We respectfully call on the United States Congress to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Renée Good and Alex Pretti in recognition of their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting the rights and safety of others.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. It is awarded through legislation passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law, recognizing individuals whose actions have had a lasting and significant impact on the nation and its values.

Renée Good and Alex Pretti meet that standard.

They were ordinary Americans who acted with extraordinary moral courage. In moments marked by fear, tension, and uncertainty, they chose to stand up for others and to exercise the rights guaranteed to every American under the Constitution.

Both paid with their lives.

Renée Good was a mother, neighbor, and citizen who acted out of conscience and concern for those around her. She stood for dignity, humanity, and the belief that no one should be harmed for exercising their rights or for standing up for others.

Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse and caregiver who devoted his professional life to protecting the vulnerable. In his final moments, he acted peacefully while documenting events and advocating for transparency and safety for those around him.

Neither sought confrontation. Neither sought recognition. Both acted with restraint, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to their fellow citizens.

Their actions reflect the highest ideals of American civic life.

The First Amendment guarantees the right to free speech, peaceful assembly, and the ability to hold government accountable. The Second Amendment affirms the right to keep and bear arms as part of a free society. These constitutional protections depend on citizens who are willing to exercise them responsibly and peacefully, even when doing so carries personal risk.

Renée Good and Alex Pretti honored these principles through action. They stood for others. They stood for accountability. They stood for the idea that constitutional rights must be respected in practice, not merely acknowledged in theory.

The Congressional Gold Medal has historically been awarded to individuals and groups whose courage, service, and sacrifice helped shape the nation and reflect its highest values. It requires a sponsoring member of Congress, bipartisan support, and passage by both the House and Senate.

We call on members of Congress to introduce and support legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Renée Good and Alex Pretti posthumously.

By doing so, Congress would affirm that courage, compassion, and the peaceful defense of constitutional rights remain core American values, and that Americans who stand up for the rights and safety of others will not be forgotten.

We respectfully urge Congress to act.