I 

119TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION 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 

JANUARY 3, 2025 

Mr. MOORE of 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 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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hershel ‘Woody’ Wil5 liams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress finds the following: 


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•HR 186 IH

1 (1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and 

2 the President signed, Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 

3 8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of 

4 Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal 

5 land in the District of Columbia a commemorative 

6 work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and 

7 sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. 

8 (2) The Medal of Honor was established by 

9 President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 

10 years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lin11 coln’s lasting and living legacy. 

12 (3) In 1991, during the administration of Presi13 dent George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended 

14 further when National Medal of Honor Day was es15 tablished as March 25th of each year. 

16 (4) The Medal of Honor is awarded to all 

17 branches of the United States Armed Forces as our 

18 nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat. 

19 (5) The number of living Medal of Honor re20 cipients has been steadily declining, making it even 

21 more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sac22 rifices and inspire future generations. 

23 (6) Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams, the last World 

24 War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 

25 2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol. 


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•HR 186 IH

1 (7) The Medal of Honor represents the very 

2 best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took ex3 traordinary action above and beyond the call of duty 

4 and became heroes of our Republic. 

5 (8) These examples inspire all citizens and ig6 nite within us the very spirit of America. 

7 (9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of su8 preme national and historical importance necessary 

9 to warrant representation on the National Mall. 

10 (10) Locating the National Medal of Honor 

11 Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memo12 rial within the Reserve would be a respectful exten13 sion of his enduring legacy and recognition of what 

14 ordinary people can accomplish when working for 

15 the greater good. 

16 SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCA17 TION. 

18 (a) SITE.—Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 

19 40, United States Code, the commemorative work author20 ized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 

21 8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined 

22 in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). 

23 (b) APPLICABILITY OF COMMEMORATIVE WORKS

24 ACT.—Except as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 

25 of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the 


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1 ‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’), shall apply to the com2 memorative work. 

Æ 


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