119-hr5715

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5715 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 5715

 To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the American 
 hostages and victims of the October 7th, 2023 attacks, in recognition 
 of their profound suffering and sacrifice.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 October 8, 2025

 Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Mr. Lawler, Mr. Doggett, Mr. David Scott 
 of Georgia, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Gillen, Mr. Latimer, Mr. 
 Bacon, Mr. Suozzi, Mr. Stanton, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. 
Cuellar, Mr. LaLota, Mr. Magaziner, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Soto, and Mr. Hoyer) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
 Financial Services

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the American 
 hostages and victims of the October 7th, 2023 attacks, in recognition 
 of their profound suffering and sacrifice.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``October 7 Gold Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

 The Congress finds the following:

    (1) On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal, 
 unprovoked attack from Gaza into Israel, killing more than 
 1,200 people, including at least 30 Americans, according to the 
 Israeli military and the United States Department of State.

    (2) In the early morning hours of that day, Hamas forces 
 stormed across the border, infiltrating Israeli towns and 
 communities, slaughtering civilians, including women, children, 
 and the elderly; ambushing music festival attendees; and 
 attacking Israeli Defense Forces bases.

    (3) 251 individuals were taken hostage during the attack, 
 including 12 American citizens--some of whom were killed during 
 abduction or later died while in captivity.

    (4) Among those kidnaped were children, seniors, and young 
 adults, many of whom were dragged from their homes and 
 communities to be held in brutal conditions inside Hamas's 
 labyrinth of tunnels underneath Gaza, in clear violation of 
 international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

    (5) These hostages, including Americans, endured 
 unspeakable conditions in captivity--denied medical care, 
 isolated from their families, and endured psychological abuse 
 during their imprisonment.

    (6) Despite the horror of that day, countless civilians and 
 Israeli soldiers responded with extraordinary courage, risking 
 and sacrificing their lives to protect others. First 
 responders, community members, and soldiers fought valiantly to 
 repel terrorists, rescue hostages, and save lives in 
 neighborhoods under siege.

    (7) Among those who fell that day or shortly thereafter 
 were true heroes--civilians who shielded children, soldiers who 
 died defending their comrades, and neighbors who gave their 
 lives in acts of selfless bravery.

    (8) The families of American hostages, both those who were 
 freed and those who remain in captivity, have demonstrated 
 relentless courage, resilience, and unity in advocating for 
 their loved ones--exemplifying the best of the American spirit 
 and values.

    (9) On May 12, 2025--584 days after the October 7 attacks--
 the final living American hostage was released from Hamas 
 captivity.

    (10) As of the date of this resolution, hostages still 
 remain in captivity, including 2 Americans. The United States 
 Congress continues to call for their immediate and 
 unconditional release.

    (11) The bravery of American hostages, the fallen, and 
 their families deserves recognition by the Nation. Their 
 suffering, sacrifice, and perseverance in the face of terrorism 
 reflect the strength and resilience of the American people.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, 
of a gold medal of appropriate design, to the American hostages and 
victims of the October 7th, 2023 attacks, in recognition of their 
profound suffering and sacrifice.

    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection

    (a) , the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in 
this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
            (c) Disposition of Medals.--Following the award of the gold medal 
under subsection

    (a) , the medal shall be displayed and made available 
for research, as appropriate, at the Weitzman National Museum of 
American Jewish History in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

 The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medal struck pursuant to 

section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the 
cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
overhead expenses.

SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

    (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are 
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code.

    (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of 
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.

SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

    (a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to be 
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such 
amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck 
under this Act.

    (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate 
bronze medals authorized under 

section 4 shall be deposited into the 
United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
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