Robert Parris Moses Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6712

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-15: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T16:34:41Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Robert Parris Moses Congressional Gold Medal Act," aims to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Robert Parris Moses. The medal recognizes his lifelong achievements as a civil rights activist, educator, and advocate for math literacy, particularly in advancing education and voting rights for marginalized communities in the United States.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Details Moses' life and contributions, including:
• His birth in 1935 in Harlem, New York; education at elite schools like Stuyvesant High School; and advanced degrees from Hamilton College and Harvard University.
• Early civil rights work, such as organizing voter registration in Mississippi in the 1960s as a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), including the 1964 Freedom Summer Project.
• Praise from figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his later focus on education, including founding the Algebra Project in 1982 to promote math literacy as essential for economic access and citizenship in poor and minority communities.
• His time teaching in Tanzania, receipt of awards like the MacArthur Fellowship, and authorship of books on civil rights and education.
• His death in 2021.
• Award Authorization: The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are directed to arrange a posthumous presentation of a gold medal to honor Moses.
• Medal Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury must create a gold medal featuring Moses' image, name, and suitable emblems. The medal will be given to his daughter, Maisha Moses.
• Duplicate Medals: Bronze copies can be produced and sold by the Secretary at cost to cover production expenses.
• Legal Status and Funding: The medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law (specifically, chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code, which governs national medals). They are treated as numismatic items (collectible coins or medals) for sales purposes. Costs are covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with sales proceeds returned to the fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation does not amend or alter any existing laws. It introduces a new, specific authorization for a ceremonial award under the framework of Congressional Gold Medals, which are a longstanding tradition but require individual acts of Congress for each recipient. It builds on existing statutes for minting and selling such medals without making broader changes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint will handle production and sales, using its existing fund with no additional taxpayer burden. Congress will oversee the ceremonial presentation, involving minimal administrative effort.
• On Citizens: The award symbolizes national recognition of civil rights and education efforts, potentially inspiring ongoing work in voter registration, math education for underserved youth, and equity in public schools. It highlights the Algebra Project's role in supporting over 40,000 students from marginalized communities since 1982.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, though it indirectly acknowledges Moses' time teaching in Tanzania, underscoring U.S. civil rights history on a global stage.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Moses' Family: His daughter, Maisha Moses, is the designated recipient of the gold medal.
• Civil Rights and Education Communities: Organizations like the Algebra Project, Young People's Project, and historical groups such as SNCC and NAACP benefit from the heightened visibility of Moses' legacy.
• Government Entities: Congress (for authorization and presentation) and the U.S. Treasury Department (via the Mint for production and sales).
• Public and Educators: Broader recognition may encourage math literacy initiatives in low-income and minority schools, affecting students, teachers, and advocates for educational equity.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill adheres to established procedures for Congressional Gold Medals (a non-monetary honor, not a financial award). It invokes no new legal powers and complies with U.S. Code on national medals, ensuring the process is ceremonial and non-binding.
• Constitutional: No significant implications; it falls under Congress's enumerated powers to honor individuals and manage currency/minting under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
• Political: As a posthumous tribute to a key civil rights figure, it promotes unity around shared American values like equality and education access. Introduced in the 119th Congress (noted as December 15, 2025, likely a placeholder), it was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services for oversight of minting-related matters, signaling potential for bipartisan support given Moses' non-partisan legacy.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-15: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-12-15: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-15: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Robert Parris Moses Congressional Gold Medal Act — issued 2025-12-15 — PDF (7 pages)