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A joint resolution authorizing the Kahlil Gibran Centennial Foundation to establish a memorial in the District of Columbia.

Public Law 98-537 · H.J.Res. 580 · 98th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Oct 19, 1984 · Commemorations

Sponsor: Rep. Abraham Kazen (D-TX-23)

Cosponsors (50): Rep. Nick Rahall,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
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.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Authorizes the Kahlil Gibran Centennial Foundation to erect a memorial on Federal land in the District of Columbia in commemoration of the Lebanese-American poet and artist, Kahlil Gibran.

Provides that the Foundation shall be responsible for preparation of the design and plans for the memorial, which shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of Interior, the Commission on Fine Arts, and the National Capital Planning Commission. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, with the approval of the National Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, to select a site for the memorial. Prohibits construction of the memorial unless the Secretary determines that sufficient funds are available for its completion. Makes the Secretary responsible for the maintenance of the memorial after completion of construction.

Provides that the United States shall not pay any expense of the establishment of the memorial.

States that the authority to establish the memorial shall expire at the end of the five-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act unless construction of the memorial begins during that period.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.

  1. Oct 19, 1984Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-537.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Oct 11, 1984PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Oct 4, 1984FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
  5. Sep 27, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Rules and Administration Committee
  6. Sep 26, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Rules and Administration Committee
  7. Sep 25, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Rules and Administration Committee
  8. Sep 24, 1984FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  9. CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Committee on House Administration
  10. Sep 20, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Committee on House Administration
  11. CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by House Committee on House Administration
  12. May 30, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Committee on House Administration
  13. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
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.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.