H.R. 1377: Sarah Keys Evans Congressional Gold Medal Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill is known as the Sarah Keys Evans Congressional Gold Medal Act and aims to honor Sarah Keys Evans with a Congressional Gold Medal due to her significant contributions as a civil rights pioneer.

Background and Findings

Sarah Keys Evans was born on April 18, 1929, in Washington, North Carolina. She is recognized as a veteran of the U.S. Army and an important figure in the civil rights movement. Her actions preceded other well-known events in the civil rights struggle, such as Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat.

In August 1952, while traveling as a member of the Women’s Army Corps, Evans refused to give up her seat to a White Marine on an interstate bus. This incident led to her being arrested and fined, despite existing Supreme Court rulings that recommended against such segregation practices on interstate transportation.

Her subsequent legal actions, supported by the NAACP and attorney Dovey Johnson Roundtree, resulted in the case Sarah Keys v. Carolina Coach Company. In November 1955, the Interstate Commerce Commission ruled that racial segregation on interstate buses was illegal, a pivotal decision in the civil rights movement that expanded the legal fight against segregation.

Gold Medal Presentation

The bill mandates that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate will arrange for the presentation of a gold medal to Sarah Keys Evans, recognizing her achievements in the civil rights movement.

The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with designing and striking the medal, which will include suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions that reflect Evans' contributions.

Duplicate Medals

The Secretary of the Treasury may also create duplicates of the gold medal in bronze. These duplicates can be sold to cover the costs associated with their production, which includes labor and materials.

Status of the Medals

All medals produced under this act will be classified as national medals, and they will be considered numismatic items for legal and financial purposes.