Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act
Bill: S.35 | Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris (D-MD)
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act
This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman for his actions to protect the Senate chamber during the security breach at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Officer Eugene Goodman.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional 
Gold Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building 
        was attacked by armed insurrectionists.
            (2) Members of the United States Capitol Police force were 
        overrun and insurrectionists breached the Capitol at multiple 
        points.
            (3) Around 2:14 in the afternoon, United States Capitol 
        Police Officer Eugene Goodman confronted an angry group of 
        insurrectionists who unlawfully entered the Capitol, according 
        to video footage taken by Igor Bobic, a reporter with the 
        Huffington Post.
            (4) Officer Goodman, alone, delayed the mob's advance 
        towards the United States Senate Chamber and alerted his fellow 
        officers to the location of the insurrectionists.
            (5) Upon reaching a second floor corridor, Officer Goodman 
        noticed the entrance to the Senate Chamber was unguarded.
            (6) As the mob approached, Officer Goodman intentionally 
        diverted attention away from the Senate entrance and led the 
        mob to an alternate location and additional awaiting officers.
            (7) At 2:15 in the afternoon, a Washington Post reporter 
        from inside the Senate Chamber noted ``Senate sealed'' with 
        Senators, staff, and members of the press inside.
            (8) Officer Eugene Goodman's selfless and quick-thinking 
        actions doubtlessly saved lives and bought security personnel 
        precious time to secure and ultimately evacuate the Senate 
        before the armed mob breached the Chamber.
            (9) Amidst a shocking, unpatriotic attack on the Capitol, 
        Officer Goodman's heroism is recognized not only by Members of 
        Congress and staff but also by the people of the United States 
        they represent.
            (10) By putting his own life on the line and successfully, 
        single-handedly leading insurrectionists away from the floor of 
        the Senate Chamber, Officer Eugene Goodman performed his duty 
        to protect the Congress with distinction, and by his actions, 
        Officer Goodman left an indelible mark on American history.
            (11) Officer Goodman's actions exemplify the heroism of the 
        many men and women who risked their lives to defend the Capitol 
        on January 6, 2021.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the 
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design to Officer Eugene 
Goodman.
    (b) Design and Striking.--
            (1) In general.--For the purposes of the presentation 
        referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
        (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the 
        gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to 
        be determined by the Secretary.
            (2) Image and name.--The design shall bear an image of, and 
        inscription of the name of, Officer Eugene Goodman.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the 
Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost 
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
overhead expenses.

SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

    (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are 
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code.
    (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, 
United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.

            Passed the Senate February 12, 2021.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
117th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                 S. 35

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