Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act
Bill: H.R.8535 | Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara (D-CA)
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act
This bill provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, election as the first African American woman in Congress, and campaign to be the first African American to gain the nomination of a major political party for President of the United States.

To posthumously award a Congressional gold medal to Shirley Chisholm.

    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 ``Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold 
Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows:
            (1) In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first African-
        American woman elected to Congress where she served until 1982.
            (2) Shirley Chisholm inspired and led the march of 
        political achievement by African Americans and women in the 
        three decades since she ran for the Presidency of the United 
        States.
            (3) Her election to Congress and her candidacy for the 
        Presidency raised the profile and aspirations of all African 
        Americans and women in the field of politics.
            (4) Shirley Chisholm was recognized for her activism, 
        independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics 
        during and after the civil rights era.
            (5) Shirley Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 
        November 30, 1924, attended Brooklyn College, and earned a 
        Master's degree from Columbia University.
            (6) Shirley Chisholm worked in education and social 
        services before being elected to the New York State Assembly in 
        1964.
            (7) Shirley Chisholm established the Unity Democratic Club 
        in 1960, which played a significant role in rallying Black and 
        Hispanic voters in New York City.
            (8) In 1969, Shirley Chisholm began her service in the 91st 
        Congress, representing Brooklyn's 12th Congressional District 
        in the United States House of Representatives.
            (9) During her service in the House of Representatives, 
        Shirley Chisholm promoted the employment of women in Congress 
        and was vocal in her support of civil rights, women's rights, 
        and the poor, while fervently opposing the Vietnam War.
            (10) In 1972, Shirley Chisholm was the first African 
        American to seek the nomination of a major party for President 
        of the United States.
            (11) Shirley Chisholm was a co-founder of the National 
        Organization for Women.
            (12) An historic figure in American political history, 
        Shirley Chisholm died at the age of 80 in Ormond Beach, 
        Florida, on New Year's Day 2005.

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 
the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of 
Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and 
groundbreaking achievements in politics, her election as the first 
African-American woman in the Congress, and her campaign to be the 
first African American to gain the nomination of a major political 
party for President of the United States.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in 
this Act 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 Shirley Chisholm.

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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