[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7129-H7131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, COLLECTIVELY, TO 
GLEN DOHERTY, TYRONE WOODS, J. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, AND SEAN SMITH, IN 
            RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATION

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 310) to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, 
collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, 
and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 310

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

     SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) On September 11, 2012, the United States consulate, and 
     its personnel in Benghazi, Libya, were attacked by militants.
       (2) Four Americans were killed in the attack, including 
     Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, 
     and Tyrone Woods.
       (3) Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were former Navy SEALs 
     who served as security personnel in Libya. As the attack 
     unfolded, they bravely attempted to defend American property 
     and protect United States diplomatic personnel. In so doing, 
     they selflessly sacrificed their own lives.
       (4) Glen Doherty was a Navy SEAL for 12 years and served in 
     Iraq and Afghanistan. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 
     First Class and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation 
     Medal. After leaving the Navy, Glen Doherty worked with the 
     Department of State to protect American diplomats.
       (5) Tyrone Woods served for 20 years as a Navy SEAL 
     including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq he led 
     multiple raids and reconnaissance missions and earned the 
     Bronze Star. After retiring from the Navy as a Senior Chief 
     Petty Officer, Tyrone Woods worked with the Department of 
     State to protect American diplomats.
       (6) J. Christopher Stevens served for 21 years in the U.S. 
     Foreign Service. He was serving as U.S. Ambassador to Libya 
     and previously served twice in the country, as both Special 
     Representative to the Libyan Transitional National Council 
     and as the Deputy Chief of Mission. Earlier in his life, he 
     also served as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English in 
     Morocco.
       (7) Sean Smith served for 6 years in the U.S. Air Force. He 
     attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Air 
     Force Commendation Medal. After leaving the Air Force, Sean 
     Smith served for 10 years in the State Department on various 
     assignments, which took him to places such as Baghdad, 
     Brussels, Pretoria, and The Hague.
       (8) As their careers attest, all four men served their 
     country honorably.

     SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the posthumous award, 
     on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold medal of 
     appropriate design collectively in commemoration of Glen 
     Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean 
     Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.
       (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 the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, 
     and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary. The 
     Secretary is authorized to create designs for the medal that, 
     if the Secretary deems it appropriate, include images of, and 
     inscriptions of the names of, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. 
     Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith.
       (c) Central Intelligence Agency Museum.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal 
     under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the 
     Central Intelligence Agency Museum, where it shall be 
     displayed as appropriate and made available for research.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Central Intelligence Agency Museum should make the gold 
     medal received under paragraph (1) available for display 
     elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations 
     associated with Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher 
     Stevens, and Sean Smith.

     SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2, at a price 
     sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

     SEC. 4. 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.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authority to Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of 
     the medals struck under this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be 
     deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

     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 gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) 
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 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
this legislation and include 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 myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 310 to posthumously 
award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, 
Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of 
their contributions to the Nation.
  I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) for his 
unwavering dedication to ensuring Congress

[[Page H7130]]

honors the memories of the four brave individuals who served our 
country bravely for 59 collective years in public service.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United 
States Congress, and it is the highest representation of national 
gratitude for exemplary achievements and contributions by individuals 
or institutions.
  The four individuals honored today, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. 
Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, exemplified what it means to live 
a life of service. Mr. Doherty, Mr. Woods, and Mr. Smith were decorated 
servicemembers, known for their bravery and dedication to protecting 
the American diplomats with whom they served. Ambassador Stevens was a 
lifelong public servant and diplomat, deeply invested in promoting 
peace and security throughout the world.

