Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025
This bill, the Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2025 (H.R. 5309), would authorize the posthumous awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Constance Baker Motley in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the United States, particularly her work in civil rights and the federal judiciary. The U.S. Treasury would strike the gold medal with a design chosen by the Secretary of the Treasury, including Motley’s image and name. The medal would be presented by leaders of Congress to Motley’s son and niece, with the disposition of the medal noting it would be given to the son. The bill also authorizes bronze duplicate medals for sale to cover costs, and it places the medals within the federal framework for national medals and numismatic items, with funding drawn from and proceeds deposited back into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund as needed. The bill’s findings describe Motley’s life: her born in 1921 to Caribbean immigrant parents, her education (NYU BA in 1943; Columbia Law 1946), her long career with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, her pivotal role in Brown v. Board of Education, her Supreme Court work, and her historic public service as New York State Senator, Manhattan Borough President, and then U.S. District Court judge (and Chief Judge). It notes her death in 2005 and marks the 100th anniversary of her birth in 2021.
Key Points
- 1The bill authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal for Constance Baker Motley to honor her enduring contributions and service to the United States.
- 2The Secretary of the Treasury would design and strike the gold medal, with an image of Motley and her name inscribed on it.
- 3The medal would be presented to Motley’s son, Joel Motley III, and her niece, Constance Royster, with the disposition stating the medal shall be given to Joel Motley III.
- 4The Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover costs, with the proceeds covering expenses such as labor, materials, and overhead.
- 5All medals struck under the act would be considered national medals under relevant U.S. law, and the act authorizes funding from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund for costs; bronze duplicate proceeds would be deposited back into that fund.