text: SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress makes the following findings:
              (1) From 2014 through 2018, the United States and nations 
          around the world will mark the centennial of World War I, 
          including the entry of the United States into the war in April 
          1917.
              (2) America's support of Great Britain, France, Belgium, 
          and its other allies in World War I marked the first time in 
          this Nation's history that American soldiers went abroad in 
          defense of liberty against foreign aggression, and it marked 
          the true beginning of ``the American century''.
              (3) Although World War I was at the time called ``the war 
          to end all wars'', in fact the United States would commit its 
          troops to the defense of foreign lands 3 more times in the 20th 
          century.
              (4) More than 4,000,000 men and women from the United 
          States served in uniform during World War I, among them 2 
          future presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. 
          Two million individuals from the United States served overseas 
          during World War I, including 200,000 naval personnel who 
          served on the seas. The United States suffered 375,000 
          casualties during World War I, including 116,516 deaths.
              (5) The events of 1914 through 1918 shaped the world, the 
          United States, and the lives of millions of people in countless 
          ways.
              (6) The centennial of World War I offers an opportunity for 
          people in the United States to learn about and commemorate the 
          sacrifices of their predecessors.
              (7) Commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow 
          people in the United States to learn about the history of World 
          War I, the United States involvement in that war, and the war's 
          effects on the remainder of the 20th century, and to 
          commemorate and honor the participation of the United States 
          and its citizens in the war effort.
              (8) While the other great conflicts of the 20th century, 
          World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, have 
          national memorials on the Mall in Washington, DC, there 
          currently exists no nationally recognized memorial honoring the 
          service of the United States and its citizens in World War I.
              (9) In 1921, the people of Kansas City, Missouri dedicated 
          a site in that city for a memorial to the service of Americans 
          in World War I, a ceremony attended by General John J. Pershing 
          and military leaders of Great Britain, France, Belgium, and 
          Italy. In 1924, the cornerstone of the 217-foot Liberty 
          Memorial Tower was laid. On Armistice Day 1926, President 
          Calvin Coolidge delivered the keynote address at the Memorial's 
          dedication ceremony. The Memorial and surrounding grounds were 
          completed in 1938, with an inscription that reads ``In Honor of 
          Those Who Served in the World War in Defense of Liberty and Our 
          Country.''.
              (10) The 106th Congress recognized the Liberty Memorial as 
          a national symbol of World War I.
              (11) The 108th Congress designated the museum at the base 
          of the Liberty Memorial as ``America's National World War I 
          Museum''. The museum preserves the history of World War I, and 
          educates and enlightens people about this significant event.
              (12) The District of Columbia War Memorial was authorized 
          in 1924 by resolution of the 68th Congress, and was dedicated 
          on Armistice Day 1931 by President Herbert Hoover. The DC War 
          Memorial, erected in memory of the 499 residents of the 
          District of Columbia who died in World War I, is often 
          overlooked by residents and visitors to Washington.
              (13) The DC War Memorial is located on the national Mall in 
          Washington, adjacent to the World War II, Korean War, and 
          Vietnam memorials. Of these memorials, which now compose a 
          quartet of memorials to the 4 great wars of the American 
          Century, only the DC War Memorial is not a national memorial.
  
  SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
  
      The purpose of this Act is to--
              (1) establish a commission, in Kansas City, Missouri, to 
          ensure a suitable national observance of the centennial of 
          World War I; and
              (2) rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City and the 
          District of Columbia War Memorial, respectively, as the 
          ``National World War I Museum and Memorial'' and the ``District 
          of Columbia and National World War I Memorial''.
  
  SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
  
      In this Act:
              (1) America's national world war i museum.--The term 
          ``America's National World War I Museum'' means the Liberty 
          Memorial Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, as recognized by 
          Congress in section 1031(b) of the Ronald W. Reagan National 
          Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (Public Law 108-
          375; 118 Stat. 2045).
              (2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the World 
          War I Centennial Commission established by section 4(a).
              (3) Veterans service organization.--The term ``veterans 
          service organization'' means any organization recognized by the 
          Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the representation of 
          veterans under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code.
  
  SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
  
      (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known 
  as the ``World War I Centennial Commission''.
      (b) Membership.--
              (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 24 
          members as follows:
                      (A) Four members who shall be appointed by the 
                  Speaker of the House of Representatives.
                      (B) Three members who shall be appointed by the 
                  minority leader of the House of Representatives.
                      (C) Four members who shall be appointed by the 
                  majority leader of the Senate.
                      (D) Three members who shall be appointed by the 
                  minority leader of the Senate.
                      (E) Seven members who shall be appointed by the 
                  President from among persons who are broadly 
                  representative of the people of the United States 
                  (including members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and 
                  representatives of veterans service organizations).
                      (F) One member who shall be appointed by the 
                  executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of 
                  the United States.
                      (G) One member who shall be appointed by the 
                  executive director of the American Legion.
                      (H) One member who shall be appointed by the 
                  president of the Liberty Memorial Association.
              (2) Period of appointment.--Each member shall be appointed 
          for the life of the Commission.
              (3) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled 
          in the manner in which the original appointment was made.
              (4) Initial meeting.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the 
                  date on which all members of the Commission have been 
                  appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting.
                      (B) Location.--The location for the meeting held 
                  under subparagraph (A) shall be the America's National 
                  World War I Museum.
              (5) Meetings.--
                      (A) In general.--The Commission shall meet at the 
                  call of the Chair.
                      (B) Frequency.--The Chair shall call a meeting of 
                  the members of the Commission not less frequently than 
                  once each year.
                      (C) Location.--Not less frequently than once each 
                  year, the Commission shall meet at the America's 
                  National World War I Museum.
              (6) Quorum.--Thirteen members of the Commission shall 
          constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
              (7) Chair and vice chair.--The Commission shall select a 
          Chair and Vice Chair from among its members.
  
  SEC. 5. DUTIES.
  
      (a) In General.--The duties of the Commission are as follows:
              (1) To plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and 
          activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.
              (2) To encourage private organizations and State and local 
          governments to organize and participate in activities 
          commemorating the centennial of World War I.
              (3) To facilitate and coordinate activities throughout the 
          United States relating to the centennial of World War I.
              (4) To serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and 
          dissemination of information about events and plans for the 
          centennial of World War I.
              (5) To develop recommendations for Congress and the 
          President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.
      (b) Reports.--
              (1) Periodic report.--Beginning not later than the last day 
          of the 3-month period beginning on the date described in 
          section 10 and the last day of each 3-month period thereafter, 
          the Commission shall submit to Congress and the President a 
          report on the activities and plans of the Commission.
              (2) Recommendations.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
          described in section 10, the Commission shall submit to 
          Congress and the President a report containing specific 
          recommendations for commemorating the centennial of World War I 
          and coordinating related activities.
  
  SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
  
      (a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act 
  at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such 
  evidence as the Commission considers appropriate to carry out the 
  purposes of this Act.
      (b) Powers of Member and Agents.--If authorized by the Commission, 
  any member or agent of the Commission may take any action which the 
  Commission is authorized to take under this Act.
      (c) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission shall secure 
  directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the 
  Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
  Upon the request of the Chair of the Commission, the head of such 
  department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
      (d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the 
  Commission, the Administrator of the General Services Administration 
  shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the 
  administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry 
  out its responsibilities under this Act.
      (e) Contract Authority.--
              (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
          Commission is authorized--
                      (A) to procure supplies, services, and property; 
                  and
                      (B) to make or enter into contracts, leases, or 
                  other legal agreements.
              (2) Limitation.--The Commission may not enter into any 
          contract, lease, or other legal agreement that extends beyond 
          the date of the termination of the Commission under section 
          8(a).
      (f) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States 
  mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
  departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
      (g) Gifts, Bequests, and Devises.--
              (1) Acceptance by commission.--The Commission may accept, 
          use, and dispose of gifts, bequests, or devises of services or 
          property, both real and personal, for the purpose of aiding or 
          facilitating the work of the Commission.
              (2) Deposit and availability.--Gifts, bequests, or devises 
          of money and proceeds from sales of other property received as 
          gifts, bequests, or devises shall de deposited in the Treasury 
          of the United States and shall be available for disbursement 
          upon order of the Commission.
  
