Senate votes to bypass delays on World War II memorial

From Dana Bash
CNN Capitol Hill Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate unanimously approved a bill Monday to expedite construction of the National World War II Memorial after years of delay due to legal wrangling.

The Senate legislation would nullify a federal lawsuit that has held up building of the monument. Unlike a bill the House passed last week, the Senate version allows a federal panel reviewing the project to retain its authority.

"After eight years of hard work, Congress is recognizing our veterans as we approach Memorial Day through the establishment of the World War II Memorial," said Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, in a written statement.

The national monument to World War II veterans has been held up for years largely over its location. Opponents argue its home, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, would obstruct the vista of the National Mall.

But with the help of a lobbying campaign from Actor Tom Hanks, former Senator Bob Dole, R-Kansas, and World War II veterans currently serving in Congress, both houses passed legislation to fast-track construction of the memorial.

Last week, President Bush threw his support behind the legislation, calling the memorial an important step toward thanking those who served.

"Every day, we lose approximately 1,100 men and women who served in World War II. And of the 16 million who served, barely 5 million remain," Bush said in his statement last week.

"It is more important than ever that we move quickly to begin construction if those who served are to see that nation's permanent expression of remembrance and thanks."

Because the Senate bill differs from what the House passed, the two versions must be reconciled before going to Bush's desk for his signature.

The memorial will be the first to honor all of the nation's veterans who served during World War II. President Clinton first dedicated the site during a formal ceremony on Veteran's Day in 1995.

The site is at the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument -- what the memorial foundation calls a prominent location "commensurate with the historical importance and lasting significance of World War II to America and the world."

In the immediate vicinity are the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the District of Columbia World War I Memorial, and Constitution Gardens.