On Thursday, October 22, leaders of the U.S. House and Senate will present a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of the Monuments Men, a group of men and women who protected and recovered historical sites and cultural artifacts during World War II.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will take part in the bipartisan, bicameral ceremony.
During World War II, President Roosevelt created an Allied division made up of educators, art historians, and architects, charged with preserving and protecting priceless artifacts around Europe which faced destruction under Hitler-led Nazi forces. Without their efforts, thousands of works of art and monuments of history that created the rich cultural history in Europe would have been lost forever.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor the United States Congress can bestow. Pursuant to H.R.3658, a single gold medal has been struck to honor the Monuments Men for their service.
The ceremony will take place October 22, 2015 at 3 p.m. in Emancipation Hall and will be live streamed at speaker.gov/live.
