Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Edward Markey (D-Mass.), James Inhofe (R- Okla.) and 10 of her Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan bill to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, former Navy SEAL Glen Doherty, former Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith. Tyrone Woods was a resident of Henderson who, along with his three colleagues, was tragically killed during the September 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate and classified annex in Benghazi, Libya. This bill recognizes the lifetime commitment of these men to the safety and security of the American people.
“Ambassador Stevens, Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith are true American heroes. They committed their entire careers to protecting the Americans at home and abroad, and their heroism in the face of the terror in Benghazi saved countless lives. I am proud to be part of a resolution that recognizes the legacy of bravery and selflessness of those who lost their lives in the service of this nation.”
BACKGROUND:
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the U.S. It is awarded to those who have lived their lives in commitment to the ideals of this country and those whose actions have had an impact on American history that is likely to be recognized for years to come.
The Benghazi Congressional Gold Medal Act will honor:
- Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, who served his country throughout his remarkable career in the Foreign Service. From his first assignment as a Consular/Economic Officer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to his final assignment as U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Ambassador Stevens was well known for his dedication to upholding our most cherished democratic ideals across the globe.
- Glenn Doherty, who served as an elite Navy SEAL and overseas security personnel. He served multiple tours of duty overseas and dedicated his career to serving his country.
- Tyrone Woods, a committed career Navy SEAL and overseas security personnel who worked to ensure the safety of Americans and American diplomatic officials. He was a resident of Henderson, Nevada.
- Sean Smith, who was a former ground radio maintenance specialist in the U.S. Air Force and a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He maintained his commitment to serving the American people throughout his subsequent career with the U.S. State Department and across multiple deployments in Iraq, South Africa, and Libya.
###