The Rosa Parks medal

In 1999, Ron Paul voted against awarding a gold medal to Rosa Parks. This fact is often used to attack Dr. Paul. This post explains the situation.

The Short Answer
The short answer is that Dr. Paul has never voted to give such a medal to anyone. He does not believe that the federal government should pay for such honors, and voted against offering such medals to Mother Theresa and to one of his heroes, Ronald Reagan. Apparently the gold medals require an individual mold for each medal and cost around $30,000. Dr. Paul offered to pay for his share of Ms. Parks' medal out of his own pocket ($100) if the rest of Congress would do the same. They did not take him up on his offer.

Ron Paul's explanation
Here is a video of Ron Paul explaining the logic behind his decision. One quote from the video:
"That wasn't easy for me because I think she's a real hero, because I believe in civil disobedience and I believe peaceful changes come about that way."

Consistency with other medals
Ron Paul has voted against medals for other humanitarians such as the Dalai Lama and Mother Theresa. He also voted against a medal for Ronald Reagan. His logic and decision are always the same on this issue. Note the consistency in the language below; he did not treat Rosa Parks differently.

Ron Paul speaks in honor of Muhammad Ali
On January 17, 2007, a resolution was introduced in the US House to honor Muhammad Ali on the occasion of his 65th birthday. In this case Ron Paul was one of only two white Representatives who took the floor to speak in favor of the resolution. In an instance where lauding someone did not require a large government expenditure, Ron Paul was happy to do so. The full text can be found at this post.

Full quotes (for those who want them) from the Congressional Record:
About the Rosa Parks medal:

"Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 573. At the same time, I rise in great respect for the courage and high ideals of Rosa Parks who stood steadfastly for the rights of individuals against unjust laws and oppressive governmental policies. However, I oppose the Congressional Gold Medal for Rosa Parks Act because authorizing $30,000 of taxpayer money is neither constitutional nor, in the spirit of Rosa Parks who is widely recognized and admired for standing up against an overbearing government infringing on individual rights.

Because of my continuing and uncompromising opposition to appropriations not authorized within the enumerated powers of the Constitution, I must remain consistent in my defense of a limited government whose powers are explicitly delimited under the enumerated powers of the Constitution--a Constitution, which only months ago, each Member of Congress, swore to uphold.

Perhaps we should begin a debate among us on more appropriate processes by which we spend other people's money. Honorary medals and commemorative coins, under the current process, come from allocated other people's money. We should look for another way.

It is, of course, easier to be generous with other people's money."

About the Ronald Reagan medal:

Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3591. At the same time, I am very supportive of President Reagan's publicly stated view of limiting the federal government to it's proper and constitutional role. In fact, I was one of only four sitting members of the United States House of Representatives who endorsed Ronald Reagan's candidacy for President in 1976. The United States enjoyed sustained economic prosperity and employment growth during Ronald Reagan's presidency.

I must, however, oppose the Gold Medal for Ronald and Nancy Reagan because appropriating $30,000 of taxpayer money is neither constitutional nor, in the spirit of Ronald Reagan's notion of the proper, limited role for the federal government.

Because of my continuing and uncompromising opposition to appropriations not authorized within the enumerated powers of the Constitution, I would maintain my resolve and commitment to the Constitution--a Constitution, which only last year, each Member of Congress, swore to uphold. In each of these instances, I offered to do a little more than uphold my constitutional oath.

In fact, as a means of demonstrating my personal regard and enthusiasm for Ronald Reagan's advocacy for limited government, I invited each of these colleagues to match my private, personal contribution of $100 which, if accepted by the 435 Members of the House of Representatives, would more than satisfy the $30,000 cost necessary to mint and award a gold medal to Ronald and Nancy Reagan. To me, it seemed a particularly good opportunity to demonstrate one's genuine convictions by spending one's own money rather that of the taxpayers who remain free to contribute, at their own discretion, to commemorate the work of the Reagans. For the record, not a single Representative who solicited my support for spending taxpayer's money, was willing to contribute their own money to demonstrate their generosity and allegiance to the Reagan's stated convictions.

It is, of course, very easy to be generous with the people's money."

Resources
Ron Paul on the Rosa Parks medal: Cong. Rec. 20 Apr. 1999: HR573.
Ron Paul on the Ronald Reagan medal: Cong. Rec. 03 Apr. 2000: HR3591