[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 27 (Friday, February 12, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S694-S695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          OFFICER EUGENE GOODMAN CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, in a moment I will ask the Senate to pass 
legislation that would award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman the 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  In the weeks after the attack on January 6, the world learned about 
the incredible, incredible bravery of Officer Goodman on that fateful 
day.
  Here in this trial, we saw new video, powerful video showing calmness 
under pressure, his courage in the line of duty, his foresight in the 
midst of chaos, and his willingness to make himself a target of the 
mob's rage so that others might reach safety.
  Officer Goodman is in the Chamber tonight.
  Officer Goodman, thank you.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Leader McConnell.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Oh, I am sorry.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I just want to say I think we can all agree that Eugene 
Goodman deserves the highest honor Congress can bestow. But before we 
move to pass this legislation, I want to be clear that he was not alone 
that day. The Nation saw and has now seen numerous examples of the 
heroic conduct of the Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and the 
SWAT teams that were with us on January 6 here in the Capitol, 
protecting us. Our heartfelt gratitude extends to each and every one of 
them, particularly now as members of the force continue to bear scars, 
seen and unseen, from the events of that disgraceful day. Let us give 
them all the honor and recognition they so justly deserve.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Republican leader.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the majority 
leader's request.
  January 6 was a day of fear for those who work here in the Capitol 
and of sadness for many more watching from afar, but that awful day 
also introduced our Nation to a group of heroes whom we in Congress 
were already proud to call our colleagues and to whom we owe a great 
debt.
  In the face of lawlessness, the officers of the U.S. Capitol lived 
out the fullest sense of their oaths. If not for the quick thinking and 
bravery of Officer Eugene Goodman in particular, people in this Chamber 
may not have escaped that day unharmed. Officer Goodman's actions 
reflect a deep personal commitment to duty and brought even greater 
distinction upon all of the brave brothers and sisters in uniform. So I 
am proud the Senate has taken this step forward, recognizing his 
heroism with the highest honor we can bestow.
  (Applause, Senators rising.)
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask 
unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban 
Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 35 and that the 
Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 35) to award a Congressional Gold Medal to 
     Officer Eugene Goodman.

  There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate 
proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. SCHUMER. I ask unanimous consent that the Van Hollen substitute 
amendment which is at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the 
bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that 
the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 890) in the nature of a substitute was agreed to, 
as follows

                [Purpose: In the nature of a substitute]

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Officer Eugene Goodman 
     Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building 
     was attacked by armed insurrectionists.
       (2) Members of the United States Capitol Police force were 
     overrun and insurrectionists breached the Capitol at multiple 
     points.
       (3) Around 2:14 in the afternoon, United States Capitol 
     Police Officer Eugene Goodman confronted an angry group of 
     insurrectionists who unlawfully entered the Capitol, 
     according to video footage taken by Igor Bobic, a reporter 
     with the Huffington Post.
       (4) Officer Goodman, alone, delayed the mob's advance 
     towards the United States Senate Chamber and alerted his 
     fellow officers to the location of the insurrectionists.
       (5) Upon reaching a second floor corridor, Officer Goodman 
     noticed the entrance to the Senate Chamber was unguarded.

[[Page S695]]

       (6) As the mob approached, Officer Goodman intentionally 
     diverted attention away from the Senate entrance and led the 
     mob to an alternate location and additional awaiting 
     officers.
       (7) At 2:15 in the afternoon, a Washington Post reporter 
     from inside the Senate Chamber noted ``Senate sealed'' with 
     Senators, staff, and members of the press inside.
       (8) Officer Eugene Goodman's selfless and quick-thinking 
     actions doubtlessly saved lives and bought security personnel 
     precious time to secure and ultimately evacuate the Senate 
     before the armed mob breached the Chamber.
       (9) Amidst a shocking, unpatriotic attack on the Capitol, 
     Officer Goodman's heroism is recognized not only by Members 
     of Congress and staff but also by the people of the United 
     States they represent.
       (10) By putting his own life on the line and successfully, 
     single-handedly leading insurrectionists away from the floor 
     of the Senate Chamber, Officer Eugene Goodman performed his 
     duty to protect the Congress with distinction, and by his 
     actions, Officer Goodman left an indelible mark on American 
     history.
       (11) Officer Goodman's actions exemplify the heroism of the 
     many men and women who risked their lives to defend the 
     Capitol on January 6, 2021.

     SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (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 gold medal of appropriate design 
     to Officer Eugene Goodman.
       (b) Design and Striking.--
       (1) In general.--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 medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
       (2) Image and name.--The design shall bear an image of, and 
     inscription of the name of, Officer Eugene Goodman.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

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

  The bill (S. 35), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third 
reading, was read the third time, and passed.
  (The bill, as amended, will be printed in a future edition of the 
Record.

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