Info on the Congressional Gold Medal

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The Nisei Solders of WWII
A Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress and is, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. 

It is awarded to persons "who 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."

The Congressional Gold Medal is not to be confused with the Congressional Medal of Honor (strictly a military award).


Congress authorizes the fabrication of ONE GOLD MEDAL. The U.S. Mint will then sell bronze gold medal replicas to the general public.

The following are the steps (not all sequential) to obtain the Congressional Gold Medal:  
Obtain a sponsor or co-sponsor(s) for the Congressional Gold Medal Bill from either the House of Representatives AND the Senate.                                                                                                                                                                                               
  • The Gold Medal legislation needs at least two-thirds co-sponsors (not votes) from both the House of Rep. and the Senate before it is considered by the corresponding committees (in both chambers) to be placed for a vote on the House floor as a formality. 
  • House of Rep. - Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology and Economic Growth (under the Committee on Banking and Financial Services.
  • U.S. Senate - Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
  • At least 290 co-sponsors are needed from the House of Representatives.
  • At least 67 co-sponsors are needed from the Senate.
  • President of the United States signs the Congressional Gold Medal Bill.



References:

CGM Report by Congressional Research Service - May 2013
File Size: 457 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
List of Previous Congressional Gold Medal recipients (1776-2014)
Navajo Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medal:
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Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal:
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Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal:
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Woman Air Service Pilots Congressional Gold Medal:
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Other Minority Veterans groups that have                 well-deservingly earned      the Congressional             Gold Medal are: 

The Tuskegee Airmen                (First African-American Military Pilots in WWII)
    
The Nisei-Japanese Soldiers      (Japanese-American Infantry and Intelligence Soldiers in WWII)
   
The Navajo Code Talkers         (Native American Marines and Communications Code Interpreters in WWII) 

The Women's Air Service Pilots     (First Women Military Pilots in WWII)
    
The Montford Point Marines       (First African-American Marines in the US Marine Corps.