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Freedom House Ambulance Service Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-7623| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
Summer L. Lee

Summer L. Lee

Democratic Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (23)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Mike Kelly (Republican)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom House Ambulance Service , acknowledging its profound impact on both the Pittsburgh community and the broader field of emergency medical services. The recognition is for their pioneering work as the first emergency medical service in the United States to be staffed by paramedics with advanced medical training beyond basic first aid. This service revolutionized pre-hospital care, which was previously limited to basic transportation by police or funeral homes, leading to unnecessary deaths from treatable conditions. Established in 1965, Freedom House Ambulance Service also served as an economic initiative, providing job training and employment opportunities for residents in Pittsburgh's predominantly Black Hill District. Despite being defunded in 1975, its innovative training model and clinical data significantly influenced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's EMS standards and the national adoption of advanced life-support ambulance systems. Following its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research, with a Sense of Congress encouraging its display at other relevant locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.
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Timeline
Feb 20, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 20, 2026
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.
  • February 20, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 20, 2026
    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.

Health

Freedom House Ambulance Service Congressional Gold Medal Act

USA119th CongressHR-7623| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
This bill proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom House Ambulance Service , acknowledging its profound impact on both the Pittsburgh community and the broader field of emergency medical services. The recognition is for their pioneering work as the first emergency medical service in the United States to be staffed by paramedics with advanced medical training beyond basic first aid. This service revolutionized pre-hospital care, which was previously limited to basic transportation by police or funeral homes, leading to unnecessary deaths from treatable conditions. Established in 1965, Freedom House Ambulance Service also served as an economic initiative, providing job training and employment opportunities for residents in Pittsburgh's predominantly Black Hill District. Despite being defunded in 1975, its innovative training model and clinical data significantly influenced the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's EMS standards and the national adoption of advanced life-support ambulance systems. Following its presentation, the gold medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research, with a Sense of Congress encouraging its display at other relevant locations. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Feb 20, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 20, 2026
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.
  • February 20, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 20, 2026
    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.
Summer L. Lee

Summer L. Lee

Democratic Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (23)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Chris Pappas (Democratic)Christopher R. Deluzio (Democratic)Chrissy Houlahan (Democratic)Glenn Thompson (Republican)Shontel M. Brown (Democratic)Laura Gillen (Democratic)Maxwell Frost (Democratic)Debbie Dingell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Paul Tonko (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Mike Kelly (Republican)Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Mary Gay Scanlon (Democratic)Maggie Goodlander (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted