H.R. 2306

The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act

 

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON FEDERAL LANDS, CONCERNING H.R. 2306, A BILL TO REAUTHORIZE THE ADAMS MEMORIAL COMMISSION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
 

JULY 16, 2025
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Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present the Department of the Interior’s views on H.R. 2306, a bill to reauthorize the Adams Memorial Commission, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2306 proposes to extend the authority of the Adams Memorial Commission for the establishment of a commemorative work honoring President John Adams to December 2, 2032. Congress originally authorized the memorial on November 5, 2001 (Public Law 107-62), and authorization has been extended several times over the years, most recently in 2019 when it was extended until December 2, 2025. In addition to reauthorization of the memorial and the Adams Memorial Commission, H.R. 2306 proposes to site the memorial within President’s Park on the Ellipse. Finally, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $50 million to support the establishment of the memorial.

The Department supports the recognition of President John Adams and his family’s enduring contributions to the founding and governance of the United States. Few American families have contributed so significantly to the formation and preservation of this country, and it is appropriate that their legacy be commemorated through a permanent memorial in the Nation’s Capital. However, we note that, to preserve the integrity of the National Mall, the Commemorative Works Act (40 USC 89 et seq.) (CWA) prohibits the establishment of new memorials on the Reserve, the central cross-axis of the Mall which includes the Ellipse.

In light of current resource constraints and deferred maintenance backlog, the Department does not support the authorization of $50 million in federal funds for this project. The Department believes funding commemorative works with non-federal donations rather than taxpayer dollars is a more fiscally responsible funding approach and fosters broad civic support for such projects. We note that many authorizations of memorials expressly prohibit the use of federal funds to establish the memorial.

The Department recognizes the NCMAC’s key role in providing advice to the Senate and House Committees with jurisdiction over the National Park System on pending legislation regarding commemorative works. Established by the CWA, the NCMAC is composed of key government agency representatives who have a critical role or expertise in the location and design of monuments and memorials on Federal lands in DC. We look forward to receiving the NCMAC’s views.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit this statement for the record.

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