To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their unique contribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel.

Bill Number: H.R. 945
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-02-04: 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: 2026-02-21T09:05:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill (H.R. 945) aims to honor the Freedom Riders—a group of civil rights activists who in 1961 challenged racial segregation in interstate bus travel—by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal collectively. The medal recognizes their nonviolent efforts, which faced violence and discrimination but ultimately helped end segregation in public transportation across the U.S.

Key Provisions

Findings Section: Outlines the historical context, including:
The 1960 Supreme Court ruling in Boynton v. Virginia, which declared segregated bus and train stations unconstitutional (meaning they violated the Constitution's equal protection principles).
The Freedom Riders' organized rides from Washington, D.C., to New Orleans, Louisiana, starting May 4, 1961, involving Black and White activists sitting together and using segregated facilities to protest "Jim Crow" laws (state and local laws enforcing racial separation in the South).
Specific events like beatings in South Carolina and Alabama, a bus firebombing in Anniston, Alabama, arrests in Mississippi, and harsh prison conditions at Parchman Prison.
The eventual federal response: In November 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission (a now-defunct agency regulating interstate travel) banned segregation in bus and train terminals based on race, color, or creed, effective November 1, 1961.
A 2011 presidential proclamation by Barack Obama marking the 50th anniversary.
Award Authorization (Section 2): The Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate (the Senate's temporary leader when the Vice President is absent) will arrange a ceremony to present a gold medal to the Freedom Riders as a group. The Secretary of the Treasury designs and strikes the medal with appropriate symbols. After presentation, the medal goes to the Smithsonian Institution (the national museum system) for display and research, with encouragement to show it at sites linked to the Freedom Riders.
Duplicate Medals (Section 3): The Secretary of the Treasury can create and sell bronze copies of the medal, priced to cover production costs like materials and labor.
Medal Status (Section 4): The medals are classified as "national medals" under U.S. law (Title 31 of the U.S. Code, which governs money and finance), and bronze duplicates are treated as "numismatic items" (collectible coins or medals) for legal purposes like sales and taxes.
Funding (Section 5): Costs are paid from the U.S. Mint's public fund (a government account for mint operations). Sales proceeds from bronze medals return to this fund.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct changes to existing laws. It follows standard procedures under U.S. Code for awarding Congressional Gold Medals, a tradition since 1776 to honor groups or individuals for outstanding contributions. It adds a new authorization for this specific medal without altering broader civil rights, transportation, or financial laws.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint handles production and sales, using its existing fund with no additional taxpayer burden. The Smithsonian Institution gains an artifact for public education on civil rights history. Congressional committees (Financial Services and House Administration) oversee the process.
Citizens: Provides symbolic recognition to surviving Freedom Riders and their legacy, potentially inspiring education and awareness about civil rights. Bronze medal sales could make replicas available to the public as collectibles.
International Relations: No direct impact, as this is a domestic historical honor focused on U.S. civil rights.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Freedom Riders: Primary recipients (as a collective group); honors their activism and sacrifices.
Civil Rights Organizations and Descendants: Groups like the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), which organized the rides, and families of participants (e.g., John Lewis, a later Congressman) benefit from the recognition.
U.S. Government Entities: Congress (for approval and ceremony), U.S. Mint (for production), and Smithsonian Institution (for preservation and display).
Public and Educators: Broader society, including historians, schools, and museums, gains a tool for teaching about racial equality and nonviolent protest.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Aligns with established authority under U.S. Code for Congress to award medals, ensuring fiscal responsibility by self-funding through sales. No new enforcement mechanisms or rights are created.
Constitutional: Reinforces First Amendment values of free speech and assembly by honoring nonviolent protest against unconstitutional segregation, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (introduced by a diverse group of over 50 House members from both parties) for commemorating civil rights milestones, potentially fostering unity on historical issues amid ongoing debates about racial justice. It has no binding policy effects but could influence public discourse on equality.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsors (124)

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] and 74 more

Recent Actions

2025-02-04: 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.
2025-02-04: 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.
2025-02-04: Introduced in House
2025-02-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their unique contribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel. — issued 2025-02-04 — PDF (8 pages)