Press Release: Senator Portman Honors America's Purple Heart Recipients, Co-Sponsors The Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2020
Contact (Senator Portman): Emily Benavides, Emily_Benavides@portman.senate.gov
Contact (National Purple Heart Honor Mission): Bob Driscoll, BDriscoll@EmpireStrategy.com, 716-307-7406
SENATOR PORTMAN HONORS AMERICA’S PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS,
CO-SPONSORS THE PURPLE HEART COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT
Bill Pays Tribute to Purple Heart Heroes with Historic First Ever Official Commemorative Coin
(WASHINGTON, DC) – Historic legislation to honor America’s Purple Heart recipients, the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act (S.2815), is quickly gaining momentum in the U.S. Senate with the addition of Ohio Senator Rob Portman to its growing list of bi-partisan co-sponsors.
Authored as a tribute to America’s combat wounded and those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom, the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act (S.2815) salutes those who bear the scars of service that often come with keeping our nation free. The official, U.S. minted coin would be the first in history to recognize our Purple Heart heroes.
“On National Purple Heart Day, we honor those American heroes who gave their lives or were wounded by enemy action while serving our nation in uniform. I’m proud to support the National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act to recognize recipients of the Purple Heart medal and to increase public appreciation for their heroic stories. The net proceeds of coin sales will support the mission of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, including the Patriot Purple Heart Program which will bring Purple Heart recipients to visit the museum established to enshrine their legacies,” said Senator Portman.
“This is an historic opportunity for our nation. We thank Senator Portman for sharing his support for our courageous Purple Heart heroes. This honor for the nation’s Purple Heart recipients is long overdue and proceeds from this commemorative coin will help ensure these heroes’ stories of valor are told to a whole new generation of Americans,” said Richie Lay, Purple Heart recipient and Chairman of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission.
The National Purple Heart Commemorative Coin Act (S.2815) authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins at the United States Mint at West Point for the 2022 year. After production costs are recouped by the Treasury, proceeds from sales of the coin will be directed to the National Purple Heart Honor Mission to advance educational programming across the country. A companion bill passed the House of Representatives in late 2019 on unanimous consent, with support from 307 co-sponsors.
The Honor Mission led the effort to establish and expand The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, the museum dedicated to the Purple Heart located just north of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point near the site where George Washington conceived of the Badge of Military Merit in 1782. The group previously played a significant role in the creation of the Purple Heart Forever stamp passed by the U.S. Congress and issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2014.
The Honor Mission also administers the Purple Heart Patriot Project, which brings Purple Heart recipients from across the country on an all-expenses-paid trip to West Point and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Past sponsors have included American Airlines.
The organization recently began accepting nominations for its 2021 Patriot Project mission. The group is also working to develop a new Mobile Tribute and Education Center, that will have physical and digital displays to tell the story of the Purple Heart and recipients in communities across America.
On Friday, August 7 – National Purple Heart Day, Purple Heart recipients and members of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission hosted a socially distant tribute ceremony to salute the service of America’s Purple Heart heroes over the past 238 years.
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)3 national charitable organization.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HONOR MISSION
The National Purple Heart Honor Mission is an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports a variety of programs to pay tribute to our Purple Heart recipients, educate all Americans about our combat-wounded veterans to ensure those who sacrificed for freedom are never forgotten, and supports the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. Learn more at www.PurpleHeartMission.org.