This bill posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam for her distinguished service to the U.S. Armed Forces through founding and leading the morale-boosting Melody Maids singing group.
Brian Babin
Representative
TX-36
This bill directs the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam. The medal recognizes her distinguished service to U.S. Armed Forces through founding and leading the Melody Maids, an all-girls singing group that performed for troops during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The legislation also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicate medals.
Congress Honors Texas Music Icon with Gold Medal: Bonnie Milam to Receive Posthumous Recognition for Decades of Military Service Support
The Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2026 is a straightforward piece of legislation with a single, clear mission: awarding the highest civilian honor to a woman who spent over half a century boosting the morale of American troops. The bill directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a gold medal in honor of Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam, the founder of the 'Melody Maids.' This Beaumont, Texas, educator didn't just teach music; she built a cultural bridge between the home front and the front lines, leading roughly 1,500 young women through rigorous musical training and international tours during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
A Legacy Set in Gold
Under Section 3 of the bill, the Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with designing and striking a unique gold medal that captures Milam’s contributions to patriotism and leadership development. For those who aren't familiar with her work, the bill's findings highlight that the Melody Maids became the most requested performers by the Department of Defense after 1956. They traveled everywhere from Greenland to Asia, performing at hospitals and military bases. Once the ceremony is over, the physical medal won't just sit in a private collection; it will be permanently housed at the Tyrrell Historical Library in Beaumont, Texas. This ensures that the history of these 1,500 women and their 'Melody Maid Bible'—a code of conduct emphasizing professionalism and service—remains accessible for public research and display.
Own a Piece of the History
While there is only one gold medal, Section 4 and 5 of the bill allow the U.S. Mint to get busy for the rest of us. The Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal to the general public. If you’re a history buff or a collector, these will be classified as 'numismatic items,' meaning they are official government collectibles. The bill is fiscally responsible here: the price of these bronze copies must cover all production costs, including materials and labor. Any money made from these sales goes back into the U.S. Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund to pay for the program, so the tribute effectively pays for itself without dipping into separate taxpayer pockets for the manufacturing of the duplicates.