Reps. Rodney Davis, Tulsi Gabbard to Co-Host Bipartisan Medal of Honor Special Order

Press Release

U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) will be co-hosting a bipartisan Medal of Honor special order to recognize all 79 living Medal of Honor recipients with one-minute speeches after last votes on Wednesday, September 18th.

"Since the first Medal of Honor was given on March 25, 1853 only 3461 individuals have earned it, and today only 79 living recipients remain," said Rep. Rodney Davis. "In order to properly honor these heroes, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and I have invited our fellow Members of Congress, in bipartisan fashion, to come to the floor and speak on each one of the living recipients of the Medal of Honor. Although they may have fought on battlefields far away and in times long past, The United States of America will never forget their great sacrifice. I would like to personally thank Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for joining me in this effort across the aisle; as a veteran and current member of the Hawai'i National Guard, she exemplifies the values and discipline of our armed services. "

"I'm proud and honored to recognize the courageous actions and tremendous sacrifices of an elite group, including the likes of our very own Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who selflessly gave everything in the service of our nation," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. "These incredible heroes have been awarded our nation's highest military decoration for valor in combat. Their humble examples of what it means to be a true servant leader continue to serve as an inspiration to us all."

The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. To date, 3,480 Medals of Honor have been awarded to 3,461 individuals, including 19 double recipients.

The Medal of Honor special order will take place in conjunction with the 2013 Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention in Gettysburg, Pa. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, where 63 Medals of Honor were bestowed.

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