Legislation Search

H.R. 945: To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their unique contribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel.

The bill H.R. 945 proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, a group that played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement by challenging racial segregation in interstate travel during the early 1960s. The Freedom Riders comprised a diverse group of individuals who traveled by bus from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans, La., refusing to adhere to the segregation laws that prohibited Black people from sitting next to White people on public transportation.

Key Findings

The legislation outlines several important historical points regarding the Freedom Riders:

The Supreme Court ruled in 1960 that segregated bus and rail stations were unconstitutional.
Despite this ruling, segregation continued to be enforced, particularly in the Southern United States.
The Freedom Riders faced severe violence, arrest, and intimidation while undertaking their rides.
More than 400 individuals participated in the Freedom Rides, demonstrating their commitment to ending segregation through nonviolent protest.
These actions contributed to the eventual federal ban on segregation in interstate public facilities.

Award Presentation

The bill authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a gold medal to the Freedom Riders. This medal recognizes their contributions to civil rights and their role in promoting equality in interstate travel.

Design and Display

The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for designing and striking the medal, which will feature suitable emblems and inscriptions. Following the award, the medal will be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed and made available for research. The bill expresses the belief that the medal should also be displayed in locations significant to the Freedom Riders.

Duplicate Medals

The Secretary may create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. The proceeds from these sales will help cover the costs associated with producing the medals.

Financial Provisions

The bill allows for necessary funds to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of the medals, including the bronze duplicates.

Status of Medals

The medals created under this bill are classified as national medals and considered numismatic items under United States law.

Relevant Companies

None found.

This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.

Actions

2 actions

Date	Action
Feb. 04, 2025	Introduced in House
Feb. 04, 2025	Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Corporate Lobbying

0 companies lobbying