The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865

Bill Number

H.R. 4885

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, 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

2025-10-04T08:05:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 4885

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Africans and their descendants who were enslaved in the United States from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865. The award recognizes their forced labor as a key factor in building the nation's economy, including through the construction of major landmarks and institutions.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Findings Section: The bill includes 20 detailed statements on the history of the transatlantic slave trade, the conditions of enslavement, the economic benefits to the U.S., the lead-up to the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th Amendment's ratification, and the long-term impacts of slavery.
• Medal Award: The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are directed to arrange for the award of a single gold medal of appropriate design.
• Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for striking the medal with suitable inscriptions and emblems.
• Display Location: After award, the medal is transferred to the Smithsonian Institution for permanent display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with access for research.
• Duplicate Medals: The Secretary may produce and sell bronze duplicates at a price covering production costs; proceeds go to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
• Budget Compliance: Budgetary effects are to be determined under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 based on a specific congressional statement.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

This legislation does not amend any existing statutes but creates a new authorization for a collective Congressional Gold Medal. It references the 13th Amendment to the Constitution as the formal end to legal slavery but introduces no modifications to constitutional or statutory provisions.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of the Treasury would handle medal production; the Smithsonian Institution would receive and manage the medal; congressional leadership would oversee the award process.
• Citizens: The bill provides symbolic national recognition of historical contributions by enslaved individuals, potentially increasing public awareness of slavery's economic role.
• International Relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Descendants of enslaved Africans and the broader African American community.
• The Smithsonian Institution and its National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Mint.
• Members of Congress responsible for the award.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• The bill highlights the 13th Amendment's prohibition on slavery (except as punishment for crime) as the legal endpoint of the period covered.
• It frames the award as a collective recognition rather than individual honors, which is a distinct approach for Congressional Gold Medals.
• No major constitutional challenges are addressed in the text, though the findings emphasize the economic and social legacies of slavery within U.S. history.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, 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.
• 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, 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.
• 2025-08-05: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, 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.
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-05: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865 — issued 2025-08-05 — PDF (7 pages)