[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2004

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2004

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
``Congressional Gold Medal Program Enhancement Act of 2004.'' Passage 
of this legislation will ensure that the medals Congress confers will 
continue to honor truly exceptional achievement.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, Congress created the Congressional Gold 
Medal honor in 1776 to recognize military leaders, and then honored 
George Washington for his heroic service in the Revolutionary War. 
Since then, the medal program has evolved to become the highest 
civilian honor Congress confers, and medals have gone to those who have 
attained exceptional achievement, including General Douglas MacArthur; 
General Colin Powell; Mother Teresa; Pope John Paul II; British Prime 
Ministers Winston Churchill and Tony Blair; Jonas Salk; Robert H. 
Goddard and Rosa Parks.
  However, a disturbing trend has started to emerge in which Congress 
approves numerous medals each year, and in some cases approves medals 
for groups rather than individuals. Mr. Speaker, I do not believe that 
either of these trends is in the spirit of the gold medal concept. This 
legislation seeks to clarify guidelines under which the medals may be 
awarded, and strengthen the honor of the process.
  Under the new guidelines, Congressional Gold Medals could only be 
awarded to an individual, not to a group. While there are many groups 
of people deserving recognition, I believe the medal should be awarded 
for outstanding, individual achievement.
  Also under this legislation, no more than two medals could be awarded 
in any single year. A similar limitation has worked extraordinarily 
well for the commemorative coin programs struck by the United States 
Mint: under reform legislation I authored and Congress passed in 1995, 
only two coin programs may be conducted in any year. This reform 
improved the commemorative coin honor and similar standards could 
improve the process for awarding the Congressional Gold Medal.
  It concerns me, Mr. Speaker, that limiting the number of coin 
programs a year but having no limitation on Congressional Gold Medals--
we award five or six in some years--could someday devalue the medals. 
Mr. Speaker, this is a simple piece of legislation with great meaning. 
It will ensure the future integrity and true honor of the award. It is 
my goal that each recipient--President, civil rights leader, military 
hero, inventor, noted healer--who receives a Congressional Gold Medal 
will remain part of a unique honor, bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, few can argue with the idea that these medals are an 
important indicator of American appreciation and gratitude. To maintain 
this standard, I will work to move the ``Congressional Gold Medal 
Program Enhancement Act'' quickly, in order to take effect at the 
beginning of the next Congress. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this 
legislation and look forward to working with the Financial Services 
Committee to bring this bill to the House Floor.

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