National VA History Center would become reality under Turner legislation

A veterans’ affairs history office would be formally established within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH).

“This critical piece of legislation will preserve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ history of outstanding work and document the special relationship between the United States and our veterans,” Rep. Turner said on Wednesday.

Specifically, the Veterans Affairs Centennial and Heritage Act of 2024, H.R. 6947, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), would codify the establishment of the National VA History Center (NVAHC) at the VA, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Turner’s staff.

Currently, the creation of the NVAHC exists only pursuant to department memoranda; H.R. 6947 would codify the center through an act of Congress, the summary says, noting that the NVAHC would be located at the Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Rep. Turner’s home state of Ohio.

“The Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center is among the finest facilities for veterans’ services in the United States, and I am pleased that it is the home for the future museum and archives for VA history,” said Rep. Turner. “For decades, the Dayton VA has served the healthcare needs of over 40,000 veterans in our community, going above and beyond to provide our service members with the benefits that they earned protecting our freedoms.”

H.R. 6947 also would authorize the VA to enter into leasing and gift agreements for the creation of the NVAHC and its collection to allow the VA to better partner with history foundations and nonprofits to procure artifacts, design exhibits, and more, the summary says.

“It’s extremely important to honor and support our veterans,” said Rep. Landsman. “The National VA History Center would bridge the past with the present, attracting visitors to Ohio so they can better understand our veterans’ sacrifices and know they will never be forgotten.”

The measure, which is supported by the Dayton Development Coalition and the American Veterans Heritage Center, is companion legislation to the same-named S. 3567, also introduced on Jan. 10 by U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH).