[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 27 (Friday, February 12, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S715-S716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 890. Mr. SCHUMER (for Mr. Van Hollen) proposed an amendment to the
bill S. 35, to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Officer Eugene
Goodman; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
[[Page S716]]
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.
(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.
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