Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act
This bill would authorize Congress to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks in recognition of her immortal HeLa cells, which have significantly advanced global health, scientific research, quality of life, and patients’ rights. It sets out that the medal be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and presented through Congressional channels, with the Smithsonian Institution designated to hold and display the medal after the award (and to make it available for research and possible display at other Henrietta Lacks-related sites). The bill also allows for bronze duplicate medals to be struck and sold to cover costs, with proceeds going to the U.S. Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund. In short, the measure is ceremonial recognition of Lacks and her cells, tied to a federally funded medal and a display arrangement intended to educate the public about her contribution and related ethical considerations in biomedical research.
Key Points
- 1Posthumous Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Henrietta Lacks for the impact of her immortal HeLa cells on health, science, and patient rights.
- 2The Secretary of the Treasury must strike the medal with inscriptions and design, and Congress will arrange the presentation through the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate.
- 3After presentation, the Smithsonian Institution will hold the medal and may display it elsewhere, including at locations tied to Henrietta Lacks.
- 4The Secretary may strike bronze duplicates for sale to recover costs; proceeds from duplicates go to the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
- 5Medals under this act are treated as national medals and numismatic items; the costs are to be funded from the Mint Public Enterprise Fund.