S. 734 — Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

This section states congressional findings on the life and accomplishments of Edward Joseph Dwight, Jr., including his birth in 1933; education; Air Force service as a pilot and aeronautical engineer accumulating over 9,000 flight hours; selection by President Kennedy in 1961 as the first African American astronaut candidate; racial barriers faced at Edwards Air Force Base; non-selection for NASA's Group 3 astronauts in 1963; resignation as a captain in 1966; and subsequent 43-year career as a sculptor with over 115 large-scale commissions, including works for the Smithsonian, National Park Service, and Colorado State Capitol.

This section authorizes the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a single Congressional Gold Medal to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., the first African-American astronaut candidate in the United States, in recognition of (1) his historic service to the United States, (2) his example of excellence during times of struggle and overt racism, and (3) his contributions in art and Black history. The Secretary of the Treasury shall strike the medal with an appropriate design including Dwight's image and name, and following presentation, the medal shall be given to Edward J. Dwight, Jr., or if unavailable, to Curtis Christopher Dwight.

This section authorizes the Secretary to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the gold medal struck under section 3 at prices sufficient to cover production costs, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

This section designates medals struck under this Act as (1) national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code (governing Mint production of coins and medals), and (2) numismatic items for purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of such title (authorizing Mint design, production, and sale of numismatic items).

This section authorizes the use of amounts from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, as necessary, to pay the costs of medals struck under this Act and requires proceeds from the sale of duplicate bronze medals to be deposited into the fund.