On September 11, 2012, a mob led by terrorists attacked American diplomatic compounds in Benghazi, Libya, injuring and killing multiple Americans. As a result of this senseless attack, four Americans lost their lives.
One of the victims was the U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, making him the first United States Ambassador to lose his life in the line of duty since 1979. United States Foreign Service officer and Air Force veteran Sean Smith, as well as combat-decorated Navy SEALs Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were also killed.
It’s been almost a decade since we lost these four heroes, and the time to honor them is long overdue. Thankfully, the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill I wrote with Congressman Stephen F. Lynch to posthumously award the four Americans the Congressional Gold Medal.
They represented the best of our country. They were committed to advancing the cause of freedom around the globe, and they gave their last breath for that fight. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of the highest civilian honor Congress has to offer.
