[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[§24. Congressional Gold Medals]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 310-316]
CHAPTER 36
Ceremonies and Awards
Sec. 24. Congressional Gold Medals
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award bestowed on
civilians by the U.S. Congress. The commissioning and bestowing of a
Congressional Gold Medal requires the passage of a bill awarding the
medal itself. In addition, if a presentation ceremony is held in the
Rotunda, the adoption of a
[[Page 311]]
concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Rotunda for such a
ceremony is also required.
Legislation awarding a Congressional Gold Medal falls under the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services. That committee has
adopted rules governing the consideration and content of such
legislation. Under Committee Rule 3(f)(1)(A),(1) the
Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and
Technology will not hold a hearing on Congressional Gold Medal
legislation unless it is cosponsored by at least two-thirds of the
Members of the House.(2) Rule 3(f)(1)(C) requires the
subcommittee to apply several standards in considering legislation
authorizing Congressional Gold Medals. Among these are that ``the
recipient shall be a natural person;''(3) the recipient
shall have performed an achievement that ``has an impact on American
history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major
achievement in the recipient's field long after the
achievement;''(4) that the recipient ``shall not have
received a medal previously for the same or substantially the same
achievement;''(5) that the recipient ``shall be living or,
if deceased, shall have been deceased for not less than five years and
not more than 25 years;''(6) and the achievements ``were
performed in the recipient's field of endeavor, and represent either a
lifetime of continuous superior achievements or a single achievement so
significant that the recipient is recognized and acclaimed by others in
the same field, as evidenced by the recipient having received the
highest honors in the field.''(7)
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1. See Rules of the Committee on Financial Services at 151 Cong. Rec.
H765-H768 [Daily Ed.], 109th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 17, 2005.
2. Id.
3. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(i).
4. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(ii).
5. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(iii).
6. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(iv).
7. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(v).
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The Congressional Gold Medal has been bestowed on military
personnel, entertainers, aeronautical and space pioneers, explorers,
lifesavers, pioneers in agriculture, science and medicine, public
servants, athletes, activists and foreign recipients.(8)
What follows is a sampling of recent recipients of the award.
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8. For a full list of recipients, see http://clerk.house.gov/
art--history/house--history/goldMedal.html (last visited May 3,
2010). -------------------
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Sec. 24.1 The House, by unanimous consent, considered
[[Page 312]]
and adopted an unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from
the Committee on House Administration) authorizing the use of the
Rotunda for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold
Medal to Jackie Robinson.
On Mar. 1, 2005,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 151 Cong. Rec. 3072, 3073, 109th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 149 Cong.
Rec. 24229-33, 108th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 7, 2003 (H.R. 1900,
to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Jackie
Robinson in recognition of his many contributions to the
Nation).
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PERMITTING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR CEREMONY TO AWARD
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO JACKIE ROBINSON
Mr. [Robert W.] NEY [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged
from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con.
Res. 79) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a
ceremony to award a Congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson
(posthumously), in recognition of his many contributions to the
Nation, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 79
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be
used on March 2, 2005, for a ceremony to award a Congressional gold
medal to Jackie Robinson (posthumously), in recognition of his many
contributions to the Nation. Physical preparations for the ceremony
shall be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the
Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 24.2 The House, by unanimous consent, considered and adopted an
unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from the Committee on
House Administration) authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the
presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H.
Shelton.
On Sept. 17, 2002,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 148 Cong. Rec. 16912, 107th Cong. 2d. Sess. See also 147 Cong. Rec.
27125-28, 107th Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 19, 2001 (H.R. 2751,
authorizing the President to award a gold medal on behalf of
the Congress to General Henry H. Shelton and to provide for the
production of bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the
public).
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Mr. [Vernon] EHLERS [of Michigan]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged
from further consideration of the concurrent resolution
[[Page 313]]
(H. Con. Res. 469) authorizing the Rotunda of the Capitol to be
used on September 19, 2002, for a ceremony to present the
Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H. Shelton (USA, Ret.),
and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan).(2) Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan?
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2. John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN).
