Hershel ``woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 186) to authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a commemorative work on the National Mall to honor the extraordinary acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 186
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hershel `Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and the President signed, Public Law 117-80 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal land in the District of Columbia a commemorative work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients.
(2) The Medal of Honor was established by President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lincoln's lasting and living legacy.
(3) In 1991, during the administration of President George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended further when National Medal of Honor Day was established as March 25th of each year.
(4) The Medal of Honor is awarded to all branches of the United States Armed Forces as our nation's highest recognition for valor in combat.
(5) The number of living Medal of Honor recipients has been steadily declining, making it even more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sacrifices and inspire future generations.
(6) Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, the last World War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol.
(7) The Medal of Honor represents the very best of our Nation--ordinary citizens, who took extraordinary action above and beyond the call of duty and became heroes of our Republic.
(8) These examples inspire all citizens and ignite within us the very spirit of America.
(9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of supreme national and historical importance necessary to warrant representation on the National Mall.
(10) Locating the National Medal of Honor Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial within the Reserve would be a respectful extension of his enduring legacy and recognition of what ordinary people can accomplish when working for the greater good. SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCATION.
(a) Site.--Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, the commemorative work authorized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117-80 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code).
(b) Applicability of Commemorative Works Act.--Except as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Commemorative Works Act''), shall apply to the commemorative work.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. 186, the bill now under consideration.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, as we approach the 250th celebration of our Nation next year, there is perhaps no greater way to celebrate our history than passing H.R. 186, which honors the valor and sacrifice of some of our Nation's bravest heroes, Medal of Honor recipients.
Madam Speaker, 162 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln awarded the first Medal of Honor in the midst of the Civil War. It remains our Nation's highest honor awarded to members of the Armed Forces and is bestowed sparingly to only those who have demonstrated the highest acts of valor. Less than 70 Medal of Honor recipients are alive today out of the more than 3,500 medals that have been awarded.
As the highest and most prestigious military decoration in the United States, the Medal of Honor symbolizes extraordinary acts of bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice beyond the call of duty.
Madam Speaker, by recognizing these remarkable individuals, the Medal of Honor inspires a sense of national pride, honors the memory of fallen heroes, and motivates future generations to embody the values of courage and honor.
The Medal of Honor continues to instill a profound sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made in the defense of freedom and justice.
Congressman Moore's bipartisan bill, the Hershel ``Woody'' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, will ensure that the monument honoring these brave heroes can be placed on what is known as the Reserve but is commonly referred to as ``The National Mall'' here in Washington, D.C.
A monument honoring our most exceptional citizens should be placed in an equally exceptional location. According to National Park Service data, The National Mall receives upward of 25 million visitors each year. The monuments and memorials located on The National Mall are the centerpiece of this history, and it is appropriate to include a new monument honoring veterans who have displayed the most courageous acts of valor recognized by our country.
In my home State of Arkansas, our State capital also has a memorial dedicated to Medal of Honor recipients. I hope the monument in D.C., like the one in Arkansas, can inspire reflection, patriotism, and gratitude for our Nation's military heroes.
Last Congress, the Committee on Natural Resources had the privilege of hearing from one of the 61 living Medal of Honor recipients, Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Britt Slabinski. In his inspiring testimony, he reminded us the Medal of Honor represents those willing to go above and beyond in any circumstance, no matter how small.
This monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of this country's greatness and the difference that one single person can make. The legislation before us today, H.R. 186, would authorize the location of the National Medal of Honor Memorial in a prominent location on The National Mall, with the intent to keep it near the Lincoln Memorial as President Lincoln was the first to give out this special award.
I was proud to support the original legislation authorizing this memorial. I am proud to support this subsequent legislation today.
Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Moore), the lead sponsor of this bill.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his hard work on this legislation. I thank the gentleman from California and the minority for supporting it, as well.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I note that this bill has been named after Hershel ``Woody'' Williams who, sadly, passed away in June of 2022. He was known for his extraordinary heroism in the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. At the young age of 21, he single-handedly cleared a path for American troops against Japanese forces in an act of extraordinary bravery.
This is a good bill that honors Hershel ``Woody'' Williams, our Nation's heroic Medal of Honor recipients, and all those who have served. It honors their memory, remembers their legacy, and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to upholding the principles for which they fought so valiantly.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
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