[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 142 (Friday, October 4, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H12286-H12290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 1776) to require the Secretary of the 
Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of black Revolutionary War 
patriots and the 275th anniversary of the first black Revolutionary War 
patriot, Crispus Attucks, with Senate amendments thereto, and concur in 
the Senate amendments.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendments, as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``United 
     States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

                  TITLE I--COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAMS

Sec. 101. Commemorative coin programs.
Sec. 102. Design.
Sec. 103. Legal tender.
Sec. 104. Sources of bullion.
Sec. 105. Quality of coins.
Sec. 106. Sale of coins.
Sec. 107. General waiver of procurement regulations.
Sec. 108. Financial assurances.

 TITLE II--NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL MAINTENANCE FUND

Sec. 201. National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund.

      TITLE III--STUDY OF FIFTY STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Study.
Sec. 303. Fixed terms for members of the Citizens Commemorative Coin 
              Advisory Committee.
Sec. 304. Mint managerial staffing reform.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act--
       (1) the term ``Fund'' means the National Law Enforcement 
     Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund established under section 
     201;
       (2) the term ``recipient organization'' means an 
     organization described in section 101 to which surcharges 
     received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under 
     this Act are paid; and
       (3) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Treasury.
                  TITLE I--COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAMS

     SEC. 101. COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAMS.

       In accordance with the recommendations of the Citizens 
     Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee, the Secretary shall 
     mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) Dolley madison.--
       (A) In general.--In commemoration of the 150th anniversary 
     of the death of Dolley Madison, the Secretary shall mint and 
     issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins, each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (B) Design of coins.--The design of the coins minted under 
     this paragraph shall be emblematic of the 150th anniversary 
     of the death of

[[Page H12287]]

