Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3622

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-04-21T08:06:04Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to honor Joan Trumpauer Mulholland with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award given by Congress—for her lifelong dedication to social justice and equality. It recognizes her direct participation in the civil rights movement during the 1960s, often at great personal risk, and her ongoing work as an educator promoting multicultural understanding.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Provides a detailed account of Mulholland's life and contributions, including:
• Her early experiences with racial inequality in Georgia as a child, which inspired her activism.
• Her college years at Duke University and Tougaloo College, where she joined nonviolent protests, sit-ins, and Freedom Rides with groups like the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
• Specific events, such as her arrests in Mississippi, participation in the Jackson Woolworth's sit-in (1963), and integration efforts in public facilities.
• Her post-college career in government (e.g., Smithsonian Institution and Community Relations Service), teaching, and later role as a civil rights speaker.
• Awards she has received, including from the Anti-Defamation League and Tougaloo College.
• Award Authorization: Directs the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange a ceremony presenting a gold medal to Mulholland.
• Medal Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury designs, strikes, and produces the gold medal with appropriate symbols and inscriptions.
• Disposition of the Medal: The original gold medal goes to Mulholland; if she cannot receive it, it goes to her son, Loki Mulholland.
• Duplicate Medals: Allows the Secretary to produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover production costs (e.g., labor, materials).
• Legal Status of Medals: Classifies the medals as "national medals" under U.S. law (for official recognition) and "numismatic items" (collectible coins or medals subject to sales rules).
• Funding: Uses the U.S. Mint's public fund for costs; sales proceeds from duplicates return to that fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no major changes to existing laws. It builds on the longstanding congressional tradition of awarding Gold Medals (authorized under 31 U.S.C. Chapter 51) by adding Mulholland as a new recipient. It specifies procedural details for this award, such as design authority and funding, consistent with prior medal acts, but does not amend broader statutes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury Department will handle medal production and sales, with costs covered by existing funds—no new taxpayer burden. Congress coordinates the presentation ceremony.
• On Citizens: Symbolic recognition elevates Mulholland's story, potentially inspiring public interest in civil rights history and education. Bronze duplicates may be available for purchase by collectors or the public.
• On International Relations: No direct impact; the bill focuses on domestic civil rights achievements.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary Beneficiary: Joan Trumpauer Mulholland and her family (e.g., son Loki as alternate recipient).
• Government Entities: Congress (for award presentation), U.S. Department of the Treasury and Mint (for production and sales).
• Civil Rights Community: Organizations like SNCC, CORE, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and museums (e.g., National Civil Rights Museum) that collaborated with or honored Mulholland, benefiting from heightened awareness of her legacy.
• General Public: Especially educators, students, and activists interested in social justice, through preserved historical narratives.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Fully compliant with U.S. Code provisions for congressional medals; no challenges anticipated, as it is a ceremonial honor without enforceable rights or obligations.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated power to recognize civilian achievements (Article I, Section 8), emphasizing equality themes from the Declaration of Independence and 14th Amendment without altering civil rights laws.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Rep. Beyer with cosponsors from both parties) underscores national unity on civil rights history. It politically reinforces Congress's role in commemorating nonviolent activism, potentially influencing future awards for similar figures, but carries no partisan policy shifts.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-05-29: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-29: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Joan Trumpauer Mulholland Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-05-29 — PDF (10 pages)