Rubio and Markey Applaud Senate Passage of Bill Awarding Congressional Gold Medal To American Heroes Killed in 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack

Press Release

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Shelley Moore Capito (D-WV) applauded the Senate's passage of their bipartisan bill (S. 2054) to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to J. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith in recognition of their service and defense of the United States of America. Stevens, Doherty, Woods, and Smith were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya in September 2012.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens, a member of the Career Foreign Service, was serving as U.S. Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Glen Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Tyrone Woods, was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Sean Smith, a native of San Diego, had served in the Air Force where he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal.

"Honoring our fallen fellow Americans, who were murdered during a terrorist attack in our nation's consulate in Benghazi, commemorates not only their legacy but also their sacrifice," Rubio said. "We owe Ambassador Stevens, Navy SEALS Doherty and Woods as well as Airman Smith a great debt of gratitude. I am proud to have joined Senator Markey in introducing this bipartisan bill and urge the members of the House to quickly pass it and send it to the President's desk for signature."

"The bravery of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith and Ambassador Stevens' must be remembered and honored. Our diplomats, armed forces, and all who proudly serve our country overseas deserve our utmost respect, recognition, and gratitude. I am honored to have led the effort that will honor them as the American heroes we know them to be," Markey said. "The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor the legislative branch can bestow upon any individual, and I look forward to awarding them and their families with this rare distinction that will honor their legacy for generations to come. I urge the House of Representatives to prioritize the bill's swift passage."

"Passage in the U.S. Senate of legislation to honor the four brave Americans who lost their lives in the Benghazi terrorist attack with a Congressional Gold Medal is a tremendous honor for our family," the Doherty family said. "We will remember these men always as patriots and true heroes who gave their lives for the safety and protection of other Americans. We thank Senator Markey, Senator Rubio, Senator Duckworth and so many other leaders in the U.S. Senate who supported this effort."

Related:

July 8, 2019: Rubio, Markey, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Award the Congressional Gold Medal to Heroes Killed in Benghazi Attack

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