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Bill

Bill

HCR 31

Urging the United States Congress to recognize United States Armed Forces members who served in Honduras from 1981 to 1992 by authorizing the issuance of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stan Adkins and 4 co-sponsors

West Virginia urges Congress to authorize the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras from 1981-1992.

To House Rules
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Bill Summary · HCR 31

Legislative bill overview

HCR 31 is a concurrent resolution urging the U.S. Congress to authorize the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for American military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. The bill does not directly award the medal but rather advocates for federal action to recognize this specific service period.

Why this is important

Military service medals serve as official recognition of personnel who served in combat or expeditionary operations, which can affect veteran benefits, pension calculations, and historical record. The 1981-1992 Honduras period involved significant U.S. military advisory and operational activities during the Central American conflicts, and some veterans from this era may lack formal recognition despite their service.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and eligibility ambiguity: The bill's timeframe (1981-1992) is broad; determining which specific Honduras-based operations and personnel qualify could be administratively complex
  • Precedent concerns: Authorizing retroactive medals for a decade-long period may set precedent for similar requests from other conflicts or service periods
  • Political sensitivity: The Honduras operations during this era involved controversial U.S. involvement in Central American conflicts, which some may view as politically charged recognition

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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