Senator Jim Justice Facilitates WWII Hero Memorial in Washington, D.C.

<p>Senator Jim Justice, R-W.Va., successfully passed legislation unanimously, despite what he describes as political polarization in the Senate. In an interview on Saturday with Fox News Digital, Justice explained how he navigated the Senate's partisan divide to establish a monument honoring late World War II Medal of Honor recipient Hershel "Woody" Williams on the National Mall.</p><p>Justice stated, "I've never seen anything like this, never in my life seen anything to where it is, it is so preposterous. You know, no one could make any sense out of what in the world is going on a lot of times." He expressed confusion over the lack of communication among senators, saying, "I don't know why we don't talk to one another. I don't know why we're disrespectful to one another."</p><p>The legislation, known as the Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, directs the placement of the monument in a prominent location within the Reserve on the National Mall. This marks Justice's first bill as a senator and honors Williams, a West Virginia native who received the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Williams was the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient before his death in 2022 at age 98. The monument will honor Williams by name while also commemorating all Medal of Honor recipients.</p><p>The House approved the measure on August 31 after the Senate passed it unanimously in March. The legislation is now awaiting President Trump's signature. Justice expressed hope that the President would sign it soon, stating, "There's been a lot to make all that happen and everything, and I can't be more proud."</p><p>Justice described the initial challenges in gaining unanimous approval, noting, "I mean, we had it shot down, but I just wouldn’t turn it loose." He emphasized the importance of honoring Medal of Honor recipients, stating, "Woody’s unbelievable, or was unbelievable, that’s for sure. But all these Medal of Honor recipients and everything, the ones we’ve lost and all those that are still living, they are so deserving."</p><p>Justice indicated that the measure initially became entangled in the divisiveness affecting the Senate on broader issues. He remarked, "All we managed to do is keep a food fight going to where – because it was a Republican thing or Republican Jim Justice introducing – well, I’m telling you, if I’m a Democrat, by God, we’re not gonna let that happen and everything."</p><p>Justice noted that a breakthrough occurred just before he was set to take the matter to the Senate floor with four Medal of Honor recipients present. He recalled, "I was about three feet from going into the Senate chambers. And we sat down right there, you know, kind of on the steps and really just started talking."</p><p>Justice had developed a personal relationship with Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., through their work on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He recounted asking Heinrich, "I don’t understand. I mean, how in the world can we do this?" Heinrich acknowledged the communication issues in the Senate, stating, "people here don’t talk to one another." Justice reported that the measure then moved forward quickly after their discussion.</p><p>Justice described the moment as significant, stating, "It was an amazing moment really, and like I said, Martin's a good guy, and I just think that maybe we could all learn from that just a little bit." He emphasized the importance of honoring the courageous group of people represented by the monument, stating, "it's way, way, way overdue."</p><p>On other issues still facing gridlock in the Senate, Justice called for more dialogue and urged senators to "grow up," criticizing the childish behavior he perceives in the Senate. He stated, "Why in the world would you carry on with just childishness, and in all fairness, that's what it is."</p><p>Justice expressed skepticism about the Senate's structural problems being resolved easily, citing the 60-vote threshold for overcoming a filibuster and suggesting that lawmakers have little incentive to change a system that maintains the political status quo.</p><p>Justice highlighted the importance of the monument, stating, "Woody Williams was all about us. Woody Williams was never about Woody Williams. And he just was an amazing man. I got to know him really well, and we became really good friends." He noted that Williams’ Medal of Honor citation is based on his actions on Iwo Jima, where he used a flamethrower to destroy Japanese positions under intense enemy fire.</p><p>Justice concluded by reflecting on the future significance of the monument, stating, "Now, I’m going to take them there. I’m going to show them this and tell them, maybe I was only a grain of sand, but I had something to do with this. And I really stood up hard for it and everything. We got it done."</p>