arrow_back Back to App

Honoring Henrietta Lacks: Congressional Gold Medal for Medical Contributions.

This act posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks, whose cells (HeLa) were crucial for medical and scientific advancements. This honor acknowledges her unwitting contribution to global health and patient rights, and recognizes the historical significance of her case for modern bioethics.
Key points
Posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks for her invaluable contributions to science and medicine.
Recognition of HeLa cells as the foundation for numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including vaccines and treatments for serious diseases.
Highlighting Henrietta Lacks' case in shaping modern bioethics principles and patient rights, including informed consent.
The medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for public display, increasing public awareness.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Introduced
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_3498
Sponsor: Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7]
Process start date: 2025-05-19
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

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 119_HR_3498.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-05-19.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Posthumous award of the Congressional Gold Medal to Henrietta Lacks for her invaluable contributions to science and medicine.
  • Recognition of HeLa cells as the foundation for numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including vaccines and treatments for serious diseases.
  • Highlighting Henrietta Lacks' case in shaping modern bioethics principles and patient rights, including informed consent.
  • The medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for public display, increasing public awareness.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

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 Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in House

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-22.

CATEGORIES

Health Media and Culture