S. 2487: Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, aims to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Buffalo Soldier regiments, which were originally established by Congress in 1866. These regiments were all-Black cavalry and infantry units that served in the United States Armed Forces until the military was desegregated in 1951. The legislation recognizes their dedicated service and contributions to the U.S. military and society as a whole.

Findings

The bill outlines several historical points regarding the Buffalo Soldiers:

• In 1866, Congress authorized the formation of six all-Black regiments, which later became four: the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments, and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments.
• The name "Buffalo Soldiers" originated from American Indians, who likened the soldiers' curly hair to a buffalo's coat. The soldiers embraced this name with pride.
• These regiments played significant roles in various conflicts, such as the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
• They also contributed to the protection of National Parks in the United States, engaging in activities like fighting wildfires and serving as park rangers.
• Notably, they maintained low desertion and court-martial rates, with many soldiers receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for their bravery.

Gold Medal Award

The bill provides for the following regarding the Congressional Gold Medal:

• The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are responsible for the arrangements to award a gold medal to the Buffalo Soldier regiments.
• The design of the gold medal, including its emblems and inscriptions, will be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
• After the award, the gold medal will be presented to the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed and made available for research.
• The bill expresses the intent that the Smithsonian should also make the medal available for display at various locations related to the Buffalo Soldiers.

Additional Provisions

The bill allows for the following:

• The Secretary may create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal, with the proceeds covering the costs of production.
• All medals created under this legislation will be regarded as national medals and numismatic items under existing U.S. law.
• Costs incurred for the gold medals will be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, and proceeds from the sale of duplicates will also be deposited into this fund.

Conclusion

The intent of this legislation is to honor the significant contributions of the Buffalo Soldier regiments, helping to foster awareness and recognition of their important role in U.S. military history.

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