Bill Overview
Title: Gateway Solidarity Act
Description: This bill authorizes the illumination of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, by blue and yellow lights to show support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people in 2022, within 15 days following enactment of this bill, for no fewer than 5 consecutive days; and annually on August 24, in recognition of Ukrainian Independence Day, until the President reports to Congress that the Russian government has ceased its destabilizing activities with respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Sponsors: Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]
Target Audience
Population: Ukrainian people worldwide
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The Gateway Arch is an iconic monument located in St. Louis, Missouri, and is part of a national park.
- Illuminating the monument in blue and yellow is a gesture of solidarity, primarily impacting perceptions and morale.
- The Ukrainian population globally may be positively affected as they see international support through prominent symbols and actions.
- Local populations in St. Louis, Missouri, will witness this gesture firsthand, which could inspire civic pride or awareness.
- The general population in the U.S. that engages with news about international solidarity movements could also be impacted in terms of awareness or sentiment.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of illuminating the Gateway Arch in solidarity with Ukraine is symbolic, affecting perceptions, awareness, and goodwill rather than material conditions.
- The target population includes Ukrainian-Americans, who may feel a sense of solidarity, and other Americans interested in international affairs, though the impact is expectedly low given the symbolic nature of the policy.
- The budget is limited, which constrains the scale of the policy’s influence; it may only be visible to those living in or visiting St. Louis and those engaging with related media coverage.
- The symbolic act could potentially inspire pride among local residents and those with close ties to Ukraine, while raising awareness among broader American audiences about the conflict in Ukraine.
Simulated Interviews
software engineer (St. Louis, Missouri)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm proud the Gateway Arch is supporting Ukraine. It's a visible sign of solidarity.
- While it's just a light display, it means a lot to see support from the city.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
teacher (New York, New York)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a nice gesture, showing support in a small way.
- I hope it raises more awareness around the issues Ukraine faces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
marketing specialist (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honestly, I don't feel a big impact from it, but it's good to show solidarity.
- I saw it in the news, but symbolic gestures like this need accompanying actions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
student (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a cool way to bring more attention to Ukraine.
- Gestures like this keep the conversation going among my peers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
nurse (Houston, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While symbolic, it shows that people and governments can be allies.
- I appreciate these gestures from afar.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
tour guide (St. Louis, Missouri)
Age: 33 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great for tourists; symbolic but adds a nice element to tours.
- Makes me proud that we can support Ukraine in such a visible way.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired (San Francisco, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seen similar gestures before; it's a simple but good act of support.
- Would be more impactful with additional actionable support elsewhere.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
graphic designer (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's more meaningful to me as someone with Ukrainian roots.
- Reminds me of how communities can show support without direct involvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
high school student (Miami, Florida)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These things trend on social media and spread awareness.
- It means a lot to my friends, some of whom have Ukrainian family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
lawyer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every bit of support counts, even if it's symbolic.
- It's nice to see such gestures from places I visit often.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000 (Low: $150000, High: $300000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The visibility and symbolic nature of this act play a critical role in both public and international relations.
- Managing expectations about the costs and establishing clear communication around the benefits (symbolic or otherwise) is crucial.
- Security, logistics, and maintaining accessibility to the national park during the illumination period need to be ensured.