Congress would honor Henrietta Lacks with a posthumous gold medal

Congressional leaders would arrange the award, and the Treasury secretary would make and design the gold medal. The award would honor Henrietta Lacks after her death for her cells’ contributions to health, science, and patients’ rights. The Smithsonian would make the medal available for display as appropriate and for research. Congress would encourage, but not require, displays elsewhere, especially at places connected to Henrietta Lacks. The medal would go to the Smithsonian after the award.

The Treasury secretary could make and sell bronze copies of the gold medal. The funding permission would cover the gold medal and any bronze copies made under this proposal. Copy prices would have to cover production costs, including labor, materials, and overhead. Money from copy sales would return to the Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund.