Awarding Three Congressional Medals to United States Capitol Police and Those Who Protected the U.S. Capitol on January 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1085) to award three congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1085

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Every day, the United States Capitol Police (``Capitol Police'') protects the U.S. Capitol, Members of Congress, congressional staff and institutional staff, journalists, and the visiting public.

(2) On January 6, 2021, a mob of insurrectionists forced its way into the U.S. Capitol building and congressional office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting, and violently attacked Capitol Police officers.

(3) The sacrifice of heroes including Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who sustained injuries, and the courage of Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, exemplify the patriotism and the commitment of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our country.

(4) Up to seven Americans died following this violent attack, and more than 140 law enforcement officers suffered physical injuries, including 15 officers who were hospitalized.

(5) The desecration of the U.S. Capitol, which is the temple of our American Democracy, and the violence targeting Congress are horrors that will forever stain our Nation's history. SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

(a) Presentation Authorization.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of three gold medals of appropriate design to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

(c) Disposition of Medals.--Following the award of the gold medals under subsection (a):

(1) USCP headquarters.--One gold medal shall be given to the United States Capitol Police, so that the medal may be displayed at the headquarters of the United States Capitol Police and made available for research, as appropriate.

(2) DC metropolitan police department headquarters.--One gold medal shall be given to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, so that the medal may be displayed at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Department and made available for research, as appropriate.

(3) Smithsonian institution.--

(A) In general.--One gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for display as appropriate and available for research.

(B) Plaque.--In displaying the gold medal given under subparagraph (A), the Smithsonian Institution shall display the medal with a plaque that lists the other law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

(C) Sense of the congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal given under subparagraph (A) available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated with the protection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck pursuant to section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses. SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Mint should expedite production of the gold medals and duplicate medals under this Act, so that the sacrifices of fallen officers and their families, and the contributions of other law enforcement agencies who answered the call of duty on January 6, 2021, can be recognized and honored in a timely manner. SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS.

Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for the purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code. SEC. 6. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
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Ms. WATERS. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House, who is also the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, every day the men and women of the United States Capitol Police protect the United States Capitol. They protect us; they protect our staff; and they protect journalists and other visitors who come into the people's House.

On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol building was attacked by armed insurrectionists who attacked Capitol Police Officers and engaged in acts of looting and vandalism.

On that day, we witnessed the courage, patriotism, and commitment to service exemplified by Members of the Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police, and other law enforcement agencies, who risked their lives and sustained injuries as they sought to protect those trapped in the Capitol.

We honor these officers who sustained injuries in the line of duty, and we honor the sacrifices of heroes, including Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood and Metropolitan Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith. And, finally, we honor Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, whose quick thinking and selfless action undoubtedly saved the lives of many.

This legislation authorizes the Department of Treasury to mint three Congressional Gold Medals to be given to the United States Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and the Smithsonian Institution, so that we may never forget the valor and courage displayed by the brave men and women who protected the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

I thank Speaker Pelosi for introducing this bill.

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Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

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Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, may I inquire, through the Chair, if my colleague has any remaining speakers on his side?

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Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In closing, I commend Speaker Pelosi for bringing forward this bipartisan legislation, acknowledging the bravery displayed by the men and women who protected the Capitol on January 6. It is through their leadership and decisive action on that day that many lives, including my own, were saved.

I urge all Members to honor the sacrifices and courage displayed by members of the Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police, and other law enforcement agencies on January 6 by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 1085.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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