Bill > HR821

This bill proposes to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights activist who challenged the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The bill provides extensive historical context about Korematsu's life, detailing how he was arrested in 1942 for refusing to comply with the Civilian Exclusion Order that mandated the removal of Japanese Americans from West Coast areas during World War II. Despite being initially convicted by the Supreme Court in a controversial 1944 decision, Korematsu's conviction was later overturned in 1983 when it was revealed that the government had suppressed evidence showing Japanese Americans were not a security threat. The legislation authorizes the Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore to present the gold medal in recognition of Korematsu's contributions to civil rights, loyalty to the nation, and dedication to justice and equality. After the ceremony, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation that it be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. The bill also allows for the creation and sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover the production costs, and specifies that the medal will be considered a national medal for official purposes. The medal aims to honor Korematsu as a role model who fought against racial discrimination and stood up for constitutional principles, even in the face of significant personal adversity.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/821/all-info