John Kerry: “today I introduce a bill requiring that the Congressional Medal of Honor be made out of 90 percent gold instead of…”

“today I introduce a bill requiring that the Congressional Medal of Honor be made out of 90 percent gold instead of gold-plated brass as is currently the case. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the highest award our country bestows for valor in action against an enemy force. Its recipients are ordinary Americans who perform extraordinary deeds in battle, often giving their lives. This is the medal awarded posthumously to Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith. Under attack at Baghdad International Airport, Sergeant Smith quickly organized the defense of his position, engaging a company-sized enemy force. He showed no concern for his own personal safety when in the face of hostile-fire he mounted an armored personnel carrier and manned a .50 caliber machine gun. As the citations accompanying his award put it, ``In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers.'' This is the medal won by Captain Humbert Roque Versace. During an intense attack by the Viet Cong in the Xuyen Province, Captain Versace was wounded twice while engaging the enemy but continued to fight until exhaustion and lack of ammunition led to his capture.…”