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
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1Short title
This section would give the Act the short title "Hershel 'Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act."
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1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hershel ‘Woody' Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act .
2Findings
Congress states a set of findings supporting the Act: in 2021 Congress 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 build a commemorative work on federal land in the District of Columbia honoring the valor, selfless service, and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients. President Abraham Lincoln established the Medal of Honor, which was first awarded on March 25, 1863. In 1991, under President George H.W. Bush, March 25 was established as National Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is awarded across all branches of the armed forces as the nation's highest recognition for combat valor. The number of living Medal of Honor recipients is steadily declining, making it more important to honor and recognize them now. Hershel "Woody" Williams, the last Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died in 2022 and lay in honor at the United States Capitol. The Medal of Honor represents ordinary citizens who took extraordinary action and became heroes, and these examples inspire citizens and reflect the spirit of America. The Medal of Honor has a level of national and historical importance that warrants representation on the National Mall, and placing the National Medal of Honor Monument near the Lincoln Memorial within the Reserve would extend Lincoln's legacy and recognize what ordinary people can accomplish working for the greater good.
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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 would require that the commemorative work already authorized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117-80 (40 U.S.C. 8903 note), the National Medal of Honor Monument, be located within the area known as "the Reserve" (as defined in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code), notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, which would otherwise restrict where such a commemorative work could be sited. Apart from this location rule, chapter 89 of title 40, United States Code, known as the Commemorative Works Act, would continue to apply to the monument.
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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.
Where it is
In the Senate.