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

USA119th CongressHR-4885| House 
| Updated: 8/5/2025
Al Green

Al Green

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Joyce Beatty (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee, Budget Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to posthumously award a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within the United States. The medal would honor those enslaved from August 20, 1619, until December 6, 1865, recognizing their profound contributions as the greatest contributors to the foundation of America's economic greatness . After being awarded, the gold medal is to be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture, where it will also be available for research. The legislation includes extensive findings detailing the systematic abduction of human beings from Africa, their forced labor under horrific conditions, and the immense suffering they endured. It emphasizes that slave labor was essential to the functioning of farms and plantations, significantly contributing to the growth of the United States economy and the construction of notable buildings and institutions. The bill highlights the estimated economic value of slave labor, ranging from $5.9 trillion to $14.2 trillion in 2009 dollars, underscoring the immeasurable advantage it provided to the U.S. economy. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals to the public, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. These sales would cover the costs associated with producing the medals, ensuring the program is self-sustaining. The gold medal itself would be designated as a national medal.
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Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1244
The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865
Aug 5, 2025
Introduced in House
Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1244
    The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865


  • August 5, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • August 5, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

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

USA119th CongressHR-4885| House 
| Updated: 8/5/2025
This bill seeks to posthumously award a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within the United States. The medal would honor those enslaved from August 20, 1619, until December 6, 1865, recognizing their profound contributions as the greatest contributors to the foundation of America's economic greatness . After being awarded, the gold medal is to be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Museum of African-American History & Culture, where it will also be available for research. The legislation includes extensive findings detailing the systematic abduction of human beings from Africa, their forced labor under horrific conditions, and the immense suffering they endured. It emphasizes that slave labor was essential to the functioning of farms and plantations, significantly contributing to the growth of the United States economy and the construction of notable buildings and institutions. The bill highlights the estimated economic value of slave labor, ranging from $5.9 trillion to $14.2 trillion in 2009 dollars, underscoring the immeasurable advantage it provided to the U.S. economy. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals to the public, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. These sales would cover the costs associated with producing the medals, ensuring the program is self-sustaining. The gold medal itself would be designated as a national medal.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1244
The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865
Aug 5, 2025
Introduced in House
Aug 5, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1244
    The original legislation awarding a historic Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Africans and their descendants enslaved within our country from August 20, 1619, to December 6, 1865


  • August 5, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • August 5, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on House Administration, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Al Green

Al Green

Democratic Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Joyce Beatty (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee, Budget Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted