Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background,

Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Updated February 6, 2026

Congressional Research Service

https://crsreports.congress.gov

R45101

SUMMARY

Congressional Gold Medals: Background,

Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

R45101

February 6, 2026

Jacob R. Straus

Specialist on the Congress

Senators and Representatives are frequently asked to support or sponsor proposals recognizing

historic events and outstanding achievements by individuals or institutions. Among the various

forms of recognition that Congress bestows, the Congressional Gold Medal is often considered

the most distinguished. Through this venerable tradition—the occasional commissioning of

individually struck gold medals in its name—Congress has expressed public gratitude on behalf

of the nation for distinguished contributions for more than two centuries. Since 1776, this award, which initially was

bestowed on military leaders, has also been given to such diverse individuals as Sir Winston Churchill and Bob Hope,

George Washington and Robert Frost, Joe Louis and Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

Congressional gold medal legislation generally has a specific format that—once a gold medal is authorized—leads into a

specified process for design, minting, and presentation. This process includes consultation and recommendations by the

Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), pursuant to any statutory

instructions, before the Secretary of the Treasury makes the final decision on a gold medal’s design. Once the medal has been

struck, a ceremony will often be scheduled to formally award the medal to the recipient.

At times, the number of gold medals awarded has increased, and some have expressed interest in examining the gold medal

authorization and awarding process. Should Congress want to make such changes, several individual and institutional options

might be available. The individual options include decisions made by Members of Congress as to what individual or groups

might be honored; potential specification of gold medal design elements; and where gold medals for groups might be housed

once the award is made. The institutional options could include House, Senate, or committee rules for the consideration of

gold medal legislation and whether statutory standards on the number of gold medals issued per year or per Congress might

be established for gold medals.

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Contents

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1

Early Practices........................................................................................................................... 1

19th Century Recipients ............................................................................................................. 3

20th and 21st Century Recipients................................................................................................ 4

Authorizing Congressional Gold Medals ........................................................................................ 5

House of Representatives .......................................................................................................... 5

Senate ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Other Statutory Limitations....................................................................................................... 6

Sample Congressional Gold Medal Language ................................................................................ 7

Short Title .................................................................................................................................. 7

Findings ..................................................................................................................................... 7

Medal Presentation, Design, and Striking ................................................................................. 8

Duplicate Medals ...................................................................................................................... 8

Status of Medals ........................................................................................................................ 9

Authorization of Appropriations; Proceeds ............................................................................... 9

Design of Medals........................................................................................................................... 10

Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee ................................................................................... 10

U.S. Commission of Fine Arts ................................................................................................ 12

U.S. Mint ................................................................................................................................. 12

Presentation of Medals .................................................................................................................. 13

Issues for Congress ........................................................................................................................ 14

Individual Considerations ....................................................................................................... 15

Individuals and Groups Honored ...................................................................................... 15

Specification of Design Elements ..................................................................................... 15

Location of Medal Awarded to Groups ............................................................................. 16

Institutional Consideration ...................................................................................................... 16

Requirements for Legislative Considerations ................................................................... 16

Statutory Standards ........................................................................................................... 17

Concluding Observations .............................................................................................................. 17

Figures

Figure 1. Major Henry Lee Congressional Gold Medal .................................................................. 3

Figure 2. CCAC Preferred Design for Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal ............................ 11

Figure 3. Recent Examples of Congressional Gold Medal Design ............................................... 13

Tables

Table 1. Congressional Gold Medals Issued by the Continental Congress, 1776-1787 .................. 2

Table 2. Location of Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies, 1959-2025 ................................... 13

Table 3. Number of Congressional Gold Medal Bills Introduced, 113th Congress to 119th

Congress, 1st session ................................................................................................................... 18

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Table A-1. Congressional Gold Medals Awarded, 1776-2025 ...................................................... 19

Appendixes

Appendix. List of Congressional Gold Medals Awarded: 1776-2025 ........................................... 19

Contacts

Author Information........................................................................................................................ 27

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Introduction

Since the late 1700s, Congress has expressed public gratitude to individuals and groups by

awarding medals and other similar decorations.1 The Continental Congress awarded the first

Congressional Gold Medals. Since that time, Congress has awarded gold medals to express public

gratitude for distinguished contributions, dramatize the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the

remembrance of great events. This tradition of authorizing individually struck gold medals

bearing the portraits or actions of honorees is rich with history.

Although Congress has approved legislation stipulating specific requirements for numerous other

awards and decorations, there are no permanent statutory provisions specifically relating to the

creation of Congressional Gold Medals. When Congress has determined that such an award is

appropriate, it has, by special action, provided for the creation of a personalized medal to be

given in the name of Congress.2

Early Practices

The Continental Congress authorized the first Congressional Gold Medals. As initially conceived,

Congressional Gold Medals were awards “imbued with the conviction that only the very highest

achievements [were] entitled to such a distinction, and that the value of a reward is enhanced by

its rarity!”3 At that time, the Continental Congress concluded there was no better way to honor

“and preserve the memory of illustrious characters and splendid events than medals—whether we

take into consideration the imperishable nature of the substance whence they are formed, the

facility of multiplying copies, or the practice of depositing them in the cabinets of the curious.”4

The first gold medals were struck in Paris under the direction of Colonel David Humphrey.5

Following a long-standing historical practice, Congress commissioned gold medals as tributes for

what it considered the most distinguished achievements. Silver and bronze medals, and

ceremonial swords, were awarded for less eminent, but still notable, accomplishments.6 Only the

gold medal has been continuously awarded to the present day.

The Continental Congress authorized the first Congressional Gold Medal on March 25, 1776, for

George Washington, then commander of the Continental Army, for his “wise and spirited

1 See “Decorations, Medals, and Badges,” in the general index of the United States Code: 2018 Edition (2019).

2 Other options for recognizing individuals and groups include naming post offices or federal office buildings,

establishing a commemorative period, minting commemorative coins, and creating memorials. For more information

on these recognitions, see CRS Report R43539, Commemorations in Congress: Options for Honoring Individuals,

Groups, and Events, coordinated by Jacob R. Straus.

3 J.F. Loubat, The Medallic History of the United States of America, 1776-1876, 2 vols. (New York: Printed by Author,

1878), vol. 1, p. viii.

4 David Humphrey to Matthew Carey (Printer of the American Museum), November 1787, in Labatt, The Medallic

History of the United States, vol. 1, p. xxiv.

5 Humphrey “succeeded in securing the cooperation of the Academe d’Insciptions et Belles-Lettres in Paris and this

learned institution nominated a committee of four among its members who worked very expeditiously in devising

designs and inscriptions” for the medals the Continental Congress had authorized. Vladimir Clain-Stefanelli and Elvira

Clain-Stefanelli, Medals Commemorating Battles of the American Revolution (The National Museum of History and

Technology, Smithsonian Institution, 1973), p. 1.

6 T. Bailey Meyers, “Our National Medals,” Magazine of American History, vol. 2, September 1878, pp. 529-532.

Altogether Congress authorized a total of 15 medals and 10 ceremonial swords during the Confederation period. Boyd,

The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 16, pp. 54-55.

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

conduct” in bringing about British evacuation of Boston.7 During the next 12 years, the

Continental Congress authorized an additional six gold medals for Revolutionary military leaders.

Table 1 lists the Congressional Gold Medals issued by the Continental Congress, the year, the

awardee, and the reason the medal was authorized.

Table 1. Congressional Gold Medals Issued by the Continental Congress, 1776-1787

Year

Awardee

Reason

1776

General George Washington

“Wise and spirited conduct" in bringing about British evacuation

of Bostona

1777

Major General Horatio Gates

“Brave and successful efforts” in bringing about the surrender of

the British Army at Saratogab

1779

Major General Anthony Wayne

Courageous assault on the British at Stony Point, NYc

1779

Major Henry Lee

Skill and bravery exhibited against the British at Paulus Hook,

NJd

1781

Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

Gallant efforts in South Carolina during 1781e

1781

Major General Nathaniel Greene

Gallant efforts in South Carolina during 1781f

1787

Captain John Paul Jones

“Valor and brilliant services” in capturing the Serapis g

Source: CRS analysis of Congressional Gold Medal legislation.

Notes: For discussions of these medals, see Theodore T. Belote, “War Medals of the American Revolution,”

Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, vol. 55, September 1921, pp. 487-499; Boyd, The Papers of Thomas

Jefferson, vol. 16, pp. xxxv-xli, 53-66; Julian, Medals of the United States Mint, pp. 114-117, 120, 122, 149; Labatt,

The Medallic History of the United States, vol. 1, pp. 1-21, 29-36, 40-45, 50-56, 97-112; Martha L. Turner,

“Commemorative Medals of the American Revolution and the War of 1812,” Numismatist, vol. 88, January 1975,

pp. 6-15.

a. U.S. Continental Congress, Journals of the Continental Congress: 1774-1789, vol. 4, March 25, 1776, p. 234.

b. Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 9, November 4, 1777, pp. 861-862.

c. Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 14, July 26, 1779, p. 890.

d. Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 15, September 24, 1779, p. 1099.

e. Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 19, January 17, 1781, pp. 246-247.

Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 21, October 19, 1781, pp. 1083-1085.

g. Journals of the Continental Congress, vol. 33, October 16, 1787, p. 687.

The 1779 gold medal conferred upon Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee for his “remarkable

prudence” and “bravery” during the surprise raid of Paulus Hook, NJ, was the first to be struck in

the United States, as previous medals had been struck in France.8 Figure 1 shows the 1779 Major

Henry Lee Congressional Gold Medal.

7 U.S. Continental Congress, Journals of the Continental Congress: 1774-1789, vol. 4, March 25, 1776, p. 234. Brief

histories of George Washington’s gold medal are found in Georgia Stamm Chamberlain, American Medals and

Medalists (Annandale, VA: Designed and Lithographed by the Turnpike Press, Inc., 1963), pp. 16-17; R.W. Julian,

Medals of the United States Mint: The First Century 1792-1892 (El Cajon, CA: The Token and Medal Society, Inc.,

1977), pp. 114-115.

8 Julian, Medals of the United States Mint, p. xviii.

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Figure 1. Major Henry Lee Congressional Gold Medal

Source: Museums Victoria (AUS) “Medal–Congressional Medal, Henry Lee, United States,” Item NU 36568,

https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1382927.

19th Century Recipients

Following the ratification of the Constitution, Congress gave the first two Congressional Gold

Medals in 1800 to Captain Thomas Truxton for his gallant effort during the action between the

U.S. frigate Constellation and the French ship La Vengeance and in 1805 to Commodore Edward

Preble for gallantry and good conduct during the War with Tripoli.9 After those medals, Congress

issued gold medals primarily for military achievements in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War.

All told, Congress awarded 27 gold medals for the War of 1812,10 and another series of medals

for expeditions led by Major General Zachary Taylor and Major General Winfield Scott in the

Mexican War. General Taylor received three Congressional Gold Medals,11 while General Scott

received one.12

In 1854, Congress began to broaden the scope of activities that it recognized as meriting a

Congressional Gold Medal. This change was prompted by Commander Duncan N. Ingraham of

9 2 Stat. 87 (1800), 2 Stat. 346-347 (1805). See also Theodore T. Belote, “Naval War Medals of the United States 1800-

1815, Part III,” Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, vol. 56, January 1922, pp. 77-93; Julian, Medals of

the United States Mint, p. 150; Labatt, The Medallic History of the United States, vol. 1, pp. 128-132.

10 For example, see 3 Stat. 341 (1816). On February 22, 1816, Congress awarded gold medals to Captain Charles

Steward of the frigate Constitution and to Captain James Biddle of the sloop of war Hornet. Crews of the Constitution

and Hornet were awarded silver medals. See also Theodore T. Belote, “Military and Naval Medals of the War of 18121815, Part II,” Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, vol. 55, November 1921, p. 639; Belote, “Naval War

Medals of the United States 1800-1815, Part III,” pp. 92-93; Julian, Medals of the United States Mint, p. 153; Labatt,

The Medallic History of the United States, vol. 1, pp. 249-252.

11 9 Stat. 111 (1846), 9 Stat. 206 (1847), and 9 Stat. 334-335 (1848). See also Chamberlain, American Medals and

Medalists, pp. 75-93.

12 9 Stat. 333 (1848). See also Theodore T. Belote, “Military Medals of the War with Mexico and the Civil War,”

Numismatist, vol. 56, May 1922, pp. 280-281; Julian, Medals of the United States Mint, p. 138. In addition to medals

for Generals Taylor and Scott, gold medals were given to 10 officers and seamen belonging or attached to the French,

British, and Spanish ships-of-war, who on December 10, 1846, gallantly rescued 37 of the officers and crew from the

wreck of the United States brig Somers in Vera Cruz harbor (9 Stat. 208 [1847]).

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the USS St. Louis, whom Congress awarded a gold medal for his “gallant and judicious conduct

... in extending protection to Martin Koszta, by rescuing him from illegal seizure and

imprisonment on board the Austrian war-brig Hussar.”13 Subsequently, Congress awarded gold

medals to several individuals recognized for nonmilitary heroic activities or their work in specific

fields. For example, in 1864, Cornelius Vanderbilt was honored for donating a steamship to the

United States;14 in 1867, Cyrus W. Field was praised for his work in the laying of the transatlantic

cable;15 and Private George F. Robinson was awarded for saving Secretary of State William H.

Seward from an assassination attempt.16 In 1861, Congress also established the Medal of Honor

as a military award and increasingly focused the Congressional Gold Medal as an award for

nonmilitary individuals and events.17

20th and 21st Century Recipients

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Congress continued to broaden the scope of what it recognized as

meriting a Congressional Gold Medal to include recognition of excellence in such varied fields as

the arts, athletics, aviation, diplomacy, entertainment, exploration, medicine, politics, religion,

and science. Several of the following individuals were the first in their specialties to be awarded

Congressional Gold Medals:

•

Bob Hope (1962) was the first entertainer to receive a gold medal.18

Wilbur and Orville Wright (1909) were the first aeronautical or space pioneers to

receive a gold medal, for their achievements in demonstrating to the world the

potential of aerial navigation.19

Lincoln Ellsworth (1926) was the first explorer honored, for his polar flight in

1925 and transpolar flight in 1926.20

13 10 Stat. 594-595 (1854). For more information on Commander Ingraham and Martin Koszta, see U.S. Naval

Institute, “A Personal Narrative of the Koszta Affair,” Proceedings, Vol. 53/3/289 (March 1927), https://www.usni.org/

magazines/proceedings/1927/march/personal-narrative-koszta-affair.

14 13 Stat. 401-402 (1864). See also U.S. President, 1861-1865 (Lincoln), Message of the President of the United States

Recommending That Some Suitable Acknowledgment Be Made to Cornelius Vanderbilt for the Valuable Present to the

United States of the Steamer “Vanderbilt,” S. Ex. Doc. 71, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. (1862), p. 1.

15 14 Stat. 574 (1867). See also U.S. President, 1865-1869 (A. Johnson), Gold Medal Presented to Cyrus W. Field,

Message From the President in Relation to the Gold Medal Presented to Mr. Cyrus W. Field, H. Ex. Doc. 89, 40 th

Cong., 3rd sess. (1869).

16 16 Stat. 704 (1871). See also U.S. Congress, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, George F. Robinson, report to

accompany H.Res. 501, 41st Cong., 3rd sess., H.Rept. 33 (1874).

17 12 Stat. 330 (1861), 12 Stat. 623-624 (1862). Also, see CRS Report 95-519, Medal of Honor: History and Issues, by

Barbara Salazar Torreon; Above and Beyond: A History of the Medal of Honor From the Civil War to Vietnam (Boston:

Boston Publishing Co., 1985); E. Kerrigan, American War Medals and Decorations (New York: The Viking Press),

1964, pp. 3-11; George Lang, Medal of Honor Recipients, 1863-1994, 2 vols. (New York: Facts on File, 1995); U.S.

Congress, Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Medal of Honor Recipients 1863-1978, committee print no. 3, 96th

Cong., 1st sess. (1979); Mendel L. Peterson, “The Navy Medal of Honor,” Numismatist, vol. 63, June 1950, pp. 305312; Mendel L. Peterson, “The Army Medal of Honor,” Numismatist, vol. 63, September 1950, pp. 557-565.

18 P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 93 (1962). See also U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, Authorizing

the Issuance of a Gold Medal to Bob Hope, report to accompany S.J.Res. 88, S.Rept. 87-285, 87th Cong., 1st sess.

(1961); and U.S. Congress, House Committee on Banking and Currency, Authorizing the Issuance of a Gold Medal to

Bob Hope, report to accompany S.J.Res. 88, 87th Cong., 2nd sess., May 21, 1962, H.Rept. 87-1716 (1962).

19 35 Stat. 1627 (1909). See also “Gold Medal by Congress to Wright Brothers,” Numismatist, vol. 22, August 1919,

pp. 231-232; Arthur L. Newman, “Some Medals Struck in Honor of the Wright Brothers,” Numismatist, vol. 81,

December 1968, p. 1576.

20 45 Stat. 2026-2027 (1928). See also U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Commerce, A Medal of Honor to Lincoln

Ellsworth, S.Rept. 831, 70th Cong., 1st sess. (1928).