                              {time}  1745

  As we come upon the 10-year anniversary of their tragic deaths, we, 
as a Nation mourn the loss of these shining examples of our shared 
American values. And to their loved ones, who carry their memories with 
them today and always, we offer our sincerest condolences and profound 
gratitude with their tireless efforts to preserve their legacy.
  This bill would present the Congressional Gold Medal to the four 
brave men who protected and served their country honorably and died in 
service of their country. I cannot think of any who are more deserving 
of this great honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 310, a bill that will 
posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to four American heroes 
who died in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.
  H.R. 310 will recognize the sacrifice that Ambassador J. Christopher 
Stevens, Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, and Staff Sergeant 
Sean Smith made for our country. These four men lived exceptionally 
impressive lives that should be recognized and honored today.
  Ambassador Stevens, born in Grass Valley, California, joined the U.S. 
Foreign Service in 1991. Over his 21-year career he held a number of 
important posts including section chief in Jerusalem, political officer 
in Damascus, and consular officer in Cairo before he returned to D.C. 
to serve as Director of the Office of Multilateral Nuclear and Security 
Affairs and Pearson Fellow with Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
under then-Senator Richard Lugar. Ambassador Stevens was a dedicated 
public servant who traversed the globe to carry out the mission 
statement of the Foreign Service: to promote peace, support prosperity, 
and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. 
abroad.
  Petty First Class Glen Doherty, born in Winchester, Massachusetts, 
was a decorated Navy SEAL sniper and corpsman. Doherty served in both 
Iraq and Afghanistan and responded to the infamous USS Cole bombing in 
Yemen. Doherty left the Navy after 12 years of service. He went on to 
continue to protect U.S. interests by working as a contractor for the 
State Department.
  Senior Chief Petty Officer Tyrone Woods, known by his friends and 
family as ``Rone,'' was born in Portland, Oregon. Tyrone Woods, like 
Doherty, was a retired Navy SEAL who continued to serve after an 
illustrious military career by protecting American diplomats. During 
his time as a SEAL, Woods was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat 
``V'' for valor in Iraq and served multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, 
the Middle East, and Central America.
  Staff Sergeant Sean Smith was born in San Diego, California, and 
served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years. During this time, he was 
awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Smith retired from the Air 
Force and continued to serve as a U.S. Foreign Service officer. Smith 
was posthumously awarded the U.S. Department of State's Thomas 
Jefferson Star for Foreign Service on May 3, 2013.
  Mr. Speaker, these four men served honorably and died in service to 
our country. H.R. 310 will honor these men with the recognition that 
they deserve.
  I thank my colleagues, especially Representative Lynch of 
Massachusetts and Representative Mast of Florida for their bipartisan 
work on this very important piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, I urge my colleagues 
to support it as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).
  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters for her leadership 
on this and for helping us to get this bill on the floor.
  As the proud sponsor of H.R. 310, I rise in strong support of this 
legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to four 
heroic Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack 
against the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya: U.S. Ambassador 
J. Christopher Stevens; U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA security contractor, 
Glen Doherty; U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, Tyrone Woods; and U.S. 
Air Force Staff Sergeant, Sean Smith.
  At the outset, I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters, Ranking 
Member McHenry, and Mrs. Wagner of the Financial Services Committee for 
their bipartisan work in support of H.R. 310. I would also like to 
recognize the invaluable contributions that were made by our late 
chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, Elijah Cummings. He 
made contributions to the legislation and to our additional effort to 
secure full death benefits for the Doherty family of Massachusetts.
  Importantly, the advancement of this bill would not be possible 
without the support of all the family members as well as pro bono 
counsel from K&L Gates and other stakeholders whose relentless advocacy 
on behalf of our four fallen heroes is reflective of their sacrifice on 
behalf of our Nation.
  In my home State of Massachusetts, I would like to particularly 
recognize Mrs. Barbara Doherty and Ms. Kate Quigley, the devoted mother 
and sister respectively of Navy SEAL Glen Doherty of Winchester, 
Massachusetts.
  I would also like to thank Amy Carnevale and Dennis Porter, two 
attorneys from K&L Gates, for their steadfast legal support and counsel 
to guide this legislation, as well as my dear friend, Dan Rea of WBZ 
News Radio who amplified the story about these four heroes and our 
efforts over the past 9 years, notably during a time of deep division 
in this country.
  I would like to recognize and thank the nearly 300 bipartisan 
Members--Democrat, Republican, and Independents--who have joined me to 
cosponsor this legislation and enable this consideration on the House 
floor, including my lead Republican cosponsor of H.R. 310, 
Representative Brian Mast of Florida.

  Mr. Speaker, since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned 
and bestowed its highest civilian honor--the Congressional Gold Medal, 
in recognition of distinguished acts of bravery, leadership, and 
achievement that leave an enduring impact on our American history.
  As chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, I firmly 
believe that there is no legacy more lasting and profound than the 
bravery and sacrifice of those who have stood in defense of our Nation. 
In view of the approaching 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack 
against the U.S. Consulate, the nearby classified annex, and personnel 
in Benghazi, Libya, it is more than fitting that we bestow the 
Congressional Gold Medal on these four fallen American heroes who 
bravely defended our compound and dedicated their lives to patriotic 
service on behalf of the United States of America.
  For over 20 years, Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens served our 
Nation in the Foreign Service. From his first assignment as a consular 
and economic officer in Saudi Arabia to his last diplomatic mission in 
Libya, Ambassador Stevens reflected a genuine commitment to building 
bridges with our Middle Eastern and North African partners and 
advancing our most cherished democratic ideals.
  During their decades of service as elite U.S. Navy SEALs with tours 
of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, Glen Doherty 
and Tyrone Woods perpetually exemplified the

[[Page H7131]]

Navy SEAL motto: ``The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.'' Their continued 
service as overseas security personnel responsible for the safety of 
American diplomatic officials was maintained with the highest standards 
of military excellence.
  As a former ground radio maintenance specialist in the U.S. Air Force 
and a State Department officer, Sean Smith served our Nation with honor 
and distinction throughout multiple deployments that included Iraq, 
South Africa, Oman, and Libya.
  Mr. Speaker, the commissioning of the Congressional Gold Medal in 
honor of these four exceptional Americans will appropriately recognize 
their heroism, bravery, and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support H.R. 310. Again, I thank Chairwoman Waters for her valued 
support.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 310, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank, again, Mr. Lynch, as well as the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Mast) for their tireless efforts to ensure that these four 
individuals receive the recognition that they clearly deserve. We must 
strive to recognize these brave and honorable members of our country 
who have committed their lives to protecting it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. 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. 310, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________