Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

This bill proposes to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, recognizing his profound contributions to civil rights, unwavering loyalty, and dedication to justice and equality. The legislation details Korematsu's refusal to comply with the Civilian Exclusion Order during World War II, leading to his arrest and conviction, and the subsequent internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans without due process. His conviction was later overturned in 1983, revealing that the Federal Government had knowingly suppressed critical information from the Supreme Court regarding the lack of military necessity for the exclusion order. This historical injustice and its overturning significantly influenced the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Fred Korematsu remained a tireless advocate for civil liberties, cautioning against racial discrimination and government overreach, and was previously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. The bill mandates that the gold medal, after its presentation, be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with a preference for display at the National Portrait Gallery. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal, with proceeds deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund to cover production costs.