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Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-821| House 
| Updated: 1/28/2025
Mark Takano

Mark Takano

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (29)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican)Ed Case (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Vince Fong (Republican)Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Young Kim (Republican)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Burgess Owens (Republican)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

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

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-734
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-640
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-924
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 28, 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.
Jan 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-338
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-734
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-640
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-924
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019


  • January 28, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 28, 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.


  • January 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-338
    Introduced in Senate

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • S 119-338: Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025
AsiaConflicts and warsCongressional tributesDetention of personsDue process and equal protectionJapanMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersProtest and dissentRacial and ethnic relationsSmithsonian InstitutionU.S. history

Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-821| House 
| Updated: 1/28/2025
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-734
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-640
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-924
Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 28, 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.
Jan 30, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-338
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-734
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-640
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-924
    Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019


  • January 28, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 28, 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.


  • January 30, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-338
    Introduced in Senate
Mark Takano

Mark Takano

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (29)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (Republican)Ed Case (Democratic)Bill Foster (Democratic)Vince Fong (Republican)Pablo Jose Hernández (Democratic)Kristen McDonald Rivet (Democratic)Young Kim (Republican)Maxine Dexter (Democratic)Angie Craig (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Ted Lieu (Democratic)Derek Tran (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)Jill N. Tokuda (Democratic)Doris O. Matsui (Democratic)Marilyn Strickland (Democratic)Daniel S. Goldman (Democratic)Josh Harder (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Julia Brownley (Democratic)Brian K. Fitzpatrick (Republican)Burgess Owens (Republican)Jared Moskowitz (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Rashida Tlaib (Democratic)Judy Chu (Democratic)

Committee on House Administration, Financial Services Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • S 119-338: Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AsiaConflicts and warsCongressional tributesDetention of personsDue process and equal protectionJapanMuseums, exhibitions, cultural centersProtest and dissentRacial and ethnic relationsSmithsonian InstitutionU.S. history