Sponsors (8)
Official title: To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal to Colonel Young Oak Kim in recognition of his extraordinary heroism, leadership, and humanitarianism.
Introduced January 28, 2025 by Marilyn Strickland · Last progress January 28, 2025
The bill creates lasting public recognition and educational value by honoring Young Oak Kim and enabling public access to commemorative medals, but it is purely symbolic with no new benefits or funding and could limit affordable public access depending on pricing and numismatic distribution choices.
Veterans, students, museums, and the general public gain a durable national honor when Young Oak Kim receives a Congressional Gold Medal that will be displayed at the Smithsonian for public viewing and research, increasing public awareness and educational use of his service and minority contributions to U.S. military history.
Taxpayers and federal managers face limited fiscal impact because sales of duplicate medals are structured to cover costs and designating the medals as numismatic clarifies legal status and lets the U.S. Mint manage sales under existing authorities, simplifying administration.
Nonprofits and underserved Los Angeles residents see increased public recognition of Kim's role founding community organizations, which may boost visibility and support for those organizations and broaden public education about racial discrimination and minority enlistment history.
Veterans, nonprofits, and low-income communities receive only symbolic recognition because the bill creates no new benefits or funding; that honorary focus could raise expectations and divert attention from needed policy or funding to address systemic veteran and immigrant service needs.
Middle-class families and the general public may face reduced access or higher prices because classifying medals as numismatic and including full overhead in pricing can prioritize collectors or premium sales over broad, affordable distribution.
Taxpayers and federal agencies may not gain net revenue: if sales are only priced to cover costs the program won’t generate discretionary surplus for other services, yet administrative burdens and some costs remain with the issuing agency.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Congress authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for Colonel Young Oak Kim, directs minting and Smithsonian display, and allows sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs.
Authorizes the posthumous congressional gold medal honoring Colonel Young Oak Kim, directs the Treasury to strike the gold medal and permits sale of bronze duplicates, and directs the medal be given to the Smithsonian for display. Includes findings summarizing Colonel Kim’s military service and civic contributions and treats medals issued under the Act as national numismatic items.