Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6394) to provide for the creation of a Congressional time capsule in commemoration of the semiquincentennial of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6394

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act''. SEC. 2. SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CONGRESSIONAL TIME CAPSULE.

(a) Creation by Architect of the Capitol.--The Architect of the Capitol shall create a Congressional time capsule, to be known as the ``Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule'' (in this Act referred to as the ``Time Capsule'').

(b) Contents.--

(1) Determination by congressional leadership.--The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Office of the Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly determine the contents of the Time Capsule, taking into account the requirements of paragraph (2).

(2) Specifications.--The contents of the Time Capsule shall include--

(A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial;

(B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried;

(C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and

(D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate.

(3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subsection, the offices described in paragraph (1) may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and such other entities of the Federal Government as the offices consider appropriate.

(c) Duties of Architect.--The Architect of the Capitol shall--

(1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, on or before July 4th, 2026, at a time which would permit individuals attending this event to also attend the burial of a time capsule in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under section 7(f)(1) of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (36 U.S.C. 101 note prec.); and

(2) install a plaque to provide such information about the Time Capsule as the Architect considers appropriate.

(d) Unsealing.--The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4th, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used.

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Mr. STEIL. 6394.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 6394. This bipartisan legislation would authorize a time capsule to be buried on the Capitol grounds to mark the Nation's semiquincentennial.

America is turning 250 on July 4, 2026. This time capsule represents one way that Congress will participate in the Nation's yearlong celebration of democracy and freedom.

The contents of the capsule will be sealed by the Office of the Speaker of the House, Office of the Minority Leader of the House, and Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate.

The contents of the capsule will remain sealed until July 2, 2276, the Nation's 500th anniversary.

Representative Watson Coleman introduced H.R. 6394 as a member of the commission, together with an additional 54 cosponsors.

The Architect of the Capitol has provided technical input to the commission and would work with the congressional leadership to implement the capsule.

I am pleased to have Ranking Member Morelle's efforts and support on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this and vote in favor of H.R. 6394.

Mr. Speaker, I echo my colleague's remarks. It is true, we don't always agree on every policy issue of the day, but it is an honor to work with him. As is shown by these five pieces of legislation, this is a real opportunity for us to work together to move this institution and this country ahead.

As noted by my colleague, this would not be possible without the hardworking staff of both the majority and minority side, navigating through thorny issues at times. I thank my colleague and all the members of the committee as well as the staff for their hard work over the course of this Congress to make sure that the important work of this institution, but more importantly of the American people, is getting done.

I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation before us, as we have done with the previous four.

As my colleague jokingly said he does not suspect he will be here in 250 years when this capsule is opened in 2276. May the Record reflect I know I won't be here in 250 years, but I do think those that are here and open this capsule will be able to reflect back at the time we have spent working on behalf of our country here.

Mr. Speaker, I support and urge its passage, and I yield back balance of my time.

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