[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR AMENDMENT

  (Mr. BACA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I am offering an amendment to the defense 
authorization bill that will bring honor and distinction to America's 
most highly decorated veterans. As a veteran myself who served in the 
101st Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne Division, I was surprised to 
learn that the Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to our veterans as 
this Nation's highest honor for their heroic efforts is made primarily 
of brass.
  Congress awards its own gold medal to distinguished Americans, and 
this medal costs as much as $30,000 and is made of solid gold. My 
amendment would replace the brass in the Congressional Medal of Honor 
we award to America's brave Americans with gold.
  I do not think it is too much of a price to pay for our most heroic 
Americans. It would only cost about $2,000 per medal. Many of the 
recipients of the Medal of Honor already paid the ultimate price for 
our Nation and for our freedoms and liberty. We need to remember our 
veterans and think about them every day.
  There are more than 25 million veterans in the United States. There 
are more than 3 million veterans in California. That is why I am 
holding a veterans' fair on Saturday recognizing veterans.
  Today, I invite my colleagues who honor and respect America's 
veterans to join me in supporting my amendment for a more fitting Medal 
of Honor to individuals.

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