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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Cisneros
ORIGINAL DATE
LAST UPDATED
1/16/08
HB
SHORT TITLE
Congressional Gold Medal for Dr. Westphall
SJM
2
ANALYST Escudero
APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)
Appropriation
Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY08
FY09
NFI
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
No Response from Veteran Service Department (VSD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Joint Memorial 2 requests the New Mexico congressional delegation to introduce
legislation to award Dr. Victor Westphall a congressional gold medal in recognition of his
service to the United States
.
•
In order to honor those who fought and died in the Vietnam war, and to give the survivors
a spiritual home, Dr. Victor Westphall built the Vietnam veterans peace and brotherhood
chapel, which would later become the Vietnam veterans national memorial state park at
Angel Fire.
•
In building the Vietnam veterans peace and brotherhood chapel, Dr. Westphall honored
the courage and sacrifice of his own son, Victor David Westphall, III, who gave his life
in the Vietnam war.
•
Dr. Westphall built the Vietnam veterans peace and brotherhood chapel in 1968, a period
in which the nation was divided over the war being fought by the United States in
Vietnam.
pg_0002
Senate Joint Memorial 2 – Page
2
•
Americans in 1968 were deeply divided over the Vietnam War, while the soldiers
returning from the Vietnam War were often shunned and scapegoated as blameworthy for
the United States' policies in Southeast Asia.
•
In being the first to build a memorial honoring those who had fallen in the service of their
country, Dr. Westphall bravely made a stand in the name of honor during a time of great
social unrest.
•
The congressional gold medal is the nation's most distinguished award given to civilians,
and it is an honor befitting Dr. Westphall's acts of outstanding principle, courage and
service in building the Vietnam veteran’s peace and brotherhood chapel.
•
It therefore be resolved by the legislature of the State of New Mexico that the members of
the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to introduce legislation to award
the congressional gold medal to Dr. Victor Westphall in recognition of his great service
to the nation.
Be it further resolved that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New
Mexico congressional delegation and to the Governor
.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
There is no appropriation attached to this legislation. The cost will be determined by the
individual cost of the medal for Dr. Victor Westphall.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Congress has expressed public gratitude for distinguished contributions, dramatized the virtues
of patriotism, and perpetuated the remembrance of great events. This tradition, of authorizing
individually struck gold medals bearing the portraits of those so honored or images of events in
which they participated, is rich with history.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
The decoration is awarded to and individual who performs an outstanding deed or act of service
to the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States.
WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL
By not taking the time to honor Veterans for their dedication and desire to help survivors by
providing a spiritual home, we are overlooking individuals who perform outstanding deeds or
acts of service. Instituting such a tradition was considered both a legitimate function and
powerful instrument of nationality.
PME/mt