This bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African-American astronaut candidate, for his pioneering achievements and contributions to art and Black history.
Joe Neguse
Representative
CO-2
The Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African-American astronaut candidate, in recognition of his pioneering achievements and contributions to art and Black history. The Act instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal and allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to the public. It also designates the medals as national and numismatic items and outlines the use of funds for medal production and sales.
Congressional Gold Medal to Honor Edward J. Dwight, Jr., First Black Astronaut Candidate: Medal Ceremony Planned, Bronze Duplicates Available
The "Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025" (SEC. 1) is all about giving a major shout-out to a true pioneer. This bill officially authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African-American astronaut candidate. (SEC. 3)
Recognizing a Trailblazer
The bill lays out Dwight's incredible journey (SEC. 2). Born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1933, he was a talented artist and airplane enthusiast from a young age. He joined the Air Force, became a test pilot, and earned an aeronautical engineering degree. President John F. Kennedy himself tapped Dwight for astronaut training in 1961, making him the first Black astronaut candidate. Despite facing prejudice and ultimately not being selected for NASA's 1963 astronaut group, Dwight persevered. He later became a successful sculptor, creating powerful works that celebrate Black history and culture. He has accumulated over 9,000 hours of flight time, including 2,000 in high-performance jets. (SEC.2)
The Medal and Its Legacy
The core of the bill (SEC. 3) directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present Dwight with the Congressional Gold Medal. The medal itself, designed by the Secretary of the Treasury, will feature Dwight's image and an inscription recognizing his service and contributions. After the presentation, the medal will be given to Dwight, or to Curtis Christopher Dwight if he is unavailable. For those who want a piece of history, the bill also allows the creation and sale of bronze duplicates (SEC. 4). The money from these sales will go back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (SEC. 6).
More Than Just a Medal
This isn't just about a medal; it's about recognizing a man who broke barriers and excelled in multiple fields. The bill specifically notes that these medals are considered national medals and numismatic items (SEC. 5). This means they're not just souvenirs; they're officially recognized pieces of American history. The act highlights how Dwight's story—from facing discrimination in the Air Force to becoming a renowned artist—is a powerful example of resilience and achievement. It also, importantly, connects his early struggles to the later success of African-American astronauts like Guion Bluford, who finally broke the space barrier in 1983. (SEC.2)