Senator Justice Navigates Political Divide to Honor WWII Hero with Monument

Senator Jim Justice, R-W.Va., successfully navigated the Senate’s political divide to establish a monument for World War II Medal of Honor hero Hershel “Woody” Williams. Despite what he described as “romper-room behavior” due to political polarization, Justice found a way to pass the legislation unanimously.

In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Justice detailed his efforts to make this happen. He lamented the current political climate, stating, “I’ve never seen anything like this, never in my life. No one could make sense of what’s going on a lot of times.” He emphasized the lack of communication among politicians, saying, “I don’t know why we don’t talk to one another. I don’t know why we’re disrespectful to one another.”

Using good, old-fashioned dialogue, Justice’s effort ultimately succeeded in getting his first Senate law passed for his late friend.

The Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act directs the erection of a monument on the National Mall, honoring Williams and other Medal of Honor recipients. Williams, a West Virginia native, received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient before he passed away in 2022 at age 98.

The House approved the measure on August 31 after a unanimous Senate vote in March. The legislation is now awaiting the President’s signature. Justice expressed optimism, saying, “We’re really hopeful he’s going to sign it this coming week.”

Justice described the challenges faced in getting the bill passed. Initially, it was “shot down” due to partisan politics, yet he persisted, driven by the belief that Medal of Honor recipients deserve recognition.

“I was about three feet from going into the Senate chambers,” Justice recalled. “And we sat down right there, you know, kind of on the steps and really just started talking.”

Justice credits a conversation with Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., for the breakthrough. Despite party differences, their discussion led to a mutual understanding and swift resolution.

Highlighting ongoing Senate issues, Justice urged more dialogue and maturity: “Why in the world would you carry on with childishness? This is Romper Room behavior.” He acknowledged the challenges in overcoming systemic issues like the filibuster but stressed the importance of focusing on solutions.

Justice reflected on the significance of the monument, noting its broader symbolism. “Now we’re going to honor, you know, another courageous group of people,” he said. “It’s way, way, way overdue.”

He stressed the importance of Williams’s legacy, saying, “Woody Williams was all about us. He was never about Woody Williams. And he just was an amazing man.”

Justice concluded with a personal commitment to sharing the monument’s story with future generations, emphasizing his small but significant role in its creation.