text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Frank Buckles World War I Memorial 
  Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds the following:
              (1) In 2017, the United States will commemorate the 
          centennial of its entry into World War I, which introduced the 
          American soldier to the world in what would become a familiar 
          role as defender, liberator, and promoter of peace and 
          democracy.
              (2) The support provided by the United States to Great 
          Britain, France, and other allies in World War I marked the 
          first time in the history of the United States that American 
          soldiers went overseas to defend foreign soil against 
          aggression, and it marked the true beginning of ``the American 
          century''.
              (3) Although World War I was called the ``Great War'' and 
          the ``War to End All Wars'', in fact, the United States would 
          commit its troops to the defense of foreign lands several more 
          times in the 20th century.
              (4) While three of these subsequent conflicts, World War 
          II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, rightfully have 
          commemorative memorials on the National Mall in the District of 
          Columbia, there is no memorial to World War I on the Mall, even 
          though more Americans gave their lives in World War I than in 
          either the Korean War or the Vietnam War.
              (5) While a memorial to General John Pershing and the 
          American Expeditionary Forces that he led during World War I is 
          located in the District of Columbia, that memorial is not 
          located on the Mall and does not commemorate the total 
          participation of the United States and its Armed Forces in 
          World War I.
              (6) The District of Columbia War Memorial is located on the 
          Mall, adjacent to the Lincoln Reflecting Pool between the World 
          War II and Korean War memorials, and was erected in memory of 
          the 499 residents of the District of Columbia who died in World 
          War I.
              (7) The District of Columbia War Memorial is in extreme 
          disrepair and is often overlooked by residents and visitors to 
          Washington.
              (8) In recognition of the upcoming anniversaries of 
          America's entry into World War I, and of the armistice that 
          concluded World War I on November 11, 1918, and in order to 
          honor the members of the United States Armed Forces who served 
          in World War I and to ensure that future generations of 
          Americans will know the complete history of America's 20th-
          century struggle against aggression and totalitarianism, it is 
          timely and proper to rededicate the site of the District of 
          Columbia War Memorial on the National Mall as a ``National and 
          District of Columbia World War I Memorial''.
              (9) Because this Act authorizes the rededication and 
          related enhancement of a commemorative work that already 
          exists, and that is already sited within the Reserve as defined 
          in Commemorative Works Act, the provisions of the Commemorative 
          Works Act regarding site approval and location of commemorative 
          works do not apply to this Act.
  
  SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH COMMEMORATIVE WORK.
  
      The World War I Memorial Foundation is authorized to establish a 
  commemorative work rededicating the District of Columbia War Memorial 
  as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial, 
  including--
              (1) full restoration of the existing District of Columbia 
          War Memorial; and
              (2) the addition of an appropriate sculptural or other 
          commemorative element, which shall complement and preserve the 
          existing memorial and its landscape, at the site of the 
          existing memorial to make it a national memorial.
  
  SEC. 4. COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR COMMEMORATIVE WORKS; LOCATION OF 
                MEMORIAL.
  
      (a) In General.--Except as provided by subsection (b), the 
  rededication of the District of Columbia War Memorial shall be in 
  accordance with chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (popularly 
  known as the Commemorative Works Act).
      (b) Exception.--Sections 8908 and 8905 of title 40, United States 
  Code shall not apply to this Act.
  
  SEC. 5. PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS.
  
      The Foundation shall solicit and accept private contributions for 
  the memorial.
  
  SEC. 6. DEPOSIT OF EXCESS FUNDS.
  
      If, upon payment of all expenses of the rededication (including the 
  maintenance and preservation amount provided for in chapter 89 of title 
  40, United States Code, or upon expiration of the authority for the 
  commemorative work under such chapter), there remains a balance of 
  funds received for the establishment of the commemorative work, the 
  World War I Memorial Foundation shall transmit the amount of the 
  balance to the Secretary of the Treasury for deposit in the account 
  provided for in section 8906(b) of title 40, United States Code.
target: Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act - Authorizes the World War I Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work rededicating the District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial.
feat_title: To authorize the rededication of the District of Columbia War Memorial as a National and District of Columbia World War I Memorial to honor the sacrifices made by American veterans of World War I.