Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

# Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would award a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Fred Korematsu, one of the highest civilian honors given by Congress. Korematsu was a Japanese American civil rights activist who challenged the U.S. government's forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The medal would recognize his contributions to civil rights, his patriotism, and his dedication to justice and equality. **Who It Affects and Key Details:** The bill primarily honors Korematsu's legacy and would likely result in the medal being displayed at a museum or cultural institution, possibly the Smithsonian Institution. While the medal itself is largely symbolic, it represents a formal congressional acknowledgment of Korematsu's significance in American history.

Korematsu died in 2005, so the honor is posthumous. The bill reflects broader recognition of the internment as a historical injustice—the U.S. government formally apologized for the internment in 1988 and issued reparations to surviving internees. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill (S 338) is in committee and has not yet been voted on by Congress. It was introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in the 119th Congress.