HR 186 · 119th CongressPassed Chamber

Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

Latest updateJan 21, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 0 (Roll no. 18). (text: CR H237)

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Sponsor

Blake Moore

Introduced

January 3, 2025

Latest action

December 9, 2025

Legislative Progress

How far this bill has traveled through Congress

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

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President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Introduced

Bill filed in chamber

Committee

Reviewed & reported

Passed Chamber

House or Senate vote

Passed Both

House & Senate agree

President

Sent to White House

Enacted

Signed into law

Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.

Plain-Language Summary

AI Generated

In 2021, Congress authorized the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to build a commemorative monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on federal land in Washington, D.C. However, existing law—specifically section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code, part of the Commemorative Works Act—restricts where such monuments can be placed. The law generally prohibits commemorative works from being located within the National Mall Reserve, a protected area that includes some of the nation's most prominent federal land near iconic monuments like the Lincoln Memorial. This restriction has prevented the Foundation from moving forward with a preferred location for the monument.

This bill amends the Commemorative Works Act by authorizing an exception for the National Medal of Honor Monument. Specifically, it directs that the commemorative work authorized under the 2021 law shall be permitted to locate within the Reserve, notwithstanding the existing prohibition in section 8908(c). The bill maintains that all other provisions of the Commemorative Works Act—which govern design standards, construction timelines, maintenance responsibilities, and other regulatory requirements—continue to apply to the project. This targeted exception allows the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to proceed with establishing the monument in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial.

The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, removing the legal barrier that previously blocked the Foundation's site selection. The Foundation remains responsible for securing funding through private donations and managing the design and construction process under the remaining Commemorative Works Act requirements. The monument's placement near the Lincoln Memorial creates a symbolic connection to President Abraham Lincoln, who established the Medal of Honor in 1863. No federal appropriations are required by this bill, and the change does not affect other commemorative works or National Mall regulations beyond this single project.

Key Provisions

1Authorize the National Medal of Honor Monument to be located within the National Mall Reserve, notwithstanding existing restrictions in section 8908(c) of title 40, United States Code.
2Maintain applicability of all other provisions of the Commemorative Works Act to the National Medal of Honor Monument project, including design, construction, and maintenance standards.
3Enable the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to proceed with establishing the commemorative work in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial as authorized by Public Law 117-80.

★ Why this matters

The bill removes a legal barrier that prevented construction of a National Medal of Honor Monument on the National Mall. This allows the monument to be built in a prominent location near the Lincoln Memorial, where it can serve as a visible tribute to Medal of Honor recipients and their sacrifices. The change does not alter any other rules governing commemorative works or National Mall development; it creates a single, targeted exception for this specific project.

● Who this affects

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, which will now be able to move forward with site development and fundraising for the monument. Living Medal of Honor recipients and their families, who will have a permanent national tribute to their service. Veterans and military families more broadly, as the monument will honor military valor and sacrifice. The general public visiting Washington, D.C., who will have access to a new commemorative site on the National Mall.

Bill Text

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<DOC>
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.

    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 ``Hershel `Woody' Williams 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 Lincoln's lasting and living legacy.
            (3) In 1991, during the administration of President George 
        H.W. Bush, this legacy was extended further when National Medal 
        of Honor Day was established 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 recipients has been 
        steadily declining, making it even more crucial to honor and 
        recognize their heroic sacrifices 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 extraordinary action above 
        and beyond the call of duty and became heroes of our Republic.
            (8) These examples inspire all citizens and ignite within 
        us the very spirit of America.
            (9) The Medal of Honor rises to the level of supreme 
        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 Memorial within the Reserve would be a 
        respectful extension of his enduring legacy and reco…

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D-North Carolina · District 12

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Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

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Hershel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act

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