Bill Summary
This legislation, entitled the "Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold Medal Act", proposes to award a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Aretha Franklin for her significant contributions to American culture. It recognizes her musical talents, philanthropy, and civil rights activism, and acknowledges her legacy as the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The bill also outlines the process for designing and striking the gold medal, as well as the display of the medal at the Smithsonian Institution. It also allows for the production and sale of duplicate medals. Overall, this legislation honors and celebrates the life and impact of Aretha Franklin on American society.
Possible Impacts
1. The posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin could affect the perception of her legacy and impact on American culture. It could also bring attention to her contributions and inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
2. The display of the gold medal at the Smithsonian Institution could provide educational and cultural value for those who visit and learn about Aretha Franklin's life and achievements.
3. The sale of duplicate medals could generate revenue and potentially support the causes and values that Aretha Franklin believed in and supported.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2233 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2233
To posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin in
recognition of her contributions of outstanding artistic and historical
significance to culture in the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 26, 2021
Mrs. Lawrence (for herself and Mr. Cohen) introduced the following
bill; which was 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Aretha Franklin in
recognition of her contributions of outstanding artistic and historical
significance to culture in the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Aretha Franklin Congressional Gold
Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis,
Tennessee, and died peacefully at her home in Detroit,
Michigan, surrounded by family and loved ones on August 16,
2018.
(2) Aretha Franklin's musical talents have influenced
generations of musicians and political leaders, creating a
legacy that spans an incredible 6 decades.
(3) Aretha Franklin, dubbed the ``Queen of Soul'', was the
first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
was a 2005 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and
was a 1999 recipient of the National Medal of Arts and
Humanities Award, among other accolades.
(4) Aretha Franklin's music served as a 1960s call to
action that inspired thousands to join civil rights movements
and still resonates across these movements today.
(5) Aretha Franklin's contributions go beyond music and
arts.
(6) Aretha Franklin was also a philanthropist who supported
causes that advanced civil rights, human health, and gender
equality.
(7) Aretha Franklin's talents instilled hope, uplifted
generations, and changed the lives of millions of people across
the globe.
(8) The City of Detroit shaped Aretha's life and music, as
her father and church introduced her to local Motown artists.
(9) In return, Aretha made countless contributions to the
City of Detroit, and few people have played a greater role in
shaping the Nation's culturally and socially relevant
discography than Aretha Franklin.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make
appropriate arrangements for the posthumous presentation, on behalf of
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of
Aretha Franklin, in recognition of her outstanding artistic and
historical significance to the culture of the United States.
(b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this
Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
(c) Smithsonian Institution.--
(1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal
referred to in subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to
the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed as
appropriate and made available for research.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received
under this Act available for display elsewhere, particularly at
other locations and events associated with Aretha Franklin.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold
medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the
Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
(a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States
Code.
(b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31,
United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be
considered to be numismatic items.
<all>