Introduced in House — H.R. 6559

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6559

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 10, 2025

Mr. Carter of Georgia (for himself, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Bishop, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the fallen patriots of Thiokol, in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.

Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Thiokol Memorial Gold Medal Act.

Sec. 2. Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)

On February 3, 1971, a catastrophic explosion occurred at the Thiokol plant in Woodbine, Georgia, during trip flare manufacturing operations in Building—132.

(2)

The blast tragically claimed the lives of 29 people, many of whom were African American women, and injured over 50 others.

(3)

In May 1973, another worker, a 2-tour Vietnam veteran, died in a separate mortar shell explosion at the same facility.

(4)

These individuals served the United States in accordance with article I, section 8, clauses 12 and 16 of the Constitution, manufacturing essential munitions as civilian contractors during the Vietnam War.

(5)

The 30 fallen patriots of Thiokol include—

(A)

Celia A. Alberta (Woodbine, GA);

(B)

Ethel L. Banks (Woodbine, GA);

(C)

Annie C. Booth (Kingsland, GA);

(D)

Gloria W. Booth (Kingsland, GA);

(E)

Bertha Walker Brunswick (Woodbine, GA);

(F)

Bettie Dawson Burch (Kingsland, GA);

(G)

Charles Burch (Kingsland, GA);

(H)

James L. Chapman (Marshall, TX);

(I)

Yvonne Marie Connelly (Kingsland, GA);

(J)

Jack Cox (Longview, TX);

(K)

Mae Hazel Davis (St. Marys, GA);

(L)

Mildred Davis (Blackshear, GA);

(M)

Howard Ellis, Sr. (Woodbine, GA);

(N)

Willie Mae Austell-Fuller (Kingsland, GA);

(O)

Pearlie Mae Young-Hutchinson (White Oak, GA);

(P)

Annie Mae Hutchinson-James (Woodbine, GA);

(Q)

Mack Kennedy (White Oak, GA);

(R)

Essie Diana Green-King (Kingsland, GA);

(S)

Gracie Mae Small-Life (White Oak, GA);

(T)

Bertha Mae Hill (Woodbine, GA);

(U)

Charles T. Monak (Montgomery, AL);

(V)

James Parland (Woodbine, GA);

(W)

Sandra Regina Rauls (Kingsland, GA);

(X)

Cyrus Emory Roberson (Nahunta, GA);

(Y)

Betty Jean Roberts (Yulee, FL);

(Z)

Lillie Bell Spells (St. Marys, GA);

(AA)

Cheryl N. Sullivan (Woodbine, GA);

(BB)

Mae Alice Taylor (Yulee, FL);

(CC)

Annie Loise Williams (St. Marys, GA); and

(DD)

Joseph Eugene Wainwright (White Oak, GA).

(6)

In the early 1960s, Camden County in southeast Georgia was chosen as the primary location for the Thiokol Chemical Corporation's production of solid propellant rocket motors, in line with President John F. Kennedy's vision of sending an American to the moon by the end of the century.

(7)

By 1965, the facility successfully test-fired what was then considered the most powerful rocket in the United States. America realized this vision in 1969.

(8)

After halting rocket motor production, the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant shifted its focus to manufacturing pesticides, trip flares, CS–2 gas, 81 mm munitions, and other military supplies during the Vietnam War.

(9)

The tragic explosion at the Thiokol Plant remains the worst industrial accident in southeast Georgia and ranks among the 10 deadliest in United States history over the past century. The blast sparked a fire that consumed approximately 200 acres of surrounding forest and destroyed several buildings.

(10)

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, the City of Jacksonville's Emergency Control Center intercepted a distress message, leading to an unprecedented response. Emergency personnel from 16 cities and 14 hospitals, including the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, civilian helicopter pilots, police officers, firefighters, nurses, and doctors, mobilized to provide rescue and medical care. On February 10, 1971, the Honorable Charles Bennett, a member of the United States House of Representatives, recognized the United States Navy for their humanitarian efforts in response to the Southeast Georgia disaster; Navy Heroes Assist in Humanitarian Work in Southeast Georgia Disaster.

(11)

As a result of the emergency and tragic loss of life, America eliminated accepted practices like hospital segregated patient rooms (SPR) and segregated funeral home-operated ambulatory services. Congress established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in April 1971, and OSHA swiftly implemented workplace standards. In the aftermath, the lack of interstate transportation from Savannah, Georgia, to the Georgia-Florida State line prompted the immediate construction and completion of Interstate 95 through that area.

(12)

During the civil case Flossie Marie Massey vs. The United States of America, the Justice Department reformed mass tort litigation, leading to the formula used today to assess the value of a human life lost.

(13)

Taking inspiration from the words of the late President Jimmy Carter, the workers must be recognized for their contribution to the Nation, the State of Georgia declared a Day of Remembrance for the Thiokol Plant Workers in 2015. The workers, members of the United Chemical Workers Union 832, were pioneers of a racially integrated workforce. The manufacturers of the trip flares were females, earning equal hourly wages and helping to shape the modern American workplace. These women’s contribution came before Congress enacted ERA in 1972. Their efforts not only supported the liberation of South Vietnam, but also, saved the lives of thousands of American soldiers.

(14)

In August 2019, the Harrietts Bluff Interchange at Interstate 95, exit 7, was dedicated and memorialized as the Patriots of Thiokol Interchange in honor of the workers' dedication, resilience, and embrace of American ingenuity. Their contributions transformed the southeast Georgia economy and established a workplace rooted in dignity, diversity, and equality. Daily, they traveled along Harrietts Bluff Road, commonly known as Thiokol Road, fulfilling a mission that changed lives and shaped history.

(15)

On February 3, 2023, the State of Georgia formally recognized the 30 fallen munition manufacturers from the plant as distinguished citizens. Their sacrifice led to significant improvements in transportation, emergency medical services, mass tort litigation, and industrial safety standards. The State of Georgia honored the 30 patriots who lost their lives at the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant and commended the courage of the first responders and survivors.

(16)

The legacy of these 30 fallen patriots continues through the efforts of the Thiokol Memorial Project and the documentary The Day That Shook Georgia. This film pays tribute to survivors and first responders, winning the Southeast Chapter Emmy® in Historical/Cultural—Long-form Content.

(17)

To join the State of Georgia in recognizing these patriots, Congress posthumously bestows the Congressional Gold Medal upon the 30 Fallen Patriots of Thiokol.

Sec. 3. Congressional Gold Medal

(a) Award authorized

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to the fallen patriots of Thiokol, in recognition of their sacrifice and contribution to the Nation.

(b) Design and striking

For the purposes of the award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.

(c) Disposition of medal

Following the award of the gold medal under subsection (a), the medal shall be given to the Thiokol Memorial Museum, where it shall be available for display and made available for research.

Sec. 4. Duplicate medals

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

Sec. 5. Status of medals

(a) National medals

Medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

(b) Numismatic items

For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

Sec. 6. Authority to use fund amounts; proceeds of sale

(a) Authority To use fund amounts

There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.

(b) Proceeds of sale

Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.