First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act

Key Points

• This bill proposes awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment. This is the highest honor Congress can give to recognize distinguished achievements and contributions to American history.
• The regiment was a unique unit during the Revolutionary War that included Black and Indigenous soldiers. In 1778, Rhode Island allowed enslaved men to join the unit, granting them immediate freedom in exchange for their military service.
• The unit is recognized for its bravery in major battles, including the Battle of Rhode Island, where they held back enemy forces. These soldiers served for five years until the end of the war in 1783.
• After the war, many of these veterans faced significant challenges, including fighting for their promised back wages and resisting efforts by others to force them back into slavery.
• If the bill passes, the gold medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library. The U.S. Mint would also be allowed to sell bronze copies of the medal to the public to help pay for the cost of the program.

Impact Analysis

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