H.R. 6643: American Border Story Memorial Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The American Border Story Memorial Act is a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. This memorial would honor United States citizens and legal residents who have lost their lives as victims of crimes committed by individuals who are unlawfully present in the country. Here are the key elements of the bill:

1. Establishment of the Memorial

The bill authorizes the creation of a commemorative work, referred to as the American Border Story (TABS), specifically to memorialize victims of such crimes. The memorial will be located on federal land within the District of Columbia or its nearby areas.

2. Compliance with Standards

To ensure the memorial meets established standards, the creation of this commemorative work will comply with existing regulations outlined in the Commemorative Works Act. This entails following the specific procedures and guidelines set forth for establishing commemorative structures on federal land.

3. Funding Restrictions

The bill stipulates that federal funds cannot be used to finance any part of the establishment of the memorial. Financial support for the project must come from non-federal sources, ensuring no taxpayer money is allocated to this cause.

4. Management of Funds

After the memorial is established, if any funds remain after covering the total expenses, these will be managed as follows:

The excess funds will be sent to the Secretary of the Interior to be deposited in a designated account for similar commemorative works.
If the authority to maintain the memorial expires and there are leftover funds, these will be transferred to a separate account with the National Park Foundation, which can then be allocated for future memorials as needed.

5. Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of the bill is to recognize and honor the lives of individuals who have been victims of crimes related to unauthorized immigration. The memorial would serve as a tribute and a reminder of these tragic events.

6. Legislative Process

As the bill is currently introduced in the House of Representatives, it will undergo further deliberation and review by the relevant committees before it can be voted on and potentially passed into law.