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National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act moves forward

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Fri, Sep 20th 2019 05:35 pm

Proceeds benefit efforts to pay tribute to servicemembers wounded or killed in combat

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, announced the House of Representatives approved the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act (HR 1830). Higgins is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan bill that was introduced by Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18).

Higgins said, “The stories of Purple Heart recipients provide powerful reminders of the great sacrifices made by those who serve this country and defend the freedoms we all enjoy. This legislation allows for new resources to see that the stories of these heroes are forever preserved.”

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor Commemorative Coin Act directs 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. Proceeds from the sale of the coins will benefit the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, a nonprofit dedicated to paying tribute to the sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients.

The bill must now be approved by the Senate.

Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 187 Adjutant Jim Schaller said, “Local Chapter 187 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is most appreciative of the efforts of Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and Congressman Brian Higgins to announce the approval by the House of Representatives of this bill. I have experienced many special moments alongside Congressman Higgins as he has honored both veterans or their next of kin with the presentation of a Purple Heart medal.

“We can never forget the sacrifices made by these men and women who were wounded or killed by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy. This legislation will help preserve the legacy of these brave individuals. My hope is that the Senate will also honor these true patriots and pass this bill for the final signature by our president.”

In the past five years alone, Higgins has worked with local families to secure more than 50 Purple Heart medals lost, stolen or never received.

In 2015, Higgins’ office worked with local veterans on a massive project that added 280 names of Vietnam veterans from Western New York who were killed in action to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

On May 24, 2002, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor was established in New Windsor, New York. The Hall of Honor includes a searchable website available to the public: www.thepurpleheart.com.

For more information on obtaining missing Purple Heart medals or entering Purple Heart recipients into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, contact Higgins’ Buffalo office at 716-852-3501.

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