ARLINGTON, Texas –U.S. Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX 33) and Ron Wright (R-TX 6) introduced H.R. 5173, the National Medal of Honor Monument Act, on Tuesday, which will create a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. to honor the more than 3,500 National Medal of Honor recipients.

The bill is co-sponsored by a bipartisan cohort of Congressional representatives, including:

•  Congressman Colin Allred (D-TX 32)
• Congressman Jody Arrington (R-TX 19)
• Congressman Brian Babin (R-TX 36)
• Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX 2)
• Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28)
• Congressman John Curtis (R-UT 3)
• Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX 15)
• Congressman Lance Gooden R-TX 5)
• Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX 12)
• Congressman Garret Graves (R-LA 6)
• Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA 6)
• Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX 23)
• Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX 18)
• Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX 10)
• Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA 14)
• Congressman Filemon Vela Jr. (D-TX 34)

 The Congressional Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration. Since its founding in 1863, 3,525 Medals of Honor have been awarded. The National Medal of Honor Monument will join other national landmarks in the country’s capital and will draw a maximum level of visibility and support from every corner of the United States.

 “The National Medal of Honor Monument Act is vital in completing our mission to honor the bravest of the brave in Arlington, Texas with the Museum and in our nation’s capital with the Monument,” said Joe Daniels, President, and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Foundation. “The monument will be an inspiration that everyone around the country can stand behind. It will help to further shed light on the stories of our nation’s bravest military heroes. We thank Congressman Veasey and Wright for coming together to pioneer this legislation, which will impact generations to come with a message of strength and patriotism.”

In October, the National Medal of Honor Museum announced that Arlington Texas will be the home for the Museum. It will offer an experience that draws personal and emotional connections to Medal of Honor recipients and their stories while shedding light on the wars in which they fought and the ideals that the Medal of Honor represents. The Museum is currently working with four renowned architectural finalists, who are competing for the final museum design.

 The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is a non-profit educational organization established to preserve and present the stories of the nation’s Medal of Honor recipients. The Museum aims to showcase acts of valor, share real-life examples of patriotism, leadership, and courage and inspire current and future generations.