Ads by Google Ads by Google

Amata cosponsors Congressional Gold Medal for Afghanistan heroes

Congressional Medal of Honor
Source: Media release from Cong. Uifaatali Amata's office

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata cosponsored newly introduced legislation honoring the 13 service members who lost their lives recently serving in Afghanistan with the Congressional Gold Medal — the highest honor or expression of national appreciation that Congress can bestow. For a proposed Congressional Medal of Honor to be passed and enacted, the effort is required to first gain the cosponsorships of two-thirds of the chamber in which the measure originated (the House).

 “God bless the Gold Star families of these heroic Service Members, who selflessly were working to help others to a place of freedom and safety. The Congressional Gold Medal will permanently honor their bravery and sacrifice, and be a message of deep gratitude from the nation to their loved ones,” said Congresswoman Amata. 

The bipartisan bill was led by Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI), and has rapidly gained widespread support in the U.S. House of Representatives. Specifically, the bill will “award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal, in commemoration to the service members who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, during the evacuation of citizens of the United States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport.”

The legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. David Lee Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

Once passed by Congress, the Gold Medals would be uniquely created by artists and made by the U.S. Mint, which is directed by David J. Ryder, who visited American Samoa in February, 2020, for the special launch of the National Park of American Samoa quarter.

 “I’m proud to spearhead this bill alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. I’m inspired by the eagerness of my friends in Congress to honor these 13 brave men and women who were taken from their loved ones far too soon,” said Rep. McClain. “Their sacrifice for their country and its allies will never be forgotten, and I hope the House quickly passes this bipartisan effort.”

 “The events that have transpired over the last several weeks have been nothing short of tragic. As our country mourns the loss of these brave men and women in uniform, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in Congress to honor their lives and commemorate their courage,” said Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

In 2019, Amata cosponsored the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act, now law. In 2017, she attended the Congressional Gold Medal presentation ceremony at the U.S. Capitol for the Filipino World War II Veterans who fought under the U.S. flag.