{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-bill-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday-with-time-capsule-passes-house", "Rep. Watson Coleman Bill to Commemorate America\u2019s 250th Birthday with Time Capsule Passes House", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) celebrated the passage of her bill, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, through the House of Representatives.\n\nThe bipartisan legislation authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to create and bury a time capsule on the west lawn of the Capitol, where it will remain until America\u2019s 500th birthday on July 4, 2276.\n\n\u201cI am so pleased the House overwhelmingly passed my bipartisan legislation to commemorate America\u2019s 250th Birthday with a time capsule,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12). \u201cThis time capsule will memorialize our moment in American history, and give future generations a chance to glimpse our nation as it was. I\u2019m grateful for the partnership of my colleagues in the House, and on the America250 Commission under the capable leadership of Rosie Rios. It\u2019s a privilege to work with all of you as we plan a nationwide celebration of America's 250th birthday.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs we face new challenges and a time of deep division, partisanship, and extremism, this anniversary serves as a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the values of liberty and equality, championed by our founding fathers,\u201d said Congressman Joe Morelle. \u201cI thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her leadership of this memorable measure. I am grateful to all of my colleagues on the America 250 Commission, and look forward to seeing the items chosen for the time capsule by the bipartisan, bicameral group as this marks a significant moment in our shared American history.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith today\u2019s passing of the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, we get to tell the story of America to those who will open this capsule in the future,\u201d said Rep. Rob Aderholt (AL-04). \u201cThere is no better way to inspire the American people 250 years from now than to remind them that America is, and has always been, worth fighting for.\u201d\n\n\"Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, America\u2019s shining beacon of hope and democracy has continued to guide our nation toward a better future for all,\u201d said Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03). \u201cWhile we have often fallen short of the ideals outlined in the Declaration, the upcoming commemoration of our nation\u2019s 250th year of existence reminds us of our shared responsibility to work towards a more perfect union. I am immensely proud to co-sponsor the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act not only as a Philadelphian but also as an American.\"\n\n\u201cSince 1776, the American experiment has been a beacon of hope to the entire world,\u201d said Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27). \u201cAs America is about to celebrate its 250th birthday, it\u2019s fitting to create a time capsule to be opened 250 years from now \u2013 for America\u2019s 500th birthday, with contents that will showcase American exceptionality to future Americans. I\u2019m proud to lead this legislation with my colleagues and urge the Senate to quickly pass it.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis time capsule will help commemorate America\u2019s enduring spirit of democracy. It will celebrate our collective accomplishments and bridge our nation\u2019s past, present and future,\u201d said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. \u201cCongratulations to Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman for her dedicated leadership in championing this important legislation.\u201d\n\nThe contents of the time capsule will be determined by the offices of the Speaker of the House, the Office of the Minority Leader of the House, and the Offices of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate. They will include items that represent important legislation or institutional milestones of Congress, a message from this Congress to the future Congress, and other items that reflect our history at the time of its burial in 2026.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-bill-to-commemorate-americas-250th-birthday-with-time-capsule-passes-house"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6349507495760918, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}