Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

Bill Summary: HR 821 - Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

Overview

The Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 is a piece of legislation designed to posthumously honor Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American citizen whose legal battle against the U.S. government during World War II became a landmark case for civil liberties and constitutional rights.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of the bill is to recognize Fred Korematsu’s contributions to civil rights, his patriotism, and his lifelong dedication to justice and equality.

The bill provides extensive historical context, detailing how Korematsu defied the forced removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast under Executive Order 9066. It highlights the systemic failure of the judiciary and the government's suppression of evidence that proved Japanese Americans were not security threats—a discovery that eventually led to his conviction being overturned in 1983.

Key Provisions

The bill authorizes several specific actions to honor Korematsu's legacy:

• Authorization of the Gold Medal: The Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate are directed to arrange the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu.
• Design and Production: The Secretary of the Treasury is tasked with striking a gold medal featuring an image of Korematsu and his name.
• Preservation and Display: After the presentation, the medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution. The bill expresses a preference that the medal be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery or other Smithsonian-affiliated locations.
• Public Access: The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals to the public at a cost sufficient to cover production expenses.
• Funding: The costs for striking the medals will be charged to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, with proceeds from the sale of bronze duplicates returning to that same fund.

Who is Affected?

• The Korematsu Estate/Family: As the award is posthumous, the medal would be presented to his heirs or representatives.
• The Public: The general public will have access to the medal via the Smithsonian and the opportunity to purchase bronze duplicates.
• U.S. Treasury/Smithsonian: These institutions are tasked with the physical production and curation of the honor.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: January 28, 2025.
• Current Status: The bill has been referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on House Administration for consideration.