[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1371-H1373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AWARDING THREE CONGRESSIONAL MEDALS TO UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE AND 
        THOSE WHO PROTECTED THE U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1085) to award three congressional gold medals to the United 
States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on 
January 6, 2021, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1085

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

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) Every day, the United States Capitol Police (``Capitol 
     Police'') protects the U.S. Capitol, Members of Congress, 
     congressional staff and institutional staff, journalists, and 
     the visiting public.
       (2) On January 6, 2021, a mob of insurrectionists forced 
     its way into the U.S. Capitol building and congressional 
     office buildings and engaged in acts of vandalism, looting, 
     and violently attacked Capitol Police officers.
       (3) The sacrifice of heroes including Capitol Police 
     Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, Metropolitan 
     Police Department Officer Jeffrey Smith, and those who 
     sustained injuries, and the courage of Capitol Police Officer 
     Eugene Goodman, exemplify the patriotism and the commitment 
     of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law 
     enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our 
     country.
       (4) Up to seven Americans died following this violent 
     attack, and more than 140 law enforcement officers suffered 
     physical injuries, including 15 officers who were 
     hospitalized.
       (5) The desecration of the U.S. Capitol, which is the 
     temple of our American Democracy, and the violence targeting 
     Congress are horrors that will forever stain our Nation's 
     history.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

       (a) Presentation Authorization.--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 three gold medals 
     of appropriate design to the United States Capitol Police and 
     those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Disposition of Medals.--Following the award of the gold 
     medals under subsection (a):
       (1) USCP headquarters.--One gold medal shall be given to 
     the United States Capitol Police, so that the medal may be 
     displayed at the headquarters of the United States Capitol 
     Police and made available for research, as appropriate.
       (2) DC metropolitan police department headquarters.--One 
     gold medal shall be given to the Metropolitan Police 
     Department of the District of Columbia, so that the medal may 
     be displayed at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police 
     Department and made available for research, as appropriate.
       (3) Smithsonian institution.--
       (A) In general.--One gold medal shall be given to the 
     Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for 
     display as appropriate and available for research.
       (B) Plaque.--In displaying the gold medal given under 
     subparagraph (A), the Smithsonian Institution shall display 
     the medal with a plaque that lists the other law enforcement 
     agencies that participated in protecting the U.S. Capitol on 
     January 6, 2021.
       (C) Sense of the congress.--It is the sense of the Congress 
     that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal 
     given under subparagraph (A) available for display elsewhere, 
     particularly at appropriate locations associated with the 
     protection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medals struck pursuant to section 2 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. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of the Congress that the United States Mint 
     should expedite production of the gold medals and duplicate 
     medals under this Act, so that the sacrifices of fallen 
     officers and their families, and the contributions of other 
     law enforcement agencies who answered the call of duty on 
     January 6, 2021, can be recognized and honored in a timely 
     manner.

     SEC. 5. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for 
     the purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 6. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Barr) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Pelosi), the distinguished Speaker of the House, who is 
also the sponsor of this legislation.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California for 
her leadership in bringing this legislation to the floor where we can 
recognize the patriotism and heroism of members of the Capitol Police 
force, and I thank her for facilitating this honor.
  This usually takes a much longer period of time, but because of the 
gentlewoman from California, the chair of the Financial Services 
Committee, this is on a faster track, and it needs to be.
  As you know, Mr. Speaker, January 6 was one of the darkest and 
deadliest days in American history. The waging of the violent 
insurrection against the United States Capitol and our very democracy 
on that day was a profound horror that nearly defies comprehension.

[[Page H1372]]

  That day, the country witnessed the gleeful desecration of our temple 
of democracy. We observed Members of Congress flee for their lives, as 
staff and support workers barricaded behind doors and hid under 
furniture.
  We saw how over 140 members of law enforcement were physically harmed 
while defending our democracy and how several lost their lives.
  January 6 was a day of horror and heartbreak. But because of these 
courageous men and women, it was also a moment of extraordinary 
heroism.
  That day, the United States Capitol Police force put themselves 
between us and the violence. They risked their safety and their lives 
for others with the utmost selflessness, and they did so because they 
were patriots, the type of Americans who heard the call to serve and 
answered it, putting country above self:
  Heroes like Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, described by his 
brother as someone who ``spent his life trying to help other people.'' 
Our sympathies go out to his family.
  Heroes like Capitol Police Officer Howie Liebengood, honored as ``an 
example of selfless service'' and beloved by Senators for being ``one 
of the most kindest and thoughtful people'' they had ever met. Our 
sympathies as well.
  Heroes like Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, a 12-year 
veteran of the force, known by all as the type of officer who would 
never hesitate to help those in need. He made that sacrifice.
  Heroes like Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges, whom I had the 
privilege of meeting and thanking, who was beaten and crushed nearly to 
death, who said about protecting our democracy on January 6: ``If it 
wasn't my job, I would have done it for free.''
  Heroes like Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman. We all saw his 
heroism as he drew the mob away from Senators, saving lives, again, in 
an act of profound heroism.
  May the courage of these heroes always remain an inspiration to us, 
and may we always remember the valor of the fallen, which made them 
martyrs for our democracy.
  I feel very honored to be sponsoring this legislation. The Speaker 
rarely sponsors legislation, certainly cosponsors hardly ever.
  Today, united in grief and gratitude, the House is honoring these 
heroes as we pass legislation to bestow upon them the Congressional 
Gold Medal, the highest honor this Congress can give.
  The service of our men and women in uniform of the Capitol Police 
force and other services that day brings honor to our democracy, and 
their accepting this medal will bring luster to this award.
  Over 300 Members of Congress have already cosponsored this 
legislation in a bipartisan fashion, including Mr. McCarthy and Mr. 
Scalise, the Republican leadership, and that is a tribute to the great 
respect that we all have for the Capitol Police force.
  We also saw that respect reflected in the presence of so many 
distinguished leaders who came to the Capitol when Officer Brian 
Sicknick was honored with a lying-in-state ceremony in the rotunda. 
Among those leaders was the President of the United States, Joe Biden, 
and Dr. Biden as well.
  Let me end by returning to January 6. That day was also the Feast of 
the Epiphany, a holy day of revelation in the church. It remains my 
hope that that day of violence will provide a revelation of healing for 
our Nation.
  In a spirit of healing, that evening, as the House returned to the 
Chamber to complete our duty to the Constitution and to the American 
people to validate the election, I invoked the Song of St. Francis, the 
patron saint of the city I am proud to represent, San Francisco. The 
Song of St. Francis is the anthem of our city.

     Lord, make me a channel of Thy peace.
     Where there is darkness, let me bring light;
     Where there is hatred, let me bring love;
     Where there is despair, let me bring hope.

  We were blessed by the heroism of our law enforcement officers that 
day when they brought light, hope, love, and peace to our grieving 
Nation.
  The Congress promises the families that we will always remember, as 
we have remembered Gibson and Chestnut. Every year, we honor them for 
the sacrifice they made to protect this Capitol and our democracy. As 
we always remember and honor their service, with this legislation we 
will ensure that their heroism will be forever etched in the history of 
our country.

  I urge a huge bipartisan vote on this legislation. I thank the 
distinguished chairwoman for enabling us to bring this to the floor, 
affording us that honor to associate ourselves with the heroism of the 
U.S. Capitol Police.
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1085, a bill to award 
Congressional Gold Medals to the United States Capitol Police and those 
who protected the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
  I thank Speaker Pelosi for bringing this legislation to the floor in 
a timely manner, and I thank the chairwoman of the Financial Services 
Committee, my friend, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).
  What happened to this institution on January 6 was horrific. This 
building is a working monument to our Nation's Founding Fathers and our 
principles. It is a testament to the freedoms we hold dear.
  Mr. Speaker, the brave men and women who stood and faced danger on 
January 6 deserve to be recognized for their actions. Without their 
courageousness, many of us here today could have been seriously injured 
or worse. When I say ``us,'' Mr. Speaker, I don't just mean Members of 
Congress. I mean the staff; I mean the administrative personnel and 
peaceful visitors.
  Once H.R. 1085 is enacted, a Congressional Gold Medal will be 
displayed at the U.S. Capitol Police headquarters, another will be 
displayed at the D.C. Metropolitan Police headquarters, and the third 
will be given to the Smithsonian Institution, so everyone who visits 
D.C. will be reminded of the bravery shown that day.
  We have seen bravery from the Capitol Police many times before. 
January 24, 1998, we were reminded of Officers Chestnut and Gibson; a 
few years ago, on a baseball field, Crystal Griner and Special Agent 
David Bailey. These men and women are heroic. They put their lives in 
danger, and January 6 was certainly no exception to that.
  I speak for all of my colleagues when I say thank you. Thank you to 
each and every officer who was here on January 6. Your bravery will not 
be forgotten. The U.S. Capitol Police and those who protected us on 
January 6 deserve Congressional Gold Medals.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, every day the men and women of the United States Capitol 
Police protect the United States Capitol. They protect us; they protect 
our staff; and they protect journalists and other visitors who come 
into the people's House.
  On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol building was attacked 
by armed insurrectionists who attacked Capitol Police Officers and 
engaged in acts of looting and vandalism.
  On that day, we witnessed the courage, patriotism, and commitment to 
service exemplified by Members of the Capitol Police, Metropolitan 
Police, and other law enforcement agencies, who risked their lives and 
sustained injuries as they sought to protect those trapped in the 
Capitol.
  We honor these officers who sustained injuries in the line of duty, 
and we honor the sacrifices of heroes, including Capitol Police 
Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood and Metropolitan Police 
Department Officer Jeffrey Smith. And, finally, we honor Capitol Police 
Officer Eugene Goodman, whose quick thinking and selfless action 
undoubtedly saved the lives of many.
  This legislation authorizes the Department of Treasury to mint three 
Congressional Gold Medals to be given to the United States Capitol 
Police, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and 
the Smithsonian Institution, so that we may never forget the valor and 
courage displayed by the brave men and women who protected the Capitol 
on January 6, 2021.
  I thank Speaker Pelosi for introducing this bill. This is one of the 
most important bills that we could ever put before the Congress of the 
United States, and I urge Members to vote ``yes.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H1373]]

