WASHINGTON, D.C. – (July 15, 2021) – The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee yesterday passed H.R. 1664, the National Medal of Honor Monument Act by unanimous vote. The bill would authorize the creation of a national monument to the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor, in Washington, D.C.
The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Reps. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) and Blake Moore (R-Utah) in March. The bill is accompanied by S. 172, which was introduced by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Tim Kaine (D-Virginia).
Following the hearing, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) released the following statement:
“We are one step closer to finally making the National Medal of Honor Monument a reality. We are incredibly grateful to the House Natural Resources Committee for advancing this important legislation. A monument in the nation’s capital will allow all Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the fewer than 4,000 courageous individuals who earned the Medal of Honor, and the patriotic values this esteemed military decoration represents. Thank you to Representatives Veasey and Moore for their leadership and commitment to bipartisanship.”
“Creating a monument in Washington, DC, to honor these heroes will uplift and inspire visitors to our nation’s capital for generations,” said Rep. Moore during yesterday’s hearing. “This monument will allow us to teach the enduring values of courage, integrity, patriotism, and sacrifice. These values unite us as a nation and this monument would go a long way towards reminding us of this.”
No federal funds will be used to create the monument. 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 be built in Arlington, Texas. The Museum is expected to break ground within a year, with an anticipated opening in 2024.
