A joint resolution to authorize the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. to erect a memorial.
Public Law 96-297 · S.J.Res. 119 · 96th Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Jul 1, 1980 · Commemorations
Sponsor: Sen. Charles Mathias (R-MD)
Cosponsors (99): Sen. Howard Baker, Sen. George McGovern,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Authorizes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Incorporated, to establish a memorial on public grounds in West Potomac Park in the District of Columbia in honor and recognition of the men and women of the armed forces who served in the Vietnam war.
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site in the Constitution Gardens area of West Potomac Park, in consultation with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., and with the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission. Provides that if subsurface soil conditions prevent the establishment of the memorial on such site, then the Secretary is authorized to select a site other than Constitution Gardens in the park.
Provides that the Secretary, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission shall have 90 days after submission of plans for such memorial within which to make their objections.
Declares that the authority conferred pursuant to this resolution shall lapse unless: (1) the establishment of the memorial is commenced within five years of enactment of this resolution; and (2) the Secretary determines that sufficient funds are available to insure completion of such memorial.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 24 actions.
- Jul 1, 1980Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 96-297.
- PresidentPresident · Measure Presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Jun 30, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report.
- Jun 27, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to conference report.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report agreed to in House: House agreed to conference report.
- Jun 25, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 96-832.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 96-832.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-1129.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference report filed: Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 96-1129.
- May 28, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in House.
- May 22, 1980Resolving differencesResolving differences · Conference scheduled in Senate.
- May 20, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up by unanimous consent in House.
- May 6, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Committee on House Administration
- Apr 30, 1980FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- Apr 24, 1980CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Nov 20, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Rules and Administration Committee
- Nov 8, 1979CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Rules and Administration Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.