COMMEMORATION OF THE VICTORY OF FREEDOM IN THE COLD WAR.

SEC. 1053. COMMEMORATION OF THE VICTORY OF FREEDOM IN THE COLD WAR. (a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) The Cold War between the United States and its allies and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and its allies was the longest and most costly struggle for democracy and freedom in the history of mankind. (2) Whether millions of people all over the world would live in freedom hinged on the outcome of the Cold War. (3) Democratic countries bore the burden of the struggle and paid the costs in order to preserve and promote democracy and freedom. (4) The Armed Forces and the taxpayers of the United States bore the greatest portion of that burden and struggle in order to protect those principles. (5) Tens of thousands of United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines paid the ultimate price during the Cold War 113 STAT. 765in order to preserve the freedoms and liberties enjoyed in democratic countries. (6) The Berlin Wall erected in Berlin, Germany, epitomized the totalitarianism that the United States struggled to eradicate during the Cold War. (7) The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a major event of the Cold War. (8) The Soviet Union collapsed on December 25, 1991. (b) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that the President should issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the victory in the Cold War with appropriate ceremonies and activities. (c) Participation of Armed Forces in Celebration of End of Cold War.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 301 may be available for costs of the Armed Forces in participating in a celebration of the end of the Cold War to be held in Washington, District of Columbia. (2) The total amount of funds available under paragraph (1) for the purpose set forth in that paragraph shall not exceed $5,000,000. (3) The Secretary of Defense may accept contributions from the private sector for the purpose of reducing the costs of the Armed Forces described in paragraph (1). The amount of funds available under paragraph (1) for the purpose set forth in that paragraph shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of contributions accepted by the Secretary under the preceding sentence. (4) The funding authorized in paragraph (1) shall not be available until 30 days after the date upon which the plan required by subsection (d) is submitted. (d) Report.—(1) The President shall transmit to Congress— (A) a report on the content of the proclamation referred to in subsection (b); and (B) a plan for appropriate ceremonies and activities. (2) The plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A discussion of the content, location, date, and time of each ceremony and activity included in the plan. (B) The funding allocated to support those ceremonies and activities. (C) The organizations and individuals consulted while developing the plan for those ceremonies and activities. (D) A list of private sector organizations and individuals that are expected to participate in each ceremony and activity. (E) A list of local, State, and Federal agencies that are expected to participate in each ceremony and activity. (e) Commission on Victory in the Cold War.—(1) There is hereby established a commission to be known as the “Commission on Victory in the Cold War”. (2) The Commission shall be composed of twelve members, as follows: (A) Two shall be appointed by the President. (B) Three shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (C) Two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.113 STAT. 766 (D) Three shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate. (E) Two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate. (3) The Commission shall review and make recommendations regarding the celebration of the victory in the Cold War, to include the date of the celebration, usage of facilities, participation of the Armed Forces, and expenditure of funds. (4) The Secretary shall— (A) consult with the Commission on matters relating to the celebration of the victory in the Cold War; (B) reimburse Commission members for expenses relating to participation of Commission members in Commission activities from funds made available under subsection (c); and (C) provide the Commission with administrative support. (5) The Commission shall be co-chaired by two members as follows: (A) One selected by and from among those appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (A), (C), and (E) of paragraph (2). (B) One selected by and from among those appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (2).