Sponsors (7)
Last progress June 5, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 5, 2025 by Adriano J. Espaillat
Authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal honoring Charles B. Rangel, directs the U.S. Mint to strike the gold medal and present it to his children, and permits the Mint to make and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs. The law treats the medals as official national medals and allows the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund to be charged for production costs and to receive proceeds from duplicate sales.
Charles Bernard Rangel was born June 11, 1930, in Harlem, New York City, and was raised by his mother Blanche Mary Wharton Rangel and grandfather Charles Wharton with siblings Ralph Jr. and Frances.
Rangel dropped out of high school at age 16, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served as an artillery operations specialist in the all-black 503rd Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division from 1948 to 1952 during the Korean War.
During the Battle of Kunu-ri near the Yalu River, Rangel and his unit were encircled by Chinese forces and ordered to withdraw.
Rangel was injured by shrapnel to his back during that withdrawal, which caused disarray among his comrades.
Despite serious injuries and being behind enemy lines, Rangel led his unit of an estimated 40 men through a mountain pass to safety during the night.
Primary direct effects are ceremonial and administrative. The immediate recipients are Charles B. Rangel’s family, who will receive the gold medal. The U.S. Mint is tasked with producing the medals, carrying production costs (chargeable to the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund) and managing sale of bronze duplicates; collectors, museums, and the general public may purchase duplicates. The measure honors Rangel’s public service and has symbolic value for veterans, constituents, and historians. Fiscal impact is limited: costs and receipts are handled within the Mint’s enterprise fund rather than creating new appropriations or ongoing federal obligations. No new regulatory burdens or mandates on states or private entities are created.
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Updated 4 days ago
Last progress June 10, 2025 (8 months ago)