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•

Major Walter Reed and his associates (1928) were the first scientists honored, for

discovering the cause and means of transmission of yellow fever in 1921.21

Vice President Alben W. Barkley (1949) was the first political honoree.22

Roberto Clemente (1973) was the first athlete honoree.23

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Congress has honored numerous other individuals for a

variety of contributions including civil rights activism and humanitarian contributions.24 For a

complete list of Congressional Gold Medal recipients since 1776, see the Appendix.

Authorizing Congressional Gold Medals

Once a Congressional Gold Medal bill is introduced, it is typically referred to the House

Committee on Financial Services or the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban

Affairs.25 The process for considering legislation varies between the House and Senate.

House of Representatives

In the House, there are currently no chamber or committee rules regarding procedures for gold

medal bills. In some past Congresses, the House Financial Services Committee had adopted a

committee rule that prohibited its relevant subcommittee from holding a hearing on

commemorative medal legislation—including Congressional Gold Medals—“unless the

legislation is cosponsored by at least two-thirds of the members of the House.”26

Informal practices regarding cosponsorship requirements, however, may still exist. For example,

in the 119th Congress (2025-2026), the House majority leader’s protocols state that the “Majority

Leader shall only consider five Gold Medal bills in a Congress that receive at least 290

cosponsors and are submitted to the Committee on Financial Services to be scheduled for the

Floor. No such bill shall designate more than one Gold Medal of appropriate design to be struck

21 45 Stat. 1409-1410 (1929). See also U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Military Affairs, To Recognize the High

Public Service Rendered by Major Walter Reed and Those Associated with Him in the Discovery of the Cause and

Means of Transmission of Yellow Fever, S.Rept. 1912, 70th Cong., 2nd sess. (1929).

22 63 Stat. 599 (1949). See also U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, Medal for Vice President

Alben W. Barkley, S.Rept. 742, 81st Cong., 1st sess. (1949).

23 P.L. 93-33, 87 Stat. 71 (1973). See also, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs,

Roberto Walker Clemente Medals, report to accompany H.R. 3841, S.Rept. 93-133, 93rd Cong., 1st sess. (1973).

24 For examples of civil rights activists receiving gold medals, see 98 Stat. 173-174 (1984); 112 Stat. 2681-597 (1998);

113 Stat. 50-51 (1999); 117 Stat. 2017-2019 (2003); 117 Stat. 2645-2647 (2003); 118 Stat. 1746-1748 (2004). See also

Gold Medals to the Daughter of Harry S. Truman; Lady Bird Johnson; and the Widow of Roy Wilkins, pp. 11-108. For

examples of the recognition of humanitarian efforts, see 111 Stat. 35-36 (1997), 111 Stat. 1170-1171 (1997); 112 Stat.

895-896 (1998).

25 U.S. Congress, House, Financial Services Committee, http://financialservices.house.gov; and U.S. Congress, Senate,

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, https://www.banking.senate.gov. Additionally, some bills have

been referred to the Committee on House Administration.

26 “Publication of Committee Rules,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (February 15, 2013), p. H580.

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

by the Secretary of the Treasury.”27 Rules or protocols regarding consideration of Congressional

Gold Medals have existed in previous Congresses under both majority parties.28

Senate

In the Senate, the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in the 119th Congress requires

that at least 67 Senators cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal bill before being considered by

the committee.29 This committee rule presumably does not formally preclude committee

consideration of a House bill referred to it.30 The committee rule also does not prevent the Senate

from considering or passing gold medal legislation. Referred bills may be brought to the floor

without committee consideration; in other cases, a bill may avoid being referred to committee at

all.31 In current practice, many enacted gold medal bills receive no formal committee

consideration. Rather, the Senate often discharges the committee of the bill by unanimous

consent; however, it appears that this discharge practice only occurs after the requisite number of

cosponsors sign on to a Senate bill.

Other Statutory Limitations

Although Congress has approved legislation stipulating requirements for numerous other awards

and decorations,32 there are no permanent statutory provisions specifically relating to the

authorization of Congressional Gold Medals. When a Congressional Gold Medal has been

deemed appropriate, Congress has, by legislative action, provided for the award of a medal on an

27 U.S. Congress, House Majority Leader, “119th Congress Floor Protocols,” https://www.majorityleader.gov/schedule/

floor-protocols.htm. Additionally, the protocols state that “(A) the recipient must be a natural person; (B) the recipient

must have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized

as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement; (C) the recipient has not received a medal

previously for the same or substantially the same achievement; (D) the recipient is living or, if deceased, has not been

deceased for less than five years or more than twenty-five years; and (E) the achievements were performed in the

recipient’s field of endeavor, and represent either a lifetime of continuous superior achievements or a single

achievement so significant that the recipient is recognized and acclaimed by others in the same field, as evidenced by

the recipient having received the highest honors in the field.”

28 When the Democratic Party was in the majority in the 117 th Congress, the majority leader’s protocols provided

guidance on scheduling legislation to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a gold medal. The protocols stated

that “the Majority Leader shall consider the first three Gold Medal bills in a Congress that receive 290 cosponsors and

are submitted to the Committee on Financial Services to be scheduled for the floor.” Additionally, the protocol noted

that “(a) the recipient must be a natural person; (b) the recipient must have performed an achievement that has an

impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field

long after the achievement; (c) the recipient must not have received a medal previously for the same or substantially the

same achievement; (d) the recipient must be living or, if deceased, has not been deceased for less than five years or

more than twenty-five years; and (e) the achievements were performed in the recipient’s field of endeavor, and

represent either a lifetime of continuous superior achievements or a single achievement so significant that the recipient

is recognized and acclaimed by others in the same field, as evidenced by the recipient having received the highest

honors in the field.” U.S. Congress, House, Majority Leader, “117th Congress Legislative Protocols.”

29 “Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Rules of Procedure,” Congressional Record, daily

edition, vol. 171 (January 23, 2025), pp. S330-S332. Rule 8 states, “At least 67 Senators must cosponsor any gold

medal or commemorative coin bill or resolution before consideration by the Committee.”

30 A House bill would have no Senate cosponsors. For more information on sponsorship, see CRS Report 98-279,

Sponsorship and Cosponsorship of Senate Bills, by Mark J. Oleszek; and CRS Report RS22477, Sponsorship and

Cosponsorship of House Bills, by Mark J. Oleszek.

31 See CRS Report RS22309, Senate Rule XIV Procedure for Placing Measures Directly on the Senate Calendar, for

explanation of the ways in which an introduced bill (or one received from the House) may receive floor consideration

without a committee referral or committee action.

32 See “Decorations, Medals, and Badges,” in the general index of the United States Code: 2000 Edition (2001).

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

ad hoc basis. Additionally, there is no statutory limit on the number of Congressional Gold

Medals that may be struck in a given year.

Sample Congressional Gold Medal Language

Congressional Gold Medal legislation generally has certain features, including

•

a short title;

findings that summarize the subject’s history and importance;

specifications for awarding the medal;

instructions, if any, for the medal’s design and striking;

permission to mint and sell duplicates; and

certification that medals are minted pursuant to existing requirements for national

medals (5 U.S.C. §5111).

Short Title

Congressional Gold Medal legislation often includes a short title. For example, the legislation to

authorize the Congressional Gold Medal to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (“Six

Triple Eight”) stated the following:

SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “‘Six Triple Eight’ Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021.”33

Findings

Congressional Gold Medal legislation typically includes a section of findings. These often

include historical facts about the people or groups being awarded the medal. For example, the

legislation to authorize the Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the

“Doolittle Tokyo Raiders” stated the following:

FINDINGS.

Congress finds that—

(1) on April 18, 1942, the brave men of the 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) became known as the “Doolittle

Tokyo Raiders” for outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting the bombings

of Tokyo;

(2) 80 brave American aircraft crewmen, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, volunteered for an

“extremely hazardous mission”, without knowing the target, location, or assignment, and willingly put their lives in

harm’s way, risking death, capture, and torture;

(3) the conduct of medium bomber operations from a Navy aircraft carrier under combat conditions had never

before been attempted;

(4) after the discovery of the USS Hornet by Japanese picket ships 170 miles further away from the prearranged

launch point, the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders proceeded to take off 670 miles from the coast of Japan;

(5) by launching more than 100 miles beyond the distance considered to be minimally safe for the mission, the

Doolittle Tokyo Raiders deliberately accepted the risk that the B-25s might not have enough fuel to reach the

designated air-fields in China on return;

33 P.L. 117-97, 136 Stat. 36 (2022).

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

(6) the additional launch distance greatly increased the risk of crash landing in Japanese occupied China, exposing

the crews to higher probability of death, injury, or capture;

(7) because of that deliberate choice, after bombing their targets in Japan, low on fuel and in setting night and

deteriorating weather, none of the 16 airplanes reached the prearranged Chinese airfields;

(8) of the 80 Doolittle Tokyo Raiders who launched on the raid, 8 were captured, 2 died in the crash, and 70

returned to the United States;

(9) of the 8 captured Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, 3 were executed and 1 died of disease; and

(10) there were only 5 surviving members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders as of February 2013. 34

Medal Presentation, Design, and Striking

Congressional Gold Medal legislation typically includes a section that provides details on the

presentation, design, and striking of the medal. For example, the legislation to authorize the

Congressional Gold Medal to the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround

Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in March of 1965 stated:

CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

(a) Presentation Authorized.—The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of

the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of Congress, of a gold medal of

appropriate design to the Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, or the final

Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March during March of 1965, which served as a catalyst for the Voting Rights

Act of 1965.

(b) Design and Striking.—For purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the

Treasury (referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and

inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.35

When presenting a medal to a group, Congress often directs the Mint to strike a single

Congressional Gold Medal and statutorily directs that the medal be given to an institution

affiliated with the group or to the Smithsonian. This section can name the group and can contain

specific instructions for the disposition and display of the medal. For example, the legislation

authorizing the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal stated:

(1) In general.—Following the award of the gold medal in honor of the American Fighter Aces, the gold medal

shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be available for display as appropriate and available for

research.

(2) Sense of the Congress.—It is the sense of the Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold

medal awarded pursuant to this Act available for display elsewhere, particularly at appropriate locations associated

with the American Fighter Aces, and that preference should be given to locations affiliated with the Smithsonian

Institution.36

Duplicate Medals

Gold medal legislation also generally authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell

duplicate medals in bronze. The U.S. Mint generally sells the duplicates on its website in two

34 P.L. 113-106, 128 Stat. 1160 (2014).

35 P.L. 114-5, 129 Stat. 78 (2015).

36 P.L. 113-105, 128 Stat. 1157 (2014).

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

sizes: 1.5 inches and 3 inches.37 The U.S. Mint sets duplicate prices that allow it to cover the cost

of striking the duplicate medals. For example, legislation authorizing the Congressional Gold

Medal for the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” stated:

DUPLICATE MEDALS.

(a) In General.—The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under section 3,

at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the bronze medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and

overhead expenses.

(b) Proceeds of Sales.—The amounts received from the sale of duplicate medals under subsection (a) shall be

deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act. 38

Status of Medals

Gold medal legislation generally contains a statement that these awards are considered as national

medals for the purpose of the U.S. Mint’s statutory requirements for producing medals. For

example, legislation authorizing the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal stated:

STATUS OF MEDALS.

(a) National Medals.—Medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31,

United States Code.

(b) Numismatic Items.—For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck

under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.39

Authorization of Appropriations; Proceeds

In some cases, Congressional Gold Medal bills include language authorizing appropriations. In

these examples, Congress has authorized a specific sum from the United States Mint Public

Enterprise Fund to pay for the cost of the medal. In cases where the authorization of

appropriations is provided, a provision requiring that proceeds from the sale of duplicates be

deposited in the same Fund is generally included. For example, legislation authorizing the

Women Airforce Service Pilots Congressional Gold Medal stated:

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public

Enterprise Fund, an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the medal authorized under section 2.

(b) Proceeds of Sale.—Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be

deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.40

Some recent Congressional Gold Medal legislation has not authorized a specific dollar amount

for the design and striking of the medal. Rather, the legislation has provided that “such amounts

as may be necessary” can be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for

37 For more information about duplicate Congressional Gold Medals, see CRS In Focus IF10934, Duplicate

Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked Questions, by Jacob R. Straus.

38 P.L. 117-38, 135 Stat. 333 (2021).

39 P.L. 118-150, 138 Stat. 1682 (2024).

40 P.L. 111-40, 123 Stat. 1961 (2009).

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the medal. For example, the legislation authorizing the “Hidden Figures” Congressional Gold

Medals for Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson stated the

following:

AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

(a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.—There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public

Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this Act.

(b) Proceeds of Sale.—Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4

shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.41

Design of Medals

Congressional Gold Medal designs vary for each issuance. In general, the authorizing legislation

provides that the Secretary of the Treasury “shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems,

devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.”42 When designing a Congressional

Gold Medal, the Secretary consults with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and

the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) before determining the final design.

Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

Established in 2003,43 the CCAC advises the Secretary of the Treasury on theme and design of all

U.S. coins and medals. For Congressional Gold Medals, the CCAC advises the Secretary “on any

theme or design proposals relating to ... Congressional Gold Medals.”44

The CCAC consists of 11 members appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, with four persons

appointed upon the recommendation of the congressional leadership (one each by the Speaker of

the House, the House minority leader, the Senate majority leader, and the Senate minority

leader).45 The CCAC meets several times each year to consider design suggestions for coins and

medals. For each coin considered, the CCAC provides advice to the Secretary “on thematic,

technical, and design issues related to the production of coins.”46 The committee publishes its

recommendations to its website, at http://www.ccac.gov.

For example, in June 2020, the U.S. Mint presented several alternative designs for the Larry

Doby Congressional Gold Medal. In a letter to the U.S. Mint, the CCAC provided its

recommendations on the design for the gold medal. CCAC’s letter stated the following:

Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal

The family’s preference is LD-O-0IA and LD-R-03 and LD-R-03A. The CCAC's recommended designs are LD-OlA and LD-R-3 with the modification that “Act of Congress” be removed from the reverse as it also appears on

the recommended obverse design. During the meeting Chairman Uram noted and read into the record a letter

41 P.L. 116-68, 133 Stat. 1132 (2019).

42 For example, see P.L. 111-253, 124 Stat. 2636 (2010).

43 P.L. 108-15, 117 Stat. 615 (2003); 31 U.S.C. §5135.

44 Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, “About Us,” at https://www.ccac.gov/aboutUs/index.html.

45 For a list of current members of the CCAC, see Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, “Members,” at

https://www.ccac.gov/aboutUs/members.html.

46 U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Civic Art: A Centennial History of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (Amherst, MA:

University of Massachusetts Press, 2013), p. 480. [Hereinafter CFA, Civic Art.]

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

from Representative Bill Pascrell Jr, Senator Robert Menendez, and Senator Cory Booker supporting the family's

preferences.

•

Obverse (LD-O-01A): The design depicts Larry Doby posing with a baseball bat in front of Hinchliffe Stadium.

Hinchliffe Stadium, located in Paterson, New Jersey, was the home of the Newark Eagles, Doby's Negro

National League team. The CCAC scored the design a perfect 30 out of a possible 30 votes.

•

Reverse (LD-R-03): Based on a famed photo, the design depicts Larry Doby and Steve Gromek hugging after

their World Series win. It includes the inscription “We are Stronger Together as a Team, as [a] Nation, as a

World” which is a quote offered by Larry Doby Jr as a way to encapsulate his father’s sentiments and legacy.

The CCAC scored this design 23 votes of a possible 30. A slightly different variation of the same design (LDR-03A) received I4 votes.47

Figure 2 shows the CCAC’s preferred designs for the obverse and reverse of the Larry Doby

Congressional Gold Medal.

Figure 2. CCAC Preferred Design for Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal

Source: U.S. Mint, “Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal Candidate Designs,” June 23, 2020,

https://www.ccac.gov/system/files/media/calendar/images/Larry-Doby-CGM-Portfolio---email_ADA.pdf.

47 Letter from the CCAC, to Steven T. Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, June 23, 2020,

https://www.ccac.gov/system/files/media/calendar/lettersToSecretary/CCAC_June_23_2020_Recommendations.pdf.

Images presented to the CCAC for the Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal can be found at U.S. Mint, “Larry Doby

Congressional Gold Medal Candidate Designs,” https://www.ccac.gov/system/files/media/calendar/images/LarryDoby-CGM-Portfolio---email_ADA.pdf.

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U.S. Commission of Fine Arts

In tandem with recommendations received from the CCAC, the U.S. Mint also seeks a

recommendation from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA).48 Similar to CCAC, CFA

reviews proposed designs and issues recommendations.

For example, in March 2014, the U.S. Mint presented several alternative designs for the First

Special Service Force Congressional Gold Medal. In a letter to the U.S. Mint, the CFA provided

recommendations on the design for the gold medal. CFA’s letter stated the following:

27 March 2014

Dear Mr. Peterson:

In its meeting of 20 March, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed alternative designs for a Congressional Gold

Medal honoring the First Special Service Force. The Commission members present provided the following

recommendations.

For the obverse, the Commission members recommended alternative #8, commenting on its strong

three−dimensional character and clear compositional elements. They recommended reverse #2, supporting the

reported recommendation of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, due to the compatibility of its

composition with the recommended obverse.

As there was not a quorum for the review of the submission, these recommendations will be placed on the

administrative agenda for confirmation at the Commission’s meeting of 17 April. As always, the staff is available to

assist you with future submissions.

Sincerely,

/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA

Secretary49

U.S. Mint

After receiving advice from the CCAC and the CFA, the Secretary of the Treasury, through the

U.S. Mint, finalizes the Congressional Gold Medal’s design and schedules it for production.

Figure 3 shows the final design of two Congressional Gold Medals: the New Frontier

Congressional Gold Medal for Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and John Glenn;

and the Jack Nicklaus Congressional Gold Medal.

48 40 U.S.C. §9102. Established in 1910, the CFA advises “upon the location of statues, fountains, and monuments in

the public squares, streets, and parks in the District of Columbia; the selection of models for statues, fountains, and

monuments erected under the authority of the Federal Government; the selection of artists; and questions of art

generally when required to do so by the President or a committee of Congress.”

49 Letter from Thomas E. Luebke, secretary, U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, to Richard A. Peterson, deputy director,

U.S. Mint, March 27, 2014, https://www.cfa.gov/records-research/project-search/cfa-20mar14-6.

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Figure 3. Recent Examples of Congressional Gold Medal Design

Source: U.S. Mint, “New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal,” https://catalog.usmint.gov/new-frontier-bronzemedal-3-inch-920.html?cgid=humanitarian-cultural; and U.S. Mint, “Jack Nicklaus Congressional Gold Medal,”

https://catalog.usmint.gov/jack-nicklaus-bronze-medal-3-inch-15ME.html?cgid=humanitarian-cultural.

Presentation of Medals

Once the U.S. Mint designs and strikes a Congressional Gold Medal, a formal presentation

ceremony is generally scheduled. Congressional Gold Medal presentations may occur in a variety

of locations. For example, past gold medals have been presented in foreign countries, at the White

House, in the U.S. Capitol, in federal office buildings, and in cities throughout the United States.

Table 2 lists locations for Congressional Gold Medal presentations since 1959, the number and

percentage of medals presented in a particular location, and the most recent medal presented.

Table 2. Location of Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies, 1959-2025

Location

Percentage

24.4%

Little Rock Nine (November 9, 1999)a

Rotunda

25.2%

Servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August

26, 2021, during the evacuation of citizens of the United

States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International

Airport (September 10, 2024)b

Emancipation Hall

16.8%

Harlem Hellfighters in World War I (September 3, 2025)c

National Statuary Hall

5.0%

Larry Doby (December 13, 2023)d

White House

Most Recent

United States Capitol

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Location

Percentage

Most Recent

Othere

3.4%

Frank Sinatra (June 5, 1998)

Federal Building

2.5%

Aaron Copland (November 8, 1989, U.S. Mint

Headquarters, Washington, DC)f

Foreign Country

2.5%

Pope John Paul II (January 8, 2001, Vatican City State,

Rome)g

Domestic Non-Federal

6.7%

John Cardinal O’Connor (July 10, 2001, New York City)h

Virtual

2.5%

Merrill’s Marauders (5307th Composite Unit (Provision))

(May 25, 2022)i

Unknown

0.8%

—j

Not Yet Scheduled

10.1%

—k

Total

119

100%

Source: CRS analysis of Congressional Gold Medal Ceremonies.

Notes:

a. U.S. President (Clinton), “Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Gold Medals to the Little Rock Nine,”

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, vol. 45 (November 9, 1999), pp. 2307-2310.

b. H.Con.Res. 126 (118th Congress), agreed to September 9, 2024.

c. H.Con.Res. 39 (119th Congress), agreed to July 29, 2025.

d. U.S. Congress, Speaker of the House, “Speaker Johnson, Congressional Leaders Honor Larry Doby with

Congressional Gold Medal,” press release, December 13, 2023, at https://www.speaker.gov/speakerjohnson-congressional-leaders-honor-larry-doby-with-congressional-gold-medal.

e. Other locations in the U.S. Capitol have included, the East Front Steps of the Capitol (General of the Army

Douglas MacArthur [1971]), a Senate office building (Rear Admiral Hyman George Rickover [1959]), other

spaces in the U.S. Capitol (John Wayne [1980]), and a Member’s personal office (Frank Sinatra [1998] in

Rep. Jose Serrano’s office). Frank Sinatra: Richard Sisk, “Congress Hails Frank,” New York Daily News, June 6,

1998, p. 8.

Department of the Treasury, “Annual Report of the Bureau of the Mint. Fiscal Year 1990,” p. 17.

g. Teresa Malcolm, “Congressional Delegation Presents Medal to Pope,” National Catholic Reporter, vol. 37

(January 19, 2001), p. 12.

h. U.S. President (George W. Bush), “Remarks on the Posthumous Presentation of the Congressional Gold

Medal to John Cardinal O’Connor in New York City,” Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, vol. 37

(July 10, 2001), pp. 1025-1026.

U.S. Congress, Speaker of the House, “Transcript of Pelosi Remarks at Virtual Congressional Gold Medal

Ceremony Honoring the Merrill’s Marauders,” at https://web.archive.org/web/20220622005940/https://

www.speaker.gov/newsroom/52522-2.

CRS was unable to determine the location of a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to

former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (2003).

k. Ceremonies have not yet been scheduled to present Congressional Gold Medals for Anwar Sadat; Greg

LeMond; Willie O’Ree; Women’s Army Corps (6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion); United States

Army Rangers of World War II; Former Hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981; Glen Doherty,

Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith; Benjamin Berell Ferecz; Dustoff Crews of the

Vietnam War; Billie Jean King; Shirley Chisholm; Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust; Everett Alvarez, Jr.;

the Army Signal Corps “Hello Girls” telephone operators; and the Miracle on Ice 1980 Olympic Hockey

Team.

Issues for Congress

As Members of Congress contemplate introducing legislation, and the House or the Senate

potentially consider Congressional Gold Medal measures, there are several issues that could be

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Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

considered. These can be divided into issues for individual Members of Congress with respect to

individual Congressional Gold Medals, and issues for Congress as an institution. Individual

issues include choices Members may make about which people or groups might be honored and

whether specific design elements might be specified statutorily. Institutional issues might include

committee or chamber rules on the consideration of Congressional Gold Medals and creating

standards for the issuance of gold medals.

Individual Considerations

Individuals and Groups Honored

Some Congressional Gold Medals have honored individuals (e.g., Arnold Palmer, Muhammad

Yunus), some discrete groups of individuals (e.g., General of the Army George Catlett Marshall

and Fleet Admiral Ernest Joseph King, Ruth and Billy Graham), and some larger groups (e.g.,

military units such as Women Airforce Service Pilots [“WASP”], Monuments Men). In choosing

whom or what to recognize, Members of Congress generally evaluate whether they believe that

the individual’s or group’s activities merit recognition by Congress. Congressional Gold Medals

are “the highest civilian honor award program ... [to] honor national achievement in patriotic,

humanitarian, and artistic endeavors.”50 There are no specific criteria to determine whether or not

an individual or group meets those lofty goals. Instead, each individual or group is judged on their

merits by Congress should the legislation be considered.

Specification of Design Elements

Congressional Gold Medal authorizations generally do not specify design elements. Instead, they

direct the Secretary of the Treasury to “strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and

inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.”51 Should Congress want to specify particular

design elements, they might be included in the authorizing legislation.52 This would provide the

Secretary of the Treasury with congressional intent on what should be incorporated into the gold

medal design. Similar statutory specificity is sometimes included in commemorative coin

legislation.53 Such specification, however, could serve to limit design choices for the gold medal

and might alter the cost structure of striking the award, if the required element diverges from

standard practices.54

50 Civic Art, p. 480.

For example, see P.L. 113-11, §2(b) (“The Little Rock Four”), 127 Stat. 447 (2013); or P.L. 113-114, §2(b) (Shimon

Peres), 128 Stat. 1176 (2014).

52 For example, the Native American Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medal provided general specifications for the

gold medal. It stated that “the design of a gold medal ... shall be emblematic of the participation of the code talkers of

each recognized tribe” P.L. 110-420, 122 Stat. 4776 (2008).

53 For example, Congress specified that the Apollo 11 50 th Anniversary commemorative coin “shall be produced in a

fashion similar to the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame 75 th Anniversary Commemorative Coin, so that the reverse

of the coin is convex to more closely resemble the visor of the astronaut’s helmet of the time and the obverse concave,

providing a more dramatic display of the obverse design.... ” P.L. 114-282, §3(d)(1), 130 Stat. 1443 (2016).

