To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, collectively, in recognition of their unique contribution to Civil Rights, which inspired a revolutionary movement for equality in interstate travel.

# Summary of HR 945: Congressional Gold Medal for Freedom Riders **What the Bill Does:** This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders—a collective honor recognizing their civil rights activism. The Freedom Riders were groups of activists who, beginning in 1961, traveled by bus through the American South to challenge racial segregation laws in interstate transportation. A Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors the U.S. Congress can bestow and typically results in a medal being displayed in the Smithsonian Institution. **Who It Affects and Key Details:** The bill honors the Freedom Riders as a group rather than individual members, acknowledging their contribution to advancing civil rights and inspiring broader equality movements.

The medal would commemorate their specific campaign against segregation in interstate travel, which was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. While the honor is primarily symbolic, it represents official national recognition of their historical significance. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill is in committee (HR 945 in the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, a Democrat from Georgia.