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Honoring Henrietta Lacks: Congressional Gold Medal for Medical and Ethical Contributions.

This Act posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks, whose cells (HeLa) were taken without consent but became the foundation of modern medicine, enabling the development of vaccines and treatments for numerous diseases. The legislation honors her crucial contribution to global health and acknowledges her legacy in establishing contemporary bioethics and informed consent laws, which protect patients nationwide. The medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.
Key points
Posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks for her invaluable contribution to scientific research and global health.
Recognition of her legacy in shaping modern bioethics and informed consent laws that benefit and protect patients across the country.
The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with bronze duplicates available for public purchase.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_2485
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Process start date: 2023-07-25
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-09-2025
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Henrietta Lacks Congressional Gold Medal Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_2485.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-07-25.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks for her invaluable contribution to scientific research and global health.
  • Recognition of her legacy in shaping modern bioethics and informed consent laws that benefit and protect patients across the country.
  • The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution for display and research, with bronze duplicates available for public purchase.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-26.

CATEGORIES

Health Media and Culture Courts and Law