54 For example, see discussion on the size of precious-metal blanks for the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame

commemorative coin that accompanied P.L. 113-10 (127 Stat. 445 (2013)), in “National Baseball Hall of Fame

Commemorative Coin Act Amendment,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (April 24, 2013), pp. H2260H2261.

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Location of Medal Awarded to Groups

Congressional Gold Medal legislation for groups generally provides that only a single gold medal

is struck and specifies where it will be located after it is formally awarded. In many cases, the

gold medal is given to the Smithsonian for appropriate display and where it can be made available

for research.55 In other cases, the gold medal is provided to an organization that represents the

honored group.56 Since most gold medal legislation contains a provision on the medal’s location,

a Member of Congress can help determine where the medal will be located.

Institutional Consideration

Requirements for Legislative Considerations

As discussed above under “Authorizing Congressional Gold Medals,” neither the House nor

Senate rules provide any restrictions specifically concerning consideration of Congressional Gold

Medal legislation on the House or Senate floor. In the 118th Congress, the Senate Committee on

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs required that at least 67 Senators must cosponsor any

Senate Congressional Gold Medal bill before being considered by the committee.57 Currently, the

House Financial Services Committee has not adopted any specific rules concerning committee

consideration of Congressional Gold Medal legislation, although it has required a minimum

number of cosponsors in past Congresses for committee consideration.58

As demonstrated by the discontinuation of the House Financial Services Committee rule requiring

a minimum number of cosponsors for committee gold medal legislation, committee rules can be

changed from Congress to Congress. Should the committee want to place requirements on its

consideration of gold medal legislation, the Financial Services Committee could readopt its

former rule, or something similar. Adopting committee rules to require a minimum number of

cosponsors might encourage bill sponsors to build support among Representatives for gold medal

bills. Such a minimum requirement, however, could potentially limit the number or type of gold

medal bills the committee considers. Since only the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and

Urban Affairs has a rule that imposes a formal qualification on the potential committee

consideration of gold medal legislation, the possible path forward for a bill could be different

within each chamber.

Should the House, the Senate, or both want to adopt similar language for committee or chamber

consideration of gold medal legislation, such language could be incorporated into future

committee rules, into House and Senate Rules, or into law. Taking steps to formally codify the

gold medal consideration process might provide sponsors with a single process for award

consideration, which could make it easier for gold medal bills to meet minimum requirements for

55 For example, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Gold Medal provided “(1) ... Following the award of the gold

medal in commemoration to the members of the Office of Strategic Services under subsection (a), the gold medal shall

be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed as appropriate and made available for research [;

and] (2) ... It is the sense of Congress that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received under

paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere, particularly at other appropriate locations associated with the Office of

Strategic Services.” P.L. 114-269, §3(c), 130 Stat. 1393 (2016).

56 For example, the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Congressional Gold Medal was provided to the National Museum of the

United States Air Force. P.L. 113-106, §2(a)(3), 128 Stat. 1161 (2014).

57 “Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Rules of Procedure,” Congressional Record, daily

edition, vol. 167 (February 9, 2023), pp. S296-S298.

58 U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Financial Services, Rules for the Committee on Financial Services, 113 th

Cong., 1st sess. (2013), p. 6, http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/113-a.pdf#page=12.

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consideration across both the House and Senate. Such codification could also limit congressional

flexibility and might result in fewer proposals or authorizations to comply with new standards.

Statutory Standards

Currently, there is no statutory limit to the number of Congressional Gold Medals that can be

authorized. Should Congress want to place a limit on the number of gold medals awarded,

standards could be adopted to provide a maximum number of gold medals authorized in any year

or Congress. Congress has previously adopted similar standards for commemorative coins—only

two coins may be minted in any given calendar year.59

Legislation to place a limit on the number of gold medals authorized has previously been

introduced and considered in the House. During the 109th Congress (2005-2006), H.R. 54 passed

the House and would have restricted the Secretary of the Treasury from striking “more than 2

congressional gold medals for presentation ... in any calendar year.”60 Introduced by

Representative Michael Castle, the stated purpose of the legislation was to “maintain the prestige

of the medal by limiting the number that may be awarded each year,” and to “clarify that

recipients are individuals and not groups.” Passage of the measure, he argued, would “ensure the

future integrity and true honor of the award.”61 H.R. 54 did not receive further consideration in

the Senate.

While proponents of a limit on the number of gold medals issued might make arguments similar

to those made by Representative Castle, opponents believe that Congress should reserve the right

to authorize as many gold medals as it deems necessary, without consideration of the number

struck in any calendar year. Representative Joseph Crowley in opposing the legislation told his

House colleagues, “We are rushing to act on an issue that does not represent a problem.” “Who

that received this medal in the past,” he asked, “was not worthy of it?” Further, Crowley argued

that “there are occasions when more than one person is justified to receive the medal for their

honorable actions in tandem with others.” He continued by emphasizing that had this bill already

been law, “Congress would not have been able to issue” a Congressional Gold Medal “to the

Little Rock Nine,” to “President and Mrs. Reagan,” or to “Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott

King.”62

Concluding Observations

Congressional Gold Medals have long been an important way for Congress to express public

gratitude for important historical events and achievements. Congressional Gold Medals, which

have been issued since the American Revolution, are “the highest civilian honor award program

... [to] honor national achievement in patriotic, humanitarian, and artistic endeavors.”63 In recent

59 P.L. 104-208, §529, 110 Stat. 3009-349 (1996); 31 U.S.C. §5112(m)(1). For more information on commemorative

coins, see CRS Report R44623, Commemorative Coins: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress, by

Jacob R. Straus.

60 H.R. 54 (109th Congress), passed the House on January 26, 2005.

61 “Congressional Gold Medal Enhancement Act of 2005,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 151 (January 26,

2004), p. H207. See also “Limits May Be Imposed on Honor Medals,” Washington Post, January 27, 2005, p. A17.

62 “Congressional Gold Medal Enhancement Act of 2005,” Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 151 (January 26,

2004), pp. H206-H207, H209.

63 Civic Art, p. 480.

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years, the number of gold medals awarded has “soared from four or five per decade for most of

its history to an average of almost twenty in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.”64

Each Congress, legislation to award Congressional Gold Medals is introduced. Table 3 lists the

number of total bills, bills in the House, and bills in the Senate introduced since the 113th

Congress (2013-2014).

Table 3. Number of Congressional Gold Medal Bills Introduced,

113th Congress to 119th Congress, 1st session

Congress

House

Senate

Total

113th (2013-2014)

114th (2015-2016)

115th (2017-2018)

116th (2019-2020)

117th (2021-2022)

118th (2023-2024)

119th (2025)

Source: CRS search for “Congressional Gold Medal” bills on Congress.gov.

Based on the number of measures offered in both chambers, some Members of Congress consider

it important to recognize individuals and groups for their patriotic, humanitarian, and artistic

achievements.

When Members are deciding whether to introduce gold medal legislation, elements they consider

may include

•

who should be honored,

how many medals should or can be awarded in a given Congress, and

whether specific design elements should be prescribed for the medal design.

64 Civic Art, p. 484.

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Appendix. List of Congressional Gold Medals

Awarded: 1776-2025

Table A-1. Congressional Gold Medals Awarded, 1776-2025

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Law

George Washington

March 25, 1776

Continental Congress

Major General Horatio Gates

November 4, 1777

Continental Congress

Major General Anthony Wayne

July 26, 1779

Continental Congress

Major Henry Lee

September 24, 1779 Continental Congress

Brigadier General Daniel Morgan

March 9, 1781

Continental Congress

Major General Nathanael Greene

October 29, 1781

Continental Congress

John Paul Jones

October 16, 1787

Continental Congress

Captain Thomas Truxton

March 29, 1800

2 Stat. 87

Commodore Edward Preble

March 3, 1805

2 Stat. 346

Captain Isaac Hull, Captain Stephen Decatur, and

Captain Jacob Jones

January 29, 1813

2 Stat. 830

Captain William Bainbridge

March 3, 1813

2 Stat. 831

Captain Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott

January 6, 1814

3 Stat. 141

Lieutenant William Burrows and Lieutenant Edward R. McCall

January 6, 1814

3 Stat. 141

Captain James Lawrence

January 11, 1814

3 Stat. 142

Captain Thomas MacDonough, Captain Robert Henly, and

Lieutenant Stephen Cassin

October 20, 1814

3 Stat. 245

Captain Lewis Warrington

October 21, 1814

3 Stat. 246

Captain Johnston Blakeley

November 3, 1814

3 Stat. 246

Major General Jacob Brown

November 3, 1814

3 Stat. 247

Major General Winfield Scott

November 3, 1814

3 Stat. 247

Brigadier General Eleazar W. Ripley, Brigadier General James Miller, November 3, 1814

and Major General Peter B. Porter

3 Stat. 247

Major General Edmund P. Gaines

November 3, 1814

3 Stat. 247

Major General Alexander Macomb

November 3, 1814

3 Stat. 247

Major General Andrew Jackson

February 27, 1815

3 Stat. 249

Captain Charles Stewart

February 22, 1816

3 Stat. 341

Captain James Biddle

February 22, 1816

3 Stat. 341

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Law

Major General William Henry Harrison and Governor Isaac Shelby

April 4, 1818

3 Stat. 476

Colonel George Croghan

February 13, 1835

4 Stat. 792

Major General Zachary Taylor

July 16, 1846;

