we should
move forward with that. So I look forward to working with you
and the other members of the Administration to get it done.
Mr. Smith. Mr. Chairman, thank you, and I know that the
Director of the National Park Service wanted me to make sure
that I put on the record that she is ready, willing, and able
to work with the Committee to refine this legislation and,
again, to carry out the responsibilities that the National Park
Service has, not only for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial but the
entire Mall, and to work this through the process that has
worked for all of these memorials and monuments that are here
on the Mall. So we pledge to do that, Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you.
Mr. Radanovich. Thank you.
Mrs. Christensen, you are OK?
Mrs. Christensen. I think I will pass on the questions
because I think that most of the concerns that I have can be
addressed as the Director works with the Committee to work out
some of the areas that I have some concern about.
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Gibbons?
Mr. Gibbons. No questions.
Mr. Radanovich. All right. Thank you.
Mr. Smith, thank you for your testimony.
Mr. Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Radanovich. And I don't have the exact wording, but I
just want people to know that we will accept written testimony
for up to 2 weeks after this hearing. If people want to submit
that, they are perfectly welcome.
The Chairman. Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Pombo?
The Chairman. There will be further questions for this
panel and for previous panels that will be submitted in
writing. I know that I have further questions. There are other
members of the Committee who wanted the opportunity to present
questions at this hearing. Those will be submitted in writing.
This panel, Mr. Smith, and the previous panels will have the
opportunity to answer those questions in writing as well so
that they can be included in the hearing record.
Mr. Radanovich. Mr. Smith, again, thank you. That ends this
session of this panel and also ends the Subcommittee hearing. I
want to thank everybody for braving the weather and coming out
here today to this most beautiful site, even in the dampness.
Thank you very much. This hearing is adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:50 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]