Leger Fernández, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Defenders Of Bataan & Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

This press release from Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) was published on 2026-06-26 and titled "Leger Fernández, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Defenders Of Bataan & Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act".

Leger Fernández, Heinrich Introduce Bipartisan Defenders Of Bataan & Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced their bipartisan, bicameral Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the heroic individuals who served honorably in defending Bataan, Corregidor, Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island, and Java. The legislation would bestow a collective Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest and most distinguished civilian honor, to the individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, many of these servicemembers endured one of the most harrowing war experiences in history: the Bataan Death March and the forced labor and torture at prisoner of war camps that followed. Bestowing these veterans with a Congressional Gold Medal would recognize their personal service and sacrifice. “The American and Filipino defenders of Bataan and Corregidor endured an unimaginable level of abuse and responded with an equal amount of courage and strength,” said Leger Fernández. “The Bataan Death March was a horrific example of cruelty and inhumanity. As our Bataan veterans are passing, it's time we recognize the Bataan and Corregidor service members — including many New Mexican heroes — with the highest honor.” “Nearly 2,000 New Mexico National Guardsmen fought alongside Allied forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. These brave Americans endured the unimaginably harrowing Bataan Death March, and years of forced labor and torture in prisoner of war camps,” said Heinrich. “It was the courage and sacrifices of these brave Americans that ultimately made Allied victory possible. That’s why I'm so honored to re-introduce this legislation to recognize these heroic veterans with our nation’s highest and most distinguished honor.” The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.). “Thousands of servicemembers, including many New Mexicans, bravely defended the Bataan Peninsula during World War II before enduring the Bataan Death March and imprisonment as prisoners of war,” said Luján. “Our nation can never fully repay the debt we owe these veterans. Their courage, resilience, and sacrifice in the face of unimaginable hardship exemplify the very best of America. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure Congress properly recognizes and honors these heroes for their extraordinary service and sacrifice.” “The defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, Guam, Wake Island, Midway, and Java displayed extraordinary courage in the face of impossible odds,” said Stansbury. “In New Mexico, their legacy remains deeply personal. 1,800 New Mexicans were taken prisoner and forced to endure the Bataan Death March. 829 guardsman never returned home. Their sacrifice helped change the course of the war, and it is long past time that these heroes receive the recognition they deserve. I am proud to help reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to honor their service with a Congressional Gold Medal.” “New Mexico has a distinct history of proud military service, and during WWII, our state disproportionately answered the call of duty, sending more young people into battle than any other state per capita," said Vasquez. "Among those brave young people who risked it all to protect their loved ones and our freedoms were 1,800 New Mexicans who were taken prisoner and forced to endure the Bataan Death March — less than half of whom would make it home. These American heroes put everything on the line for their country, and it is time for our country to honor and thank them with a Congressional Gold Medal.” In the Senate, alongside Luján, the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). In the House, alongside Stansbury and Vasquez, the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Brian Babin (R-Texas), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Mike Carey (R-Ohio), Andre Carson (D-Ind.), John Carter (R-Texas), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Don Davis (D-N.C.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Pat Fallon (R-Texas