H.R. 4901: WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill is titled the WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act, and it aims to honor the contributions of women who served as nurses in the U.S. Army and Navy during World War II by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. Here are the main points of the bill:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to recognize the bravery and dedication of Army and Navy nurses who played a crucial role in providing medical care during World War II. It acknowledges their service in a time when they faced significant challenges and dangers.

Findings

The bill includes several findings that highlight the historical context of the nurses' contributions:

• Prior to the war, there were limited numbers of active duty nurses, but by the end of the war, tens of thousands had enlisted.
• Despite their critical roles, these nurses received significantly lower pay and no military benefits compared to their male counterparts.
• Nurses worked in hostile environments, often under fire, and many faced life-threatening situations, including being captured as prisoners of war.
• In the aftermath of the war, nurses continued to serve in public health missions in former enemy territories.
• The majority of these nurses did not receive military rank or full recognition until after the war.

Award of the Gold Medal

The bill outlines the provisions for awarding the gold medal:

• The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will oversee the award of a gold medal designed to honor the nurses.
• The Secretary of the Treasury will design and enlarge the award, considering appropriate emblems and inscriptions.

Display and Availability

After the gold medal is awarded, it will be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, and Congress suggests it should also be made available at various military and historical locations that honor the contributions of the Army and Navy Nurse Corps during World War II.

Duplicate Medals

The bill allows for the striking and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover the costs associated with production.

Status and Funding

The medals are classified as national medals and numismatic items. The costs for striking the medals will be paid from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, and proceeds from the sale of duplicates will also be deposited back into this fund.

Relevant Companies

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