Washington D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Angus King (I-Maine), and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) introduced the bipartisan Edward J. Dwight, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 to honor the life and legacy of author, sculptor, retired test pilot, and astronaut Ed Dwight, Jr. In 2024, aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, 90-year-old Dwight made history as the oldest person to travel to space.
Dwight first made history as our country’s first African American astronaut candidate when President John F. Kennedy invited him to join the U.S. Air Force’s astronaut training program in 1961. However, he was never granted the opportunity to fly to space due to racism within the program. After completing his military service, Dwight moved to Denver, where he became an IBM engineer. He later opened a restaurant and worked as a real estate developer before pursuing his passion for sculpting full-time. Today, Dwight’s sculptures are collected by museums, institutions, and art enthusiasts around the world, including the Smithsonian. The Congressional Gold Medal would recognize Dwight’s historic service, example of excellence despite adversity, and contributions to art and Black history.
“Ed Dwight is one of our country’s greatest living legends,” said Bennet. “Despite racism and prejudice, Ed never stopped reaching higher and became a trailblazer in the worlds of art, science, aviation, and most recently, space travel. His successes are Colorado’s successes. It is a privilege to highlight Ed’s accomplishments and advocate for him to receive the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress.”
“Six decades after Ed Dwight Jr. was wrongly snubbed from making history as the first black astronaut, he was finally able to realize his dream of traveling to space and set a new record for the oldest person in space at the age of 90,” said Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to award Ed Dwight Jr. with the Congressional Gold Medal for his perseverance in the face of adversity and trailblazing spirit, which I hope will inspire all Americans to model his lifelong commitment to shoot for the stars.”
“Ed Dwight is an inspiration to every American seeking to push the limits of what’s possible,” said Hickenlooper. “It’s high time we recognize his many contributions to our nation and to Colorado.”
“Ed Dwight never let growing up in segregated American get in the way of his big dreams,” said King. “In the face of racism and prejudice, he never stopped aiming high — and found many successes through military service, entrepreneurship, sculpting and space travel. It’s an honor to recognize the content of Ed Dwight’s character through this Congressional Gold Medal. His story is an inspiration for the people from his home state of Kansas all the way to Maine.”
“Ed Dwight was a barrier breaker, overcoming obstacles to become the first African American candidate selected for the U.S. Air Force’s astronaut training program. Since then, he has continued to uplift and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans—both across the country and in Colorado—through his art,” said Neguse. “We are incredibly proud of his contributions to our nation, and I am honored to join Senator Bennet in the effort to award Ed with a Congressional Gold Medal.”
“The Congressional Gold Medal would bestow recognition to a man who has fulfilled his lifelong dream of going to space,” said Patricia Duncan, Colorado activist and author. “Senator Bennet’s bill honors Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate, a humble man receiving all the recognition he has earned and deserves.”
“As of May 2024, Ed Dwight, using the moniker of ‘Justice’, was able to fulfill a 60 year dream of flying into space and earning the official title of Astronaut. I would like to sincerely thank Senator Bennet for recognizing and acknowledging my father, Ed Dwight’s contributions to Colorado, our culture, and the country as a whole,” said Tamara Rhone, Ed Dwight’s daughter. “It means so much to me and my family as I know he appreciates that he is not forgotten in this journey to reach and attain his dreams and be a positive example for others to follow.”
In 2020, U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Jay Raymond presented Dwight with the Commander’s Public Service Award and inducted him as an honorary member of the Space Force, for his contributions to the United States, space, and history.
The text of the bill is available HERE.