# Plain Language Summary: Congressional Gold Medal for Benghazi Attack Victims

This bill honors four Americans who died in the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The four men being recognized are Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods. Congress is awarding them a single Congressional Gold Medal collectively, which is one of the highest civilian honors the government can give. This is a posthumous award, meaning it's being given in their memory after their deaths.

The bill provides background on each man's service. Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods were both former Navy SEALs who worked as security personnel at the consulate. During the attack, they tried to defend American property and protect the diplomatic staff, ultimately giving their lives in the effort. Glen Doherty served 12 years in the Navy and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, while Tyrone Woods served 20 years and earned the Bronze Star. J. Christopher Stevens was a career diplomat who served 21 years in the Foreign Service and had previously worked as a Peace Corps volunteer. Sean Smith served six years in the Air Force and then ten years with the State Department.

Once the gold medal is created by the Treasury Department, it will be given to the CIA Museum for display and research purposes. The bill also allows the Treasury Department to make bronze copies of the medal and sell them to cover the costs of production. This is a ceremonial bill with no direct practical impact on everyday citizens—it's purely a recognition of these four individuals' service and sacrifice to the nation.

To posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

Lynch, Stephen F.

 <p>This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an&nbsp;officer in the Foreign Service, and&nbsp;Doherty and&nbsp;Woods were both government contractors and former&nbsp;Navy SEALs.) </p> <p>After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum. </p>