IIB 

119TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 186 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JANUARY 22, 2025 

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources 

AN ACT 

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, 


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HR 186 RFS

1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hershel ‘Woody’ Wil3 liams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act’’. 

4 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

5 Congress finds the following: 

6 (1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and 

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

8 8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of 

9 Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal 

10 land in the District of Columbia a commemorative 

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

12 sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. 

13 (2) The Medal of Honor was established by 

14 President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 

15 years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lin16 coln’s lasting and living legacy. 

17 (3) In 1991, during the administration of Presi18 dent George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended 

19 further when National Medal of Honor Day was es20 tablished as March 25th of each year. 

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

22 branches of the United States Armed Forces as our 

23 nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat. 

24 (5) The number of living Medal of Honor re25 cipients has been steadily declining, making it even 


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HR 186 RFS

1 more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sac2 rifices and inspire future generations. 

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

4 War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 

5 2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol. 

6 (7) The Medal of Honor represents the very 

7 best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took ex8 traordinary action above and beyond the call of duty 

9 and became heroes of our Republic. 

10 (8) These examples inspire all citizens and ig11 nite within us the very spirit of America. 

12 (9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of su13 preme national and historical importance necessary 

14 to warrant representation on the National Mall. 

15 (10) Locating the National Medal of Honor 

16 Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memo17 rial within the Reserve would be a respectful exten18 sion of his enduring legacy and recognition of what 

19 ordinary people can accomplish when working for 

20 the greater good. 

21 SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCA22 TION. 

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

24 40, United States Code, the commemorative work author25 ized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 


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HR 186 RFS

1 8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined 

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

3 (b) APPLICABILITY OF COMMEMORATIVE WORKS

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

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

6 ‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’), shall apply to the com7 memorative work. 

Passed the House of Representatives January 21, 

2025. 

Attest: KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 

Clerk. 


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