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Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-3498| House 
| Updated: 5/19/2025
Kweisi Mfume

Kweisi Mfume

Democratic Representative

Maryland

Cosponsors (35)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Steny H. Hoyer (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, seeks to posthumously honor Henrietta Lacks with a Congressional Gold Medal. This recognition is for her immortal cells, known as HeLa cells , which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients' rights. The bill acknowledges that her cells were taken without her consent in 1951, leading to groundbreaking scientific advancements while also highlighting the ethical issues surrounding their initial collection. HeLa cells are the oldest and most widely used human cell line in scientific research, contributing to the development of the polio vaccine and treatments for diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson's disease. Her case has been a linchpin in establishing modern bioethics policies and informed consent laws, benefiting patients nationwide. Following its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for wider exhibition, and the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates to the public.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4122
Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7091
Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
May 19, 2025
Introduced in House
May 19, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 22, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1893
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4122
    Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7091
    Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • May 19, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • May 22, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1893
    Introduced in Senate

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-1893: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-3498| House 
| Updated: 5/19/2025
This legislation, titled the Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act, seeks to posthumously honor Henrietta Lacks with a Congressional Gold Medal. This recognition is for her immortal cells, known as HeLa cells , which have made invaluable contributions to global health, scientific research, our quality of life, and patients' rights. The bill acknowledges that her cells were taken without her consent in 1951, leading to groundbreaking scientific advancements while also highlighting the ethical issues surrounding their initial collection. HeLa cells are the oldest and most widely used human cell line in scientific research, contributing to the development of the polio vaccine and treatments for diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Parkinson's disease. Her case has been a linchpin in establishing modern bioethics policies and informed consent laws, benefiting patients nationwide. Following its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a recommendation for wider exhibition, and the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates to the public.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4122
Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7091
Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
May 19, 2025
Introduced in House
May 19, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 22, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1893
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4122
    Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7091
    Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act


  • May 19, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • May 22, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1893
    Introduced in Senate
Kweisi Mfume

Kweisi Mfume

Democratic Representative

Maryland

Cosponsors (35)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Nikema Williams (Democratic)Steny H. Hoyer (Democratic)Robin L. Kelly (Democratic)Shomari Figures (Democratic)Joyce Beatty (Democratic)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)David Scott (Democratic)Frederica S. Wilson (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Troy A. Carter (Democratic)Steve Cohen (Democratic)Sarah Elfreth (Democratic)Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)André Carson (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Glenn Ivey (Democratic)Jahana Hayes (Democratic)LaMonica McIver (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Bonnie Watson Coleman (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Cleo Fields (Democratic)Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)Yvette D. Clarke (Democratic)Bennie G. Thompson (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Valerie P. Foushee (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-1893: Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted