Overview
Title
To posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell in recognition of their extraordinary bravery and steadfast devotion to the Nation during the Civil War as the only civilian members of Andrews’ Raiders, who launched a daring military raid that became known as the Great Locomotive Chase.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 763 wants to give a special award, called the Congressional Gold Medal, to two brave men, James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell, who did something very courageous during the Civil War. It's like giving them a big gold star for being super brave and trying to help our country a long time ago.
Summary AI
H.R. 763, known as the “James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act,” seeks to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell. These individuals demonstrated extraordinary bravery during the Civil War as the only civilian members of Andrews’ Raiders, a group that conducted the daring military raid known as the “Great Locomotive Chase.” The Act authorizes the creation of a gold medal to honor their contributions and specifies that it be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, with provisions for striking and selling bronze duplicates.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed bill, titled the "James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell. These two individuals were civilian members of Andrews' Raiders, a group known for the "Great Locomotive Chase" during the Civil War. The bill outlines a recognition of their extraordinary bravery and dedication to the nation. The presentation of the medal would occur under the direction of the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate, with subsequent display and loan provisions through the Smithsonian Institution.
Summary of Significant Issues
One key issue in the bill is the lack of detail regarding the costs associated with striking and presenting the gold medal. Specifically, Section 3 does not specify the total expenses associated with "appropriate arrangements" for the medal's presentation, potentially leading to excessive spending. Furthermore, Section 6 authorizes spending from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund without a specified cap, which could result in uncontrolled expenditures. Another concern is evident in Section 4 where the Secretary is allowed to determine prices for duplicate bronze medals without clear pricing guidelines, fostering ambiguity and possible favoritism.
Additional ambiguity arises in Sections 5 and 2. In Section 5, the term “national medals” is vague and could lead to multiple interpretations, affecting its legal clarity. Section 2 contains historical recounts that are not explicitly connected to the legislative intent, creating uncertainty about their relevance to current legal decisions.
Potential Impact on the Public
Broadly, this bill underscores the nation's commitment to recognizing historical acts of courage and heroism. This public acknowledgment may inspire national unity and a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made during defining moments in U.S. history. However, potential excessive spending without transparency could lead to public scrutiny regarding fiscal responsibility.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For historians and educators, the bill provides a basis to further engage audiences with Civil War history, highlighting lesser-known individuals who contributed significantly to the war effort. The display of the medal at the Smithsonian Institution can enrich public exhibits and educational programs, offering stakeholders the opportunity to access and study historical artifacts.
From a governmental perspective, the absence of detailed spending guidelines could complicate fiscal oversight, potentially affecting coordination among stakeholders involved in the medal production and presentation process. Collectors and numismatists might also be impacted by the additional classification of the medals as "numismatic items," possibly influencing their market value and collectibility.
In conclusion, while the bill seeks to honor historical bravery and devotion to the nation, addressing concerns about fiscal transparency and clarity in legislative intent is crucial for its successful implementation. The impact on public appreciation and stakeholder engagement largely relies on how these issues are managed and communicated.
Issues
The section on Congressional Gold Medal (Section 3) lacks clarity on the total expenses covered under 'appropriate arrangements' for the presentation of the medal, raising concerns about potential excessive spending.
The cost associated with striking and presenting the gold medal is not specified in Section 3, potentially leading to financial mismanagement or wasteful spending.
Section 6 authorizes spending from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund without specifying a cap, which may result in excessive or uncontrolled expenditures.
The lack of a defined procedure for determining 'necessary amounts' to be charged against the fund in Section 6 risks potential misuse or misallocation of resources.
Section 4 allows the Secretary to determine the price for the bronze duplicate medals without explicit pricing guidelines, leading to ambiguity and potential for favoritism or lack of transparency.
Section 4 does not specify the limits or oversight on the number of duplicate medals to be struck and sold, leading to potential overproduction.
There is no explanation of how proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates will be managed, as noted in Section 6, leading to concerns about transparency and accountability.
The definition of 'national medals' in Section 5 is vague and may lead to ambiguity in its application, affecting legal clarity.
Section 2 includes historical recounts without stating their legislative intent, causing ambiguity in understanding their relevance to present legal decisions.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. SHORT TITLE Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes the short title, specifying that the Act can be referred to as the “James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act.”
2. FINDINGS Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress acknowledges the courageous efforts of James J. Andrews and his Raiders during the Civil War, detailing their plan to disrupt Confederate supply lines by commandeering a train. Despite facing capture and execution, their actions eventually led to the awarding of the first Medals of Honor, which are celebrated as originating in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section authorizes the Speaker of the House and the Senate President pro tempore to arrange for the awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell for their bravery during the Civil War. The medal will be designed by the Secretary of the Treasury and will eventually be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, with the possibility of being loaned for exhibits elsewhere, particularly at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Museum.
4. DUPLICATE MEDALS Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Secretary is allowed to create and sell bronze copies of the gold medal mentioned in section 3. The selling price must be enough to cover all related costs such as labor, materials, and equipment use.
5. STATUS OF MEDALS Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Under this Act, medals are considered national medals according to specific U.S. legal code, and these medals are also regarded as collectible or numismatic items under certain sections of the same legal code.
6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section explains that funds from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund can be used to cover the costs of making medals. Additionally, money earned from selling duplicate bronze medals will be added back to the same fund.