Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5519

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-19: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-05-20T08:08:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Remy Crowther, recognizing his extraordinary bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. It honors him as the "Man in the Red Bandanna," a symbol of heroism that inspired many Americans.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Outlines Crowther's background as a volunteer firefighter from Upper Nyack, New York; his career as an equities trader (a job involving buying and selling stocks) at the World Trade Center; and his specific actions on 9/11. These include calmly leading survivors from the 78th floor Sky Lobby of the South Tower to safety, carrying an injured person, using his red bandanna to navigate smoke, and later assisting firefighters until the tower collapsed.
• Medal Authorization (Section 3): Directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange a ceremonial presentation of a gold medal to Crowther's mother, Alison Crowther. The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury designs and strikes the medal, featuring suitable symbols, Crowther's image, and his name.
• Duplicate Medals (Section 4): Allows the Secretary to produce and sell bronze replicas of the gold medal, with sales priced to cover production costs (including labor, materials, and overhead).
• Medal Status (Section 5): Classifies the medals as national medals under U.S. law (specifically chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code, which governs official medals) and as numismatic items (collectible coins or medals) for legal purposes related to production and sales.
• Funding (Section 6): Authorizes use of the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund to cover costs, with proceeds from bronze medal sales deposited back into the fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct amendments to prior laws. Instead, it follows established procedures under U.S. Code for awarding Congressional Gold Medals (the highest civilian honor from Congress) and integrates with existing rules for the U.S. Mint's operations, such as funding mechanisms and numismatic classifications. It adds a new instance of this honor for a 9/11 hero.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury Department will handle design, production, and sales, incurring minor administrative and financial costs covered by existing funds. Congress will coordinate the presentation ceremony.
• On Citizens: Serves as a symbolic tribute that may inspire public remembrance of 9/11 heroism, potentially boosting national unity and morale. Bronze replicas could be purchased by individuals or groups for educational or commemorative purposes.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, though it reinforces the U.S. narrative of resilience and ordinary citizens' heroism in response to global terrorism.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Crowther's Family: Alison Crowther receives the gold medal, providing formal recognition of her son's legacy.
• Survivors and 9/11 Community: Those aided by Crowther and broader victims' families may find validation and inspiration in the honor.
• U.S. Government Entities: Congress (for approval and ceremony), U.S. Mint (for production and sales), and Treasury Department (for oversight).
• General Public: As a symbol of American virtues like bravery and sacrifice, it affects citizens through cultural and historical remembrance, especially in New York and firefighting communities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with precedents for Congressional Gold Medals (e.g., awards to other 9/11 responders), ensuring compliance with federal minting laws without creating new regulatory burdens. The posthumous nature is standard for such honors.
• Constitutional: No implications, as it falls under Congress's enumerated powers to commemorate events and individuals (Article I, Section 8).
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from both parties), highlighting unity on national tragedy remembrance. It could encourage similar recognitions for overlooked 9/11 heroes, fostering ongoing discourse on patriotism and public service.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Cosponsors (55)

Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Downing, Troy [R-MT-2], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6] and 5 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-19: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-09-19: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-09-19 — PDF (5 pages)