  

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1515

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the police who are to 
receive Congressional Gold Medals: The U.S. Capitol Police, the 
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and the 
other law enforcement agencies that participated in protecting the 
Capitol on January 6, 2021.
  The insurrection that day halted the final leg of congressional 
business declaring Joe Biden President of the United States. Yet, 
Congress was able to continue with its business that evening and early 
the next morning because of the help of the law enforcement officers we 
honor here today.
  Then-President Donald Trump urged the crowd to the Capitol and 
delayed using his authority to deploy the D.C. National Guard in the 
country's moment of crisis. As a result, I have reintroduced a bill 
that would give the mayor of the District of Columbia control over the 
D.C. National Guard, and I am hopeful that this bill will be brought to 
the floor during this Congress.
  It cannot be forgotten that the damage done would have been worse 
were it not for the Metropolitan Police Department, our local police, 
funded by D.C. taxpayers, who were was responsible for indispensable 
intervention when most Federal police forces did not appear, saving 
lives at the Capitol on January 6. I appreciate this recognition for 
the work of our local police force. An important way to reward them 
would be to ensure that the people they protect in the Nation's capital 
are given full and equal rights by passing the D.C. statehood bill.
  Congratulations again to the Metropolitan Police Department of the 
District of Columbia, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the other law 
enforcement agencies on these congressional gold medals, which are well 
deserved for the protection they provided to our democracy on January 
6.
  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, once again, we are reminded of the dangers 
that law enforcement face every single day, and January 6 was one of 
those days.
  Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family of Brian 
Sicknick, a true hero to our country, a great emblem of the bravery and 
heroism of the Capitol Hill Police. Again, he will be remembered fondly 
by this institution and by the American people for his sacrifice for 
freedom.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1085, 
awarding three Congressional Gold Medals to the law enforcement 
agencies and officers who protected the Capitol during the armed 
assault on January 6, 2021.
  The bravery displayed by the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police 
Department, and other responding agencies helped save countless lives 
that day. Two heroes who were there that day were my constituents, and 
ultimately they lost their lives as a result of the attack.
  United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick died from the 
physical injuries he sustained while engaging with the attackers on 
January 6. His face was drenched at close range by bear spray.
  Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who responded to the 
attack at the Capitol from Georgetown, who was dragged into the mob and 
beaten, died by suicide just a few days later. His death reminds us 
that not all wounds sustained that day were visible. The invisible 
damage to those who engaged with the insurrectionists is very real and 
may last a lifetime.
  I mourn both of their losses deeply. We must ensure that we honor the 
sacrifices they and others made.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill to award the 
gold medals to the U.S. Capitol and Metropolitan Police Departments and 
to honor the courage shown by those who protected us on January 6.
  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, may I inquire, through the Chair, if my 
colleague has any remaining speakers on his side?
  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and 
I am prepared to close.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  In closing, I commend Speaker Pelosi for bringing forward this 
bipartisan legislation, acknowledging the bravery displayed by the men 
and women who protected the Capitol on January 6. It is through their 
leadership and decisive action on that day that many lives, including 
my own, were saved.
  I urge all Members to honor the sacrifices and courage displayed by 
members of the Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police, and other law 
enforcement agencies on January 6 by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 1085.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BARR. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I, too, urge my colleagues to support this legislation and to award 
the Capitol Police with the Congressional Medal of Honor.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Clarke of New York). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) that 
the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1085, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________