Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

IIB 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 2717 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES NOVEMBER 13, 2023 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources AN ACT 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 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:31 Nov 13, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2717.RFS H2717 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 2 HR 2717 RFS SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 1 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hershel ‘Woody’ Wil- 2 liams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act’’. 3 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 4 Congress finds the following: 5 (1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and 6 the President signed, Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 7 8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of 8 Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal 9 land in the District of Columbia a commemorative 10 work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and 11 sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. 12 (2) The Medal of Honor was established by 13 President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 14 years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lin- 15 coln’s lasting and living legacy. 16 (3) In 1991, during the administration of Presi- 17 dent George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended 18 further when National Medal of Honor Day was es- 19 tablished as March 25th of each year. 20 (4) The Medal of Honor is awarded to all 21 branches of the United States Armed Forces as our 22 nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat. 23 (5) The number of living Medal of Honor re- 24 cipients has been steadily declining, making it even 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:31 Nov 13, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2717.RFS H2717 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 3 HR 2717 RFS more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sac- 1 rifices and inspire future generations. 2 (6) Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams, the last World 3 War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 4 2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol. 5 (7) The Medal of Honor represents the very 6 best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took ex- 7 traordinary action above and beyond the call of duty 8 and became heroes of our Republic. 9 (8) These examples inspire all citizens and ig- 10 nite within us the very spirit of America. 11 (9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of su- 12 preme national and historical importance necessary 13 to warrant representation on the National Mall. 14 (10) Locating the National Medal of Honor 15 Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memo- 16 rial within the Reserve would be a respectful exten- 17 sion of his enduring legacy and recognition of what 18 ordinary people can accomplish when working for 19 the greater good. 20 SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCA- 21 TION. 22 (a) SITE.—Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 23 40, United States Code, the commemorative work author- 24 ized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:31 Nov 13, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2717.RFS H2717 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB 4 HR 2717 RFS 8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined 1 in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). 2 (b) APPLICABILITY OF COMMEMORATIVE WORKS 3 ACT.—Except as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 4 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the 5 ‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’), shall apply to the com- 6 memorative work. 7 Passed the House of Representatives November 8, 2023. Attest: KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, Clerk. VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:31 Nov 13, 2023 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H2717.RFS H2717 kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB