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S. 567: First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill, known as the First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act, aims to recognize and honor the service of the First Rhode Island Regiment during the American Revolutionary War by awarding them a Congressional Gold Medal. Below are the key aspects of the bill:

Purpose of the Bill

The primary purpose of the bill is to award a single gold medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, which played a significant role during the Revolutionary War, especially during the winter at Valley Forge and the Battle of Rhode Island.

Supporting Findings

The bill outlines several historical findings, including:

The difficulty the Continental Army faced in recruiting soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge (1777-1778).
Rhode Island's obligation to supply two battalions while the British occupied Newport.
General George Washington's request for assistance from Rhode Island's Governor to recruit men for the Continental Line.
The Rhode Island General Assembly's 1778 decision to allow the enlistment of enslaved individuals, leading to the formation of the First Rhode Island Regiment.
The regiment was notable for its diverse composition, including soldiers of African and Indigenous descent, and is recognized as one of the earliest instances of such inclusivity in military service.

Award of the Gold Medal

The bill stipulates several details regarding the award of the Congressional Gold Medal:

The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate will coordinate the award of the medal to the regiment.
The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for designing and striking the gold medal, which will include appropriate emblems and inscriptions.
After the award, the medal will be given to the Rhode Island State Library, where it will be displayed and made available for research. The library will also have the option to display it at other relevant locations associated with the regiment.

Duplicate Medals

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. The pricing of these duplicates will cover the costs related to their production, including materials and labor.

Status of the Medals

The medals struck under this act are classified as national medals and are considered numismatic items, which means they hold value as collectible items as well as for their commemorative significance.

Financial Provisions

The bill authorizes the charging of necessary costs for producing the medals against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Additionally, any proceeds from the sale of duplicate medals will also go towards this fund.