[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15461-15463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      MERCHANT MARINE OF WORLD WAR II CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 2992) to award a Congressional Gold Medal, 
collectively, to the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II, in 
recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World War II.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2992

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Merchant Marine of World War 
     II Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory 
     in World War II and the restoration of peacetime across the 
     European and Pacific theaters.
       (2) The United States Merchant Marine was integral in 
     providing the link between domestic production and the 
     fighting forces overseas, providing combat equipment, fuel, 
     food, commodities, and raw materials to troops stationed 
     overseas.
       (3) Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King acknowledged the 
     indispensability of the Merchant Marine to the victory in a 
     1945 letter stating that without their support, ``the Navy 
     could not have accomplished its mission''.
       (4) President and former Supreme Commander of the Allied 
     Forces, Dwight D. Eisenhower, acknowledged that ``through the 
     prompt delivery of supplies and equipment to our armed forces 
     overseas, and of cargoes representing economic and military 
     aid to friendly nations, the American Merchant Marine has 
     effectively helped to strengthen the forces of freedom 
     throughout the world''.
       (5) Military missions and war planning were contingent upon 
     the availability of resources and that the United States 
     Merchant Marine played a vital role in this regard, ensuring 
     the efficient and reliable transoceanic transport of military 
     equipment as well as both military and civilian personnel.
       (6) The United States Merchant Marine provided for the 
     successful transport of resources and personnel despite 
     consistent and ongoing exposure to enemy combatants from both 
     the air and the sea, such as enemy bomber squadrons, 
     submarines, and mines.
       (7) The efforts of the United States Merchant Marine were 
     not without sacrifices as they bore a higher per capita 
     casualty rate than any other branch of the military during 
     the war.
       (8) The United States Merchant Marine proved to be an 
     instrumental asset on untold occasions, participating in 
     every landing operation by the United States Marine Corps 
     from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima as well as providing, for 
     instance, the bulk tonnage of material necessary for the 
     invasion of Normandy which ``would not have been possible 
     without the Merchant Marine'', as a 1944 New York Times 
     article observed.
       (9) In also assessing their performance, General Dwight D. 
     Eisenhower stated, ``every man in this Allied command is 
     quick to express his admiration for the loyalty, courage, and 
     fortitude of the officers and men of the Merchant Marine. We 
     count upon their efficiency and their utter devotion to duty 
     as we do our own; they have never failed us''.
       (10) During a September 1944 speech, President Franklin D. 
     Roosevelt stated, the Merchant Marine has ``delivered the 
     goods when and where needed in every theater of operations 
     and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult, 
     and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken. As time 
     goes on, there will be greater public understanding of our 
     merchant fleet's record during this war.''.
       (11) The feats and accomplishments of the Merchant Marine 
     are deserving of broader public recognition.
       (12) The United States will be forever grateful and 
     indebted to the U.S. Merchant Marine for their effective, 
     reliable, and courageous transport of goods and resources in 
     enemy territory throughout theaters of every variety in World 
     War II; that these goods and resources saved thousands of 
     lives and enabled the Allied Powers to claim victory in World 
     War II.
       (13) The Congressional Gold Medal will be an appropriate 
     way to shed further light on the service of the Merchant 
     Marine in World War II and the instrumental role they played 
     in winning World War II.

     SEC. 3. 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 award, on behalf 
     of the Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design 
     to the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II, in recognition 
     of their dedicated and vital service during World War II.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the 
     gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, 
     to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) American Merchant Marine Museum.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in 
     honor of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the gold medal shall be 
     given to the American Merchant Marine Museum, where it will 
     be available for display as appropriate and available for 
     research.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
     Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the 
     gold medal struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to 
     cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, 
     dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

     SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--Medals struck pursuant to this Act 
     are national medals for

[[Page 15462]]

