Bill Overview
Title: Doris Miller Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the award of a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Doris Miller in recognition of his acts of valor while a member of the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Sponsors: Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals interested in U.S. military history, specifically WWII, and recognition of minority contributions
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill aims to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Doris Miller, a U.S. Navy service member during World War II.
- The act honors Doris Miller's acts of valor, which could serve as an inspiration to current and past service members.
- It holds symbolic significance for African Americans and minorities as Doris Miller was an African American who demonstrated heroism despite racial segregation.
- The measure will impact historians and those interested in U.S. military history, particularly World War II history.
- The families of World War II veterans may feel a personal connection or appreciation for the recognition of wartime valor.
Reasoning
- The posthumous Congressional Gold Medal does not provide direct financial benefits but offers symbolic recognition, particularly impacting communities that resonate with Doris Miller's story.
- The target population includes military veterans, historians, and minorities who may find inspiration or pride from this acknowledgment.
- The posthumous nature of the award means that the medal itself does not confer personal benefits to Doris Miller but serves as a morale booster and historical recognition, mainly affecting perceived cultural status.
- While the policy might have a low direct impact on individual Cantril wellbeing scores, the symbolic potential to improve national sentiment, patriotism, and honor minority contributions in war may reflect slightly in wellbeing.
- Given the broad target population of both current military members and the African American community, the policy might indirectly boost feelings of historical justice and inspire new narratives in military and social communities.
Simulated Interviews
Retired Navy Veteran (Houston, TX)
Age: 85 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's wonderful that Doris Miller is being recognized. It shows progress and acknowledges our contributions.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
High School History Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a history teacher, this helps bring attention to more diverse stories. It's educationally valuable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Active Duty Army (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Miller's recognition is a good morale booster for minority service members and highlights bravery.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Graduate Student in History (New York, NY)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This award plays an important role in recognizing and inspiring more research on minority contributions.
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 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's heartening to see the military's diversity being valued and remembered.
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 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Museum Curator (Boston, MA)
Age: 51 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Doris Miller's medal will help us emphasize a more complete historical narrative in our exhibits.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I didn't know about Doris Miller previously, but stories like his deserve recognition.
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 | 6 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing diverse service men like Doris Miller is something I feel they deserve long overdue appreciation for.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelance Writer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to tell stories like Doris Miller's; it changes the narrative around war and minorities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Civil Rights Activist (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This acknowledges brave acts and opens more dialogue on African American patriotism.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $30000, High: $80000)
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 primary cost is for minting and awarding the medal.
- There may be ceremonial costs depending on how public and large-scale the award presentation is.