H.R. 2290

World War II Women’s Memorial Location 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. 2290, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE THE SACRIFICE AND SERVICE OF THE WOMEN WHO WORKED ON THE HOME FRONT TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY DURING WORLD WAR II MAY BE LOCATED ON THE NATIONAL MALL, 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. 2290, a bill to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall, and for other purposes.

The Department supports establishing a commemorative work to honor the service and commitment of American women who worked on the home front during World War II and we support establishing it in a place of national honor and prominence. H.R. 2290 would authorize the establishment of the memorial in Area I or within the Reserve, the central cross-axis of the National Mall, as described by the Commemorative Works Act (40 USC 89 et seq.) (CWA).

The CWA was enacted in 1986 to ensure that proper consideration is given to the authorization, location, and design of new memorials within Washington, DC. Congress amended the CWA in 2003, establishing the Reserve and declaring it a completed work of civic art where “the siting of new commemorative works is prohibited.” A commemorative work located outside of the Reserve would honor the contributions of these women to our country and maintain the integrity in placement of monuments and memorials in the Nation's capital.

The Department recognizes the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission’s (NCMAC) 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.

The NPS is committed to working with the memorial sponsor to develop a site selection study, as required by the CWA, to determine a proper location for the memorial. To date, no such site selection study has been completed.

The Department notes an increasing number of efforts to establish new commemorative works and museums in the Reserve. Maintaining the Mall’s open spaces and existing architecture ensures it continues to convey its significance as our Nation’s premier civic space.

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

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