[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11540-S11542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. D'AMATO (for himself, Mr. Abraham, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Bond, 
        Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Bumpers, Mr. Burns, Mr. Chafee, 
        Mr. Coats, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Coverdell, 
        Mr. Craig, Mr. Daschle, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Domenici, Mr. 
        Exon, Mr. Faircloth, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Frahm, Mr. Frist, Mr. 
        Graham, Mr. Grams, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Helms, Mr. 
        Hollings, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Kerrey, 
        Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Lieberman, 
        Mr. Levin, Mr. Lott, Mr. Lugar, Mr. Mack, Mr. McConnell, Ms. 
        Moseley-Braun, Mr. Moynihan, Mr. Murkowski, Mrs. Murray, Mr. 
        Nickles, Mr. Pressler, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Reid, Mr. Rockefeller, 
        Mr. Roth, Mr. Santorum, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Shelby, Mr. Simon, 
        Mr. Simpson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Thompson, Mr. 
        Thurmond, Mr. Warner, and Mr. Wyden):

  S. 2136. A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 
coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the 
color barrier in major league baseball by Jackie Robinson; to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.


               The Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, on behalf of myself and 64 
colleagues, I rise today to introduce the Jackie Robinson Commemorative 
Coin Act. It is appropriate and important that the Congress honor 
Jackie Robinson, a true American hero who rose above prejudice and 
segregation to become a pillar of our national pastime--and a leader in 
the fight for racial equality. The bill would authorize the U.S. Mint 
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic and 
heroic act of breaking baseball's color barrier.
  Mr. President, the life story of this great American citizen is so 
uplifting. It is a story of a pioneer, a man of many many, ``firsts.''
  As a young boy growing up in New York, I was consumed by baseball 
like so many others. I have a personal connection to Jackie Robinson 
and the legendary Brooklyn Dodgers. Those were certainly the banner 
days for baseball, in New York and elsewhere. Jackie Robinson, one of 
the all stars with the legendary Brooklyn Dodgers, stood as tall as one 
of New York's skyscrapers themselves.
  Jackie Robinson's courage, quiet determination and competitive spirit 
were evident throughout his life. At UCLA, Jackie Robinson was the 
first four-letter man excelling at football, basketball, track, and 
baseball.
  Although he was far along the path to a promising future in sports, 
Jackie Robinson had to leave college after 3 years to support his 
mother. He realized that coming to his mother's aid in a time of need 
was a more compelling priority. Jackie Robinson was a giving, unselfish 
man, and devoted son.
  In 1942, Jackie Robinson faced another noble calling. He joined the 
Army to serve his country during World War II. In his 3 years of 
service, Jackie rose to the rank of 2d lieutenant and attended Officers 
Candidate School. The atmosphere of segregation in the Army inspired 
him to forge ahead and begin a quiet but lifelong determined effort to 
fight discrimination.

  After the Army, Jackie Robinson returned to his true dream--playing 
baseball. Despite the color barrier, Jackie Robinson persisted. Jackie 
Robinson experienced the ugly face of bigotry firsthand playing for the 
Negro Baseball League in 1945. It was commonplace to have hotel and 
restaurant doors shut in his face. He withstood vicious taunts and 
threats from fans. Even some of his own teammates would not acknowledge 
him.
  But those affronts and experiences did not diminish Jackie Robinson's 
spirit. Eventually, his excellence and determination prevailed. In 1946 
he joined the Montreal Royals minor-league team in the Dodgers 
organization. That same year, he was recognized as the MVP of the 
league, the first of many baseball honors.
  In 1947, Jackie Robinson became prominent in the history of our 
Nation and its great pastime. He penetrated the color barrier in 
baseball when he was brought up to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This 
breakthrough reverberated throughout all professional sports and is 
acknowledged today as a watershed event in the continuing struggle for 
racial equality.
  Mr. President, in late 1947, Jackie Robinson was named Rookie of the 
Year, actually the first so-named in the major leagues. Then in 1949 he 
was named MVP of the National League. Throughout his 11-year career 
with the Dodgers, Jackie Robinson won batting titles, set fielding 
records, and was feared as a base stealer.
  Another first occurred in 1962 when Jackie Robinson became the first 
African-American to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame located 
in Cooperstown, NY.
  Mr. President, for many of us, especially, those of my generation, 
Jackie Robinson is synonymous with baseball. He dazzled and electrified 
crowds with his energetic performances on the field. Time and time 
again, he brought fans to their feet. At the same time, he united a 
whole city with his personal enthusiasm, and baseball excellence. But, 
Jackie Robinson, the man transformed his greatness on the baseball 
diamond to greatness in his community, hitting homeruns for his fellow 
man. In many ways, Jackie Robinson united our Nation through all of his 
achievements.
  After retiring from professional baseball, he entered a life of 
service to his

