CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL EFFORT FOR 100TH/442ND CONTINUES – NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!
Since August 2009 the National Veterans Network, an organization comprised of 20 veterans organizations nationwide that includes the Go For Broke National Education Center, has been working in earnest to secure enough Senate support to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team. House bill H.R.347, introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), passed without objections in May 2009. The companion bill, S.1055, was introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and currently has 43 votes (as of 3/25/10) but needs an additional 24 votes to pass. Additionally, sponsors of the bill are considering an amendment that the National Veterans Network has been working on to include the Military Intelligence Service.
This bill will expire in October, therefore support is critically needed in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
If you or someone you know lives in any of the states listed above, please contact them immediately. Congress is adjourned until April 9; therefore it is a good time to contact your Senator's district office now!
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award given by Congress to an individual or group who performs an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States. It has been awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen, Native American Code Talkers, and most recently the WWII Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) who were granted the medal in July 2009.
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Teresa Evans-Ryan at teresa@goforbroke.org. To view an example letter, please click here.
