Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act
Officially: “Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act” Read the full text
What it does
Read it in plain language
1Short title
This section says the Act can be called the Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act.
Show official text
1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act .
2Findings
This section lists the reasons Congress gives for the Act. In 2021 Congress unanimously passed, and the President signed, Public Law 117-80, which let the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation build a commemorative work on federal land in Washington, D.C. to honor the valor, selfless service, and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. President Abraham Lincoln established the Medal of Honor, and it was first awarded on March 25, 1863. In 1991, during President George H.W. Bush's administration, March 25th was established each year as National Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is given across all branches of the armed forces as the nation's highest award for combat valor. The number of living Medal of Honor recipients keeps going down, which Congress says makes it more important to honor them now. Hershel Woody Williams, the last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died in 2022 and lay in honor at the U.S. Capitol. Congress states that Medal of Honor recipients are ordinary citizens who took extraordinary action beyond the call of duty and that their example inspires the country. Congress finds that the Medal of Honor is important enough nationally and historically to be represented on the National Mall, and that placing the monument close to the Lincoln Memorial within the Reserve would fittingly extend Lincoln's legacy.
Show official text
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.
3National Medal of Honor Monument Location
This section sets the location for the commemorative work that Public Law 117-80 already authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to build. Regardless of what section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code would otherwise require, the monument must be located within the Reserve, the area of the National Mall defined in section 8902(a) of title 40. Other than this location requirement, the rest of the Commemorative Works Act (chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code) still applies to the monument, so its other rules on approval, design, funding, and maintenance continue to govern the project.
Show official text
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. Passed the House of Representatives January 21, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
Where it is
In the House.