Unanimous vote advances bipartisan bill out of the House as it awaits introduction in the Senate
Washington, D.C. – Last night, in the week leading up to Veterans Day, the U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass HR 2717, the Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act. Introduced earlier this year by U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), the bipartisan HR 2717 – named in tribute to Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams, the last living recipient from World War II – would locate the new National Medal of Honor Monument near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The vote comes after the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously voted to send the bill to the full House of Representatives for consideration in July. The bill now awaits introduction in the Senate, which is expected in the coming weeks.
“Today, the House of Representatives united across party lines to deliver on a promise 160 years in the making, to uphold and honor the recipients of the Medal and the values they represent: courage, sacrifice, integrity, commitment, patriotism and citizenship,” said National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation President and CEO Chris Cassidy. “At a time of conflict and division at home and abroad, this unanimous, bipartisan vote is yet another example of the power of the Medal of Honor to unite – and an important reminder to all Americans of our shared human values. We hope the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bipartisan bill.”
In 2021, Congress unanimously approved legislation authorizing the creation of the Monument. According to HR 2717, the National Medal of Honor Monument will serve not only as a “respectful extension” of Lincoln’s legacy as the creator of the Medal, but also as a tribute to “what ordinary people can accomplish when working for the greater good.” Of the 40 million Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, fewer than 4,000 have earned the Medal of Honor. Of those, only 65 are living today.
The creation of the monument in Washington, D.C. will complement the future National Medal of Honor Museum, scheduled to open in early 2025 in Arlington, Texas, as well as the newly established National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute, which promotes character-based leadership built on the foundation of the Medal of Honor values. No federal funds will be used to build the monument. The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation will be responsible for raising funds to cover expenses associated with the project.
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About the Museum, Monument and Institute: The National Medal of Honor Museum, Monument and Griffin Institute will inspire Americans by honoring and preserving the history of the highest military decoration awarded for valor in combat. Serving as a national landmark – and located in America’s heartland in Arlington, Texas – the Museum will provide an unrivaled visitor experience and illustrate the historical thread of sacrifice, patriotism and courage that runs through all U.S. military service members, past and present. Beyond its state-of-the-art, interactive experiences, a critical part of the Museum’s mission will be to use the stories of Medal of Honor recipients to inspire their fellow Americans and motivate them to be their best selves.
A National Monument in Washington, D.C., will commemorate the service and sacrifice of the bravest and most decorated members of the U.S. Armed Forces. To be located in the nation’s capital, it will give all Americans the opportunity to reflect on the courage and patriotism that safeguard freedom and democracy.
For more information please visit the National Medal of Honor Museum website or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
