This bill authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to posthumously honor President Jimmy Carter for his dedicated service to the Nation, to be presented to the Carter Center.
Sanford Bishop
Representative
GA-2
The "President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to former President Jimmy Carter in recognition of his dedicated service to the Nation. This medal, created by the Secretary of the Treasury, will be given to the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia, following the award ceremony. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to the public and authorizes the United States Mint to use its Public Enterprise Fund to cover the costs of producing the medals.
Congressional Gold Medal for Jimmy Carter: A Nod to Decades of Service
The "President Jimmy Carter Congressional Gold Medal Act" is pretty straightforward: It authorizes Congress to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to former President Jimmy Carter. This isn't just a pat on the back; it's a formal recognition of his extensive service, from his time as a submarine officer and Georgia governor to his presidency and his decades of work with the Carter Center. (SEC. 2, Findings).
Honoring a Legacy
The bill directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present the medal, highlighting Carter's contributions, including his work on human rights, conflict resolution, and disease eradication (specifically, the near-elimination of Guinea worm disease). The medal itself will be designed by the Secretary of the Treasury, with imagery and inscriptions related to Carter, and will eventually be given to the Carter Center in Atlanta. (SEC. 3, Congressional Gold Medal).
Paying for the Past (and the Present)
Here's where it gets practical: To cover the costs, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal. Think of it like selling commemorative coins, but with a direct tie-in to Carter's legacy. The money from these sales goes right back into the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund, essentially making the project self-funding. (SEC. 4, Duplicate Medals; SEC. 6, Authority to use fund amounts; proceeds of sale). These medals are also officially designated as "national medals" and "numismatic items," which basically means they're recognized as official U.S. Mint products and are collectible. (SEC. 5, Status of Medals).
What It Means
While this act won't directly change your everyday life, it does a few things. First, it's a significant symbolic gesture, acknowledging Carter's wide-ranging impact. Second, it provides a tangible way for people to connect with that legacy through the bronze duplicates. Finally, it sets up a funding mechanism that doesn't rely on taxpayer dollars, which is a noteworthy detail in an era of tight budgets. It's a piece of legislation that's more about honoring the past than shaping the future, but it does so in a way that's fiscally responsible and provides a unique historical artifact.