H.R. 6243: Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act

This bill, known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, outlines the creation of a congressional time capsule to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Here are the key points of the bill:

Purpose

The purpose of the bill is to establish a time capsule that will serve as a historical record, marking the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. The time capsule will be housed in the Capitol Visitor Center.

Creation of the Time Capsule

The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for creating the time capsule, which will be officially named the "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule."

Contents of the Time Capsule

The contents will be determined by key congressional leaders from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. These leaders include:

• Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Minority Leader of the House of Representatives
• Majority Leader of the Senate
• Minority Leader of the Senate

The contents must include:

• A single, joint letter from the aforementioned congressional offices.
• Coins minted by the Secretary of the Treasury commemorating the semiquincentennial.
• Any additional items that the congressional leadership collectively decides to include.

All items must be made of materials that are less likely to degrade over time, such as metal or archival paper, and not made from high-risk degrading materials.

Specifications of the Time Capsule

The time capsule will have official dimensions not exceeding:

• Width: 50 inches
• Depth: 32 inches
• Height: 48 inches

Preparation and Installation

The Architect of the Capitol will prepare the time capsule to be sealed and buried by July 4, 2026, ensuring that the burial coincides with an event in Independence Mall, Philadelphia, honoring the same anniversary.

A plaque will be installed to provide information about the time capsule, with the content approved by specific congressional committees.

Unsealing the Time Capsule

The time capsule is planned to be sealed until July 4, 2276. On that date, it will be presented to the 244th Congress, which will decide how to manage the contents within.

Relevant Companies

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