Sponsors
The bill provides symbolic national recognition and preserves Edward J. Dwight Jr.'s legacy with limited fiscal housekeeping to avoid new appropriations, but it delivers no policy remedies for systemic inequities while introducing modest administrative and fiscal risks to the Mint and taxpayers.
People interested in civil-rights history, racial-ethnic minority communities, students, and the arts community gain formal recognition of Edward J. Dwight Jr., raising public awareness of his pioneering role as a Black aviator, astronaut candidate, and sculptor and helping preserve his story and commissions for education and inspiration.
Taxpayers and federal operations are protected from new appropriations because the Mint can cover production costs from its Public Enterprise Fund and sales of duplicate medals can return revenue to that fund, reducing the need for additional congressional funding.
Collectors, recipients, and members of the public can obtain official duplicate bronze medals (sold at cost or distributed), increasing public access to the medal's design and clarifying that these items are official national medals.
Racial-ethnic-minority communities hoping for policy remedies receive only a symbolic honor; the medal does not create programs, funding, or concrete actions to address systemic racial barriers and could divert attention from substantive policy changes.
Taxpayers and Mint stakeholders face financial risk because using the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund and expecting revenue from duplicate-medal sales could reduce funds available for other Mint activities, require higher user fees, or leave taxpayers to cover net production costs if sales fall short.
Production and sales could lead to higher prices or administrative overhead for recipients or the public if the Secretary charges full overhead and machinery costs, limiting affordability and access for some buyers.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for Edward J. Dwight, Jr., directs the Mint to strike it, allows sale of bronze duplicates, and deposits proceeds into the Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress February 26, 2025
Authorizes Congress to present a single Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., directs the Secretary of the Treasury to have a suitably designed gold medal struck and presented to him (or, if unavailable, to Curtis Christopher Dwight), and permits the United States Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates. The bill designates these medals as national/numismatic items and authorizes the Mint to charge the Public Enterprise Fund for production costs while depositing duplicate-sales proceeds into that fund. Includes congressional findings that summarize Edward J. Dwight Jr.’s military and aeronautical training, selection as an astronaut candidate, later career as a sculptor with notable commissions and honors, and the racial barriers he encountered; finds are used to justify the award and public recognition. The sale price for bronze duplicates must cover all production costs; no new appropriations or tax changes are specified.