     Dolley Madison and the life and achievements of the wife of 
     the fourth President of the United States.
       (C) Mint facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this paragraph.
       (D) Issuance of coins.--
       (i) Commencement of issuance.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this paragraph beginning January 1, 1999.
       (ii) Termination of minting authority.--No coins may be 
     minted under this paragraph after December 31, 1999.
       (E) Surcharges.--All sales of the coins issued under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (F) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), all surcharges received by the Secretary from 
     the sale of coins issued under this paragraph shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the National Trust for 
     Historic Preservation in the United States (hereafter in this 
     paragraph referred to as the ``National Trust'') to be used--
       (i) to establish an endowment to be a permanent source of 
     support for Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison 
     and a museum property of the National Trust; and
       (ii) to fund capital restoration projects at Montpelier.
       (2) George washington.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall mint and issue not 
     more than 100,000 $5 coins, each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (B) Design of coins.--The design of the coins minted under 
     this paragraph shall be emblematic of George Washington, the 
     first President of the United States.
       (C) Mint facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this paragraph.
       (D) Issuance of coins.--
       (i) Commencement of issuance.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this paragraph beginning May 1, 1999.
       (ii) Termination of minting authority.--No coins may be 
     minted under this paragraph after November 31, 1999.
       (E) Surcharges.--All sales of coins minted under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $35 per coin.
       (F) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), all surcharges received by the Secretary from 
     the sale of coins issued under this paragraph shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the Mount Vernon Ladies' 
     Association (hereafter in this paragraph referred to as the 
     ``Association'') to be used--
       (i) to supplement the Association's endowment for the 
     purpose of providing a permanent source of support for the 
     preservation of George Washington's home; and
       (ii) to provide financial support for the continuation and 
     expansion of the Association's efforts to educate the 
     American people about the life of George Washington.
       (3) Black revolutionary war patriots.--
       (A) In general.--In commemoration of Black Revolutionary 
     War patriots and the 275th anniversary of the birth of the 
     first Black Revolutionary War patriot, Crispus Attucks, who 
     was the first American colonist killed by British troops 
     during the Revolutionary period, the Secretary shall mint and 
     issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins, each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (B) Design of coins.--The design of the coins minted under 
     this paragraph--
       (i) on the obverse side of the coins, shall be emblematic 
     of the first Black Revolutionary War patriot, Crispus 
     Attucks; and
       (ii) on the reverse side of such coins, shall be emblematic 
     of the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial.
       (C) Mint facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this paragraph.
       (D) Issuance of coins.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this paragraph only during the period beginning 
     on January 1, 1998, and ending on December 31, 1998.
       (E) Surcharges.--All sales of coins issued under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (F) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), all surcharges received by the Secretary from 
     the sale of coins issued under this paragraph shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the Black Revolutionary War 
     Patriots Foundation for the purpose of establishing an 
     endowment to support the construction of a Black 
     Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial.
       (4) Franklin delano roosevelt.--
       (A) In general.--To commemorate the public opening of the 
     Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C., which 
     will honor President Roosevelt's leadership and legacy, 
     during a 1-year period beginning on or after May 15, 1997, 
     the Secretary shall issue not more than 100,000 $5 coins, 
     each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (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 paragraph.
       (C) Surcharges.--All sales of the coins issued under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $35 per coin.
       (D) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), all surcharges received by the Secretary from 
     the sale of coins issued under this paragraph shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the Franklin Delano 
     Roosevelt Memorial Commission.
       (5) Yellowstone national park.--
       (A) In general.--To commemorate the 125th anniversary of 
     the establishment of Yellowstone National Park as the first 
     national park in the United States, and the birth of the 
     national park idea, during a 1-year period beginning in 1999, 
     the Secretary shall issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins, 
     each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent alloy.
       (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 paragraph.
       (C) Surcharges.--All sales of the coins issued under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (D) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), all surcharges received by the Secretary from 
     the sale of coins issued under this paragraph shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary in accordance with the 
     following:
       (i) Fifty percent of the surcharges received shall be paid 
     to the National Park Foundation to be used for the support of 
     national parks.
       (ii) Fifty percent of the surcharges received shall be paid 
     to Yellowstone National Park.
       (6) National law enforcement officers memorial.--
       (A) In general.--To recognize the sacrifice of law 
     enforcement officers and their families in preserving public 
     safety, during a 1-year period beginning on or after December 
     15, 1997, the Secretary shall issue not more than 500,000 $1 
     coins, each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent alloy.
       (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 paragraph.
       (C) Surcharges.--All sales of the coins issued under this 
     paragraph shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (D) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act), after receiving surcharges from the sale of the 
     coins issued under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
     transfer to the Secretary of the Interior an amount equal to 
     the surcharges received from the sale of the coins issued 
     under this paragraph, which amount shall be deposited in the 
     Fund established under section 201.
       (7) Jackie robinson.--
       (A) In general.--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 shall mint and issue--
       (i) not more than 100,000 $5 coins, each of which shall--

       (I) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (II) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (III) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy; and

       (ii) not more than 200,000 $1 coins, each of which shall--

       (I) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (II) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (III) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.

       (B) Design of coins.--The design of the coins minted under 
     this paragraph shall be emblematic of Jackie Robinson and his 
     contributions to major league baseball and to society.
       (C) Mint facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this paragraph.
       (D) Issuance of coins.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this paragraph only during the period beginning 
     on July 1, 1997, and ending on July 1, 1998.
       (E) Surcharges.--All sales of the coins issued under--
       (i) subparagraph (A)(i) shall include a surcharge of $35 
     per coin; and
       (ii) subparagraph (A)(ii) shall include a surcharge of $10 
     per coin.
       (F) Distribution of surcharges.--Subject to section 5134(f) 
     of title 31, United States Code (as added by section 301(b) 
     of this Act)--
       (i) all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale 
     of the initial 100,000 coins issued under subparagraph 
     (A)(ii), shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the 
     National Fund for the United States Botanic Garden; and
       (ii) all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale 
     of any coins issued under this paragraph (other than the 
     coins described in clause (i)) shall be promptly paid by the 
     Secretary to the Jackie Robinson Foundation for the purposes 
     of--

       (I) enhancing the programs of the Jackie Robinson 
     Foundation in the fields of education and youth leadership 
     skills development; and
       (II) increasing the availability of scholarships for 
     economically disadvantaged youths.

