Bill Overview
Title: Ritchie Boys Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the Ritchie Boys (men who trained at Camp Ritchie, a War Department military intelligence training center) in recognition of their contributions to the success of the Allied Forces during World War II.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: Ritchie Boys and their families
Estimated Size: 2500
- The Ritchie Boys were mainly comprised of German-speaking immigrants to the United States during World War II.
- They were a group of military intelligence officers who trained at Camp Ritchie, Maryland.
- Their contributions were specific to World War II efforts, and specifically advanced the Allied victories, particularly against Nazi Germany.
- Most Ritchie Boys were men of European descent, primarily of Jewish background, who had fled from Germany or other parts of Europe due to the rise of the Nazi regime.
Reasoning
- The target population for the Congressional Gold Medal Act, the Ritchie Boys and their families, is quite specific and estimated to be about 2,500 in size. This is a relatively small group nationally, suggesting a low commonness in the general population.
- Many of the Ritchie Boys might have passed away due to age, as World War II veterans are now quite elderly. The policy primarily impacts surviving members, their families, and communities aware of their contributions.
- Wellbeing effects likely vary, with those directly connected experiencing emotional or cultural uplift through recognition, possibly affecting long-term cultural weight more so than immediate financial conditions.
- For people outside this group, the impact might relate more to historical awareness or national pride, possibly influencing wellbeing minimally but positively for those connected to such history.
Simulated Interviews
Retired military officer (New York, NY)
Age: 95 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am honored by this recognition. It's been so long, and not many of us are left to see it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Historian (Boston, MA)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This acknowledgment is overdue. It adds a valuable narrative to our national history that has been underappreciated.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Educating my students about the Ritchie Boys will bring history to life. This recognition is a teaching moment.
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 |
Retired engineer (Miami, FL)
Age: 85 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My father would have been proud. It feels reassuring that his contributions won't be forgotten.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Policy analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's an important recognition, but financially, this money could also support living veterans.
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 |
Community volunteer coordinator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing the Ritchie Boys is an educational triumph that connects generations.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Business owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Feels like a distant history, but important that our community sees this acknowledgment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Retired journalist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 82 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a pivotal moment to see this story shared widely. I hope the media covers it with the respect it deserves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act can initiate broader classroom discussions on war intelligence and its impact on history.
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 |
Retired professor (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 90 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having this recognition serves justice to so many stories that were left untold and ensures their legacy lives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $40000000)
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 legislation recognizes the historical contributions of the Ritchie Boys, enhancing public awareness.
- Funding for such medals typically comes from appropriations designated for Congressional expenses.
- The symbolic value of the medal is significant despite the modest financial outlay.