Maloney's National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act Heads to President's Desk to Become Law

Press Release

Tonight, the House advanced Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney's (NY-18) bill, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act with unanimous support. The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law.

The bill will honor the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and all our Purple Heart recipients with a commemorative coin provided by the U.S. Mint, and produced at the United States Mint at West Point. Proceeds from the sale of the coin would be directed to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. for tribute projects and educational programs that raise awareness about the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, and pay tribute to the sacrifices of all our servicemen and women who were wounded or killed in combat.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, within New York's 18th Congressional District.

"Supporting our veterans and honoring our Purple Heart recipients is something we can all agree with -- and this bipartisan bill proves that. I'm proud this bill, which I've worked for years to pass, is headed to the President's desk," said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney. "This bill honors our Purple Heart veterans, bolsters the important work of the Purple Heart Hall of Honor and the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, and brings business to the West Point Mint right here in the Hudson Valley. I thank Senator Schumer, the dedicated team at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, and the Purple Heart Honor Mission for their partnership in making this bill a law."

"This is an historic occasion for America's combat wounded and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Congressman Maloney, Senator Schumer and all our leaders in Washington deserve our sincere thanks for all their work to ensure passage of the Coin Act in the House and Senate. The creation of an official U.S.-minted coin honoring our Purple Heart heroes will ensure the National Purple Heart Honor Mission is able to continue to promote visitation to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, in New Windsor, NY, and fund other tribute programing that honors all those brave American who have sacrificed for our freedom," said Richie Lay, Purple Heart recipient and Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

"This commemorative coin is an historic and extraordinary opportunity to pay tribute to our heroes who have given so much to our nation. This is about more than just a building -- it's about ensuring the stories of valor of our brave Purple Heart recipients live on in the hearts of Americans for generations to come. We thank Congressmen Maloney, Takano, and Gallagher, and Senators Schumer and Cramer, for their steadfast commitment to the bill and we look forward to seeing it signed by President Trump," said Col. Russ Vernon (U.S. Army, Ret.), Executive Director of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.

The Senate's companion legislation of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act was led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The bill was co-led in the House by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), a Marine Corps Veteran.

"Purple Heart recipients have made incredible sacrifices for our country and for our freedom. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act gives us a way to safeguard their stories and honor their service. As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I'm proud that we've come together in Congress to pass this bill and that it's on its way to becoming law," said Chairman Mark Takano.

"Behind every Purple Heart is a story of incredible bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our country," said Rep. Mike Gallagher. "This bill helps ensure that the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor can continue to tell these stories for generations to come, and provides Purple Heart recipients with well-deserved recognition of their heroism. I couldn't be prouder to work with Rep. Maloney on this legislation and look forward to seeing the President sign it into law."

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins at the United States Mint at West Point for the 2022 year. After production costs are recouped by the U.S. Treasury, proceeds from sales of the coin will be directed to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, Inc. Those resources will help the organization augment their "Honor Flight style" Purple Heart Patriot Project program and create a new Mobile Tribute and Education Center that will visit communities across the nation bringing the story of the Purple Heart to a whole new generation of Americans.

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest and most recognized American military medals, awarded to service members who were killed or wounded by enemy action. General George Washington named West Point the most important strategic position in America during the Revolutionary War which is when the military decoration first originated. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor's mission is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations to serve as a living memorial to their sacrifice.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is operated by the New York-New Jersey Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The hall's work is supported by the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose goal is to honor America's Purple Heart recipients, through various outreach and educational programs, including promoting visitation at the Hall of Honor. The National Purple Heart Honor Mission conceived of the museum and worked for more two decades to secure necessary funding for its development and expansion. The National Purple Heart Honor Mission also undertakes other forms of outreach to honor the nation's estimated two million Purple Heart recipients, such as the Purple Heart Patriot Project that brings Purple Heart recipients from across the country to New York for a multi-day tribute program.

The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to promote the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, and educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act has been endorsed by: The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Senator Bob Dole, Armed Forces Marketing Council, American Military Retirees Association, American Military Society, AMVETS, Army Navy Union, Association of the United States Navy, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Korean War Veterans Foundation, Military Order of Foreign Wars, National Defense Committee, National Enlisted Reserve Association, Reserve Officers Association, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, The Flag and General Officers Network, The Retired Enlisted Association, and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

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