     SEC. 102. DESIGN.

       (a) Selection.--The design for each coin issued under this 
     paragraph shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     appropriate recipient organization or

[[Page H12288]]

     organizations and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.
       (b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin issued 
     under this paragraph there shall be--
       (1) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (2) an inscription of the year; and
       (3) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.

     SEC. 103. LEGAL TENDER.

       (a) Legal Tender.--The coins issued under this title shall 
     be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134(f) of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this 
     title shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 104. SOURCES OF BULLION.

       (a) Gold.--The Secretary shall obtain gold for minting 
     coins under this title pursuant to the authority of the 
     Secretary under other provisions of law.
       (b) Silver.--The Secretary shall obtain silver for minting 
     coins under this title from sources the Secretary determines 
     to be appropriate, including stockpiles established under the 
     Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.

     SEC. 105. QUALITY OF COINS.

       Each coin minted under this title shall be issued in 
     uncirculated and proof qualities.

     SEC. 106. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--Each coin issued under this title shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coin;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 101 with respect to 
     the coin; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coin (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this title before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

     SEC. 107. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

       Section 5112(j) of title 31, United States Code, shall 
     apply to the procurement of goods or services necessary to 
     carrying out the programs and operations of the United States 
     Mint under this title.

     SEC. 108. 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 title will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.
       (b) Payment for Coins.--A coin shall not be issued under 
     this title 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.
 TITLE II--NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL MAINTENANCE FUND

     SEC. 201. NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL 
                   MAINTENANCE FUND.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--There is established the National Law 
     Enforcement Officers Memorial Maintenance Fund, which shall 
     be a revolving fund administered by the Secretary of the 
     Interior (or the designee of the Secretary of the Interior).
       (2) Funding.--Amounts in the Fund shall include--
       (A) amounts deposited in the Fund under section 101(6); and
       (B) any donations received under paragraph (3).
       (3) Donations.--The Secretary of the Interior may accept 
     donations to the Fund.
       (4) Interest-bearing account.--The Fund shall be maintained 
     in an interest-bearing account within the Treasury of the 
     United States.
       (b) Purposes.--The Fund shall be used--
       (1) for the maintenance and repair of the National Law 
     Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.;
       (2) to periodically add the names of law enforcement 
     officers who have died in the line of duty to the National 
     Law Enforcement Officers Memorial;
       (3) for the security of the National Law Enforcement 
     Officers Memorial site, including the posting of National 
     Park Service rangers and United States Park Police, as 
     appropriate;
       (4) at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior and 
     in consultation with the Secretary and the Attorney General 
     of the United States, who shall establish an equitable 
     procedure between the Fund and such other organizations as 
     may be appropriate, to provide educational scholarships to 
     the immediate family members of law enforcement officers 
     killed in the line of duty whose names appear on the National 
     Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the total annual amount of 
     such scholarships not to exceed 10 percent of the annual 
     income of the Fund;
       (5) for the dissemination of information regarding the 
     National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to the general 
     public;
       (6) to administer the Fund, including contracting for 
     necessary services, in an amount not to exceed the lesser 
     of--
       (A) 10 percent of the annual income of the Fund; or
       (B) $200,000 during any 1-year period; and
       (7) at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior, in 
     consultation with the Fund, for appropriate purposes in the 
     event of an emergency affecting the operation of the National 
     Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, except that, during any 1-
     year period, not more than $200,000 of the principal of the 
     Fund may be used to carry out this paragraph.
       (c) Budget and Audit Treatment.--The Fund shall be subject 
     to the budget and audit provisions of chapter 91 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
      TITLE III--STUDY OF FIFTY STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``50 States Commemorative 
     Coin Program Act''.

     SEC. 302. STUDY.

