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H.R. 305House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act

Sponsored by Charlie CristRep. Charlie Crist (D-FL)
Introduced January 13, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 9:19 PM UTC

The bill creates a Congressional Gold Medal to honor U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman for his actions during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. It directs the House Speaker and Senate President pro tempore to arrange the presentation of the medal on behalf of Congress. The measure applies to Officer Goodman and formally recognizes his heroism with a national award.

Key Provisions

  • The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the presentation of a gold medal to Officer Goodman.
  • The Treasury Secretary is tasked with designing and striking the medal, including appropriate emblems and inscriptions.
  • The Secretary may also produce and sell bronze duplicate medals to cover production costs.
  • The medals are designated as national medals and classified as numismatic items under the United States Code.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

January 13, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 13, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Financial Services Committee

January 13, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 13, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 305

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 13, 2021

Mr. Crist (for himself, Mr. Cleaver, and Ms. Mace) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to Officer Eugene Goodman.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Officer Eugene Goodman Congressional Gold Medal Act.

2.

Findings

The Congress finds the following:

(1)

On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol Building was attacked by armed insurrectionists.

(2)

Members of the United States Capitol Police force were quickly overrun, enabling insurrectionists to breach the Capitol at multiple points.

(3)

Around 2:14 in the afternoon, United States Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman confronted an angry group of insurrectionists who unlawfully entered the Capitol, according to video footage taken by Igor Bobic, a reporter with the Huffington Post.

(4)

Officer Goodman, alone, delayed the mob’s advance towards the United States Senate Chamber and announced the location of the incursion.

(5)

Upon reaching a second floor corridor, Officer Goodman noticed the entrance to the Senate Chamber was unguarded.

(6)

As the mob approached, Officer Goodman intentionally diverted attention away from the Senate entrance and led the mob to an alternate location and additional awaiting officers.

(7)

At 2:15 in the afternoon, a Washington Post reporter from inside the Senate Chamber noted Senate sealed with Senators, staff, and members of the press inside.

(8)

Officer Eugene Goodman’s selfless and quick-thinking actions doubtlessly saved lives and bought security personnel precious time to secure and ultimately evacuate the Senate before the armed mob breached the Chamber.

(9)

Amidst a shocking, unpatriotic attack on the Capitol, Officer Goodman’s heroism is recognized not only from Members of Congress and staff but also from the American people they represent.

(10)

By putting his own life on the line and successfully, single-handedly leading insurrectionists away from the floor of the Senate Chamber, Officer Eugene Goodman performed his duty to protect the Congress with distinction, and by his actions, Officer Goodman left an indelible mark on American history.

3.

Congressional gold medal

(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 gold medal of appropriate design to Officer Eugene Goodman.

(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 medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

4.

Duplicate medals

The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.

5.

Status of medals

(a)

National medals

The 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 section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.