Bill Overview
Title: Reverend James Lawson, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Reverend James Morris Lawson Jr. in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of civil rights through nonviolent methods in the United States.
Sponsors: Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17]
Target Audience
Population: People familiar with Civil Rights history and Nonviolent activism methods
Estimated Size: 800000
- Reverend James Lawson, Jr. is a significant figure in the American civil rights movement, so the bill is primarily relevant to those who value civil rights history and recognition.
- The recognition of Lawson through this award impacts historians, educators, and those involved in civil rights advocacy.
- The symbolism of this award could influence contemporary civil rights movements and their supporters.
- The awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal is a national event, bringing attention to the subject on a national level.
Reasoning
- The policy is largely symbolic, designing to honor a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement without providing direct financial redistribution or services. Therefore, its impact on individual wellbeing will be more pronounced among those who value historical recognition and symbolic justice.
- The wellbeing impact is expected to be indirect, primarily psychological or emotional, resulting from increased national awareness and appreciation of civil rights history.
- People involved with civil rights education and advocacy are likely to have a more heightened response to this policy. For them, a recognition such as this can validate their ongoing efforts and provide an emotional boost.
- The budget limits the reach of educational events or awareness campaigns to a small portion of the population, potentially limiting the policy's impact.
- Considering the population size cited (800,000) and the budget constraints, not every individual will perceive a direct impact in terms of wellbeing. However, the policy could still foster a subtle societal change over time.
- Given the symbolic nature of the award, personal identification with civil rights history will vary significantly across the population, resulting in varied impacts on wellbeing. Some people might not see a change at all.
Simulated Interviews
History Teacher (Memphis, Tennessee)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's wonderful that Reverend Lawson is being recognized. It reinforces the importance of teaching about nonviolent civil rights strategies.
- Such awards help keep civil rights history relevant for young people today.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Civil Rights Activist (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reverend Lawson's recognition is uplifting. It feels like a nod to all our continued efforts.
- Such recognition can enhance our local initiatives by drawing more attention to them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Retired (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm pleased to see Reverend Lawson honored. It reminds me of the progress we've made, though there's much left to do.
- Awards like these are important to recognize the sacrifices of those who fought for rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Law Student (Washington D.C.)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing Reverend Lawson with this medal underscores the continued relevance of civil rights in our legal studies.
- It's inspiring to see historical leaders appreciated in our times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
HR Manager (New York, New York)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to see the history of nonviolent activism acknowledged, even if it's not directly related to my work.
- Recognition of historical figures contributes to a fuller understanding of our society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Journalist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This recognition is a timely reminder of the importance of the civil rights movement and its unfinished work.
- It provides material and inspiration for ongoing reporting on social issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
College Student (Birmingham, Alabama)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a student, seeing Reverend Lawson receive this honor reinforces the importance of studying history and its impact on today's activism.
- A reminder that peaceful activism has enduring value.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Acknowledging reverends like Lawson with such medals is significant for ensuring diverse histories are told.
- Awareness of nonviolent strategies in civil rights can also influence industry policies towards inclusive practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marketing Specialist (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This award doesn't impact my day-to-day, but it's part of what makes our country unique in remembering our history.
- May influence educational content and what children learn in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Community Organizer (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognizing someone like Reverend Lawson is crucial for motivating new generations in our community work.
- Awards like this shine a light on ongoing social struggles and can mobilize the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000 (Low: $30000, High: $70000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The production of a Congressional Gold Medal is a one-time cost with no ongoing financial implications for the federal budget.
- The recognition of Reverend James Lawson underscores the importance of nonviolent activism in American history, enhancing educational and historical awareness.
- No significant macroeconomic effects are anticipated due to the relatively modest expenditure involved.