This bill authorizes Congress to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, a pioneering African American bicycle racing champion born in 1878 who broke racial barriers in professional sports during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Taylor became one of the first Black athletes to win a world championship, set multiple world records, secure corporate sponsorships, and achieve international fame, while also enduring severe racial discrimination and threats throughout his career. The Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore will arrange for the presentation of the gold medal, which will be designed by the Treasury Department and given to Taylor's great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan. The bill allows the Treasury Department to strike and sell duplicate bronze medals to recover the costs of production, with sale proceeds returned to the U.S. Mint fund. This measure recognizes Taylor's legacy as an athlete, role model, and advocate for equal rights who demonstrated remarkable courage and character in advancing civil rights through his accomplishments in sport.
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