[117th Congress Public Law 320]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 4425]]
IRAN HOSTAGES CONGRESSIONAL
GOLD MEDAL ACT
[[Page 136 STAT. 4426]]
Public Law 117-320
117th Congress
An Act
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the former hostages of the Iran
Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981, highlighting their resilience throughout
the unprecedented ordeal that they lived through and the national unity
it produced, marking 4 decades since their 444 days in captivity, and
recognizing their sacrifice to the United States. <<NOTE: Dec. 27,
2022 - [S. 2607]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Iran
Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act. 31 USC 5111 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Iran Hostages Congressional Gold
Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On January 20, 1981, United States diplomats, military
personnel, and civilians were released after being held hostage
for 444 days by militant student supporters of Iran's Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini in a violation of international law. The
individuals were taken from the United States Embassy in Tehran,
Iran, and the ordeal came to be known as the Iran Hostage
Crisis.
(2) The hostages were subjected to intense physical and
psychological torture throughout their captivity, such as mock
executions, beatings, solitary confinement, and inhospitable
living conditions.
(3) Throughout their time held, the hostages were routinely
told to denounce the United States and, when they refused, they
were tortured, but remained strong in their spirit.
(4) One hostage wrote ``Viva la roja, blanco, y azul'',
which translates to ``Long live the red, white, and blue'', on
the wall of his cell as a reminder of the values he swore to
protect.
(5) The hostages showed extraordinary courage by continually
engaging in acts of resistance against their captors, such as by
refusing to sign condemnations of the United States, in the face
of gross violations of their human rights.
(6) Many of the hostages still experience trauma as a result
of the events of the crisis and deserve to have their suffering
recognized.
(7) While, as of the date of enactment of this Act, 35 of
the hostages are living, it is important that the people of the
United States reflect on the resilience and strength of the
hostages, which serve as an example to current generations.
(8) The people of the United States should--
[[Page 136 STAT. 4427]]
(A) acknowledge the hostages as heroes who--
(i) experienced great tribulation; and
(ii) endured, so that the people of the United
States may know the blessing of living in the
United States; and
(B) strive to demonstrate the values shown by the
hostages.
(9) On January 22, 1981, President Jimmy Carter met with the
hostages in West Germany and stated the following: ``One of the
acts in my life which has been the most moving and gratifying in
meeting with and discussing the future and the past with the now
liberated Americans who were held hostage in Iran for so long. I
pointed out to them that, since their capture by the Iranian
terrorists and their being held in this despicable act of
savagery, that the American people's hearts have gone out to
them and the Nation has been united as perhaps never before in
history and that the prayers that have gone up from the people
throughout the world to God for their safety have finally been
answered.''.
(10) On January 28, 1981, when welcoming the hostages home,
President Ronald Reagan stated the following: ``You've come home
to a people who for 444 days suffered the pain of your
imprisonment, prayed for your safety, and most importantly,
shared your determination that the spirit of free men and women
is not a fit subject for barter. You've represented under great
stress the highest traditions of public service. Your conduct is
symbolic of the millions of professional diplomats, military
personnel, and others who have rendered service to their
country.''.
(11) During the 444 days the brave hostages were held, the
rest of the United States held its breath, waiting for news of
the hostages. The United States hoped and prayed together, as
one, for the hostages' safe return.
(12) Bruce Laingen, who served as United States Ambassador
to Iran from 1979 to 1980 and was the highest ranking diplomat
held hostage, summed up the experience by saying the following:
``Fifty-three Americans who will always have a love affair with
this country and who join with you in a prayer of thanksgiving
for the way in which this crisis has strengthened the spirit and
resilience and strength that is the mark of a truly free
society.''. It is now the responsibility of the people of the
United States to honor the spirit, resilience, and strength that
the hostages displayed during their 444 days of imprisonment.
(13) Now, more than 4 decades later, the United States
continues to honor the hostages. The recipients of the award
bestowed by this Act are heroes in every sense of the word. They
are role models who wore their pride in the United States with
esteem and have allowed for subsequent generations to appreciate
the blessing of living in the United States. Today, as we mark
40 years since their release, the people of the United States
acknowledge their endurance, strength, and contributions to
seeing a more peaceful world. The hostages suffered for the
United States and now it is the duty of the United States to
recognize them for it.
[[Page 136 STAT. 4428]]
SEC. 3. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ``hostage'' means a person of the United
States who was taken captive on November 4, 1979, in Tehran, Iran, at
the United States embassy and released on--
(1) July 11, 1980; or
(2) January 20, 1981.
SEC. 4. 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 Congress, of a single gold
medal of appropriate design to the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage
Crisis, in recognition of their bravery and endurance throughout their
captivity, which started on November 4, 1979, and lasted until January
21, 1981.
(b) <<NOTE: Determination.>> Design and Striking.--For the purposes
of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the
Treasury (referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a
gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be
determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
State.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal under
subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the National
Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution, where
it shall be available for display as appropriate and made
available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received
under paragraph (1) available for loan, as appropriate, so that
the medal may be displayed elsewhere.
SEC. 5. BRONZE DUPLICATE MEDALS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in
bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 4, at a price
sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies,
use of machinery, and overhead expenses.
(b) Proceeds of Sales.--The amounts received from the sale of
duplicate medals under subsection (a) shall be deposited in the United
States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
SEC. 6. 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.
SEC. 7. 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. 8. 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
[[Page 136 STAT. 4429]]
Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee,
provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on
passage.
Approved December 27, 2022.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2607:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
Dec. 6, considered and passed Senate.
Dec. 14, considered and passed House.
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