To posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters for her leadership on this and for helping us to get this bill on the floor.

As the proud sponsor of H.R. 310, I rise in strong support of this legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to four heroic Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack against the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya: U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens; U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA security contractor, Glen Doherty; U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, Tyrone Woods; and U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, Sean Smith.

At the outset, I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters, Ranking Member McHenry, and Mrs. Wagner of the Financial Services Committee for their bipartisan work in support of H.R. 310. I would also like to recognize the invaluable contributions that were made by our late chairman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, Elijah Cummings. He made contributions to the legislation and to our additional effort to secure full death benefits for the Doherty family of Massachusetts.

Importantly, the advancement of this bill would not be possible without the support of all the family members as well as pro bono counsel from K&L Gates and other stakeholders whose relentless advocacy on behalf of our four fallen heroes is reflective of their sacrifice on behalf of our Nation.

In my home State of Massachusetts, I would like to particularly recognize Mrs. Barbara Doherty and Ms. Kate Quigley, the devoted mother and sister respectively of Navy SEAL Glen Doherty of Winchester, Massachusetts.

I would also like to thank Amy Carnevale and Dennis Porter, two attorneys from K&L Gates, for their steadfast legal support and counsel to guide this legislation, as well as my dear friend, Dan Rea of WBZ News Radio who amplified the story about these four heroes and our efforts over the past 9 years, notably during a time of deep division in this country.

I would like to recognize and thank the nearly 300 bipartisan Members--Democrat, Republican, and Independents--who have joined me to cosponsor this legislation and enable this consideration on the House floor, including my lead Republican cosponsor of H.R. 310, Representative Brian Mast of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned and bestowed its highest civilian honor--the Congressional Gold Medal, in recognition of distinguished acts of bravery, leadership, and achievement that leave an enduring impact on our American history.

As chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, I firmly believe that there is no legacy more lasting and profound than the bravery and sacrifice of those who have stood in defense of our Nation. In view of the approaching 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack against the U.S. Consulate, the nearby classified annex, and personnel in Benghazi, Libya, it is more than fitting that we bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on these four fallen American heroes who bravely defended our compound and dedicated their lives to patriotic service on behalf of the United States of America.

For over 20 years, Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens served our Nation in the Foreign Service. From his first assignment as a consular and economic officer in Saudi Arabia to his last diplomatic mission in Libya, Ambassador Stevens reflected a genuine commitment to building bridges with our Middle Eastern and North African partners and advancing our most cherished democratic ideals.

During their decades of service as elite U.S. Navy SEALs with tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflict zones, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods perpetually exemplified the

Navy SEAL motto: ``The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday.'' Their continued service as overseas security personnel responsible for the safety of American diplomatic officials was maintained with the highest standards of military excellence.

As a former ground radio maintenance specialist in the U.S. Air Force and a State Department officer, Sean Smith served our Nation with honor and distinction throughout multiple deployments that included Iraq, South Africa, Oman, and Libya.

Mr. Speaker, the commissioning of the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of these four exceptional Americans will appropriately recognize their heroism, bravery, and sacrifice on behalf of a grateful Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 310. Again, I thank Chairwoman Waters for her valued support.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 310) to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and include extraneous material thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 310 to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation.

I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch) for his unwavering dedication to ensuring Congress

honors the memories of the four brave individuals who served our country bravely for 59 collective years in public service.

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress, and it is the highest representation of national gratitude for exemplary achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions.

The four individuals honored today, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, exemplified what it means to live a life of service. Mr. Doherty, Mr. Woods, and Mr. Smith were decorated servicemembers, known for their bravery and dedication to protecting the American diplomats with whom they served. Ambassador Stevens was a lifelong public servant and diplomat, deeply invested in promoting peace and security throughout the world.

As we come upon the 10-year anniversary of their tragic deaths, we, as a Nation mourn the loss of these shining examples of our shared American values. And to their loved ones, who carry their memories with them today and always, we offer our sincerest condolences and profound gratitude with their tireless efforts to preserve their legacy.

This bill would present the Congressional Gold Medal to the four brave men who protected and served their country honorably and died in service of their country. I cannot think of any who are more deserving of this great honor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank, again, Mr. Lynch, as well as the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) for their tireless efforts to ensure that these four individuals receive the recognition that they clearly deserve. We must strive to recognize these brave and honorable members of our country who have committed their lives to protecting it.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 310, a bill that will posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to four American heroes who died in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.

H.R. 310 will recognize the sacrifice that Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, and Staff Sergeant Sean Smith made for our country. These four men lived exceptionally impressive lives that should be recognized and honored today.

Ambassador Stevens, born in Grass Valley, California, joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1991. Over his 21-year career he held a number of important posts including section chief in Jerusalem, political officer in Damascus, and consular officer in Cairo before he returned to D.C. to serve as Director of the Office of Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs and Pearson Fellow with Senate Foreign Relations Committee under then-Senator Richard Lugar. Ambassador Stevens was a dedicated public servant who traversed the globe to carry out the mission statement of the Foreign Service: to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.

Petty First Class Glen Doherty, born in Winchester, Massachusetts, was a decorated Navy SEAL sniper and corpsman. Doherty served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and responded to the infamous USS Cole bombing in Yemen. Doherty left the Navy after 12 years of service. He went on to continue to protect U.S. interests by working as a contractor for the State Department.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Tyrone Woods, known by his friends and family as ``Rone,'' was born in Portland, Oregon. Tyrone Woods, like Doherty, was a retired Navy SEAL who continued to serve after an illustrious military career by protecting American diplomats. During his time as a SEAL, Woods was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat ``V'' for valor in Iraq and served multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Central America.

Staff Sergeant Sean Smith was born in San Diego, California, and served in the U.S. Air Force for 6 years. During this time, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Smith retired from the Air Force and continued to serve as a U.S. Foreign Service officer. Smith was posthumously awarded the U.S. Department of State's Thomas Jefferson Star for Foreign Service on May 3, 2013.

Mr. Speaker, these four men served honorably and died in service to our country. H.R. 310 will honor these men with the recognition that they deserve.

I thank my colleagues, especially Representative Lynch of Massachusetts and Representative Mast of Florida for their bipartisan work on this very important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this bill, I urge my colleagues to support it as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 310, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged and the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 310.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.