Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial fails to adequately honor the profound sacrifice of members of the United States Armed Forces, and demanding a redesigned monument that clearly and unmistakably honors the valor, combat reality, and distinct sacrifice of post-9/11 veterans.

119th Congress Introduced by Cory Mills

Calls for redesign of the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial to clearly depict military sacrifice and GWOT veterans, prioritizing explicit imagery over abstract design.

Submitted in House

Overview

Bill: HRES 1407

Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session

Type: Simple resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives

Sponsor: Rep. Cory Mills (co-sponsor)

Referral: Committee on Natural Resources

Action (as of document):Submitted June 30, 2026; referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

Purpose and Intent

The resolution states that the current design concept for the National Global War on Terrorism Memorial (to be located on or related to the National Mall) does not adequately honor the sacrifices of U.S. Armed Forces who fought in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) and the families of fallen service members (Gold Star families).

It calls for a redesigned memorial that clearly and unmistakably honors:

the valor and combat reality of GWOT veterans,
the physical and psychological sacrifices borne by service members and their families,
and the distinct sacrifices of post-9/11 veterans.

Key Provisions

Clear rejection of abstract or landscape-centric design if it obscures the warrior ethos or the explicit depiction of military service, valor, and sacrifice.

Directs that the design process involve:

the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation,
the Commission of Fine Arts,
the National Capital Planning Commission, to reject or substantially modify any design proposal that prioritizes abstract landscape architecture over explicit military depiction.

Mandates that the final memorial design:

clearly and powerfully showcase physical sacrifice, combat gear, and the collective efforts of GWOT service members,
provide a lasting, dignified, and historically clear tribute to post-9/11 veterans and their families.

Who/What Would Be Affected

The National Global War on Terrorism Memorial project and its design process.

Organizations involved in memorial review and approval:

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
Commission of Fine Arts
National Capital Planning Commission

GWOT veterans and Gold Star families, as well as the general public who will view and interact with the memorial.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Expresses the sense of the House (non-binding) that the current concept is inadequate and calls for redesign.

This is a resolution of the House, not a bill that would authorize funding or mandate construction changes by itself.

If adopted, it would signal congressional preference for a memorial design that emphasizes explicit, recognizable depictions of military service and sacrifice, potentially influencing future design proposals, reviews, and approvals.

Additional Context

The resolution cites the 9/11/2001 attacks and notes the long-running nature of GWOT (Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Horn of Africa) and the consequences, including casualties and lasting wounds.

It references the desirability of a memorial on the National Mall that serves as a sacred, enduring testament to the warrior class and contrasts current abstract design concepts with historically recognized memorials that display explicit imagery and named individuals or recognizable combat realities.

If you’d like, I can compare this resolution to other memorial design guidance or summarize potential implications for stakeholders and future design proposals.