H.R. 8963: Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill is called the Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act. It aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula, who is recognized as a war hero from Edinburg, Texas. The main points of the bill are as follows:

Background Information

The bill provides a brief background on Dustin Sekula:

• He was born on June 8, 1985, in Edinburg, Texas.
• Dustin graduated from Edinburg North High School in 2003.
• He was known as a kind and loyal individual who had a passion for ranching and roping steers.
• At the age of 17, he chose to join the Marine Corps instead of pursuing an agriculture scholarship.
• Dustin was an infantry mortarman and served in Iraq, where he died due to injuries from enemy fire on April 1, 2004.
• His funeral was attended by over 1,000 people, signifying the impact he had on his community.
• Dustin is buried in Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr, Texas, and was the first person from Edinburg to be killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Presentation of the Medal

The bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for a posthumous presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to Dustin Sekula's family. The medal will be awarded in recognition of his heroic life and service.

Design and Production of the Medal

The Secretary of the Treasury will be responsible for designing and striking the gold medal. This includes deciding on the emblems, devices, and inscriptions that will represent Dustin Sekula's legacy.

Duplicate Medals

The Secretary may also produce and sell duplicate bronze medals. These duplicates will be sold at a price calculated to cover production costs, including labor and materials. The proceeds from these sales will be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Designation as National Medals

The medals produced under this bill will be recognized as national medals and classified as numismatic items, which relates to their collectibility and value.

Funding

The bill authorizes charges against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs associated with striking the medals. Revenue from the sale of duplicate medals will also contribute back to this fund.

Summary

In summary, the legislation aims to honor the memory of Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula through the award of a Congressional Gold Medal, with specific provisions for its design, production, and the potential for selling duplicate medals to support costs.

Relevant Companies

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