Bill Overview
Title: Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis (November 4, 1979-January 21, 1981) in recognition of their bravery and endurance throughout their captivity.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis
Estimated Size: 53
- The bill directly concerns the 53 hostages involved in the Iran Hostage Crisis.
- These individuals were held hostage in Iran from November 4, 1979, to January 21, 1981.
- The award recognizes their bravery and the hardships endured during captivity.
Reasoning
- The bill directly recognizes and awards the 53 American hostages involved in the Iran Hostage Crisis, hence the impact on the general population may be minimal.
- The cost of providing a Congressional Gold Medal generally involves minting and presenting the medals, which is a relatively small cost. This fits within the budget.
- While the policy directly impacts the involved hostages, the symbolic nature of the act may affect other groups, such as veterans, government workers, and families connected to similar diplomatic crises, although this is less direct.
Simulated Interviews
Retired State Department Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 64 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad the government is finally recognizing the bravery of those hostages.
- This is long overdue and serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by diplomats.
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 |
Veteran (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see fellow Americans who suffered recognized and appreciated.
- It's a good move but it would have been more impactful earlier.
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 | 6 | 6 |
History Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial for students to learn about such acts of bravery and remembrance.
- Awards like these can serve as an educational tool.
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 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is valuable, but these situations are complex.
- It's a symbolic gesture, impactful but not transforming.
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 |
Retired Hospital Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 68 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These awards are a nice way to honor their bravery.
- Would like more efforts to prevent such crises in the future.
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 |
Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Commemoration reflects well on the country's commitment to its citizens.
- Hope it brings more attention to current diplomatic safety issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Diplomatic Analyst (Cleveland, OH)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Adds to understanding past crises.
- Symbolic gestures like these can have more subtle impacts on diplomatic relations.
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 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These kinds of recognitions are of historical interest.
- Would like more tangible improvements to diplomatic safety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Retired School Teacher (Detroit, MI)
Age: 75 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Good to educate people about our past hostages' bravery.
- These events are important to remember publicly.
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 |
Diplomat (Chicago, IL)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition is important for morale in diplomacy.
- Suggests more active approaches to resolving diplomatic threats.
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 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2120000 (Low: $1590000, High: $2650000)
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
- This act is symbolic in nature, aimed at honoring the hostages rather than addressing broader economic or social policy.
- The cost mainly involves the production and administrative processes of creating the medals.