[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13364-S13365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY:
  S. 2055. A bill to amend titles 10 and 14, United States Code, to 
provide for the use of gold in the metal content of the Medal of Honor; 
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, today I introduce a bill requiring that the 
Congressional Medal of Honor be made out of 90 percent gold instead of 
gold-plated brass as is currently the case.
  The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award our country 
bestows for valor in action against an enemy force. Its recipients are 
ordinary Americans who perform extraordinary deeds in battle, often 
giving their lives.
  This is the medal awarded posthumously to Sergeant First Class Paul 
R. Smith. Under attack at Baghdad International Airport, Sergeant Smith 
quickly organized the defense of his position, engaging a company-sized 
enemy force. He showed no concern for his own personal safety when in 
the face of hostile-fire he mounted an armored personnel carrier and 
manned a .50 caliber machine gun. As the citations accompanying his 
award put it, ``In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his 
exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During 
this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped 
defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers 
killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded 
soldiers.''

[[Page S13365]]

  This is the medal won by Captain Humbert Roque Versace. During an 
intense attack by the Viet Cong in the Xuyen Province, Captain Versace 
was wounded twice while engaging the enemy but continued to fight until 
exhaustion and lack of ammunition led to his capture. The citation 
accompanying his award reads: ``Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he 
exemplified the tenets of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered 
into Prisoner of War status. Captain Versace assumed command of his 
fellow American soldiers, scorned the enemy's exhaustive interrogation 
and indoctrination efforts, and made three unsuccessful attempts to 
escape, despite his weakened condition which was brought about by his 
wounds and the extreme privation and hardships he was forced to endure. 
During his captivity, Captain Versace was segregated in an isolated 
prisoner of war cage, manacled in irons for prolonged periods of time, 
and placed on extremely reduced ration. The enemy was unable to break 
his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United 
States of America. Captain Versace, an American fighting man who 
epitomized the principles of his country and the Code of Conduct, was 
executed by the Viet Cong on 26 September 1965.''
  This is the medal won by Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Robert Dale 
Reem, who on the night of November 6, 1950, after leading three 
separate assaults on an enemy position in the vicinity of Chinhung-ni, 
Korea, threw himself on top of an enemy grenade that landed amidst his 
men.
  This is the medal won by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Donald Gary, who, 
while serving aboard the U.S.S. Franklin on July 23, 1945, calmly led 
his crewmates to safety after their ship was attacked. His citation 
reads: ``Stationed on the third deck when the ship was rocked by a 
series of violent explosions set off in her own ready bombs, rockets, 
and ammunition by the hostile attack, Lt. (j.g.) Gary unhesitatingly 
risked his life to assist several hundred men trapped in a messing 
compartment filled with smoke, and with no apparent egress. As the 
imperiled men below decks became increasingly panic stricken under the 
raging fury of incessant explosions, he confidently assured them he 
would find a means of effecting their release and, groping through the 
dark, debris-filled corridors, ultimately discovered an escapeway. 
Staunchly determined, he struggled back to the messing compartment 
three times despite menacing flames, flooding water, and the ominous 
threat of sudden additional explosions, on each occasion calmly leading 
his men through the blanketing pall of smoke until the last one had 
been saved.''
  As I have said previously, those who earned these medals are the 
stuff of legend. But they are more than legends. They are actual people 
whose deeds inspire humility and gratitude in all of us. In bestowing 
the Congressional Medal of Honor, the president enrolls the recipient 
in a sacred club of heroes.
  The medal itself, however, while invaluable in significance and 
tribute, does not do enough to show our appreciation. The medal is gold 
in color but is actually brass plated with gold and only costs 
approximately $30 to produce. Other Congressional medals given to 
foreign dignitaries, famous entertainers, and other worthy citizens can 
cost $30,000 to produce. Now I will be the first to tell you that I 
believe the value of this medal is found in the deeds of every American 
who has earned it. But also believe that we can do better.
  Put simply, this legislation will forge a medal more worthy of the 
esteem with which the Nation holds those few who have earned the 
Congressional Medal of Honor through valor and heroism beyond compare.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2055

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

     SECTION 1. GOLD CONTENT FOR MEDAL OF HONOR.

       (a) Requirement for Gold Content.--Sections 3741, 6241, and 
     8741 of title 10, United States Code, and section 491 of 
     title 14, United States Code, are each amended by inserting 
     after ``appropriate design,'' the following: ``the metal 
     content of which is 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy 
     and''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to any Medal of Honor awarded after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______