“To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the fallen patriots of Thiokol, in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states congressional findings concerning the February 3, 1971, explosion at the Thiokol Chemical Corporation plant in Woodbine, Georgia, during Vietnam War-era trip flare manufacturing, which killed 29 workers (many African American women), injured over 50 others, and sparked fires consuming 200 acres; a subsequent 1973 mortar shell explosion that killed one more worker (a two-tour Vietnam veteran); the plant's history in rocket motor and munitions production; the emergency response involving personnel from 16 cities, 14 hospitals, and federal agencies; societal impacts including the creation of OSHA in 1971, elimination of segregated hospital and funeral services, construction of Interstate 95, and reforms in mass tort litigation; and state recognitions honoring the 30 fallen workers (listing their names) as patriots who advanced workplace equality, diversity, national defense, and safety standards.
This section authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal of appropriate design to the fallen patriots of Thiokol, in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate must make arrangements for the presentation on behalf of Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury must strike the medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, and following the award, the medal must be given to the Thiokol Memorial Museum for display and research.
This section authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal struck under section 3, at prices sufficient to cover the costs of production, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.
This section designates medals struck under this Act as (1) national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code (governing Mint production of official medals), and (2) numismatic items for purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code (authorizing design, production, and sale of collectible coins and medals).
This section authorizes the charge against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (a revolving fund for Mint operations) of amounts necessary to pay costs of medals struck under this Act. It requires deposit into the fund of amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4.