# Marshall 'Major' Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill authorizes Congress to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall "Major" Taylor, a legendary bicycle racer from the late 1800s and early 1900s who broke racial barriers in professional sports. The medal recognizes Taylor's achievements as an athlete, his role as a trailblazer who competed at the highest levels of international cycling despite facing severe racial discrimination, and his advocacy for equal rights. The gold medal will be presented to Taylor's great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan, as a formal recognition of his historical significance to the nation.

Marshall Taylor was born in Indianapolis in 1878 to formerly enslaved parents and became one of the first Black athletes to achieve international stardom. He won the world 1-mile sprint championship in 1899, set multiple world records, and competed successfully across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Throughout his career, he endured extreme racism—including being denied meals and lodging, facing death threats, and dealing with opponents who tried to injure him on the track—yet he maintained his dignity and became one of the wealthiest Black men of his era. He was also one of the first Black athletes to secure corporate sponsorships and was so devoted to his Christian faith that he refused to race on Sundays, even turning down lucrative European opportunities until he could negotiate a contract that honored his beliefs.

The practical effect of this bill is minimal for most Americans. The Treasury Department will design and strike a gold medal, which involves minimal cost covered by the U.S. Mint's existing budget. The government may also produce bronze duplicate medals and sell them to cover production costs. This is essentially Congress formally honoring an important historical figure whose contributions to sports and civil rights deserve national recognition, even though Taylor passed away nearly a century ago.

Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

Jackson, Jonathan L.

Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor Congressional Gold Medal ActThis bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in commemoration of Marshall Walter "Major" Taylor, in recognition of his significance to the nation as an athlete, role model, and equal rights advocate.