761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1628

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Finance and Financial Sector

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T08:06:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor the 761st Tank Battalion—known as the "Black Panthers"—by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal collectively. It recognizes their vital contributions to Allied victories in World War II in Europe and their historic role as the first predominantly Black American armored unit to serve in combat.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Outlines the battalion's history, including activation in 1942, service under General George S. Patton, 183 days of continuous combat starting in late 1944, key battles like the Battle of the Bulge and the breakthrough at Bastogne, high casualty rates (nearly 50%), and post-war lack of recognition despite earning a Presidential Unit Citation in 1978, one Medal of Honor, 11 Silver Stars, and about 300 Purple Hearts.
• Award Authorization: Directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange a presentation of a single gold medal to the battalion as a group.
• Medal Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury will create the gold medal with appropriate symbols and text; after presentation, it goes to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research. Congress expresses a preference for displaying it at sites linked to the battalion.
• Duplicate Medals: Allows the Secretary to produce and sell bronze replicas to cover production costs.
• Legal Status and Funding: Treats the medals as national medals under U.S. law (for legal protection and handling) and numismatic items (collectible coins or medals). Costs are covered by the U.S. Mint's public fund, with sales proceeds returned to that fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new congressional honor specifically for the 761st Tank Battalion, building on their 1978 Presidential Unit Citation but providing higher-level collective recognition through the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal. It does not amend prior laws but adds procedural rules for minting, displaying, and selling such medals under existing Treasury statutes (e.g., chapters 51 and 5134 of title 31, U.S. Code, which govern national medals and coin production).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury Department will handle design, production, and sales, using existing funds without new appropriations. The National Museum of African American History and Culture will receive and manage the medal for public education.
• On Citizens: Enhances historical awareness of African American military service, potentially inspiring veterans' families and the public by highlighting overlooked WWII contributions and themes of resilience against discrimination.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. narratives of WWII alliances and global fight for freedom, possibly aiding cultural diplomacy through museum displays.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• 761st Tank Battalion Members and Descendants: Primary honorees, gaining formal national recognition for their service and sacrifices.
• National Museum of African American History and Culture: Responsible for preserving and displaying the medal to educate visitors.
• U.S. Mint and Treasury Department: Tasked with medal production and sales.
• Congress and Military Historians: Involved in the award process and benefiting from preserved historical legacy.
• Broader Public and Educators: Indirectly affected through increased access to stories of racial integration in the military.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with Congress's constitutional power (Article I, Section 8) to recognize military achievements via medals, with no conflicts to existing veteran honors or discrimination laws. Ensures medals are protected as national treasures.
• Constitutional: Supports equal recognition under the 14th Amendment by addressing historical oversights in honoring Black service members, without raising free speech or other rights issues.
• Political: Symbolizes bipartisan effort (introduced by members from both parties) to rectify past racial injustices in military history, potentially fostering unity on veteran affairs and civil rights education. No funding mandates or policy shifts beyond ceremonial honors.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]

Cosponsors (245)

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Loudermilk, Barry [R-GA-11], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] and 195 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-26: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• 761st Tank Battalion Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (6 pages)