H.R. 186

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 186 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 186

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 22, 2025

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

AN ACT

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.

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.

Passed the House of Representatives January 21, 2025.

Attest:

KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,

Clerk.