Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025
This bill, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025, would authorize a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in honor of Constance Baker Motley for her lifelong contributions to the United States, especially in civil rights, law, and public service. The bill lays out biographical findings highlighting Motley’s work with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, her role in Brown v. Board of Education, her ten Supreme Court arguments, and her accomplishments as a New York State official and federal judge. It directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange a ceremonial presentation, with the medal designed by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented to Motley’s son and niece, who would then receive the medal. The act also provides for duplicates in bronze for sale to cover costs, and it authorizes funding from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay medal production costs, with proceeds from bronze duplicate sales returned to that fund. Overall, this is a ceremonial recognition bill that honors Motley’s legacy without altering law or policy.
Key Points
- 1Short title: The act is called the “Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025.”
- 2Findings: The bill includes detailed biographical findings documenting Motley’s life, civil rights work, landmark cases (including Brown v. Board of Education and Meredith v. Mississippi), pioneering public service roles, and her leadership as a federal judge and public official.
- 3Congressional Gold Medal authorization: The Speaker and the President pro tempore shall arrange for the posthumous presentation of a gold medal, with the Secretary of the Treasury responsible for the design and striking. The medal will bear Motley’s image and name.
- 4Presentation and disposition: The medal is to be presented to Motley’s son, Joel Motley III, and her niece, Constance Royster, and then disposed of by giving the medal to Joel Motley III.
- 5Duplicates and funding: The Secretary may strike bronze duplicates for sale to cover costs, and the act authorizes charging the Mint Public Enterprise Fund to pay medal production costs. Proceeds from bronze duplicate sales go back into that fund.