Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act
Bill: H.R.2233 | Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. (D-MI)
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act
This bill instructs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Aretha Franklin in recognition of her outstanding artistic and historical significance to the culture of the United States.
Following the award of the medal, it shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution, where it shall be displayed as appropriate and made available for research.

To posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin in 
recognition of her contributions of outstanding artistic and historical 
             significance to culture in the United States.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold 
Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, 
        Tennessee, and died peacefully at her home in Detroit, 
        Michigan, surrounded by family and loved ones on August 16, 
        2018.
            (2) Aretha Franklin's musical talents have influenced 
        generations of musicians and political leaders, creating a 
        legacy that spans an incredible 6 decades.
            (3) Aretha Franklin, dubbed the ``Queen of Soul'', was the 
        first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 
        was a 2005 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 
        was a 1999 recipient of the National Medal of Arts and 
        Humanities Award, among other accolades.
            (4) Aretha Franklin's music served as a 1960s call to 
        action that inspired thousands to join civil rights movements 
        and still resonates across these movements today.
            (5) Aretha Franklin's contributions go beyond music and 
        arts.
            (6) Aretha Franklin was also a philanthropist who supported 
        causes that advanced civil rights, human health, and gender 
        equality.
            (7) Aretha Franklin's talents instilled hope, uplifted 
        generations, and changed the lives of millions of people across 
        the globe.
            (8) The City of Detroit shaped Aretha's life and music, as 
        her father and church introduced her to local Motown artists.
            (9) In return, Aretha made countless contributions to the 
        City of Detroit, and few people have played a greater role in 
        shaping the Nation's culturally and socially relevant 
        discography than Aretha Franklin.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
appropriate arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of 
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of 
Aretha Franklin, in recognition of her outstanding artistic and 
historical significance to the culture of the United States.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this 
Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with 
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the 
Secretary.
    (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
            (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal 
        referred to in subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to 
        the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed as 
        appropriate and made available for research.
            (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received 
        under this Act available for display elsewhere, particularly at 
        other locations and events associated with Aretha Franklin.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the 
Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost 
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
overhead expenses.

SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

    (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are 
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code.
    (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, 
United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.
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