Senator Edward William Brooke III Bronze Medal

Commemorate the first African-American U.S. Senator elected by popular vote with the Senator Edward William Brooke III Bronze Medal.

Authorized by Public Law 110-260, this medal is a bronze duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Senator Edward William Brooke III in recognition of his unprecedented and enduring service to our nation. Brooke was the first African-American elected by popular vote to the United States Senate and served with distinction for two terms from January 3, 1967, to January 3, 1979.

The obverse designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, features an image of Brooke with the inscription “EDWARD WILLIAM BROOKE” on the right side.

The reverse depicts the U.S. Capitol Building at the top of the medal and the Massachusetts State House at the bottom between two olive branches. The center of the design showcases the inscriptions “AMERICA'S GREATNESS LIES IN ITS WONDROUS DIVERSITY,” “OUR MAGNIFICENT PLURALISM HAS MADE THIS COUNTRY GREAT,” and “OUR EVER-WIDENING DIVERSITY WILL KEEP US GREAT.” Additional inscriptions are “ACT OF CONGRESS 2008” and “MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE.” It was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.