Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act

Rosa Parks, widely celebrated as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”, became an iconic figure when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955, igniting a pivotal movement that challenged racial segregation and forever altered the course of American history.

Born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama, to Leona McCauley, a teacher, and James McCauley, a carpenter, Parks grew up in the segregated South, experiencing firsthand the harsh realities of racial injustice.

Despite the profound challenges of racial inequality, Parks attended segregated schools in Alabama, graduating high school in 1933, where her education and experiences fueled her lifelong commitment to activism.

In 1943, Parks became deeply involved with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where she served as Secretary and Youth Leader, investigating cases of racial violence such as the rape of Recy Taylor and the lynching of Emmett Till.

On December 1, 1955, Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a White man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, an act that led to the historic 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott by more than 40,000 riders.

The boycott sparked a legal challenge to Montgomery’s bus segregation laws, which culminated in the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Browder v. Gayle declaring bus segregation unconstitutional on November 13, 1956.

Following the boycott, Parks faced significant personal and economic hardships, including the loss of her job and ongoing threats to her life, yet her determination to fight for justice remained steadfast.

In 1957, Parks moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she continued her work as an advocate for racial equality, focusing on economic justice, political participation, and racial integration.

Parks became a global symbol of resistance to racial segregation and injustice, and her act of defiance inspired civil rights movements around the world.

Throughout her life, Parks remained committed to civil rights activism, participating in marches and speaking engagements, as well as mentoring younger generations of activists, furthering her legacy of leadership in the struggle for racial equality.

Parks passed away on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92, leaving an enduring legacy of courage, resilience, and leadership that continues to inspire social justice and equality advocates across the globe.

In recognition of her profound impact, Parks became the first woman and second African American to lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda.

In 1996, President Bill Clinton awarded Parks the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the President of the United States.

In 1999, Parks received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions bestowed by the United States Congress.

Parks’ legacy is commemorated through numerous schools, streets, transit stations, and monuments named in her honor, ensuring that her contributions to American history are remembered and celebrated.

In 2006, Ohio became the first state to designate December 1, the day of Parks’ arrest, as Rosa Parks Day, garnering unanimous support from the state legislature and being signed into law by Governor Bob Taft.

Rosa Parks Day is also celebrated in the states of California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, and New York on her birthday, February 4, and in Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas on December 1.

It is fitting and proper to recognize and preserve the achievements and impact of Rosa Parks, whose personal sacrifice, unwavering resistance, and inspirational advocacy were essential to the success of the Civil Rights Movement, and whose legacy continues to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations.

Denominations— In recognition and celebration of Rosa Parks, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”) shall mint and issue the following coins:

Legal tender— The coins minted under this Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.

Numismatic items— For purposes of sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

Selection— The designs for the coins minted under this Act shall be—

Quality of coins— Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.

Period for issuance— The Secretary may issue coins minted under this Act only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2029.

Sale price— The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of—

Bulk sales— The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.

In general— All sales of coins minted under this Act shall include a surcharge as follows:

Distribution— Subject to section 5134(f)(1) of title 31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing its mission to carry on the work of Rosa Parks in youth development and civil rights education and advocacy.

Audits— The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development shall be subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with regard to the amounts received under subsection (b).

Limitation— Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, United States Code. The Secretary may issue guidance to carry out this subsection.

minting and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net cost to the United States Government; and

no funds, including applicable surcharges, are disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7(b) until the total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, winning design compensation, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping) is recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.