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There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 469
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on September 19, 2002, for a ceremony to present the
Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H. Shelton (USA,
Ret.). Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried
out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the
Capitol may prescribe.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 24.3 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent
resolution (discharged from the Committee on House Administration)
authorizing the use of the Rotunda for a ceremony to present a
Congressional Gold Medal to former President Ronald Reagan and his
wife, Nancy Reagan.
On Mar. 5, 2002,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 148 Cong. Rec. 2393-95, 2398, 107th Cong. 2d. Sess. See also 146
Cong. Rec. 4255-61, 107th Cong. 2d Sess., Apr. 3, 2000 (H.R.
3591, to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of the
Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy
Reagan in recognition of their service to the Nation).
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Mr. [John] LINDER [of Georgia]. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 305)
permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to
present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President
Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 305
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on May 16, 2002, for a ceremony to present a gold medal
on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his
wife Nancy Reagan. Physical preparations for the ceremony shall
be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the
Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) and the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) will each control 20 minutes. The Chair
recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder). . . .
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2. John Culberson (TX).
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So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were
suspended and
[[Page 314]]
the concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 24.4 The House, by unanimous consent, considered and adopted an
unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from the committee on
House Administration) authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the
posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Charles M.
Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip.
On June 5, 2001,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 147 Cong. Rec. 9891, 9892, 107th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 146 Cong.
Rec. 9587, 9588, 106th Cong. 2d Sess., June 6, 2000 (H.R. 3642,
to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of
the Congress to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of his lasting
artistic contributions to the Nation and to the world).
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PERMITTING USE OF ROTUNDA OF CAPITOL FOR PRESENTATION
POSTHUMOUSLY OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ
Mr. [Vernon] EHLERS [of Michigan]. Madam Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be
discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution
(H. Con. Res. 149) permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol
for a ceremony to present posthumously a gold medal on behalf of
Congress to Charles M. Schulz, and ask for its immediate
consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Is there objection to
the request of the gentleman from Michigan? . . .
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2. Judith Biggert (IL).
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There was no objection.
The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:
H. Con. Res. 149
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on June 7, 2001, for a ceremony to present posthumously
a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Charles M. Schulz.
Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in
accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol
may prescribe.
The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 24.5 The House suspended the rules and agreed to an unreported
concurrent resolution (discharged from the Committee on House
Administration) authorizing use of the Rotunda to present a
Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore Hesburgh.
[[Page 315]]
On June 27, 2000,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 146 Cong. Rec. 12520-22, 106th Cong. 2d Sess. See also 145 Cong.
Rec. 24976-82, 106th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 12, 1999 (H.R. 1932,
to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of
the Congress to Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, in recognition of
his outstanding and enduring contributions to civil rights,
higher education, the Catholic Church, the Nation, and the
global community).
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PERMITTING USE OF ROTUNDA OF CAPITOL FOR PRESENTATION CEREMONY
OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO FATHER THEODORE HESBURGH
Mr. [Bill] THOMAS [of California]. Mr. Speaker, I move to
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con.
Res. 344) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a
ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore
Hesburgh, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 344
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on July 13, 2000, for a ceremony to present the
Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore Hesburgh. Physical
preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in
accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol
may prescribe.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) each will control 20 minutes.
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2. Ray LaHood (IL).
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The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr.
Thomas).
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. . . .
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution,
H. Con. Res. 344, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 24.6 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent
resolution authorizing the use of the Rotunda for a ceremony to
present the Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Gerald
R. Ford.
On Oct. 18, 1999,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 145 Cong. Rec. 25679, 25680, 25695, 106th Cong. 1st Sess. See also
144 Cong. Rec. 17828, 105th Cong. 2d Sess., July 29, 1998 (H.R.
3506, to award a congressional gold medal to Gerald R. and
Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and
outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the
United States).
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[[Page 316]]
Mr. [Bill] THOMAS [of California]. Madam Speaker, I move to
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con.
Res. 196) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the
presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs.
Gerald R. Ford.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 196
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to
be used on October 27, 1999, for the presentation of the
Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford.
Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in
accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol
may prescribe.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Kildee) each will control 20 minutes. . . .
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2. Judith Biggert (IL).
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So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were
suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.