March 2, 1847

9 Stat. 111;

9 Stat. 206

Rescuers of the Officers and Crew of the U.S. brig Somers

March 3, 1847

9 Stat. 208

Major General Winfield Scott

March 9, 1848

9 Stat. 333

Major General Zachary Taylor

May 9, 1848

9 Stat. 334

Commander Duncan N. Ingraham

August 4, 1854

10 Stat. 594

Frederick A. Rose

May 11, 1858

11 Stat. 369

Major General Ulysses S. Grant

December 17, 1863

13 Stat. 399

Cornelius Vanderbilt

January 28, 1864

13 Stat. 401

Captain Creighton, Captain Low, and Captain Stouffer

July 26, 1866

14 Stat. 365

Cyrus W. Field

March 2, 1867

14 Stat. 574

George Peabody

March 16, 1867

15 Stat. 20

George F. Robinson

March 1, 1871

16 Stat. 704

Captain Jared S. Crandall and Others

February 24, 1873

17 Stat. 638

John Horn Jr.

June 20, 1874

April 28, 1904

18 Stat. 573

33 Stat. 1684

John F. Slater

February 5, 1883

22 Stat. 636

Joseph Francis

August 27, 1888

25 Stat. 1249

Naval Chief Engineer George Wallace Melville and Others

September 30, 1890 26 Stat. 552

First Lieutenant Frank H. Newcomb

May 3, 1900

31 Stat. 717

First Lieutenant David H. Jarvis, Second Lieutenant Ellsworth P.

Bertholf, and Dr. Samuel J. Call

June 28, 1902

32 Stat. 492

Wright Brothers

March 4, 1909

35 Stat. 1627

Captain Arthur Henry Rostron

July 6, 1912

37 Stat. 639

Captain Paul H. Kreibohm and Others

March 19, 1914

38 Stat. 769

Domicio da Gama, Romulo S. Naon, and Eduardo Suarez

March 4, 1915

38 Stat. 1228

Charles A. Lindbergh

May 4, 1928

45 Stat. 490

Lincoln Ellsworth, Roald Amundsen, and Umberto Nobile

May 29, 1928

45 Stat. 2026

Thomas A. Edison

May 29, 1928

45 Stat. 1012

First Successful Trans-Atlantic Flight

February 9, 1929

45 Stat. 1158

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Date of

Enactment

Law

Major Walter Reed and Associates for Yellow Fever

Experimentations in Cuba

February 28, 1929

45 Stat. 1409

Officers and Men of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition

May 23, 1930

46 Stat. 379

Lincoln Ellsworth

June 16, 1936

49 Stat. 2324

Mrs. Richard Aldrich (nee Margaret Livingston Chanler) and Anna

Bouligny

June 20, 1938

52 Stat. 1365

Howard Hughes

August 7, 1939

53 Stat. 1525

Reverend Francis X. Quinn

August 10, 1939

53 Stat. 1533

William Sinnott

June 15, 1940

54 Stat. 1283

Roland Boucher

January 20, 1942

56 Stat. 1099

George Catlett Marshall, General of the Army, and Fleet Admiral

Ernest Joseph King

March 22, 1946

60 Stat. 1134

John J. Pershing, General of the Armies of the United States

August 7, 1946

60 Stat. 1297

Brigadier General William Mitchell

August 8, 1946

60 Stat. 1319

Vice President Alben W. Barkley

August 12, 1949

P.L. 81-221, 63 Stat. 599

Doctor Jonas E. Salk

August 9, 1955

P.L. 84-297, 69 Stat. 589

Surviving Veterans of the War Between the States

July 18, 1956

P.L. 84-730, 70 Stat. 577

Rear Admiral Hyman George Rickover

August 28, 1958

P.L. 85-826, 72 Stat. 985

Doctor Robert H. Goddard

September 16, 1959 P.L. 86-277, 73 Stat. 562

Robert Frost

September 13, 1960 P.L. 86-747, 74 Stat. 883

Doctor Thomas Anthony Dooley III

May 27, 1961

P.L. 87-42, 75 Stat. 87

Bob Hope

June 8, 1962

P.L. 87-478, 76 Stat. 93

Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House of Representatives

September 26, 1962 P.L. 87-702, 76 Stat. 605

Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army

October 9, 1962

P.L. 87-760, 76 Stat. 760

Walt Disney

May 24, 1968

P.L. 90-316, 82 Stat. 130

Winston Churchill

May 7, 1969

P.L. 91-12, 83 Stat. 8-9

Roberto Walker Clemente

May 14, 1973

P.L. 93-33, 87 Stat. 71

Marian Anderson

March 8, 1977

P.L. 95-9, 91 Stat. 19

Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker

October 10, 1978

P.L. 95-438, 92 Stat.

1060

Robert F. Kennedy

November 1, 1978

P.L. 95-560, 92 Stat.

2142

John Wayne

May 26, 1979

P.L. 96-15, 93 Stat. 32

Recipient(s)

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Law

Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman

June 13, 1979

P.L. 96-20, 93 Stat. 45

Hubert H. Humphrey

June 13, 1979

P.L. 96-21, 93 Stat. 46

American Red Cross

December 12, 1979

P.L. 96-138, 93 Stat.

1063

Ambassador Kenneth Taylor

March 6, 1980

P.L. 96-201, 94 Stat. 79

Simon Wiesenthal

March 17, 1980

P.L. 96-211, 94 Stat. 101

1980 United States Summer Olympic Team

July 8, 1980

P.L. 96-306, 94 Stat. 937

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands

March 22, 1982

P.L. 97-158, 96 Stat. 18

Admiral Hyman George Rickover

June 23, 1982

P.L. 97-201, 96 Stat. 126

Fred Waring

August 26, 1982

P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315

Joe Louis

August 26, 1982

P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315

Louis L'Amour

August 26, 1982

P.L. 97-246, 96 Stat. 315

Leo J. Ryan

November 18, 1983 P.L. 98-159, 97 Stat. 992

Danny Thomas

November 29, 1983 P.L. 98-172, 97 Stat.

1119

Harry S. Truman

May 8, 1984

P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173

Lady Bird Johnson

May 8, 1984

P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173

Elie Wiesel

May 8, 1984

P.L. 98-278, 98 Stat. 173

Roy Wilkins

May 17, 1984

P.L. 98-285, 98 Stat. 186

George and Ira Gershwin

August 9, 1985

P.L. 99-86, 99 Stat. 288289

Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky

May 13, 1986

P.L. 99-298, 100 Stat.

432

Harry Chapin

May 20, 1986

P.L. 99-311, 100 Stat.

464

Aaron Copland

September 23, 1986 P.L. 99-418, 100 Stat.

952

Mary Lasker

December 24, 1987

Jesse Owens

September 20, 1988 P.L. 100-437, 102 Stat.

1717

Andrew Wyeth

November 9, 1988

P.L. 100-639, 102 Stat.

3331

Laurance Spelman Rockefeller

May 17, 1990

P.L. 101-296, 104 Stat.

197

Congressional Research Service

P.L. 100-210, 101 Stat.

1441

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

General Matthew B. Ridgeway

November 5, 1990

P.L. 101-510, 104 Stat.

1720

General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

April 23, 1991

P.L. 102-32, 105 Stat.

175

General Colin Powell

April 23, 1991

P.L. 102-33, 105 Stat.

177

250th Anniversary of the American Philosophical Society

and the birth of Thomas Jefferson

October 23, 1992

P.L. 102-479, 106 Stat.

2308

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson

November 2, 1994

P.L. 103-457, 108 Stat.

4799

Ruth and Billy Graham

February 13, 1996

P.L. 104-111, 110 Stat.

772

Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra

May 14, 1997

P.L. 105-14, 111 Stat. 32

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

June 2, 1997

P.L. 105-16, 111 Stat. 35

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

October 6, 1997

P.L. 105-51, 111 Stat.

1170

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

July 29, 1998

P.L. 105-215, 112 Stat.

895

Little Rock Nine

October 21, 1998

P.L. 105-277, 112 Stat.

2681-597

Gerald R. and Betty Ford

October 21, 1998

P.L. 105-277, 112 Stat.

