National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission

The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission is the organ of the United States government responsible for approving memorials within Washington, DC and nearby neighboring areas. It was established by Public Law 99-652, Sec. 4 on November 14, 1986. Under the Commemorative Works Act of 1986, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission is one of three Commissions responsible for reviewing and approving the design and site selection of memorials and certain museums within the nation's capital.

The Commission has reviewed and approved such memorials as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Memorial.

Several members of the Commission, including the Secretary of Defense and the Architect of the Capitol, designate individuals to represent them on the Commission. This is because these officials have wide-ranging responsibilities that make delegation of certain functions necessary.

Law establishing the NCMAC

The following is the text of the United States Code establishing the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, which was originally called the National Capital Memorial Commission.

TITLE 40 > SUBTITLE II > PART D > CHAPTER 89 > § 8904

§ 8904. National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission

• (a) Establishment and Composition.— There is established the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, which shall be composed of—
  • (1) the Director of the National Park Service;
  • (2) the Architect of the Capitol;
  • (3) the Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission;
  • (4) the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts;
  • (5) the Chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission;
  • (6) the Mayor of the District of Columbia;
  • (7) the Commissioner of the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration; and
  • (8) the Secretary of Defense.
• (b) Chairman.— The Director is the Chairman of the National Capital Memorial Commission.
• (c) Advisory Role.— The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission shall advise the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of General Services (as appropriate) on policy and procedures for establishment of, and proposals to establish, commemorative works in the District of Columbia and its environs and on other matters concerning commemorative works in the Nation’s Capital as the Commission considers appropriate.
• (d) Meetings.— The National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission shall meet at least twice annually.