This bill, titled the "Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025," authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley. This honor recognizes her profound and enduring contributions and service to the United States, particularly her groundbreaking work in civil rights and her historic achievements in law and public service. Constance Baker Motley was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, serving as a staff attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. She was the only female attorney on the legal team that won the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case and argued 10 major civil rights cases before the Supreme Court, winning all but one. Her career also included significant political milestones, such as being the first African-American woman elected to the New York State Senate and the first African-American woman and first woman to serve as president of the Borough of Manhattan . Her judicial career was equally historic, as she was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the first African-American woman federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She later became Chief Judge of that court, serving with distinction for nearly two decades. The bill specifies that the gold medal will be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and her niece, Constance Royster, with the medal ultimately given to her son. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which must include an image and inscription of Constance Baker Motley's name. It also permits the striking and sale of bronze duplicates to the public, with costs covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-5309| House
| Updated: 9/11/2025
This bill, titled the "Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025," authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley. This honor recognizes her profound and enduring contributions and service to the United States, particularly her groundbreaking work in civil rights and her historic achievements in law and public service. Constance Baker Motley was a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, serving as a staff attorney for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. She was the only female attorney on the legal team that won the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case and argued 10 major civil rights cases before the Supreme Court, winning all but one. Her career also included significant political milestones, such as being the first African-American woman elected to the New York State Senate and the first African-American woman and first woman to serve as president of the Borough of Manhattan . Her judicial career was equally historic, as she was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the first African-American woman federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She later became Chief Judge of that court, serving with distinction for nearly two decades. The bill specifies that the gold medal will be presented to her son, Joel Motley III, and her niece, Constance Royster, with the medal ultimately given to her son. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which must include an image and inscription of Constance Baker Motley's name. It also permits the striking and sale of bronze duplicates to the public, with costs covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.