Memorials and Monuments in the Nation's Capital

Memorials and Monuments in the Nation's Capital Synopsis

In 1986, in an effort to create a statutory process for the creation, design, and construction of commemorative works in the District of Columbia, Congress debated and passed the Commemorative Works Act (CWA). This book examines the evolving process by which memorials have been proposed, approved, and constructed in the District of Columbia. Since the enactment of the CWA, Congress has authorized 31 commemorative works to be placed in the District of Columbia or its environs.

This book contains a catalog of 18 authorized works that have been completed and dedicated since 1986. For each memorial, the book provides a rationale for each authorized work, as expressed by a Member of Congress, as well as the statutory authority for its creation; and identifies the group or groups which sponsored the commemoration, the memorials location, and the dedication date. Furthermore, this book provides a status update on eight in-progress memorials and five memorials with lapsed authorizations.

The final section of this book focuses on options for Congress for four types of exemptions to the CWA: siting works, use of specific materials, memorial completion deadlines, and the placement and status of museums.