[[Page S11541]]

community. He donned the many hats of businessman, community leader, 
and civil rights activist. His dedication to bringing down social 
barriers thrived. He provided affordable housing to low-income families 
through the Jackie Robinson Development Corp. He helped spur economic 
development in Harlem by founding the Freedom National Bank, now a 
prosperous financial institution. As vice president for personnel at a 
well-known fast-food chain, he championed the cause of increasing 
benefits for workers and their families.
  Mr. President, Jackie Robinson remains an inspiration to this Nation 
and a commemorative coin will serve as a fitting tribute to this great 
man. In the spirit of honoring our greatest American heroes, I am 
introducing this bill which would authorize silver dollar commemorative 
coins to be minted in 1997 celebrating the 50th anniversary of breaking 
the color barrier in American baseball by Jackie Robinson. Once the 
Mint has recovered its costs, profits would go to the Jackie Robinson 
Foundation, a public, not-for-profit organization.
  The focus of the Jackie Robinson Foundation is to make educational 
and leadership development opportunities available to minority youths 
of limited financial resources. Full 4-year college scholarships are 
awarded to those youths who meet the selection criteria of the 
foundation. These criteria are based on academic achievement, community 
service, leadership potential, and financial need.
  The successes of the foundation's primary goal are undeniable. Since 
its inception, over 400 young adults from all parts of this Nation have 
benefited from participation with most students obtaining degrees in 
engineering, science and related fields. And furthermore, the 
graduation rate of the foundation participants is 92 percent, one of 
the best in our country.

  The Jackie Robinson Foundation was established by Mrs. Rachel 
Robinson a year following Jackie Robinson's untimely death. She has 
worked tirelessly to keep his inspiration alive through her gentle 
strength and relentless determination. Jackie Robinson once said of his 
wife of 26 years--``strong, loving, gentle, and brave, never afraid to 
either criticize or comfort.'' Rachel Robinson is truly an incredible 
woman. I can attest to that.
  Mr. President, I want to thank my colleague from New York, Floyd 
Flake for his leadership and dedication in this matter. I would also 
like to extend a deep appreciation to all cosponsors for their 
incredible support in realizing this effort. I owe a special debt of 
gratitude to the Honorable Robert Rubin, Secretary of the Treasury and 
Philip Diehl, Director of the U.S. Mint for their support.
  Mr. President, I ask for unanimous consent that the text of the bill 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2136

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Jackie Robinson 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) $1 Silver Coins.--In commemoration of the 50th 
     anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in major 
     league baseball by Jackie Robinson and the legacy that Jackie 
     Robinson left to society, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins, each of 
     which shall--
       (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 3. SOURCES OF BULLION.

       The Secretary shall obtain silver for minting coins under 
     this Act only from stockpiles established under the Strategic 
     and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of Jackie Robinson and his 
     contributions to major league baseball and to society.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``1997''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Jackie Robinson Foundation (hereafter in this Act referred to 
     as the ``Foundation'') and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the period beginning on 
     April 15, 1997, and ending on April 15, 1998.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in subsection (d) with respect 
     to such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (d) Surcharges.--All sales shall include a surcharge of $10 
     per coin.

     SEC. 7. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no 
     provision of law governing procurement or public contracts 
     shall be applicable to the procurement of goods and services 
     necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
       (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not 
     relieve any person entering into a contract under the 
     authority of this Act from complying with any law relating to 
     equal employment opportunity.

     SEC. 8. DISTRIBUTION OF SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--Subject to section 10(a), all surcharges 
     received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under 
     this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the 
     Foundation for the purposes of--
       (1) enhancing the programs of the Foundation in the fields 
     of education and youth leadership skills development; and
       (2) increasing the availability of scholarships for 
     economically disadvantaged youths.
       (b) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall have the right to examine such books, records, 
     documents, and other data of the Foundation as may be related 
     to the expenditures of amounts paid under subsection (a).

     SEC. 9. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       (a) No Net Cost to the Government.--The Secretary shall 
     take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting 
     and issuing coins under this Act will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.
       (b) Payment for Coins.--A coin shall not be issued under 
     this Act unless the Secretary has received--
       (1) full payment for the coin;
       (2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the 
     United States for full payment; or
       (3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the 
     Secretary from a depository institution whose deposits are 
     insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the 
     National Credit Union Administration Board.

     SEC. 10. CONDITIONS ON PAYMENT OF SURCHARGES.

       (a) Payment of Surcharges.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, no amount derived from the proceeds of any 
     surcharge imposed on the sale of coins issued under this Act 
     shall be paid to the Foundation unless--
       (1) all numismatic operation and program costs allocable to 
     the program under which such coins are produced and sold have 
     been recovered; and
       (2) the Foundation submits an audited financial statement 
     which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary of 
     the Treasury that, with respect to all projects or purposes 
     for which the proceeds of such surcharge may be used, the 
     Foundation has raised funds from private sources for such 
     projects and purposes in an amount which is equal to or 
     greater than the maximum amount the Foundation may receive 
     from the proceeds of such surcharge.
       (b) Annual Audits.--
       (1) Annual audits of recipients required.--The Foundation 
     shall provide, as a condition for receiving any amount 
     derived from the proceeds of any surcharge imposed on the 
     sale of coins issued under this Act, for

[[Page S11542]]

     an annual audit, in accordance with generally accepted 
     government auditing standards by an independent public 
     accountant selected by the Foundation, of all such payments 
     to the Foundation beginning in the first fiscal year of the 
     Foundation in which any such amount is received and 
     continuing until all such amounts received by the Foundation 
     with respect to such surcharges are fully expended or placed 
     in trust.
       (2) Minimum requirements for annual audits.--At a minimum, 
     each audit of the Foundation pursuant to paragraph (1) shall 
     report--
       (A) the amount of payments received by the Foundation 
     during the fiscal year of the Foundation for which the audit 
     is conducted which are derived from the proceeds of any 
     surcharge imposed on the sale of coins issued under this Act;
       (B) the amount expended by the Foundation from the proceeds 
     of such surcharges during the fiscal year of the Foundation 
     for which the audit is conducted; and
       (C) whether all expenditures by the Foundation from the 
     proceeds of such surcharges during the fiscal year of the 
     Foundation for which the audit is conducted were for 
     authorized purposes.
       (3) Responsibility of foundation to account for 
     expenditures of surcharges.--The Foundation shall take 
     appropriate steps, as a condition for receiving any payment 
     of any amount derived from the proceeds of any surcharge 
     imposed on the sale of coins issued under this Act, to ensure 
     that the receipt of the payment and the expenditure of the 
     proceeds of such surcharge by the Foundation in each fiscal 
     year of the Foundation can be accounted for separately from 
     all other revenues and expenditures of the Foundation.
       (4) Submission of audit report.--Not later than 90 days 
     after the end of any fiscal year of the Foundation for which 
     an audit is required under paragraph (1), the Foundation 
     shall--
       (A) submit a copy of the report to the Secretary of the 
     Treasury; and
       (B) make a copy of the report available to the public.
       (5) Use of surcharges for audits.--The Foundation may use 
     any amount received from payments derived from the proceeds 
     of any surcharge imposed on the sale of coins issued under 
     this Act to pay the cost of an audit required under paragraph 
     (1).
       (6) Waiver of subsection.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     may waive the application of any paragraph of this subsection 
     to the Foundation for any fiscal year after taking into 
     account the amount of surcharges which such Foundation 
     received or expended during such year.
       (7) Availability of books and records.--The Foundation 
     shall provide, as a condition for receiving any payment 
     derived from the proceeds of any surcharge imposed on the 
     sale of coins issued under this Act, to the Inspector General 
     of the Department of the Treasury or the Comptroller General 
     of the United States, upon the request of such Inspector 
     General or the Comptroller General, all books, records, and 
     workpapers belonging to or used by the Foundation, or by any 
     independent public accountant who audited the Foundation in 
     accordance with paragraph (1), which may relate to the 
     receipt or expenditure of any such amount by the Foundation.
       (c) Use of Agents or Attorneys to Influence Commemorative 
     Coin Legislation.--No portion of any payment to the 
     Foundation from amounts derived from the proceeds of 
     surcharges imposed on the sale of coins issued under this Act 
     may be used, directly or indirectly, by the Foundation to 
     compensate any agent or attorney for services rendered to 
     support or influence in any way legislative action of the 
     Congress relating to the coins minted and issued under this 
     Act.

  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I wonder if my friend from New York will make sure I 
am added as a cosponsor.
  Mr. D'AMATO. I am delighted. I ask unanimous consent that Senator 
Murkowski be added as a cosponsor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
                                 ______