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"A collaborative political resource." |
Congressional Gold Medal Recipient British Prime Minister Tony Blair
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| Parent | Parent Candidate |
| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Post Date | , 12:am |
| Description | WASHINGTON (AP) - The House agreed Wednesday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, but only after lawmakers questioned the justification for the U.S. and British-led war on Iraq.
The House resolution, passed by a voice vote, said Blair "has clearly demonstrated, during a very trying and historic time for our two countries, that he is a staunch and steadfast ally of the United States."
Blair would be the first British leader to receive Congress' most prestigious award since Winston Churchill was honored posthumously in 1969. The Senate already has approved giving Blair the medal.
"There has probably been no British prime minister who has been there when America needs him more than Tony Blair," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.
But several House lawmakers noted that Blair, who stood with the United States through conflicts in Kosovo and Bosnia, the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and the Iraq War, is also under fire from the British parliament over the accuracy of the intelligence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, a key reason for the war.
With the medal, Congress was "perhaps trying to influence the outcome of some very serious investigations going on in Britain," said Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., an opponent of the war. "We are trying to prop up Mr. Blair."
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said Blair should be given credit for accepting an investigation into prewar intelligence. "We should have the courage in our own country to give all the information to the American public."
Since it was first given to George Washington in 1776, the Congressional Gold Medal has been bestowed on some 300 people, including Thomas Edison, Irving Berlin, Bob Hope, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
S. 709 Text
5-14-03
Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 709
To award a congressional gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 26, 2003
Mrs. DOLE (for herself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. BUNNING, Mr. CARPER, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. CORNYN, Mr. DEWINE, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. HAGEL, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LOTT, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. MCCAIN, Mr. NICKLES, Mr. SCHUMER, Ms. STABENOW, and Mr. WARNER) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
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A BILL
To award a congressional gold medal to Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDING.
Congress finds that Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom has clearly demonstrated, during a very trying and historic time for our 2 countries, that he is a staunch and steadfast ally of the United States of America.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED- The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design, to Prime Minister Tony Blair, in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to maintaining the security of all freedom-loving nations.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING- For purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the `Secretary') shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 4. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) NATIONAL MEDALS- The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
(b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS- For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS- There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
(b) PROCEEDS OF SALE- Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 3 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
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