[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7501 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7501

 To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, 
Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis Price, 
  in recognition of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication 
   during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the safe 
 evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 29, 2024

 Mr. Norman (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Weber of Texas, 
  Mr. Gimenez, Mrs. Spartz, and Mr. Mooney) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in 
 addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, 
Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis Price, 
  in recognition of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication 
   during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the safe 
 evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

    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 ``Save our Allies Congressional Gold 
Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) The events of August 2021 marked a significant turning 
        point in the history of the United States engagement in 
        Afghanistan, as the Nation underwent a process of withdrawal 
        after over two decades of military presence.
            (2) Over the course of those 20 years, countless men and 
        women in uniform made tremendous sacrifices to uphold the 
        principles of democracy and freedom, while also honoring the 
        promises made to the Afghan people to build a safer and more 
        prosperous Nation.
            (3) Among these exceptional individuals were the 13 
        individuals who participated in the Afghanistan evacuation in 
        2021, serving as a beacon of hope and demonstrating unwavering 
        dedication to the ideals of America.
            (4) When the final withdrawal was announced, Chad Robichaux 
        knew he needed to act. His combat interpreter, Aziz, who had 
        saved his life on countless occasions throughout his eight 
        deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special 
        Operations Task Force, was now being hunted and targeted by the 
        Taliban for helping him. Determined to save his loyal friend, 
        Chad embarked on a mission that would bring together 13 modern-
        day avengers, all Special Operations veterans, and one 
        determined woman, to drop everything and rescue Aziz and his 
        family from Afghanistan. Without hesitation, each member of the 
        team agreed to join the daring mission.
            (5) In a matter of hours, Chad Robichaux assembled his team 
        and made a crucial call to Sarah Verardo, the wife of a 
        catastrophically wounded Soldier from his service in 
        Afghanistan, who miraculously secured their way to Hamid Karzai 
        International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The 12-man 
        team quickly mobilized, with Chad heading to Abu Dhabi, UAE, to 
        establish a humanitarian center for evacuees. Meanwhile, Tim 
        Kennedy, Kevin Roarke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson headed for 
        HKIA itself. Setting up a command center at HKIA, the team 
        conducted non-stop rescue operations amidst Taliban-controlled 
        territory, facing immense danger without a Quick Reaction Force 
        (QRF). In just 10 days, their unwavering efforts led to the 
        successful rescue of over 12,000 lives.
            (6) Even in the face of tremendous adversity, the team's 
        dedication did not waver. Despite Abbey Gate being destroyed 
        and the gates welded shut, they refused to leave. Over the next 
        two months, they continued their humanitarian efforts remotely, 
        leading a coalition to rescue an additional 5,000 individuals 
        through alternate routes around the region. Their commitment 
        and determination made a significant difference during this 
        critical time of need.
            (7) Chad Robichaux's mission did not end with the 
        evacuation from HKIA. Teaming up with Fellow Force Recon Marine 
        and Scout Sniper, Staff Sergeant Dennis Price, he embarked on a 
        grueling 10-day, 90-mile reconnaissance mission along the 
        Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, swimming into Afghanistan 
        every night past Taliban and Chinese soldiers in order to use 
        their special operations experience to build evacuation routes 
        for women and children still trapped in Afghanistan as Afghan 
        Commandos attempted to move them to the Tajikistan border. 
        Braving the treacherous terrain and encounters with foreign 
        militaries, including Chinese, Russian, Tajikistan, and Taliban 
        fighters, they successfully established routes that are still 
        in use today, ensuring more people could find their way to 
        safety.
            (8) The valor and courage displayed by Chad Robichaux, 
        Sarah Verardo, and the 12 Special Operations veterans during 
        the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 exemplify the very essence 
        of America's promises to the Afghan people throughout the 20 
        years of war. Their actions served as a powerful testament to 
        the unwavering loyalty and dedication of the United States 
        Armed Forces, reinforcing our nation's role as a beacon of hope 
        and justice on the global stage. Their commitment to duty and 
        humanity will forever be etched in the Congressional record as 
        a shining example of American heroism.
            (9) Under the exceptional leadership of Force Recon Marine 
        Chad Robichaux, this remarkable team of Special Operation 
        veterans took up the charge to protect and evacuate over 17,000 
        citizens and Afghan allies from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, 
        during a time of unfathomable danger and uncertainty.
            (10) These individuals have dedicated their lives to 
        protecting our country, putting their own lives on the line to 
        safeguard others, and their heroism deserves great honor.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

    (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 single gold medal of appropriate design to Chad 
Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave 
Johnson, and Dennis Price, in recognition of their exceptional efforts 
and selfless dedication during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, 
which led to the safe evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-
controlled Afghanistan.
    (b) Design and Striking.--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 medals with 
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
Secretary.
    (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
            (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal 
        under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the 
        Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for 
        display as appropriate and made available for research.
            (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received 
        under paragraph (1) available for display outside of the 
        District of Columbia at times, particularly at other locations 
        associated with the team of Special Operation Veterans' service 
        in the Afghanistan evacuation of 2021.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medals struck under section 3, 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.--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 sections 5134 and 5136 of 
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.

SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

    (a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to be 
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such 
amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck 
pursuant to this Act.
    (b) Proceeds of Sale.--The amounts received from the sale of 
duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 3 shall be deposited 
into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
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