Benghazi ‘heroes’ up for medal, if House acts fast
The clock is ticking for the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the memories of the men who died in the nightlong Benghazi terrorist attack.
The U.S. Senate just passed bipartisan legislation to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to J. Christopher Stevens, Glen A. Doherty, Tyrone Woods and Sean Smith in “recognition of their service to and defense of the United States of America.”
Stevens, Doherty, Woods and Smith were killed in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in September 2012. Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya; Doherty was a Massachusetts native.
The gold medals cannot be awarded if the House fails to back the legislation by Friday.
“This is a huge honor for our family, but this still needs to pass the House,” Kate Doherty Quigley, Glen’s sister, told the Herald Wednesday. “Something really good could come out of 2020.”
Glen Doherty, 42, of Winchester, was a former Navy SEAL. His sister said the medal would — finally — cement his legacy and that of his fellow Americans as heroes and patriots — not political pawns.
“This will be removing politics from their legacy,” she said. “It will be a legacy about American heroes.”
A veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Doherty at the time of his death was working for the government to protect United States diplomatic personnel and property.
The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest honors a civilian can receive.
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said Wednesday in announcing the passage of the legislation — pushed through with the help of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and others, including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren — that the memories of the four men deserve their rightful place in history.
“The bravery of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Sean Smith and Ambassador Stevens’ must be remembered and honored. Our diplomats, armed forces, and all who proudly serve our country overseas deserve our utmost respect, recognition, and gratitude. I am honored to have led the effort that will honor them as the American heroes we know them to be,” Markey said in a statement sent to the Herald.
Markey “urged” the House of Representatives to “prioritize the bill’s swift passage.”
Rubio added: “Honoring our fallen fellow Americans, who were murdered during a terrorist attack in our nation’s consulate in Benghazi, commemorates not only their legacy but also their sacrifice.”
Rubio said he wants to place the legislation on the “president’s desk” quickly.
A Republican-led congressional panel criticized the Obama administration for lax security at the Libyan outpost and a slow response. Hillary Clinton, then secretary of state, was criticized during her 2016 run for president over the Benghazi failures. A hit movie, “13 Hours,” was later made about the attack.