2681-598

Rosa Parks

May 4, 1999

P.L. 106-26, 113 Stat. 50

Theodore M. Hesburgh

December 9, 1999

P.L. 106-153, 113 Stat.

1733

John Cardinal O'Connor

March 3, 2000

P.L. 106-175, 114 Stat.

Charles M. Schulz

June 20, 2000

P.L. 106-225, 114 Stat.

457

Pope John Paul II

July 27, 2000

P.L. 106-250, 114 Stat.

622

Ronald and Nancy Reagan

July 27, 2000

P.L. 106-251, 114 Stat.

624

Navajo Code Talkers

December 21, 2000

P.L. 106-554, 114 Stat.

2763A-311

General Henry H. Shelton

January 16, 2002

P.L. 107-127, 115 Stat.

2405

Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom

July 17, 2003

P.L. 108-60, 117 Stat.

862

Congressional Research Service

Law

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Jackie Roosevelt Robinson

October 23, 2003

P.L. 108-101, 117 Stat.

1195

Dr. Dorothy Height

December 6, 2003

P.L. 108-162, 117 Stat.

2017

Reverend Joseph A. DeLaine, Harry and Eliza Briggs, and Levi

Pearson

December 15, 2003

P.L. 108-180, 117 Stat.

2645

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

October 25, 2004

P.L. 108-368, 118 Stat.

1746

The Tuskegee Airmen

April 11, 2006

P.L. 109-213, 120 Stat.

322

Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama

September 27, 2006 P.L. 109-287, 120 Stat.

1231

Byron Nelson

October 16, 2006

P.L. 109-357, 120 Stat.

2044

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug

December 14, 2006

P.L. 109-395, 120 Stat.

2708

Michael Ellis DeBakey, M.D.

October 16, 2007

P.L. 110-95, 121 Stat.

1008

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

May 6, 2008

P.L. 110-209, 122 Stat.

721

Constantino Brumidi

July 1, 2008

P.L. 110-259, 122 Stat.

2430

Edward William Brooke III

July 1, 2008

P.L. 110-260, 122 Stat.

2433

Native American Code Talkers

October 15, 2008

P.L. 110-420, 122 Stat.

4774

Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII (‘WASP’)

July 1, 2009

P.L. 111-40, 123 Stat.

1958

Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. “Buzz" Aldrin Jr., Michael Collins, and

John Herschel Glenn Jr.

August 7, 2009

P.L. 111-44, 123 Stat.

1966

Arnold Palmer

September 30, 2009 P.L. 111-65, 123 Stat.

2003

Dr. Muhammad Yunus

October 5, 2010

P.L. 111-253, 124 Stat.

2635

100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the October 5, 2010

Military Intelligence Service, United States Army

P.L. 111-254, 124 Stat.

2637

Law

Montford Point Marines

November 23, 2011 P.L. 112-59, 125 Stat.

749

The Fallen Heroes of 9/11

December 23, 2011

Congressional Research Service

P.L. 112-76, 125 Stat.

1275

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Raoul Wallenberg

July 26, 2012

P.L. 112-148, 126 Stat.

1140-1143

Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia

Wesley

May 24, 2013

P.L. 113-11, 127 Stat.

446

The First Special Service Force, World War II

July 12, 2013

P.L. 113-16,127 Stat.

477

American Fighter Aces

May 23, 2014

P.L. 113-105, 128 Stat.

1159

World War II members of the 17th Bombardment Group known as

“Doolittle Tokyo Raiders"

May 23, 2014

P.L. 113-106, 128 Stat.

1160

World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol

May 30, 2014

P.L. 113-108, 128 Stat.

1164

President Shimon Peres

June 9, 2014

P.L. 113-114, 128 Stat.

1175

Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Section under the Allied Armies June 9, 2014

(Monuments Men)

P.L. 113-116, 128 Stat.

1179

65th Infantry Regiment, United States Army, known as the

Borinqueneers

June 10, 2014

P.L. 113-120, 128 Stat.

1187

Jack Nicklaus

December 16, 2014

P.L. 113-210, 128 Stat.

2077

Foot Soldiers who participated in Bloody Sunday, Turnaround

Tuesday, or the final Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March in

March of 1965

March 7, 2015

P.L. 114-5, 129 Stat. 78

Filipino Veterans of World War II

December 14, 2016

P.L. 114-265, 130 Stat.

1376

Office of Strategic Services

December 14, 2016

P.L. 114-269, 130 Stat.

1391

Bob Dole

September 15, 2017 P.L. 115-60, 131 Stat.

1154

Anwar Sadat

December 13, 2018

P.L. 115-310, 132 Stat.

4424

Larry Doby

December 17, 2018

P.L. 115-322, 132 Stat.

4440

Chinese-American World War II Veterans

December 20, 2018

P.L. 115-337, 132 Stat.

5029

Crew of the USS Indianapolis

December 20, 2018

P.L. 115-338, 132 Stat.

5033

Stephen Michael Gleason

January 3, 2019

P.L. 115-415, 132 Stat.

5433

Congressional Research Service

Law

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Recipient(s)

Date of

Enactment

Law

Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary

Jackson (NASA Hidden Figures)a

November 8, 2019

P.L. 116-68, 133 Stat.

1129

United States Merchant Mariners of World War II

March 13, 2020

P.L. 116-125, 134 Stat.

171

Merrill’s Marauders (5307th Composite Unit [Provisional])

October 17, 2020

P.L. 116-170, 134 Stat.

775

Rosie the Riveter

December 3, 2020

P.L. 116-195, 134 Stat.

984

Greg LeMond

December 4, 2020

P.L. 116-208, 134 Stat.

1008

Capitol Police and those who Protected the Capitol on January 6,

2021

August 5, 2021

P.L. 117-32, 135 Stat.

322

Harlem Hellfighters in World War I (369th Infantry Regiment)

August 25, 2021

P.L. 117-38, 135 Stat.

333

Servicemembers who Perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021

December 16, 2021

P.L. 117-72, 135 Stat.

1511

Willie O’Ree

January 31, 2022

P.L. 117-84, 136 Stat. 8

Ghost Army (23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd

Signal Services Company)

February 1, 2022

P.L. 117-85, 136 Stat. 11

Women’s Army Corps Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory

Battalion

March 14, 2022

P.L. 117-97, 136 Stat. 36

United States Army Rangers of World War II

June 7, 2022

P.L. 117-132, 136 Stat.

1232

Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean

Smith

December 22, 2022

P.L. 117-256, 136 Stat.

2368

Hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981

December 27, 2022

P.L. 117-320, 136 Stat.

4426

Benjamin Berell Ferencz

December 29, 2022

P.L. 117-328, Title VII,

136 Stat. 5549

Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley

January 5, 2023

P.L. 117-334, 136 Stat.

6140

Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War

September 26, 2024 P.L. 118-87, 138 Stat.

1550

Billie Jean King

September 26, 2024 P.L. 118-88, 138 Stat.

1554

Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust

December 12, 2024

P.L. 118-149, 138 Stat.

1678

Shirley Chisholm

December 12, 2024

P.L. 118-150, 138 Stat.

1682

Congressional Research Service

Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress

Army Signal Corps “Hello Girls”

December 23, 2024

P.L. 118-159, §5703,

138 Stat. 2462

Everett Alvarez, Jr.

December 23, 2024

P.L. 118-161, 138 Stat.

2572

Miracle on Ice (1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team)

December 12, 2025

P.L. 119-53, 139 Stat.

702

Source: CRS analysis of “Congressional Gold Medal” legislation.

Note: In addition to the Congressional Gold Medals listed here, on at least two occasions—for George M.

Cohan (1936) and Irving Berlin (1954)—Congress authorized gold medals that were not considered to be

Congressional Gold Medals. In both cases, the legislation specified that “the President is authorized to Present,

but not in the name of Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design….” (Emphasis added) For more information on

the George M. Cohan gold medal, see 49 Stat. 2371 (1936); and U.S. Congress, House Committee on the

Library, To Authorize the President to Present a Gold Medal to George M. Cohan in Recognition of His Patriotic Service,

H.Rept. 2868, 74th Cong., 2nd sess. (1936). For more information on the Irving Berlin gold medal, see Pvt.L. 83536, 68 Stat. A120 (1954).

a P.L. 117-103 (Title IV, §401, 136 Stat. 1113 [2022]) amended the Hidden Figures Congressional Gold Medal Act

to provide that the Gold Medal “awarded in honor of Katherine Johnson ... shall be given to her daughter,

Katherine Goble Moore.”

Author Information

Jacob R. Straus

Specialist on the Congress

Disclaimer

This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan

shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and

under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other

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connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not

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Congressional Research Service

R45101 · VERSION 23 · UPDATED

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