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-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Hershel ‘Woody’ Wil-
liams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Congress in 2021 unanimously passed, and 
the President signed, Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 
8903 note), which authorized the National Medal of 
Honor Museum Foundation to establish on Federal 
land in the District of Columbia a commemorative 
work to honor the acts of valor, selfless service, and 
sacrifice displayed by Medal of Honor recipients. 
(2) The Medal of Honor was established by 
President Abraham Lincoln and first awarded 160 
years ago on March 25, 1863, and is part of Lin-
coln’s lasting and living legacy. 
(3) In 1991, during the administration of Presi-
dent George H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended 
further when National Medal of Honor Day was es-
tablished as March 25th of each year. 
(4) The Medal of Honor is awarded to all 
branches of the United States Armed Forces as our 
nation’s highest recognition for valor in combat. 
(5) The number of living Medal of Honor re-
cipients has been steadily declining, making it even 
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more crucial to honor and recognize their heroic sac-
rifices and inspire future generations. 
(6) Hershel ‘‘Woody’’ Williams, the last World 
War II Medal of Honor recipient, passed away in 
2022 and laid in honor at the United States Capitol. 
(7) The Medal of Honor represents the very 
best of our Nation—ordinary citizens, who took ex-
traordinary action above and beyond the call of duty 
and became heroes of our Republic. 
(8) These examples inspire all citizens and ig-
nite within us the very spirit of America. 
(9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of su-
preme national and historical importance necessary 
to warrant representation on the National Mall. 
(10) Locating the National Medal of Honor 
Monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memo-
rial within the Reserve would be a respectful exten-
sion of his enduring legacy and recognition of what 
ordinary people can accomplish when working for 
the greater good. 
SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MONUMENT LOCA-
TION. 
(a) SITE.—Notwithstanding section 8908(c) of title 
40, United States Code, the commemorative work author-
ized by section 1(a) of Public Law 117–80 (40 U.S.C. 
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8903 note) shall be located within the Reserve (as defined 
in section 8902(a) of title 40, United States Code). 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF COMMEMORATIVE WORKS 
ACT.—Except as provided in subsection (a), chapter 89 
of title 40, United States Code (commonly known as the 
‘‘Commemorative Works Act’’), shall apply to the com-
memorative work. 
Passed the House of Representatives November 8, 
2023. 
Attest: 
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 
Clerk. 
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