The bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to African Americans who served with Union forces during the Civil War. The Treasury Secretary would decide the medal’s design. After the award, the medal would go to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. Congress also expresses that the Smithsonian should make it available for display at other suitable locations, especially places connected to the United States Colored Troops.
The bill honors Civil War service; it does not establish a personal benefit for individuals. The Smithsonian would hold the medal, and bronze copies could be made and sold.
The bill authorizes the use of the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay medal costs. The Mint may sell bronze duplicates at a price sufficient to cover their costs, and sale proceeds would go back into that fund. No total cost is specified.
The bill’s findings describe African Americans’ bravery and service in the Union Army and Navy, including service despite racial discrimination and danger if captured. They present the medal as recognition of those contributions.
No publicly available information.