United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act

HR 1087, the United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded collectively to African Americans who served with Union forces during the Civil War, including the United States Colored Troops (USCT) and African-American sailors in the Union Navy. The medal, designed by the Secretary of the Treasury, will be presented by the Speaker of the House and President pro tempore of the Senate and then transferred to the Smithsonian Institution for public display and research. The bill also permits the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint's fund. This legislation formally recognizes the service of approximately 200,000 African-American soldiers in the Union Army and 19,000 in the Union Navy, who faced racial discrimination but served with distinction.