text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Merchant Marine of World War II 
  Congressional Gold Medal Act''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds the following:
              (1) 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory 
          in World War II and the restoration of peacetime across the 
          European and Pacific theaters.
              (2) The United States Merchant Marine was integral in 
          providing the link between domestic production and the fighting 
          forces overseas, providing combat equipment, fuel, food, 
          commodities, and raw materials to troops stationed overseas.
              (3) Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King acknowledged the 
          indispensability of the Merchant Marine to the victory in a 
          1945 letter stating that without their support, ``the Navy 
          could not have accomplished its mission''.
              (4) President and former Supreme Commander of the Allied 
          Forces, Dwight D. Eisenhower, acknowledged that ``through the 
          prompt delivery of supplies and equipment to our armed forces 
          overseas, and of cargoes representing economic and military aid 
          to friendly nations, the American Merchant Marine has 
          effectively helped to strengthen the forces of freedom 
          throughout the world''.
              (5) Military missions and war planning were contingent upon 
          the availability of resources and that the United States 
          Merchant Marine played a vital role in this regard, ensuring 
          the efficient and reliable transoceanic transport of military 
          equipment as well as both military and civilian personnel.
              (6) The United States Merchant Marine provided for the 
          successful transport of resources and personnel despite 
          consistent and ongoing exposure to enemy combatants from both 
          the air and the sea, such as enemy bomber squadrons, 
          submarines, and mines.
              (7) The efforts of the United States Merchant Marine were 
          not without sacrifices as they bore a higher per capita 
          casualty rate than any other branch of the military during the 
          war.
              (8) The United States Merchant Marine proved to be an 
          instrumental asset on untold occasions, participating in every 
          landing operation by the United States Marine Corps from 
          Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima as well as providing, for instance, the 
          bulk tonnage of material necessary for the invasion of Normandy 
          which ``would not have been possible without the Merchant 
          Marine'', as a 1944 New York Times article observed.
              (9) In also assessing their performance, General Dwight D. 
          Eisenhower stated, ``every man in this Allied command is quick 
          to express his admiration for the loyalty, courage, and 
          fortitude of the officers and men of the Merchant Marine. We 
          count upon their efficiency and their utter devotion to duty as 
          we do our own; they have never failed us''.
              (10) During a September 1944 speech, President Franklin D. 
          Roosevelt stated, the Merchant Marine has ``delivered the goods 
          when and where needed in every theater of operations and across 
          every ocean in the biggest, the most difficult, and dangerous 
          transportation job ever undertaken. As time goes on, there will 
          be greater public understanding of our merchant fleet's record 
          during this war.''.
              (11) The feats and accomplishments of the Merchant Marine 
          are deserving of broader public recognition.
              (12) The United States will be forever grateful and 
          indebted to the U.S. Merchant Marine for their effective, 
          reliable, and courageous transport of goods and resources in 
          enemy territory throughout theaters of every variety in World 
          War II; that these goods and resources saved thousands of lives 
          and enabled the Allied Powers to claim victory in World War II.
              (13) The Congressional Gold Medal will be an appropriate 
          way to shed further light on the service of the Merchant Marine 
          in World War II and the instrumental role they played in 
          winning World War II.
  
  SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
  
      (a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives 
  and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate 
  arrangements for the award, on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold 
  medal of appropriate design to the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War 
  II, in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World 
  War II.
      (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to 
  in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter referred to 
  as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the gold medal with suitable 
  emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
      (c) American Merchant Marine Museum.--
              (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in 
          honor of the U.S. Merchant Marine, the gold medal shall be 
          given to the American Merchant Marine Museum, where it will be 
          available for display as appropriate and available for 
          research.
  
  SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
  
      Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the 
  Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal 
  struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the 
  medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
  overhead expenses.
  
  SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
  
      (a) National Medals.--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.
  
              Passed the House of Representatives November 30, 2016.
  
              Attest:
  
                                                   KAREN L. HAAS,
  
                                                                   Clerk.
target: .  Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act (Sec. 3) This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal to the U.S. Merchant Marine of World War II, in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during World War II.  Following its award the medal shall be given to the American Merchant Marine Museum where it will be available for display and research.
feat_title: Merchant Marine of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act