Bacon, Kelly Lead Bill to Award Artemis II Crew the Congressional Gold Medal

This press release from Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) was published on 2026-06-24 and titled "Bacon, Kelly Lead Bill to Award Artemis II Crew the Congressional Gold Medal".

Bacon, Kelly Lead Bill to Award Artemis II Crew the Congressional Gold Medal

Bacon, Kelly Lead Bill to Award Artemis II Crew the Congressional Gold Medal Read in USA TODAY : New effort in Congress would grant Artemis II astronauts rare honor Washington, D.C. – Representative Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and retired NASA astronaut and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) today introduced the Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act to honor the four crewmembers of the historic Artemis II mission around the Moon. Cosponsors of the bill include Representatives George Whitesides (D-CA-27), Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), and Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04) and Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). On April 1, 2026, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen embarked on a historic 9-day mission as the first crewed Artemis flight, taking a key step toward a return to the Moon and future missions to Mars. The four astronauts flew farther from Earth than any humans in history. “From Apollo to Artemis, America’s pioneering spirit has long defined our leadership in space exploration,” said Rep. Bacon. “Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen carried that legacy farther than any humans have ever traveled from Earth, setting a new record of approximately 252,756 miles and marking the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit and around the Moon in 53 years. The Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act is a bipartisan, bicameral effort to honor this historic mission with the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. I am grateful to our friends at Space for Humanity for bringing this idea to us, and to Sen. Kelly and our co-leads for working together to recognize these extraordinary astronauts.” “Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy carried human space exploration farther than it has ever gone before,” said Sen. Kelly. “I’ve flown on four missions to space and I know how hard that crew and the teams on the ground worked. They made something incredibly complex and difficult look easy. They reminded Americans what we’re capable of when we work together. They inspired the next generation of scientists, explorers, and engineers. For pushing the boundaries of human achievement, the Artemis II crew deserves this honor.” “Few missions have captured our imagination the way Artemis II has. Its crew became the first humans in more than 50 years to experience the lunar Overview Effect — a perspective from which our world floats distantly in the darkness of space,” said Antonio Peronace, Executive Director of Space for Humanity. “We are at an important inflection point for our species. Space has the ability to bring people together, shape perspectives, and inspire us all. Artemis II's record-shattering mission could not have happened at a better time. The images, experiences, and perspectives these remarkable explorers shared remind us that while we may come from different nations, backgrounds, and beliefs, we all live on the same fragile planet. We are all crewmembers on Spaceship Earth. Artemis proves our greatest achievements are the ones we accomplish together. That’s why this mission was not only a success for NASA and the United States, but a gift to all humanity. For these reasons and more, the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting recognition for the inspirational crew of Artemis II.” “Artemis II marked a bold new chapter in American space exploration, with a groundbreaking crew that set records for the farthest humans have ever traveled from our planet. Their incredible accomplishments represent the very best of us and brought the country together in a collective moment of awe. I'm proud to pay tribute to their journey with the Artemis II Congressional Gold Medal Act which bestows the crew with Congress’ highest civilian honor,” said Rep. Whitesides. "The Artemis II mission represents the very best of America: courage, innovation, and a willingness to push beyond the horizon in pursuit of something greater than ourselves. As an Army veteran, I have tremendous respect for the dedication, discipline, and sacrifice required to undertake a mission of this magnitude. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen carried forward a proud legacy of exploration while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, service members, and explorers. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute to their historic achievement and reaffirms America's leadership in space exploration,” said Rep. Evans. “Artemis represents the next great chapter in American leadership in space exploration, and communities like ours that support the nation’s spaceflight missions are proud to help send astronauts farther than humanity has ever traveled before. The Congressional Gold Medal Act is a fitting tribute to the courage, skill, and dedication of the Artemis II