Bill Overview
Title: To posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.
Description: This act directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an officer in the Foreign Service, and Doherty and Woods were both government contractors and former Navy SEALs.) After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum.
Sponsors: Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]
Target Audience
Population: People directly impacted by awarding of posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith
Estimated Size: 0
- The Congressional Gold Medal is a symbolic act of recognition and does not have direct effects on living people.
- Those most directly impacted are the families and friends of the honorees, who may find solace and pride in this recognition.
- The legislation serves as a historical record and acknowledgment, impacting perceptions of the events in Benghazi.
- The medal will ultimately reside in the CIA Museum, implying some level of impact on museum visitors who may learn about the contributions of the honorees through this exhibit.
Reasoning
- The policy is mainly symbolic, recognizing the contributions of the individuals who served their country, and is not anticipated to have a direct material impact on the population at large.
- The main impact will be emotional or psychological, primarily affecting close family members of the honorees and potentially veterans or individuals involved in similar lines of work.
- The budget is relatively small, covering mainly administrative and ceremonial costs. The larger impact is on public perception and acknowledgment.
- Museum visitors might experience educational benefits and inspiration from learning about the honorees' contributions. However, this effect is indirect and difficult to quantify in wellbeing metrics.
Simulated Interviews
Us senator (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This medal represents a just and overdue recognition for individuals who paid the ultimate price serving their country.
- It serves as an important reminder of the complexities and dangers faced by our foreign service personnel and contractors abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Navy seal widow (San Diego, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This honors my husband’s colleagues and by extension recognizes all the sacrifices our families make.
- I hope it will lead to broader discussions and remembrance efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Museum curator (Boston, MA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Including this medal in the CIA Museum's collection provides an educational opportunity for visitors to understand the risks faced by American personnel abroad.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
High school history teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The medal serves as a valuable teaching point about courage and national service.
- I will incorporate this recognition into my lessons about American foreign service efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired cia officer (Jacksonville, FL)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This recognition is meaningful for honoring those who served in similar capacities to my own career.
- It could enhance the morale of current officers to see sacrifices acknowledged.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Human rights advocate (New York, NY)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While symbolic recognitions are fine, I hope this leads to a deeper reflection on policy decisions and accountability.
- It's important to also remember the broader context of their service.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Film director (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's inspiring to see their service commemorated, which could spark further storytelling projects.
- This is a reminder of the human element behind geopolitical events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Army veteran (Fayetteville, NC)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognitions like these remind the public of the sacrifices made by service members, yet it's important to ensure comprehensive support beyond symbolic gestures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Graduate student (Cambridge, MA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act of recognition will likely influence public discourse and academic discussions about U.S. diplomacy and security measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Military history author (Seattle, WA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The medal adds a layer of recognition to narratives I've been exploring through my writing.
- It forms a continuum of honoring service and sacrifice across different military operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $150000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The medal is a symbolic act to recognize and honor contributions and sacrifices.
- The production and distribution costs are minimal for such an award.
- No expected economic impact beyond the initial ceremonial costs.