  SEC. 7. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
  
      (a) Compensation of Members.--Members of the Commission shall serve 
  without compensation for such service.
      (b) Travel Expenses.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
  allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
  accordance with the applicable provisions of title 5, United States 
  Code.
      (c) Staff.--
              (1) In general.--The Chair of the Commission shall, in 
          consultation with the members of the Commission, appoint an 
          executive director and such other additional personnel as may 
          be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties.
              (2) Compensation.--
                      (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                  Chair of the Commission may fix the compensation of the 
                  executive director and any other personnel appointed 
                  under paragraph (1).
                      (B) Limitation.--The Chair of the Commission may 
                  not fix the compensation of the executive director or 
                  other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) at a rate 
                  that exceeds the rate of payable for level IV of the 
                  Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, 
                  United States Code.
                      (C) Work location.--If the city government for 
                  Kansas City, Missouri, and the Liberty Memorial 
                  Association make space available in the building in 
                  which the America's National World War I Museum is 
                  located, the executive director of the Commission and 
                  other personnel appointed under paragraph (1) shall 
                  work in such building to the extent practical.
      (d) Detail of Government Employees.--Upon request of the 
  Commission, the head of any Federal department or agency may detail, on 
  a reimbursable basis, any employee of that department or agency to the 
  Commission to assist it in carrying out its duties under this Act.
      (e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The Chair 
  of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under 
  section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
  
  SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
  
      (a) In General.--The Commission shall terminate on the earlier of--
              (1) the date that is 30 days after the date of the 
          completion of the activities under this Act honoring the 
          centennial observation of World War I; or
              (2) July 28, 2019.
      (b) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
              (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
          provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
          App.) shall apply to the activities of the Commission under 
          this Act.
              (2) Exception.--Section 14(a)(2) of such Act shall not 
          apply to the Commission.
  
  SEC. 9. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL WORLD WAR I MEMORIALS.
  
      (a)  Designation of the National World War I Museum and Memorial, 
  Missouri.--
              (1) In general.--The Liberty Memorial of Kansas City at the 
          America's National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, 
          is designated as the ``National World War I Museum and 
          Memorial''.
              (2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and 
          execute ceremonies to rededicate the Liberty Memorial of Kansas 
          City as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.
      (b) Designation of the District of Columbia and National World War 
  I Memorial.--
              (1) Designation.--The District of Columbia War Memorial in 
          Washington, DC, is designated as the ``District of Columbia and 
          National World War I Memorial''.
              (2) Ceremonies.--The Commission may plan, develop, and 
          execute ceremonies to rededicate the District of Columbia War 
          Memorial as the District of Columbia and National World War I 
          Memorial.
              (3) Authority to establish commemorative work.--
                      (A) In general.--The World War I Memorial 
                  Foundation may establish a commemorative work at the 
                  site of the District of Columbia and National World War 
                  I Memorial consisting of an appropriate sculptural or 
                  other commemorative element reflecting the national 
                  character of the memorial.
                      (B) Requirements.--Any commemorative work 
                  established under subparagraph (A) shall complement and 
                  preserve the memorial (including the landscape of the 
                  memorial), as in existence on the date of enactment of 
                  this Act.
              (4)  Compliance with standards for commemorative works; 
          location of memorial.--
                      (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
                  rededication of the District of Columbia and National 
                  World War I Memorial shall be in accordance with 
                  chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code.
                      (B) Congressional finding.--Congress finds that 
                  because this Act authorizes the rededication and 
                  related enhancement of a commemorative work that, as of 
                  the date of enactment of this Act, is in existence and 
                  is sited within the Reserve (as defined in section 
                  8902(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code), the 
                  provisions regarding site approval and location of 
                  commemorative works under sections 8905 and 8908(c) of 
                  title 40, United States Code, do not apply to this Act.
              (5) Deposit of excess funds.--The World War I Memorial 
          Foundation shall transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury for 
          deposit in the account provided for in section 8906(b)(3) of 
          title 40, United States Code--
                      (A) any funds that remain after payment of all 
                  expenses incurred in the rededication of the memorial 
                  (including payment of the amount for maintenance and 
                  preservation required under section 8906(b) of that 
                  title); or
                      (B) any funds that remain for the commemorative 
                  work authorized under subsection (a) on expiration of 
                  the authority for the commemorative work under section 
                  8903(e) of that title.
  
  SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.
  
      This Act takes effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of 
  enactment of this Act.
target: Establishes the World War I Centennial Commission to: (1) plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I; (2) encourage private organizations and state and local governments to organize and participate in such activities; (3) facilitate and coordinate such activities throughout the United States; (4) serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about centennial events and plans; and (5) develop commemoration recommendations for Congress and the President.
  
  Designates: (1) the Liberty Memorial of Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri, as the National World War I Museum and Memorial; and (2) the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C., as the District of Columbia and National World War I Memorial (Memorial).
  
  Authorizes the World War I Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work at the Memorial Site.
feat_title: A bill to establish a commission to ensure a suitable observance of the centennial of World War I, and to designate memorials to the service of men and women of the United States in World War I.