Senators Braun and Warnock have introduced a bill, S. 4528, aiming to award a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Major Taylor. This bill stands as an act of reverence to a man whose significance transcends mere athletic triumphs. It’s a nod to an enduring spirit that faced adversity head-on, making Taylor not just a sports icon but a beacon for civil rights and human decency.
Born in Indianapolis in 1878, Taylor’s life began unassumingly. His parents were Black Americans likely born into slavery in Kentucky, and young Taylor spent his childhood straddling two worlds. He often played at the home of a wealthy white family, who employed his father as a coachman. This family treated him as an equal to their own son and gifted him his first bicycle, unknowingly setting the stage for his future greatness.
The moniker “Major” came about in an endearing, almost cinematic fashion. A young Taylor, clad in a military-style jacket, performed bicycle tricks outside a shop where he worked, earning him the nickname he would carry throughout his career. At the tender age of 11, he won his first bike race, signaling the dawn of a phenomenal journey.
Taylor’s move to Worcester, Massachusetts in 1895 with his mentor Louis D. “Birdie” Munger, marked a pivotal moment. In a sport domiinated by racial prejudices, Taylor’s lightning-fast sprints and impeccable sportsmanship soon made him a standout. Despite the League of American Wheelmen’s “whites-only” rule for amateur membership, Taylor secured a professional racing license at just 18. His professional debut in a grueling six-day race at Madison Square Garden saw him defeating the national champion in a half-mile race, a feat that etched his name into the historical records.
Yet, Taylor’s narrative is not merely one of athletic gallantry. He was a member of one of America’s first racially integrated sports teams and held world records in numerous categories by 1898, including the coveted one-mile sprint, which he clocked at a staggering 1 minute and 19 seconds in 1899. Through it all, he faced discrimination that ranged from denial of basic services to physical threats from competitors and fans alike.
Imagine the pressures: navigating bureaucratic impediments, experiencing open hostility while touring the country, and even surviving a post-race attack that left him unconscious. In Georgia, a death threat signed “White Riders” epitomized the gravity of the racial animus he faced. Yet, Taylor’s resolve never wavered.
Corporate sponsors came knocking, making Taylor one of the wealthiest Black men in America. His endorsements included top-tier bicycle brands, and he became a significant benefactor to his church in Worcester. Among his innovations, Taylor pioneered an adjustable handlebar stem to improve his aerodynamic position—a tool still utilized in racing today and aptly named the Major Taylor stem.
His international acclaim reached new heights in 1899 when he won the world one-mile sprint championship in Montreal, an accomplishment that made him the second Black athlete to secure a world title in any sport. Devout in his Christian faith, Taylor refused for years to race on Sundays, turning down potentially lucrative offers to compete in Europe until he could secure a contract that respected this conviction.
His global tours made him a legend in countries far and wide. In France, where he often found refuge from American racial prejudices, Taylor triumphed over every European champion during six tours from 1901 to 1909. His races in Australia and New Zealand added to his growing list of accomplishments, cementing his legacy as an international sports star.
Retirement from racing in 1910 saw Taylor struggling to find his footing in the business world. He penned his autobiography in 1928, urging “simple justice, equal rights, and a square deal” for African Americans. His plea was as much for sports as it was for life itself. Taylor’s narrative encompassed not only his sportsmanship but also his advice for youth, emphasizing good sportsmanship and clean living.
The bill now moving through Congress aims to immortalize Major Taylor’s contributions in the form of a Congressional Gold Medal. Once approved by both houses, the striking of the gold medal will be overseen by the Secretary of the Treasury, who will ensure it bears Taylor’s image and name. This honorary medal will then be presented to Taylor’s great-granddaughter, Karen Donovan, a symbolic gesture linking his indomitable past to the present.
This legislation also allows the production and sale of duplicate bronze medals, designed to spread Taylor’s legacy far and wide. The proceeds from these sales will flow back into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, ensuring that the initiative is self-sustaining.
In awarding this medal, Congress aims to pay homage to a man whose life was a symphony of speed, skill, and strength—both on and off the track. Taylor’s legacy is a poignant reminder of the barriers that many have faced and fought to overcome. This bill not only acknowledges his sporting prowess but also honors his enduring impact as a trailblazer and equal rights advocate. It recognizes that beyond the racetrack, Taylor raced for justice, equity, and the American ideal that every person, irrespective of race, deserves a fair chance to succeed.
