Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 1057, the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act.

What an honor to stand on this House floor and pay tribute to that generation, the World War II heroes who we know and love so much, including my father-in-law, who helped free the Buchenwald concentration camp, and my dad, who flew a B-25.

Since its inception in 2024, the National World War II Memorial has been a popular attraction for anybody visiting Washington. Millions visit this iconic site annually.

Along the entrance to the memorial plaza are 12 bronze relief panels that show scenes from the Atlantic front and 12 scenes from the Pacific front. The Rainbow Pool is at the center of the plaza, and behind that pool is the Freedom Wall.

During World War II, the gold star was used as a symbol to indicate that a member of the family had lost their life in the war. The 4,048 gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 Americans who paid the ultimate cost and gave their life in the war for freedom in Europe and in the Pacific.

Anytime I visit the memorial, I always take an extra second to walk and read the quote from President Truman found on the memorial wall. It reads: ``Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.''

This memorial is an important place for all Americans, but unfortunately, its age is beginning to show. Coming up on its 18th year of service, the memorial is in need of repair--hence the importance, Madam Speaker, of passing this legislation today.

The surcharges or proceeds from this coin program will go to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the maintenance and repair of the memorial and the continuation of important education programs so that the youth of tomorrow never forget the service and sacrifice of those who came before.

I thank my old friend Senator Bob Dole for all the years that he supported us in trying to get this memorial built and was there and lived to see it. And I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), my dear friend, not only for the bill today to maintain the memorial but for originating the legislation that authorized the commission that established the memorial back in 1993.

Those who give their lives for our country should be memorialized and remembered for all future generations. I support this bill, and I urge the entire House to stand up and support this bill for the memories of all those who served in World War II.

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Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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