Colonel Young Oak Kim Congressional Gold Medal Act
H.R. 819, the Colonel Young Oak Kim Congressional Gold Medal Act, would award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim in recognition of his heroism, leadership, and humanitarian work. The bill directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange the presentation, and the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal with appropriate design. After presentation, the medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a preference for display at the National Portrait Gallery or, if appropriate, loan to other venues. The act also allows the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover costs. The findings accompanying the bill recount Kim’s life, including his WWII service with the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team, his actions at Anzio, his leadership in the Korean War, and his extensive post-service community work in Los Angeles.
Key Points
- 1Purpose: Posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim for extraordinary heroism, leadership, and humanitarianism.
- 2Presentation and Design: The Speaker and the President pro tempore must arrange the presentation; the Secretary of the Treasury will design and strike the gold medal.
- 3Smithsonian/display: The medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a preference for display at the National Portrait Gallery or loan to other venues as appropriate.
- 4Duplicates: The Secretary may strike bronze duplicates for sale to cover costs, under regulations and at a price sufficient to cover expenses.
- 5Status of Medals: The medals are treated as national medals under U.S. law and are considered numismatic items for related statutory purposes.