# What This Bill Does

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez Jr., a retired Navy commander who endured extraordinary suffering as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. The medal is a prestigious honor that recognizes exceptional service to the nation, and this particular bill is essentially Congress saying "thank you" to someone whose sacrifices were remarkable.

Alvarez was shot down over North Vietnam in August 1964 and spent over eight and a half years in captivity—making him the second-longest held prisoner of war in U.S. history. He was tortured, held in isolation for over a year, and moved between brutal prison camps including the infamous "Hanoi Hilton." Despite these horrors, he remained loyal to the United States, helped other prisoners of war maintain their spirits and dignity through secret communication codes, and encouraged fellow captives to "return with honor" by refusing to break under torture. After his release in 1973, he continued serving his country, eventually becoming a lawyer and holding several government positions, including deputy administrator of what is now the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The practical side of this bill is straightforward: the Treasury Department will create a gold medal with Alvarez's image and name on it, which will be presented to him in a formal ceremony. The government can also make bronze copies of the medal available for public purchase, with the money from those sales going back into the U.S. Mint's budget. The costs of creating the medal come from the Mint's existing funds. This is a ceremonial honor with no direct impact on everyday citizens' lives, but it represents the nation's formal recognition of Alvarez's extraordinary service and sacrifice.

Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

Panetta, Jimmy

Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the nation.