I
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION 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.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY3, 2025
Mr. M
OOREof Utah (for himself and Mr. VEASEY) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
A BILL
To authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Founda-
tion 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 recipi-
ents.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hershel ‘Woody’ Wil-4
liams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act’’. 5
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 6
Congress finds the following: 7
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•HR 186 IH
(1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and 1
the President signed, Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 2
8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of 3
Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal 4
land in the District of Columbia a commemorative 5
work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and 6
sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. 7
(2) The Medal of Honor was established by 8
President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 9
years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lin-10
coln’s lasting and living legacy. 11
(3) In 1991, during the administration of Presi-12
dent George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended 13
further when National Medal of Honor Day was es-14
tablished as March 25th of each year. 15
(4) The Medal of Honor is awarded to all 16
branches of the United States Armed Forces as our 17
nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat. 18
(5) The number of living Medal of Honor re-19
cipients has been steadily declining, making it even 20
more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sac-21
rifices and inspire future generations. 22
(6) Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams, the last World 23
War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 24
2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol. 25
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•HR 186 IH
(7) The Medal of Honor represents the very 1
best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took ex-2
traordinary action above and beyond the call of duty 3
and became heroes of our Republic. 4
(8) These examples inspire all citizens and ig-5
nite within us the very spirit of America. 6
(9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of su-7
preme national and historical importance necessary 8
to warrant representation on the National Mall. 9
(10) Locating the National Medal of Honor 10
Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memo-11
rial within the Reserve would be a respectful exten-12
sion of his enduring legacy and recognition of what 13
ordinary people can accomplish when working for 14
the greater good. 15
SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCA-16
TION. 17
(a) S
ITE.—Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 18
40, United States Code, the commemorative work author-19
ized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 20
8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined 21
in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). 22
(b) A
PPLICABILITY OF COMMEMORATIVE WORKS 23
A
CT.—Except as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 24
of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the 25
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•HR 186 IH
‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’), shall apply to the com-1
memorative work. 2
Æ
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