This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal to Joan Trumpauer Mulholland. It directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange the presentation. The Secretary of the Treasury would design and strike the gold medal. After the presentation, the gold medal would be given to Joan Trumpauer Mulholland or, if she is unavailable, to her son, Loki Mulholland. The Secretary may also strike and sell duplicate bronze medals to cover the cost of making them. The bill says the costs may be charged to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund and that proceeds from bronze sales go back into that fund.
The bill text includes findings that describe Joan Trumpauer Mulholland's life and work. It says she was born in 1941, joined student civil rights actions in the early 1960s, participated in sit-ins and Freedom Rides, was arrested and held at Parchman Penitentiary, attended Tougaloo College as a full-time White student, joined civil rights campaigns including the Jackson Woolworth's sit-in and the Selma march, worked as an educator, and later traveled teaching about civil rights. The findings list awards she has received and note her long commitment to nonviolent direct action and education.
If the bill becomes law, Congress would formally honor Joan Trumpauer Mulholland with its highest civilian medal. The U.S. Mint would produce the medal and could sell bronze duplicates to the public at a price set to cover costs. The bill does not change other federal programs, benefits, or legal rights.
The bill authorizes the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to be charged for the cost of striking the medals. It also allows the Mint to sell bronze duplicates and deposit those proceeds into the same fund. No publicly available information about total dollar costs or budget estimates is included in the bill text.
The bill's findings describe Joan Trumpauer Mulholland as a lifelong advocate for racial equality and nonviolent protest. Supporters point to her participation in sit-ins, Freedom Rides, arrests for civil rights actions, study and work at Tougaloo College, service as an educator, and later work teaching about equality. The findings list honors she has received and present the medal as recognition of her unique and substantial contributions to American life.
No publicly available information.