Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2026

This legislation authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam. The award acknowledges her significant service to the United States Armed Forces through the Melody Maids, an all-girls singing group she founded. It also recognizes her enduring contributions to patriotism , music education, and the leadership development of young women in the United States. Milam established the Melody Maids in 1942, and the group provided entertainment and comfort to service members during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, performing extensively both domestically and overseas. She instilled values of "morals, manners, and music" in approximately 1,500 young women, emphasizing professionalism and service. Following its presentation, the medal will be given to the Tyrrell Historical Library in Beaumont, Texas, for display and research, and the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals.