[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1528-E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE 50 STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. HENRY B. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, permit me to first commend the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, 
Congressman Michael Castle, and the ranking Democratic member of the 
subcommittee, Congressman Floyd Flake, for working closely together to 
report legislation that warrants the full support of each Member of the 
House of Representatives.
  H.R. 3793, the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act, authorizes 
the Secretary of the Treasury to issue quarter-dollar coins 
commemorating the 50 States in the order they

[[Page E1529]]

entered the union at a rate of five new coins each year for 10 years. I 
am pleased to report that the Banking Committee fully considered the 
merits of this legislation. H.R. 3793 was the subject of a 
comprehensive hearing and was unanimously reported from the 
subcommittee.
  Let me emphasize that the committee carefully weighed the merits of 
this bill since any changes to the Nation's circulating coins must have 
strong popular appeal. The testimony received in our committee hearing 
did support the view that this bill provides significant public 
benefit. In addition to the surplus funds this program will accrue to 
the Treasury, the principal benefit will be to highlight the history 
and the importance of each State's individual contribution to the union 
we know as the United States of America.
  Again, I compliment my colleagues on the Banking Committee for 
bringing this bill to the floor and I urge an enthusiastic ``aye'' 
vote.

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