       (a) Study.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall by June 1, 
     1997 complete a study of the feasibility of a circulating 
     commemorative coin program to commemorate each of the 50 
     States. The study shall assess likely public acceptance of 
     and consumer demand for different coins that might be issued 
     in connection with such a program (taking into consideration 
     the pace of issuance of coins and the length of such a 
     program), a comparison of the costs of producing coins issued 
     under the program and the revenue that the program would 
     generate, the impact on coin distribution systems, the 
     advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to 
     selecting designs for coins in such a program, and such other 
     factors as the Secretary considers appropriate in deciding 
     upon the feasibility of such a program. No steps taken in 
     order to gather information for this study shall be 
     considered a collection of information within the meaning of 
     section 3502 of title 44, United States Code.
       (b) Report.--The Secretary shall submit the study required 
     in subsection (a) above, to the Committee on Banking and 
     Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the 
     Senate, simultaneously on its receipt by the Secretary.
       (c) 50-State Commemorative Coin Program.--The Secretary 
     shall determine by August 1, 1997 whether the results of the 
     study authorized by subsection (a) justify such a program. If 
     the Secretary determines that such a program is justified, 
     then he shall by January 1, 1999, notwithstanding the fourth 
     sentence of subsection (d)(1) and subsection (d)(2) of 
     section 5112, title 31, United States Code, commence a 
     commemorative coin program consisting of the minting and 
     issuance of quarter dollar coins bearing designs, selected in 
     accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection, which are 
     emblematic of the 50 States. If the Secretary determines that 
     such a commemorative coin program is justified but that it is 
     not practicable to commence the program by January 1, 1999, 
     then he shall notify the Committee on Banking and Financial 
     Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate of such 
     impracticability and of the date on which the program will 
     commence.
       (1) Design.--The design for each quarter dollar issued 
     under the program shall be emblematic of 1 of the 50 States. 
     The designs for quarter dollar coins issued during each year 
     of the program shall be emblematic of States which have not 
     previously been commemorated under the program.
       (2) Order of issuance.--Each State will be honored by a 
     coin in the order of that State's admission to the United 
     States.
       (3) Number of coins.--Of the quarter dollar coins issued 
     during each year of the program, the Secretary shall 
     prescribe, on the basis of such factors as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate, the number of quarter dollar 
     coins which shall be issued with each of the designs selected 
     for such year.
       (4) Selection of design.--Each of the 50 designs required 
     for quarter dollars issued under the program shall be--
       (A) selected pursuant to a process, decided upon by the 
     Secretary, on the basis of the study conducted pursuant to 
     subsection (a), which process shall involve, among other 
     things, consultation with appropriate officials of the State 
     being commemorated with such design; and
       (B) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts.
       (5) Treatment as numismatic items.--For purposes of 
     sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all 
     coins minted under this section shall be considered to be 
     numismatic items.
       (6) Numismatic items.--
       (A) Quality of coins.--The Secretary may mint and issue 
     such number of quarter dollars of each design selected under 
     paragraph (4) of this subsection in uncirculated and proof 
     qualities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       (B) Silver coins.--Notwithstanding the provisions of 
     subsection 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code, the 
     Secretary may mint and issue such number of quarter dollars 
     of each design selected under paragraph (4) of this 
     subsection as the Secretary determines to be appropriate with 
     a content of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (C) Sources of bullion.--The Secretary may obtain silver 
     for minting coins under paragraph (6)(B) from stockpiles 
     established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock 
     Piling Act.
       (d) Funding.--Funds used to complete this study shall be 
     offset from funds from the Department of the Treasury.

[[Page H12289]]

