Bill > HR7317

This bill, titled the "Golden Thirteen Congressional Gold Medal Act," proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to a group of thirteen African American men, known as the "Golden Thirteen," who were the first Black officers in the United States Navy. The bill's findings highlight their challenging journey in 1944, where they underwent accelerated officer training, supported each other to overcome obstacles, and achieved exceptional academic results despite initial skepticism and discriminatory practices that led to only twelve being commissioned as officers and one as a chief warrant officer, with three others returned to enlisted ranks despite passing their exams. The bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of this gold medal, with the Secretary of the Treasury responsible for its design and striking, and mandates that the medal be subsequently given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for broader display at locations relevant to the Golden Thirteen's history. The bill also allows for the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs, with proceeds going to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7317/all-info