This bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for the Buffalo Soldier regiments, honoring their service and contributions to the U.S. military.
Marilyn Strickland
Representative
WA-10
The Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Buffalo Soldier regiments, recognizing their dedicated service to the United States. Following the award ceremony, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research. The Secretary of the Treasury is permitted to create and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal. Funds from the sales will be deposited back into the Mint's Public Enterprise Fund.
Congressional Gold Medal to Honor Buffalo Soldiers: Recognition for Trailblazing Service Kicks Off in 2025
The "Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025" officially recognizes the legendary all-Black regiments established in 1866, who served from the post-Civil War era through the Korean War. This isn't just a symbolic gesture; it's a concrete move by Congress to award these soldiers one of the nation's highest civilian honors, the Congressional Gold Medal. The Act acknowledges their diverse roles – from frontier scouts and protectors of the Pacific Railroad to park rangers in Yosemite and Sequoia, and combat roles in major conflicts, including both World Wars.
Honoring a Legacy
This bill formally directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange the award. The U.S. Treasury will design a unique gold medal (SEC. 3), and you'll eventually be able to see it at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill specifically calls out the discrimination these soldiers faced, even as they earned numerous Congressional Medals of Honor and maintained low desertion rates (SEC. 2). It is meant to highlight their role in promoting inclusivity in the military and American society.
Making History Accessible
Beyond the main gold medal, the Act (SEC. 4) allows the creation of bronze duplicates. These won't just be museum pieces; they'll be available for sale to the public. The money from these sales goes right back into the U.S. Mint's Public Enterprise Fund, essentially making the commemoration self-funding (SEC. 6). This means the recognition of the Buffalo Soldiers isn't costing taxpayers extra, but offering a chance to own a piece of history.
More Than a Medal
While the medal itself is a powerful symbol, the Act also encourages the Smithsonian to take the display on the road (SEC. 3). This could mean traveling exhibits or special events focused on the Buffalo Soldiers, bringing their story to a wider audience. This part of the law aims to educate more Americans about these regiments' crucial contributions and the challenges they overcame, making their history more accessible across the country.