     SEC. 303. FIXED TERMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITIZENS 
                   COMMEMORATIVE COIN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--Section 5135(a)(4) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(4) Terms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each individual appointed to the 
     Advisory Committee under clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph 
     (3)(A) shall be appointed for a term of 4 years.
       ``(B) Interim appointments.--Any member appointed to fill a 
     vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which 
     such member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed 
     only for the remainder of such term.
       ``(C) Continuation of service.--Each member appointed under 
     clause (i) or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A) may continue to serve 
     after the expiration of the term to which such member was 
     appointed until a successor has been appointed and 
     qualified.''.
       (b) Staggered Terms.--Of the members appointed to the 
     Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee under clause 
     (i) or (iii) of section 5135(a)(3)(A) of title 31, United 
     States Code, who are serving on the Advisory Committee as of 
     the date of the enactment of this Act--
       (1) 1 member appointed under clause (i) and 1 member 
     appointed under clause (iii), as designated by the Secretary, 
     shall be deemed to have been appointed to a term which ends 
     on December 31, 1997;
       (2) 1 member appointed under clause (i) and 1 member 
     appointed under clause (iii), as designated by the Secretary, 
     shall be deemed to have been appointed to a term which ends 
     on December 31, 1998; and
       (3) 1 member appointed under clause (i) and 1 member 
     appointed under clause (iii), as designated by the Secretary, 
     shall be deemed to have been appointed to a term which ends 
     on December 31, 1999.
       (c) Status of Members.--The members appointed to the 
     Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee under clause 
     (i) or (iii) of section 5135(a)(3)(A) of title 31, United 
     States Code, shall not be treated as special Government 
     employees.

     SEC. 304. MINT MANAGERIAL STAFFING REFORM.

