Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4083

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Sports and Recreation

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2025-12-17T09:06:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Marshall 'Major' Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor. This honor recognizes his groundbreaking achievements as a professional cyclist, his role in breaking racial barriers in sports, his status as a role model for youth, and his advocacy for equal rights for African Americans during an era of widespread racial discrimination.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Details Taylor's life story, including his birth in 1878 in Indianapolis to formerly enslaved parents, his early career starting at age 11, his world records and championships (e.g., 1899 world 1-mile sprint title), his overcoming of racism (such as exclusion from races, threats, and violence), his innovations in bicycle design, his international success in Europe and Australia, and his 1928 autobiography calling for racial justice.
• Medal Authorization: The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate are directed to arrange the presentation of a gold medal to Taylor's great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan. The Secretary of the Treasury designs and strikes the medal, featuring Taylor's image and name.
• Duplicate Medals: Bronze duplicates can be produced and sold by the Secretary to cover production costs.
• Legal Status and Funding: The medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law (for official recognition) and numismatic items (collectible coins or medals). Costs are funded from the U.S. Mint's public enterprise fund, with sales proceeds returned to the fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no amendments to prior laws. It establishes a new, standalone authorization for a specific ceremonial award under the existing framework for Congressional Gold Medals (governed by 31 U.S.C. Chapter 51), which are the highest civilian honors bestowed by Congress. It adds Taylor to the list of recipients, similar to past honorees like athletes or civil rights figures, without altering medal-striking procedures or funding mechanisms.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint will handle design, production, and sales, with costs offset by fund allocations and duplicate sales; no long-term fiscal burden is anticipated as proceeds recycle back into the fund.
• Citizens: Provides symbolic national recognition of Taylor's legacy, potentially inspiring education and awareness about African American contributions to sports and civil rights history. It may boost interest in cycling heritage and could lead to increased tourism or events at sites related to Taylor's life (e.g., Indianapolis or Worcester).
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it highlights U.S. acknowledgment of Taylor's global racing successes in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, reinforcing themes of racial progress in American history.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Taylor's Family: The great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan, receives the original gold medal as a personal and familial heirloom.
• Congress and Legislative Bodies: House members (over 40 cosponsors from both parties) and Senate leaders coordinate the presentation; the bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for oversight.
• U.S. Mint and Treasury Department: Responsible for executing the medal production and sales.
• Broader Community: African American advocacy groups, cycling organizations, historians, and educators benefit from the elevated profile of Taylor's story as a trailblazer who faced and overcame Jim Crow-era racism.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with precedents for Congressional Gold Medals, which are non-monetary honors requiring no judicial review. The bill's funding via the Mint's self-sustaining enterprise fund avoids new appropriations, ensuring compliance with budget laws.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it falls under Congress's enumerated powers to recognize civilian achievements (Article I, Section 8) and does not infringe on individual rights.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (cosponsored by Democrats across states) for honoring historical figures in civil rights and sports, potentially fostering unity on issues of racial equity. It underscores Congress's role in rectifying historical oversights without mandating policy changes.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

Cosponsors (61)

Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] and 11 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-23: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-06-23: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-06-23 — PDF (7 pages)