Pearce Hails House Passage of Legislation Forcing Bureaucracy to Complete Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitors Center
Pearce Hails House Passage of Legislation Forcing Bureaucracy to Complete Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitors Center
National Parks Subcommittee Chairman one of four original co-sponsors of bill which helps reclaim the public's power over a wayward, unaccountable federal bureaucracy
Washington, D.C., Mar 28 -
Following House passage today of H.R. 4882, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center Deadline Enforcement Act, National Parks Subcommittee Chairman Steve Pearce hailed this development as a significant step forward in reclaiming the public's authority over a wayward, unaccountable federal bureaucracy.
H.R. 4482 establishes the site for the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitors Center while requiring the National Capital Planning Commission to green-light the project within 30 days after H.R. 4482 is signed into law. Congress approved this tribute to America's Vietnam Veterans in November 2003, but the National Capital Planning Commission has refused to allow the project to move forward.
"Almost two and one-half years ago, Congress expressed the will of the American people by authorizing this richly deserved tribute to our Vietnam Veterans," Rep. Pearce said. "The National Park Service and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund promptly and completely met the National Capital Planning Commission's demands for environmental data and other information.
"The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund chose a site next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after a thorough analysis pursuant to Congress' instructions. Yet, the National Capital Planning Commission continues to insist upon more data and more analysis.' This bureaucratic foot-dragging constitutes an insult to every veteran - particularly to those heroes who sacrificed so much for our country in the rice paddies and jungles of Vietnam.
"It's far past time for Congress to reclaim the public's power over a wayward, unaccountable federal bureaucracy - and this bill constitutes significant step in that direction."
http://pearce.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=41498