       Section 5131 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (c); and
       (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (during the reading). Without objection, the 
Senate amendments are considered as read and printed in the Record.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1776, an omnibus 
commemorative coin act that has been negotiated with the Senate. This 
bill contains seven surcharged commemorative coin programs and the 
promise of a new circulating program. For the first time, the taxpayer 
and the Mint will be insulated from any failure of these programs to 
sell their authorized mintage amounts. That is because the protections 
from our earlier reform legislation H.R. 2614, have been signed into 
law earlier this week.
  The beneficiaries of the respective coins are as follows--for 1997: 
the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, 100,000 $5 gold coins 
authorized, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 
500,000 silver dollars authorized, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, 
100,000 $5 gold coins authorized and 200,000 silver dollars authorized. 
In 1999, Yellowstone National Park is scheduled to be commemorated, 
with 500,000 silver $1 coins authorized.
  In addition, we are moving toward the first circulating commemorative 
coin program since the bicentennial quarter. Providing a Treasury 
feasibility study is positive, the program will honor the 50 States of 
the United States of America by producing a series of circulating 
quarter dollar coins that commemorate each State in the order that they 
entered the Union.
  The bill also provides coins for the three programs that observed 
House Banking Committee rules and proceeded through the difficult 
process of obtaining two thirds co-sponsorship, through hearings, mark-
up and passage through this House in regular order. They are: The Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial for 1998, 500,000 silver dollars, 
the Dolley Madison coin for the benefit of Montpelier in 1999, 500,000 
silver dollars, and the George Washington coin to benefit Mount Vernon 
also in 1999, 100,000 gold $5 pieces.
  This bill protects the taxpayer from the abuses common to many 
earlier coin programs and still benefits these most worthy causes.
  I urge its immediate adoption.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the 
Senate amendments to H.R. 1776. Included in them is a bill I introduced 
with Congressman Floyd Flake which would commemorate the 50th 
anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier in major 
league baseball. Our bill, entitled the ``Jackie Robinson Commemorative 
Coin Act'' (H.R. 4148) currently has 158 cosponsors.
  Our bill would authorize the minting of $1 coins to commemorate this 
important event in American history. Sales of the coin would benefit 
the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which provides college scholarships to 
hundreds of underprivileged students. An important feature of this bill 
is that it requires the Treasury Department to recover its full costs 
before any funds go to the Foundation.
  Jackie Robinson was a great and courageous American. Many Americans 
today would be unable to comprehend the virulent racism Jackie Robinson 
experienced when he became America's first African-American major 
league baseball player.
  It is truly amazing that any human being could have withstood the 
endless abuse and degrading racial epithets that were hurled at Jackie 
Robinson during the 1947 baseball season. Yet, he never let racial 
slurs get the best of him. Instead, Jackie Robinson conducted himself 
with the utmost grace and dignity. On the field, he proved to his 
detractors that the color of one's skin is irrelevant to one's athletic 
ability.
  In fact, he was such an incredible ballplayer that he won the Rookie 
of the Year award that year.
  Mr. Speaker, Jackie Robinson was a talented hitter and fielder, but 
to many, his athletic prowess was most apparent as a base runner. he 
led the National League in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949. Perhaps his 
most exciting play was stealing home. As any baseball fan knows, 
stealing home is one of the most difficult plays in baseball to 
execute--yet it was Jackie Robinson's specialty.
  I remember watching old newsreels of Brooklyn Dodger games and seeing 
Jackie on third base, with a big lead, taunting the pitcher. Then he 
would explode down the base path in a flash and slide into home before 
the catcher could apply the tag. No play in baseball is more exciting 
to watch.
  Of course, stealing home, like being the first black major league 
ball player, take guts, supreme confidence, and a steely 
determination--qualities Jackie Robinson had both on and off the field.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1776, an omnibus 
commemorative coin act that has been negotiated with the Senate. This 
bill contains seven surcharged coin programs that, as usual, benefit 
worthy causes. I still believe that there are too many coin programs 
being ordered to be minted in 1997 for them all to be successful. 
However, for the first time, the taxpayer and the mint will be 
insulated from any failure of these programs to sell their authorized 
mintage amounts. That is because the protections from our reform 
legislation H.R. 2614, have been signed into law earlier this week.
  The beneficiaries of the respective coins are as follows--for 1997: 
the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, 100,000 $5 gold coins 
authorized, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 
500,000 silver dollars authorized, and the Jackie Robinson Foundation, 
100,000 $5 gold coins authorized and 200,000 silver dollars authorized. 
In 1999 Yellowstone National Park will be commemorated, 500,000 silver 
coins authorized. Under the Commemorative Coin Reform Act signed into 
law on September 30, 1996, only two programs per year are permitted. 
Early in the 105th Congress we will address this conflict in a mutually 
agreeable fashion.
  The bill also includes something for the collectors who support all 
of these programs by actually purchasing the resulting coins. Beginning 
after 1999, mintages will be limited and as stated, only two programs 
per year will be permitted. In addition, we are moving toward the first 
circulating commemorative coin program since the bicentennial quarter. 
Providing a Treasury feasibility study is positive, the program will 
honor the 50 States of the United States of America by producing a 
series of circulating quarter dollar coins that commemorate each State 
in the order that they entered the Union.
  Each year, until every State has been honored, five unique designs, 
each representing an individual State, will be issued at intervals of 
about 2 months. The completed set will represent the diverse history 
and culture of the States of the Union.
  There will be no private surcharges added to the cost of these coins. 
Nevertheless, the estimated earnings from the silver coins alone is 
over $100 million over the course of the program. This sum is scorable 
for budgetary purposes.
  The mint's production schedule is demand driven. Increased 
production, estimated for this circulating commemorative program at an 
additional 50 percent over baseline projections, will produce 
anticipated earnings on the order of over $3 billion for the total 
program. By Congressional Budget Office scoring convention, these 
earnings are off-budget and thus are not available to be spent by 
Congress. Instead, they will be applied directly to replace borrowing 
otherwise necessary to fund the national debt, saving taxpayers over $1 
billion in interest payments over the first 10 years of the program.
  The bill also provides coins for the three programs that observed 
House Banking Committee rules and proceeded through the difficult 
process of obtaining two-thirds cosponsorship, through hearings, markup 
and passage through this House in regular order.

[[Page H12290]]

They are: The Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial for 1998, 
500,000 silver dollars, the Dolley Madison coin for the benefit of 
Montpelier in 1999, 500,000 silver dollars, and the George Washington 
coin to benefit Mount Vernon also in 1999, 100,000 gold $5 pieces.
  Among its other virtues, this program will introduce a younger and 
more diverse population to the fascinating hobby of coin collecting. 
This bill will also protect the taxpayer from the abuses common to many 
earlier coin programs and still benefit a number of worthy causes.
  I urge its immediate adoption.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the initial request of 
the gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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