Bill Overview
Title: Freedom Riders Congressional Gold Medal Act
Description: This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.
Sponsors: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Freedom Riders and their descendants/families
Estimated Size: 200
- The Freedom Riders were involved in the 1960s civil rights movement, focusing on the desegregation of public transportation in the United States.
- The primary group impacted by this bill is the Freedom Riders themselves, who are recognized for their contributions during a significant period of U.S. history.
- Since the Freedom Riders were mainly active in the United States, the population that they represent or that has direct historical or familial ties to them will be mainly within the United States.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically aims to recognize the achievements of the Freedom Riders, a group from the 1960s. Therefore, the main people impacted will be the original Freedom Riders, their immediate families, and perhaps descendants.
- Given the historical nature of the Freedom Riders, many of the original activists may be elderly or deceased. Thus, the immediate impact of this policy might only touch a small portion of people who are directly related or familial to these activists.
- $75,000 budget is relatively small and intended largely to cover the presentation of a medal, implying that the direct financial benefit or wellbeing improvement per person is likely nominal.
- We maintain a wide age distribution, genders, and geographical spread in the interview set to account for different potential connections to affected individuals across the U.S.
Simulated Interviews
Retired teacher (Montgomery, AL)
Age: 78 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am deeply honored by the recognition of our efforts through this medal.
- It's wonderful to see our contributions being remembered and valued by the government.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Civil rights attorney (New York City, NY)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This recognition is overdue and can be a catalyst for educating younger generations.
- I hope this can rejuvenate conversations on civil rights issues our nation still faces.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired minister (Jackson, MS)
Age: 83 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The medal is a nice token but what matters more is the impact our actions had.
- I'm glad our story will be retold with this honor.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
University professor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This recognition helps to preserve an important part of history.
- The medal offers an opportunity to discuss civil rights movements in my lectures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's crucial to remember and honor those who laid the foundation for current civil rights.
- This medal makes the story of the Freedom Riders more accessible and celebrated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired librarian (Boston, MA)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This recognition lends dignity and respect to my friends' courageous acts.
- I'm pleased that they're getting acknowledgment from the Congress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Business owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act recognizes the invaluable contributions of the Freedom Riders to modern society.
- I see it as a bridge connecting past struggles to current movements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Graduate student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Receiving such a medal places an important historical emphasis on civil rights.
- I believe it helps in keeping the spirit of social justice alive in academia.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Civil rights museum curator (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This medal is a wonderful story to include in our museum exhibits.
- I see it as a symbol of acknowledgment from society.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Tech engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Honoring such people perpetuates awareness around civil rights.
- I hope more people become aware of what the Freedom Riders did.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $75000 (Low: $50000, High: $100000)
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 policy honors the Freedom Riders, contributing to their legacy and recognizing their role in American history.
- Though the bill has symbolic importance, it involves limited financial implications.
- Such recognitions can promote awareness and education regarding civil rights history, though the effect is societal rather than economic.