PUBLIC LAW 96-297—JULY 1, 1980
94 STAT. 827
Public Law 96-297 96th Congress Joint Resolution To authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., to establish a memorial.
July 1, 1980 [S.J. Res. 119]
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Vietnam Veterans Vietnam Memorial Fund, Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized and existing Veterans Fund, Memorial under the laws of the District of Columbia, is authorized to establish a Inc., memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park in the District of establishment. Columbia, in honor and recognition of the men and women of the 16 USC 431 note. Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam war. SEC. 2. (a) The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Site selection. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., is authorized and directed to select with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission a suitable site of approximately two acres in size located in the area of West Potomac Park known as Constitution Gardens in the District of Columbia: Provided, That if subsurface soil conditions prevent the engineering of a feasible foundation system for the memorial in a location in that area, then the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., is authorized and directed to select a suitable site of approximately two acres in size located in an area of West Potomac Park north of Independence Avenue other than Constitution Gardens. (b) The design and plans for such memorial shall be subject to the Design plans. approval of the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission: Provided, That if the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, or the National Capital Planning Commission fails to report his or its approval of or specific objection to such design and plans within ninety days of their submission, his or its approv^ shall be deemed to be given. (c) Neither the United States nor the District of Columbia shall be Expenses. put to any expense in the establishment of the memorial. SEC. 3. The authority conferred pursuant to this resolution shall Termination of lapse unless (1) the establishment of such memorial is commenced authority. within five years from the date of enactment of this resolution, and (2) prior to groundbreaking for actual construction on the site, funds are certified available in an amount sufficient, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Interior based upon the approved design and plans for the memorial, to insure completion of the memorial.
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