H.R.2335 - To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller posthumously for acts of valor while a member of the Navy during World War II. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2335 is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to authorize the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller for his acts of valor during World War II. Miller, an African-American sailor, displayed extraordinary courage during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despite facing racial discrimination and being limited to service-based roles, he assisted in saving lives and operating a machine gun against enemy aircraft.
Expected Effects
If passed, this bill would allow the President to award the Medal of Honor to Doris Miller posthumously, recognizing his bravery and service. This would override existing time limitations for awarding such medals. It would also serve as a symbolic gesture acknowledging the historical injustices faced by African-American service members.
Potential Benefits
- Acknowledges the historical contributions and sacrifices of African-American service members during World War II.
- Corrects a historical injustice by recognizing Doris Miller's valor with the highest military honor.
- Sends a message of equality and inclusion within the armed forces.
- Reinforces the importance of recognizing acts of bravery and heroism, regardless of race or background.
- May inspire future generations to serve and uphold the values of courage and selflessness.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill primarily addresses a historical issue and may not have immediate tangible benefits for current issues.
- Some may argue that focusing on individual awards does not address systemic issues of racial inequality within the military or society.
- The cost of the medal and associated ceremony would be minimal, but some may question the allocation of resources to such symbolic gestures.
- Could open the door for numerous similar requests, potentially overwhelming the process for awarding medals.
- May not fully satisfy those seeking broader systemic changes to address historical injustices.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the Constitution by seeking to recognize and honor the service of a member of the Armed Forces, promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty. While the Constitution does not explicitly address the awarding of military honors, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, which implicitly includes the power to establish a system of military honors and awards. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).