Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8963
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T21:40:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8963: Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act
Purpose
This legislation authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula, a Marine from Edinburg, Texas, to recognize his life, military service, and sacrifice during the Iraq war.
Key Provisions
- Short title: The bill is named the "Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act."
- Findings: Congress notes Sekula's birth in 1985, high school graduation, decision to join the Marines at age 17 instead of accepting a scholarship, service as an infantry mortarman, death from enemy fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on April 1, 2004, and local honors including a named library in Edinburg.
- Medal authorization: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the gold medal to be presented to Sekula's family.
- Design and production: The Secretary of the Treasury will create and strike the gold medal with appropriate designs.
- Duplicate medals: Bronze duplicates may be struck and sold to cover production costs.
- Status: The medals count as national medals and numismatic items under federal law.
- Funding: Costs are covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with sales proceeds returned to the same fund.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not amend or repeal any current statutes. It follows the standard process for creating a one-time Congressional Gold Medal by providing specific authorization for design, striking, and distribution.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The U.S. Mint handles medal production and sales, using existing funds without new appropriations.
- Citizens: Provides formal recognition to a fallen service member's family and community, potentially increasing public awareness of individual military sacrifices.
- International relations: No direct effects, though the medal honors service in the Iraq conflict.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Family members of Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula, who receive the medal.
- Residents of Edinburg, Texas, and the local community tied to the named library.
- The U.S. Marine Corps and broader military veteran community.
- Collectors of numismatic items who may purchase bronze duplicates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Congress exercises its authority to award medals as a civilian honor, consistent with historical practice.
- The bill shows bipartisan support, as it was introduced by members from both parties.
- No constitutional challenges or major legal issues are evident in the text, as it aligns with existing medal-award procedures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2026-05-21 — PDF (4 pages)