[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEDAL OF HONOR

  (Mr. SALAZAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay homage to the Medal of 
Honor recipients and the values that the Medal of Honor symbolizes. On 
this date in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved the legislation 
that created the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military medal. 
The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of valor and gallantry above and 
beyond the call of duty. In its 140-plus-year history, only 3,441 
individuals have been awarded this distinguished medal; 121 of those 
individuals are still alive today.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to these brave individuals and to 
those men and women currently serving our Nation overseas. The Nation's 
highest award is facing a serious challenge to its meaning and symbol. 
I am outraged by the impostors who claim they have received this and 
other honors the military awards for deeds and actions of soldiers. 
These criminals not only dishonor themselves, but they dishonor the 
sacrifice that true recipients have made.
  That is why, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce the Stolen Valor Act of 
2005 next week. This piece of legislation will make it easier for 
Federal law enforcement officials to prosecute phonies and impostors 
and restore the true meaning of these illustrious awards.
  I hope my colleagues can join me in this effort to reclaim the 
meaning of honor and bravery and sacrifice in these United States.

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