# Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR45101 ## Record - **Collection:** Congressional research report - **Document type:** Reports - **Published:** February 6, 2026 - **Citation:** R45101 ## Text 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 Congressional Research Service 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 Congressional Research Service 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. Congressional Research Service 1 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. f. 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. Congressional Research Service 2 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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]). Congressional Research Service 3 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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). Congressional Research Service 4 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress • • • 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. Congressional Research Service 5 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). Congressional Research Service 6 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). Congressional Research Service 7 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: (c) Smithsonian Institution.— (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). Congressional Research Service 8 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. (c) 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. 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). Congressional Research Service 9 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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.] Congressional Research Service 10 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. Congressional Research Service 11 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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. Congressional Research Service 12 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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 29 24.4% Little Rock Nine (November 9, 1999)a Rotunda 30 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 20 16.8% Harlem Hellfighters in World War I (September 3, 2025)c National Statuary Hall 6 5.0% Larry Doby (December 13, 2023)d White House Most Recent United States Capitol Congressional Research Service 13 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress Location # Percentage Most Recent Othere 4 3.4% Frank Sinatra (June 5, 1998) Federal Building 3 2.5% Aaron Copland (November 8, 1989, U.S. Mint Headquarters, Washington, DC)f Foreign Country 3 2.5% Pope John Paul II (January 8, 2001, Vatican City State, Rome)g Domestic Non-Federal 8 6.7% John Cardinal O’Connor (July 10, 2001, New York City)h Virtual 3 2.5% Merrill’s Marauders (5307th Composite Unit (Provision)) (May 25, 2022)i Unknown 1 0.8% —j Not Yet Scheduled 12 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. f. 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. i. 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. j. 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 Congressional Research Service 14 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. 51 Congressional Research Service 15 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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. Congressional Research Service 16 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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. Congressional Research Service 17 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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) 34 18 52 114th (2015-2016) 38 14 52 115th (2017-2018) 33 22 55 116th (2019-2020) 38 19 57 117th (2021-2022) 61 29 90 118th (2023-2024) 64 24 88 119th (2025) 41 15 56 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. Congressional Research Service 18 Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative Process, and Issues for Congress 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 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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. 20 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 23 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 24 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 25 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 26 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 than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material. Congressional Research Service R45101 · VERSION 23 · UPDATED 27 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/crs%3AR45101. Public record. Not legal advice.