     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 SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, merchant mariners act as an 
auxiliary to the U.S. Navy and are recognized as an integral link 
between domestic production and forces overseas, delivering combat 
equipment, food, fuel, raw materials, and commodities to those 
stationed abroad.
  Military success in World War II hinged on the merchant marine 
delivering these resources and provisions of transport to military and 
civilian personnel, sailing while exposed to enemy combatants by both 
air and by sea. During World War II, these merchant mariners suffered 
the highest per capita casualty rate of any other branch in the U.S. 
Armed Forces. It is estimated that hundreds of mariner ships and 
thousands of mariners were lost to enemy combatants as a result of 
their service during World War II.
  Yet, Mr. Speaker, the merchant marine is rarely mentioned when people 
list the military branches of service during the war. I rise today to 
help remedy that oversight by supporting H.R. 2992, the Merchant Marine 
of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, introduced by our 
colleague, Representative Susan Brooks. This bill, which has 312 House 
cosponsors, would award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the 
American Merchant Marine of World War II in the recognition of their 
dedicated and vital service. After the medal is awarded, it will be 
given to the American Merchant Marine Museum, which is housed within 
the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
  The Treasury Secretary is authorized to make and offer for sale 
bronze replicas of the medal at a price that will help defray the 
design and production costs of the actual medal. A companion bill in 
the Senate, S. 2989, has been introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski.
  Mr. Speaker, the merchant marine has contributed greatly to every war 
in which this country has been involved, beginning with the 
Revolutionary War and continuing right up until today. Its efforts 
during peacetime helped carry millions of tons of cargo and countless 
passengers, but the merchant marines' efforts in lightly guarded ships 
on the dangerous waters of the Atlantic and Pacific during the Second 
World War were invaluable to the overall war effort.
  President Franklin Roosevelt summed it up succinctly: they delivered 
the goods.
  Now, Mr. Speaker, it is our turn to deliver the goods for those 
heroes who have so often gone unnoticed. I urge immediate passage of 
this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2992, legislation to honor the 
dedicated and unwavering service provided by the U.S. Merchant Marine 
during World War II, a bill that I am proud to cosponsor. I hope that, 
upon its passage in the House, the Senate will move quickly to take it 
up and pass this bill before the 114th Congress adjourns.
  While many are familiar with the sacrifices made by those who served 
in the Armed Forces during World War II, less often do we stop and take 
time to recognize the members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who played an 
essential role in supplying our troops overseas with the equipment, 
food, and materials necessary to sustain the fight against the Axis 
powers.
  Despite the unrelenting threat of attack and the risk to their lives, 
the U.S. Merchant Marine proved to be an invaluable asset on 
innumerable occasions, participating in every landing operation by the 
United States Marine Corps during the war.
  In speaking of the brave contributions made by the U.S. Merchant 
Marine, President Franklin Roosevelt said that the Merchant Marine 
``delivered the goods when and where needed in every theater of 
operations and across every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult, 
and dangerous transportation job ever undertaken.'' President Roosevelt 
also said that ``as time goes on, there will be greater public 
understanding of our merchant fleet's record during this war.''
  In fact, during a recent visit to the National World War II Museum in 
New Orleans, Louisiana, I was pleased and proud to see the proper and 
impressive display dedicated to the role of the merchant marine in that 
war. Indeed, more than 70 years after President Roosevelt spoke those 
words, the House is taking an important step today to honor and to shed 
light on the contributions of the merchant marines made during World 
War II.
  To further the public's understanding of the role the merchant 
marines played in securing the defeat of the Axis powers, the 
legislation will ensure that the Gold Medal will be given to the 
American Merchant Marine Museum, where it will be available for viewing 
by the public.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation before us.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks).
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
2992, the Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act. 
This measure awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the merchant mariners 
who served during World War II in appreciation of their dedicated and 
vital service to our Nation.
  I also want to thank my colleague from across the aisle, 
Congresswoman Janice Hahn of California's 44th District, who worked 
with me and other Members here in the House to secure so many 
cosponsorships of this bill.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow 
upon an individual or group, and these brave servicemen deserve such an 
honor. The merchant marine was the linchpin connecting the fighting 
forces overseas with the production forces at home. In the face of 
certain peril, these brave mariners provided efficient and reliable 
transport of combat equipment, fuel, food, commodities, personnel, and 
raw materials that were pivotal in the allied victory.
  Oftentimes forgotten, merchant mariners took part in every invasion 
from Normandy to Okinawa. Never before had the maritime power of 
America been so effectively utilized. The total cargo lift transported 
by the mariners totaled over 300 million tons. They transported the 
great majority of the thousands of military personnel and civilians who 
traveled overseas during the war and those returning to America after 
triumphant victories.
  Risking their lives to provide the needed supplies for the war, 
merchant ships faced danger from submarines, mines, armed raiders and 
destroyers, aircraft, kamikaze attacks, and the elements from Mother 
Nature.
  With an estimated 9,300 total casualties, the merchant marines bore a 
higher per capita casualty rate than any other branch in the U.S. Armed 
Forces during World War II. On top of that, about 11,000 mariners were 
wounded in action and 663 were taken prisoners of war.
  Yet, despite these heroic efforts, they were not recognized as 
veterans until 1988, and they never received the benefits that other 
World War II veterans received under the GI bill. They came home from 
the war without recognition for their service and still, to this day, 
their service is often overlooked.

[[Page 15463]]

  Today, there are less than 5,000 surviving World War II mariners, and 
with nearly 500 World War II veterans dying each day, it is more 
important than ever to recognize these brave achievements today.
  Mr. Speaker, the merchant mariners provided the greatest sealift in 
history and became the difference between victory and defeat. These 
loyal and brave men put their lives on the line for the cause of 
freedom and selflessly answered their Nation's call to duty. It is time 
we give these courageous mariners the recognition they have earned with 
the Congressional Gold Medal.
  I am proud that 312 of my colleagues agreed and are cosponsors of 
this bill. Now it is time to get it across the finish line, pay respect 
to these deserving veterans, and recognize the sacrifices and 
contributions of this brave group. I urge passage of the bill.
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for 
the bipartisan H.R. 2992, the ``Merchant Marine of World War II 
Congressional Gold Medal Act,'' introduced by my colleague, 
Congresswoman Susan Brooks of Indiana.
  I stand to recognize every service member who has dedicated his or 
her life to the protection of this nation and the world.
  The Merchant Marines of World War II were vital in the collective 
effort to defeat the Axis powers.
  Serving our military as a distributor, Merchant Marine fleets carry 
imports and exports during peacetime and become a naval auxiliary 
during wartime, delivering troops and needed war supplies and 
materials.
  Many Merchant Marines have sacrificed their lives, perishing at the 
highest rate of casualties of any service members, sometimes as high as 
1 in 24 in any given mission.
  During World War II, a total of 1,554 ships were sunk by German U-
boats, including 733 ships weighing over 1,000 gross tons.
  One hundred forty Merchant Marines have been awarded the 
Distinguished Service Medal, the Merchant Marine's highest honor, seven 
of whom were cadet graduates from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2992 which honors those civilians who 
answered the call to serve our nation in the United States Merchant 
Marines during World War II.
  Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I, too, have no further 
speakers.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Huizenga) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2992.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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