Mr. Speaker, one of the greatest untold stories from World War II is a story of the brave men and women known as the Monuments Men.
This special military unit was tasked with helping to locate works of art confiscated by the Nazis and return them to their rightful owners. The Monuments Men, and women, were able to locate, preserve, and return almost 5 million cultural items, including many of the world's great works of art.
Today, there are only five surviving members, four men and one woman, of the Monuments Men. I believe the veterans who participated in these daring missions are certainly worthy and deserving of the recognition of Congress' highest expression of appreciation. That is why I am honored today to introduce legislation recognizing these heroes with a Congressional Gold Medal.
While we can never say thank you enough, I believe the Congressional Gold Medal is a worthy token of appreciation from a grateful Nation to Members of the Greatest Generation.