Historic Legislation Now Heads to President’s Desk for Signature
WASHINGTON, D.C. – (December 18, 2021) – After unanimous passage in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year, the National Medal of Honor Monument Act passed the U.S. Senate early this morning with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation authorizes the creation of a monument in Washington, D.C., to recognize the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award for valor in combat. The bill now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
This Congress, the National Medal of Honor Monument Act was introduced in the Senate – S.172 – by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and in the House of Representatives – H.R.1664 – by Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Blake Moore (R-UT). Following the bill’s passage through both chambers, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) applauded the news and released the following statements:
“Our nation owes a great deal to the brave men and women of the armed forces. Those of us who wear the Medal of Honor do so for all we served alongside and for all who have served. This project will recognize the service and sacrifice of the estimated 40 million who have served in all wars and all branches since the Civil War. Most importantly, it will represent the aspirational American values of the Medal of Honor and will stand as a beacon for those values in our nation’s capital,” said Medal of Honor recipient and NMOHMF Board member General Patrick Brady.
“A monument celebrating the values and valor of America’s Medal of Honor recipients in our nation’s capital will remind all of us of the power of service and sacrifice. I cannot think of a more unifying project, and I am so proud of our team and our champions in Congress for their unanimous support. America needs something to agree on. Our country needs something which brings us together. Unity is never more important than this time of year. This historic project is doing just that – uniting and inspiring all Americans.” said NMOHMF Chairman Charlotte Jones.
“With only 67 Medal of Honor recipients alive today, time is of the essence to recognize our nation’s bravest heroes. By passing the National Medal of Honor Monument Act, we are one step closer to doing just that,” said Chris Cassidy, NMOHMF president and CEO. “I want to thank Sens. Cornyn and Kaine and Reps. Veasey and Moore for their tremendous leadership. Together, we will pay tribute to the fewer than 4,000 brave Americans who have received the Medal.”
No federal funds will be used to build the monument. Instead, the NMOHMF will be responsible for raising funds to cover the expenses associated with the project. The creation of the Monument in Washington, D.C., will complement the future National Medal of Honor Museum, to break ground in Arlington, TX early next year.
