28 July 2017
House Passes Historic, Bipartisan Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act
H.R. 873 exempts memorial from 1986 legislation and authorizes GWOTMF to lead organizing efforts
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Global War on Terrorism War Memorial Act, marking a significant turning point for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation (GWOTMF) in its pursuit for a memorial on the National Mall. The bipartisan passage of H.R. 873 will make an exception for the Global War on Terrorism memorial from the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, which requires Congress to wait 10 years after the official end of a military conflict before considering a war memorial to be built. In addition, the bill will authorize GWOTMF to lead these efforts, putting Andrew J. Brennan, founder and executive director at the helm of the memorial’s fundraising, design and construction planning.
“We commend the House on the passage of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act, as it brings us one step closer to bringing a place of honor, remembrance and healing for our GWOT veteran community and their families on the National Mall,” said Brennan. “We especially dedicate this historic moment to the Gold Star families who have borne devastating loss in our nation’s longest war. The memorial will be an important opportunity to educate future generations of Americans on the personal stories behind this ongoing war.”
The bill was cosponsored by Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Seth Moulton (D-MA), both of whom served as Marines and deployed to Iraq. In a strong show of bipartisan support, Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Keith Rothfus (R-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), also testified in support of H.R. 873.
“After today’s vote in the House, I could not be more proud to announce that we are one step closer to securing our brave warfighters’ rightful place in our nation’s capital,” said Representative Gallagher. “The Global War on Terrorism Memorial is for the over 6,800 men and women who have died fighting, those who continue fighting, and those who are still joining the fight against terrorism. I hope the Senate follows suit and the president signs this bill into law as soon as possible so that the Global War on Terrorism Memorial will one day stand alongside others as an enduring reminder of the cost of liberty.”
The memorial is formally endorsed by a coalition of 16 national veteran service organizations including: VFW; Got Your 6; IAVA; Travis Manion Foundation; Wounded Warrior Project; Team Rubicon; The Mission Continues; Green Beret Foundation; AmVets; Union Veteran Council; TAPS; Student Veterans of America; The Veterans Group; American Gold Star Mothers; Warrior Expeditions; and Team Red White & Blue.
“We will continue to work with Congress to ensure our GWOT community of veterans, contractors, agencies and the families who endured alongside them are not denied their memorial,” said Brennan. “We look forward to getting the bill passed in the Senate and signed by the President in this session.”
Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3 million Americans have deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Of those servicemembers, close to 7,000 have been killed, with 1 million injured and an estimated 20 percent of GWOT veterans returning home grappling with PTSD.
About the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
The mission of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is to provide the organizing, fundraising, and coordinating efforts to build a memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. to honor our fallen warriors, US servicemembers, their families, and all those who supported our nation’s longest war. The objective is to create a tangible symbol of the sacrifices made by fallen U.S. service members and their families in support of the Global War on Terror. Visit www.gwotmf.org for more information and ‘Like Us’ on Facebook to get all the latest updates at www.facebook.com/gwotmf.
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