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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4521 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4521
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo,
Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis Price,
in recognition of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication
during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the safe
evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 17, 2025
Mr. Norman (for himself, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Stanton, and Mr.
Weber of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee
on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Chad Robichaux, Sarah Verardo,
Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave Johnson, and Dennis Price,
in recognition of their exceptional efforts and selfless dedication
during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021, which led to the safe
evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Save our Allies Congressional Gold
Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The events of August 2021 marked a significant turning
point in the history of the United States engagement in
Afghanistan, as the Nation underwent a process of withdrawal
after over two decades of military presence.
(2) Over the course of those 20 years, countless men and
women in uniform made tremendous sacrifices to uphold the
principles of democracy and freedom, while also honoring the
promises made to the Afghan people to build a safer and more
prosperous Nation.
(3) Among these exceptional individuals were the 13
individuals who participated in the Afghanistan evacuation in
2021, serving as a beacon of hope and demonstrating unwavering
dedication to the ideals of America.
(4) When the final withdrawal was announced, Chad Robichaux
knew he needed to act. His combat interpreter, Aziz, who had
saved his life on countless occasions throughout his eight
deployments to Afghanistan as part of a Joint Special
Operations Task Force, was now being hunted and targeted by the
Taliban for helping him. Determined to save his loyal friend,
Chad embarked on a mission that would bring together 13 modern-
day avengers, all Special Operations veterans, and one
determined woman, to drop everything and rescue Aziz and his
family from Afghanistan. Without hesitation, each member of the
team agreed to join the daring mission.
(5) In a matter of hours, Chad Robichaux assembled his team
and made a crucial call to Sarah Verardo, the wife of a
catastrophically wounded Soldier from his service in
Afghanistan, who miraculously secured their way to Hamid Karzai
International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The 12-man
team quickly mobilized, with Chad heading to Abu Dhabi, UAE, to
establish a humanitarian center for evacuees. Meanwhile, Tim
Kennedy, Kevin Roarke, Sean Gabler, and Dave Johnson headed for
HKIA itself. Setting up a command center at HKIA, the team
conducted non-stop rescue operations amidst Taliban-controlled
territory, facing immense danger without a Quick Reaction Force
(QRF). In just 10 days, their unwavering efforts led to the
successful rescue of over 12,000 lives.
(6) Even in the face of tremendous adversity, the team's
dedication did not waver. Despite Abbey Gate being destroyed
and the gates welded shut, they refused to leave. Over the next
two months, they continued their humanitarian efforts remotely,
leading a coalition to rescue an additional 5,000 individuals
through alternate routes around the region. Their commitment
and determination made a significant difference during this
critical time of need.
(7) Chad Robichaux's mission did not end with the
evacuation from HKIA. Teaming up with Fellow Force Recon Marine
and Scout Sniper, Staff Sergeant Dennis Price, he embarked on a
grueling 10-day, 90-mile reconnaissance mission along the
Tajikistan and Afghanistan border, swimming into Afghanistan
every night past Taliban and Chinese soldiers in order to use
their special operations experience to build evacuation routes
for women and children still trapped in Afghanistan as Afghan
Commandos attempted to move them to the Tajikistan border.
Braving the treacherous terrain and encounters with foreign
militaries, including Chinese, Russian, Tajikistan, and Taliban
fighters, they successfully established routes that are still
in use today, ensuring more people could find their way to
safety.
(8) The valor and courage displayed by Chad Robichaux,
Sarah Verardo, and the 12 Special Operations veterans during
the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 exemplify the very essence
of America's promises to the Afghan people throughout the 20
years of war. Their actions served as a powerful testament to
the unwavering loyalty and dedication of the United States
Armed Forces, reinforcing our nation's role as a beacon of hope
and justice on the global stage. Their commitment to duty and
humanity will forever be etched in the Congressional Record as
a shining example of American heroism.
(9) Under the exceptional leadership of Force Recon Marine
Chad Robichaux, this remarkable team of Special Operation
veterans took up the charge to protect and evacuate over 17,000
citizens and Afghan allies from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan,
during a time of unfathomable danger and uncertainty.
(10) These individuals have dedicated their lives to
protecting our country, putting their own lives on the line to
safeguard others, and their heroism deserves great honor.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.
(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 the
Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to Chad
Robichaux, Sarah Verardo, Tim Kennedy, Kevin Rourke, Sean Gabler, Dave
Johnson, and Dennis Price, in recognition of their exceptional efforts
and selfless dedication during the Afghanistan evacuation in 2021,
which led to the safe evacuation of over 17,000 people from Taliban-
controlled Afghanistan.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the presentation
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred
to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the gold medals with
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal
under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to the
Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be available for
display as appropriate and made available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received
under paragraph (1) available for display outside of the
District of Columbia at times, particularly at other locations
associated with the team of Special Operation Veterans' service
in the Afghanistan evacuation of 2021.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold
medals struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the cost
thereof, 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 sections 5134 and 5136 of
title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.
SEC. 6. 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.--The amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 3 shall be deposited
into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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