WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act
This bill would authorize the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal (a highly prestigious, symbolic honor minted by the U.S. Mint) to all World War II Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps members. The medal would be designed and struck by the U.S. Treasury, awarded through Congress, and then donated to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The bill also directs that the Smithsonian should consider displaying the medal at several locations tied to nursing and World War II history. In addition, the act allows bronze duplicate medals to be struck and sold to cover costs, with proceeds deposited back into the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund. The medal would be considered a national medal and a numismatic item under relevant federal statutes.
Key Points
- 1Authorized honor: The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate would arrange for a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize WWII Army Nurse Corps and Navy Nurse Corps members collectively.
- 2Design and minting: The Secretary of the Treasury would determine the medal’s design and oversee striking it.
- 3Smithsonian display: After minting, the medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a sense that it should be shown at specific Army/Navy nursing and WWII-related sites.
- 4Duplicates: The Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs; proceeds go to the Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
- 5Legal status: Medals under this act would be treated as national medals and as numismatic items for purposes of relevant U.S. Code provisions.