Capitol Remembrance Act This bill requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to design and install in a prominent location in the U.S. Capitol a permanent exhibit that depicts the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. To the extent possible, the AOC must preserve property that was damaged during the attack and include it in the exhibit. The AOC must also include (1) existing photographic records relating to the attack; and (2) a plaque to honor the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies that protected the Capitol, the individuals who died or sustained injuries to protect the Capitol, and the staff who helped restore the Capitol complex after the attack.
Impact
If enacted, the Capitol Remembrance Act will ensure that the January 6 attack is not forgotten but rather memorialized within the seat of the U.S. government. The act not only aims to honor the sacrifices made by law enforcement and Capitol staff but also to educate future generations about this pivotal incident. This initiative encourages civic reflection on the importance of security and democracy, potentially influencing future policies and decisions regarding national security and Capitol protection.
Summary
House Bill 321, known as the Capitol Remembrance Act, mandates the creation of a permanent exhibit in the United States Capitol that commemorates the attack on January 6, 2021. The bill directs the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to design and install this exhibit which is to include physical remnants of the damage caused during the attack, photographic documentation, and a plaque honoring law enforcement personnel and others who protected the Capitol during the event. The purpose of the exhibit is to serve as a reminder of this significant event in American history.
Contention
While the bill seems to have widespread support among those wanting to honor the sacrifices made during the events of January 6, it could encounter resistance from groups who believe such memorializations should not occur in a manner that could politicize or sensationalize the attack. There may also be concerns regarding funding and the appropriateness of the resources allocated for maintaining such an exhibit in a politically charged environment.
Directing the Architect of the Capitol to install at a permanent location on the western front of the United States Capitol an honorific plaque listing the names of all of the officers of the United States Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and protective entities who responded to the violence that occurred at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.
To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Joint Items, Architect of the Capitol, Capital Construction and Operations for fiscal year 2024.
Recognizing the 12-year anniversary of the tragic attack that took place at the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara on August 5, 2012, and honoring the memory of those who died in the attack.
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to contract for and place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the Capitol.The committee shall place the statue in a permanent public location where it is accessible during a guided tour provided by the Capitol Visitor Center.The contract must be executed by December 31, 2025, and the statue must be placed by December 31, 2026.