Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2081
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-11-18T09:05:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor the service of women who volunteered with the American Red Cross's Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program—nicknamed "Donut Dollies"—during the Vietnam War (1954–1975). It recognizes their efforts to boost morale among U.S. servicemembers through recreational activities in war zones, acknowledging their bravery and contributions despite facing dangers like injury and death.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines historical context, including the program's start in 1965, the involvement of 627 young women who traveled extensively (over 2 million miles total) to 28 locations in Vietnam, and praise from military leaders like General William Westmoreland. It notes that 1,120 Red Cross women served overall, with five deaths, three from the SRAO program.
- Award Authorization: Directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange a ceremony presenting a single gold medal to collectively honor all eligible Donut Dollies who served honorably.
- Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury designs and strikes the gold medal with appropriate symbols and inscriptions. The medal is then given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a suggestion to show it at sites linked to the Donut Dollies (e.g., Red Cross or Vietnam War memorials).
- Duplicate Medals: Allows the Secretary to produce and sell bronze duplicates at cost to cover expenses, with no profit to the government.
- Funding and Status: Costs are paid from the U.S. Mint's public enterprise fund (a self-sustaining account). Sales proceeds return to this fund. The medals are classified as "national medals" (official U.S. commemorative items under federal law) and "numismatic items" (collectibles subject to minting rules).
- Sense of Congress: Urges quick production to timely recognize the volunteers' service.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation does not amend or repeal prior laws but introduces a new award under the established framework for Congressional Gold Medals (governed by 31 U.S.C. Chapter 51). It adds this specific honor to the list of over 170 such medals awarded since 1776, without altering the process for future awards.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Minimal financial burden, as the U.S. Mint covers costs through its fund and bronze sales; involves coordination among Congress, the Treasury, and the Smithsonian for ceremony and display.
- On Citizens: Provides official national recognition to surviving Donut Dollies (now in their 70s–80s) and families of deceased ones, potentially increasing public awareness of women's volunteer roles in the Vietnam War and preserving their history through Smithsonian exhibits.
- On International Relations: None directly; the bill focuses on domestic recognition of U.S. service during a past conflict.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Donut Dollies and Red Cross Volunteers: Primary recipients of the honor, including the 627 SRAO participants and their families, gaining formal acknowledgment of their sacrifices.
- U.S. Military Veterans: Indirectly benefits Vietnam-era servicemembers (over 280,000 interacted with the program) by validating morale-support efforts.
- Government Entities: Congress (for authorization and ceremony), U.S. Mint and Treasury Department (for production and sales), and Smithsonian Institution (for preservation and display).
- American Red Cross: Highlighted for its historical role, potentially boosting its legacy in veteran support programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with federal statutes on national medals (31 U.S.C. §§ 5111–5112, 5134, 5136), ensuring the award is official and non-monetary. No litigation risks, as it follows precedents for collective honors (e.g., similar medals for Tuskegee Airmen or Women Airforce Service Pilots).
- Constitutional: Exercises Congress's implied powers under Article I, Section 8 (to raise armies and provide for the common defense), extended to honoring wartime service—a routine practice upheld in courts.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Democrats and Republicans) signals broad support for recognizing overlooked Vietnam War contributors, especially women volunteers, amid ongoing efforts to address war legacies like the 2023 PACT Act for veteran benefits. It promotes national unity without partisan debate.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Cosponsors (43)
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Bynum, Janelle [D-OR-5], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (6 pages)