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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6559 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6559
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the fallen patriots of Thiokol,
in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 10, 2025
Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Bishop, and Mrs.
McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the fallen patriots of Thiokol,
in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.
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 ``Thiokol Memorial Gold Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On February 3, 1971, a catastrophic explosion occurred
at the Thiokol plant in Woodbine, Georgia, during trip flare
manufacturing operations in Building--132.
(2) The blast tragically claimed the lives of 29 people,
many of whom were African American women, and injured over 50
others.
(3) In May 1973, another worker, a 2-tour Vietnam veteran,
died in a separate mortar shell explosion at the same facility.
(4) These individuals served the United States in
accordance with article I, section 8, clauses 12 and 16 of the
Constitution, manufacturing essential munitions as civilian
contractors during the Vietnam War.
(5) The 30 fallen patriots of Thiokol include--
(A) Celia A. Alberta (Woodbine, GA);
(B) Ethel L. Banks (Woodbine, GA);
(C) Annie C. Booth (Kingsland, GA);
(D) Gloria W. Booth (Kingsland, GA);
(E) Bertha Walker Brunswick (Woodbine, GA);
(F) Bettie Dawson Burch (Kingsland, GA);
(G) Charles Burch (Kingsland, GA);
(H) James L. Chapman (Marshall, TX);
(I) Yvonne Marie Connelly (Kingsland, GA);
(J) Jack Cox (Longview, TX);
(K) Mae Hazel Davis (St. Marys, GA);
(L) Mildred Davis (Blackshear, GA);
(M) Howard Ellis, Sr. (Woodbine, GA);
(N) Willie Mae Austell-Fuller (Kingsland, GA);
(O) Pearlie Mae Young-Hutchinson (White Oak, GA);
(P) Annie Mae Hutchinson-James (Woodbine, GA);
(Q) Mack Kennedy (White Oak, GA);
(R) Essie Diana Green-King (Kingsland, GA);
(S) Gracie Mae Small-Life (White Oak, GA);
(T) Bertha Mae Hill (Woodbine, GA);
(U) Charles T. Monak (Montgomery, AL);
(V) James Parland (Woodbine, GA);
(W) Sandra Regina Rauls (Kingsland, GA);
(X) Cyrus Emory Roberson (Nahunta, GA);
(Y) Betty Jean Roberts (Yulee, FL);
(Z) Lillie Bell Spells (St. Marys, GA);
(AA) Cheryl N. Sullivan (Woodbine, GA);
(BB) Mae Alice Taylor (Yulee, FL);
(CC) Annie Loise Williams (St. Marys, GA); and
(DD) Joseph Eugene Wainwright (White Oak, GA).
(6) In the early 1960s, Camden County in southeast Georgia
was chosen as the primary location for the Thiokol Chemical
Corporation's production of solid propellant rocket motors, in
line with President John F. Kennedy's vision of sending an
American to the moon by the end of the century.
(7) By 1965, the facility successfully test-fired what was
then considered the most powerful rocket in the United States.
America realized this vision in 1969.
(8) After halting rocket motor production, the Woodbine
Thiokol Chemical Plant shifted its focus to manufacturing
pesticides, trip flares, CS-2 gas, 81 mm munitions, and other
military supplies during the Vietnam War.
(9) The tragic explosion at the Thiokol Plant remains the
worst industrial accident in southeast Georgia and ranks among
the 10 deadliest in United States history over the past
century. The blast sparked a fire that consumed approximately
200 acres of surrounding forest and destroyed several
buildings.
(10) In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the City
of Jacksonville's Emergency Control Center intercepted a
distress message, leading to an unprecedented response.
Emergency personnel from 16 cities and 14 hospitals, including
the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, civilian helicopter
pilots, police officers, firefighters, nurses, and doctors,
mobilized to provide rescue and medical care. On February 10,
1971, the Honorable Charles Bennett, a member of the United
States House of Representatives, recognized the United States
Navy for their humanitarian efforts in response to the
Southeast Georgia disaster; ``Navy Heroes Assist in
Humanitarian Work in Southeast Georgia Disaster''.
(11) As a result of the emergency and tragic loss of life,
America eliminated accepted practices like hospital segregated
patient rooms (SPR) and segregated funeral home-operated
ambulatory services. Congress established the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in April 1971, and OSHA
swiftly implemented workplace standards. In the aftermath, the
lack of interstate transportation from Savannah, Georgia, to
the Georgia-Florida State line prompted the immediate
construction and completion of Interstate 95 through that area.
(12) During the civil case Flossie Marie Massey vs. The
United States of America, the Justice Department reformed mass
tort litigation, leading to the formula used today to assess
the value of a human life lost.
(13) Taking inspiration from the words of the late
President Jimmy Carter, ``the workers must be recognized for
their contribution to the Nation'', the State of Georgia
declared a Day of Remembrance for the Thiokol Plant Workers in
2015. The workers, members of the United Chemical Workers Union
832, were pioneers of a racially integrated workforce. The
manufacturers of the trip flares were females, earning equal
hourly wages and helping to shape the modern American
workplace. These women's contribution came before Congress
enacted ERA in 1972. Their efforts not only supported the
liberation of South Vietnam, but also, saved the lives of
thousands of American soldiers.
(14) In August 2019, the Harrietts Bluff Interchange at
Interstate 95, exit 7, was dedicated and memorialized as the
``Patriots of Thiokol'' Interchange in honor of the workers'
dedication, resilience, and embrace of American ingenuity.
Their contributions transformed the southeast Georgia economy
and established a workplace rooted in dignity, diversity, and
equality. Daily, they traveled along Harrietts Bluff Road,
commonly known as ``Thiokol Road'', fulfilling a mission that
changed lives and shaped history.
(15) On February 3, 2023, the State of Georgia formally
recognized the 30 fallen munition manufacturers from the plant
as distinguished citizens. Their sacrifice led to significant
improvements in transportation, emergency medical services,
mass tort litigation, and industrial safety standards. The
State of Georgia honored the 30 patriots who lost their lives
at the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant and commended the
courage of the first responders and survivors.
(16) The legacy of these 30 fallen patriots continues
through the efforts of the Thiokol Memorial Project and the
documentary ``The Day That Shook Georgia''. This film pays
tribute to survivors and first responders, winning the
Southeast Chapter Emmy in Historical/Cultural--Long-form
Content.
(17) To join the State of Georgia in recognizing these
patriots, Congress posthumously bestows the Congressional Gold
Medal upon the 30 Fallen Patriots of Thiokol.
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 Congress, of a single gold
medal of appropriate design to the fallen patriots of Thiokol, in
recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 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.
(c) Disposition of Medal.--Following the award of the gold medal
under subsection (a), the medal shall be given to the Thiokol Memorial
Museum, where it shall be available for display and made available for
research.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
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
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--Medals struck under 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
under this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the
United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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