1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gold Star Families Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The fortitude of Gold Star Families in the midst of tragedy strengthen the resolve of the United States. (2) Since World War I, military families have used Gold Stars to memorialize their family member’s sacrifice on behalf of the country, represent the devotion and pride of the family in this sacrifice, and glorify rather than grieve their military service. (3) Gold Stars were first used by military families during World War I. (4) When a family member passed away during their service, families would place a Gold Star on their Service Flag to represent the sacrifice the family had paid in the cause of freedom. (5) On May 28, 1918, President Wilson approved a suggestion made by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that, instead of wearing conventional mourning garb for relatives who passed away during their military service, women would wear a black band with a gilt star on their left arm to signify each member of the family who gave their life for the United States. (6) In 1928, 25 mothers of fallen servicemembers worked together to establish a national organization to support those who had lost their children during the war, which was known as the American Gold Star Mothers Inc. and officially incorporated in January 1929. (7) Since September 1936, the United States has observed various recognized dates to support Gold Star Families and honor the legacy of fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. (8) In 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt helped to establish Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., a national organization to support the families left behind by the fallen members and veterans of the Armed Forces who died on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability. (9) In August 1947, Congress authorized the issuance of gold star lapel pins to families who lost a loved one in combat. (10) The extraordinary contribution of Gold Star