[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H7617-H7622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                50 STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM ACT

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2414) to provide for a 10-year circulating commemorative 
coin program to commemorate each of the 50 States, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2414

       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 ``50 States Commemorative Coin 
     Program Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress hereby finds the following:
       (1) It is appropriate and timely to--
       (A) honor the unique Federal republic of 50 States that 
     comprise the United States; and
       (B) promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of 
     the United States about the individual States, their history 
     and geography, and the rich diversity of the national 
     heritage.
       (2) The circulating coinage of the United States has not 
     been modernized within the past 25 years.
       (3) A circulating commemorative 25-cent coin program could 
     produce earnings of

[[Page H7618]]

     $110,000,000 from the sale of silver proof coins and sets 
     over the 10-year period of issuance and would produce 
     indirect earnings of an estimated $2,600,000,000 to 
     $5,100,000,000 to the United States Treasury, money that will 
     replace borrowing to fund the national debt to at least that 
     extent.
       (4) It is appropriate to launch a commemorative circulating 
     coin program that encourages young people and their families 
     to collect memorable tokens of all the States for the face 
     value of the coins.

     SEC. 3. ISSUANCE OF REDESIGNED QUARTER DOLLARS OVER 10-YEAR 
                   PERIOD COMMEMORATING EACH OF THE 50 STATES.

       Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(k) Redesign and Issuance of Quarter Dollar in 
     Commemoration of Each of the 50 States.--
       ``(1) Redesign beginning in 1999.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the 4th sentence of 
     subsection (d)(1) and subsection (d)(2), quarter dollar coins 
     issued during the 10-year period beginning in 1999, shall 
     have designs on the reverse side selected in accordance with 
     this subsection which are emblematic of the 50 States.
       ``(B) Transition provision.--Notwithstanding subparagraph 
     (A), the Secretary may continue to mint and issue quarter 
     dollars in 1999 which bear the design in effect before the 
     redesign required under this subsection and an inscription of 
     the year `1998' as required to ensure a smooth transition 
     into the 10-year program under this subsection.
       ``(2) Single state designs.--The design on the reverse side 
     of each quarter dollar issued during the 10-year period 
     referred to in paragraph (1) shall be emblematic of 1 of the 
     50 States.
       ``(3) Issuance of coins commemorating 5 states during each 
     of the 10 years.--
       ``(A) In general.--The designs for the quarter dollar coins 
     issued during each year of the 10-year period referred to in 
     paragraph (1) shall be emblematic of 5 States selected in the 
     order in which such States ratified the Constitution of the 
     United States or were admitted into the Union, as the case 
     may be.
       ``(B) Number of each of 5 coin designs in each year.--Of 
     the quarter dollar coins issued during each year (of the 10-
     year period referred to in paragraph (1)), the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall prescribe, on the basis of such factors as 
     the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the number of 
     quarter dollars which shall be issued with each of the 5 
     designs selected for such year.
       ``(4) Selection of design.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each of the 50 designs required under 
     this subsection for quarter dollars shall be--
       ``(i) selected by the Secretary after consultation with--
       ``(I) the Governor of the State being commemorated, or such 
     other State officials or group as the State may designate for 
     such purpose; and
       ``(II) the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       ``(ii) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.
       ``(B) Selection and approval process.--Designs for quarter 
     dollars may be submitted in accordance with the design 
     selection and approval process developed by the Secretary in 
     the sole discretion of the Secretary.
       ``(C) Participation.--The Secretary may include 
     participation by State officials, artists from the States, 
     engravers of the United States Mint, and members of the 
     general public.
       ``(D) Standards.--Because it is important that the Nation's 
     coinage and currency bear dignified designs of which the 
     citizens of the United States can be proud, the Secretary 
     shall not select any frivolous or inappropriate design for 
     any quarter dollar minted under this subsection.
       ``(E) Prohibition on certain representations.--No head and 
     shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and 
     no portrait of a living person may be included in the design 
     of any quarter dollar under this subsection.
       ``(5) Treatment as numismatic items.--For purposes of 
     sections 5134 and 5136, all coins minted under this 
     subsection 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) in uncirculated and proof qualities as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       ``(B) Silver coins.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), the 
     Secretary may mint and issue such number of quarter dollars 
     of each design selected under paragraph (4) as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate with a content of 90 percent 
     silver and 10 percent copper.
       ``(C) Sources of bullion.--The Secretary shall obtain 
     silver for minting coins under subparagraph (B) from 
     available resources, including stockpiles established under 
     the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.
       ``(7) Application in event of the admission of additional 
     states.--If any additional State is admitted into the Union 
     before the end of the 10-year period referred to in paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary of the Treasury may issue quarter dollar 
     coins, in accordance with this subsection, with a design 
     which is emblematic of such State during any 1 year of such 
     10-year period, in addition to the quarter dollar coins 
     issued during such year in accordance with paragraph 
     (3)(A).''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware [Mr. Castle] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle].
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to bring H.R. 2414 before the House today. 
H.R. 2414, which is known as the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program 
Act of 1997, would authorize the United States Mint to strike over a 
10-year period a series of 50 quarters that would preserve the portrait 
of George Washington on the front or obverse side of the coin, and 
retain all the traditional mottoes and identifying marks the current 
quarter carries.
  On the back or reverse side of the quarter, there would be a series 
of designs honoring each of the 50 States. The coins would be issued at 
the rate of 5 each year, starting in 1999, first in the order of 
States' ratification of the Constitution, then in order of their 
admission to the Union.
  Such a program would reinvigorate our circulating coin program for 
both the public and collectors in a responsible, affordable way. In 
addition, it would be educational and fun, would promote pride among 
the States, and would be a winner financially for the Government.
  Mr. Speaker, my subcommittee, the Subcommittee on Domestic and 
International Monetary Policy of the House Committee on Banking and 
Financial Services, has been studying the concept of a circulating 
commemorative coin since 1997. We have held public hearings, authorized 
an independent study conducted by Coopers & Lybrand, which is 
substantial, and have worked with the Treasury Department on all 
aspects of this issue.
  We are confident that all questions regarding the design process, 
production, and public acceptance of the new quarters have been fully 
addressed. As Members may recall, the quarter, save for a brief 
commemorative design on its reverse for the 1975-76 bicentennial, has 
been unchanged since 1932, the longest period for any coin in U.S. 
history.
  Interestingly, the current quarter itself was intended as a 
circulating commemorative, scheduled to circulate only one year to 
commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington's birthday. This 
country has not had a circulating commemorative coin since the very 
popular Bicentennial quarter.
  While that coin commemorated the bicentennial of the country's birth 
and was not designed as a fundraising mechanism, it was very popular 
with both the general public and with coin collectors. Of the 1.67 
billion quarters struck, only 20 percent are still in circulation, so 
approximately 330 million dollars' worth of coins were saved by people 
and taken out of circulation.
  The fact that people save the coins saves the Government money. It 
represented a cost avoidance, meaning the Treasury did not need to 
borrow that money to pay interest on the national debt. Although this 
was not the original intent of this project, it turns out, based on the 
study commissioned last year by the Treasury Department and conducted 
by the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand, that minting a circulating 
commemorative quarter offering the 50 States would be a pretty 
impressive moneymaker.

                              {time}  1445

  Here is how the mint will earn an estimated $11 million annually, 
$110 million over the life of the program, from the sale of silver 
proof sets of the quarter. The Coopers & Lybrand study showed that, as 
with the Bicentennial quarter, the 50-State quarter will be very 
popular with the public. The study showed that while 51 percent of the 
2,000 people surveyed said that they thought the program would be a 
good idea, 75 percent said they would collect some or all of the 
quarters.
  Because the study found that an overwhelming number of people would 
save the quarters, Coopers & Lybrand estimated that between 2.6 and 5.1 
billion dollars' worth of quarters would be taken out of circulation, 
meaning this program could save taxpayers billions of dollars.
  Given that the survey excluded people under the age of 18, the entire 
universe of schoolchildren that might be

[[Page H7619]]

expected to collect the coins, those figures seem very conservative. 
Estimates by the General Accounting Office and the Congressional Budget 
Office and the mint of the amount that would be collected are generally 
consistent with the Coopers & Lybrand study.
  It must be noted that these estimates are necessarily a little 
imprecise because nothing of this scope, on average, roughly 700 
million quarters will be minted of each State's design, ever has been 
attempted in this country before.
  Our neighbor to the north, Canada, conducted a similar program in 
1992 when that country issued a series of quarters commemorating the 
provinces. While the scale is much smaller, nearly all of these coins 
are said to have been removed from circulation by collectors so quickly 
that the supply of coins struck dried up in 3 months. Given this, the 
program will certainly be a financial benefit to the Government.
  The program will also draw the interest of all Americans. As my 
colleagues have seen in the news, there has been coverage of the 50-
State coin proposal on news pages and feature pages and editorial pages 
in newspapers across the country. Residents of many States have already 
been speculating what symbols would best represent their State.
  In my home State of Delaware, the Wilmington News Journal conducted a 
contest in which Delawareans designed a number of creative suggestions, 
including an outline of the State, the old Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, 
the Delaware Blue Hen, and Caesar Rodney, who made a heroic ride to 
Philadelphia to vote in favor of American independence in 1776. The 
News Journal had well over 100 entries, and I am told that I should 
expect these designs in my office in coming days. As a matter of fact, 
they did a full feature in one of their sections in the paper on this 
subject.
  Even informal contests, like the one in Delaware, will encourage 
school children and all Americans to learn more about the history of 
their States and suggest designs for their State's quarter to the 
Treasury. The public will have a chance to discuss the symbols and 
history of the States, and this will produce an even greater interest 
in this coin program.
  It is important to point out that we have worked with the Department 
of Treasury to ensure that the design of the coins will be carefully 
managed to ensure that they maintain the high standards our coin 
designs have reflected over the years.
  Treasury Secretary Rubin and I are in agreement that all the new 
designs should be dignified. To that end, the legislation authorizing 
the new quarters stipulates that the Secretary, and I quote, ``shall 
not select any frivolous or inappropriate design.'' The bill also 
specifies that the Governors of the individual States, and I quote 
again, ``or such other State officials or group as the State may 
designate'' will consult with the Secretary of the Treasury, who will 
select the final designs.
  When each State's final decision choice is sent to Washington, it 
must be approved by both the Federal Commission of Fine Arts and the 
Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission, the latter chaired by 
the director of the mint, before going to the Treasury Secretary for 
final approval. In other words, the Secretary of the Treasury has 
complete authority to ensure that the designs are appropriate and 
reflect the goals of the program and the high standards of our Nation.
  Importantly, while the bill would have quarters struck in the order 
the States came into the Union, the quarters for the first year would 
represent Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut, 
there is provision for growth of the Union. The bill states that if any 
new State is admitted to the Union during the 10-year period when the 
commemorative quarters are being struck, the Secretary may, using the 
above guidelines, issue a circulating commemorative quarter for that 
State.
  Mr. Speaker, the 50 State Coin Program will promote State pride, 
reinvigorate interest in our circulating coinage, help educate our 
young people, and produce savings for the Treasury. It has been 
carefully developed and will be of real benefit to the Nation. I urge 
the immediate adoption of H.R. 2414.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  MR. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for the expedited 
scheduling of what I believe to be a truly exciting event in the 
history of United States coinage, the 50 States Commemorative Coin 
Program Act.
  This bill also marks the last time that I will have the opportunity 
to bring a bill to the floor as ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy. Thus, it is both a proud 
and bittersweet occasion for me, particularly given the relationship 
that I have had with the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle], chairman 
of this subcommittee.
  It has been a tremendous experience that we have shared. We have had 
a great opportunity to bring bills before the floor, particularly coin 
bills, and have been in agreement in terms of numbers and standards and 
those things which we feel are important for the American people.
  So I would like to thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] for 
the opportunity to serve as ranking member of this Committee on 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy.
  In introducing this bill last year, the committee suggested several 
reasons as to why now is the time to introduce a series of circulating 
commemorative coins. We noted that it is appropriate to honor and 
celebrate our 220th anniversary as a republic. In addition, it was 
brought to our attention that Congress has not modernized U.S. coinage 
for nearly 25 years.
  I am pleased to recognize and recommend this program to the House, 
not only because it will reinvigorate the circulating coin program for 
both the public and collectors, but also because of the obvious 
educational benefits that can be derived from it.
  Each of the 50 coins will bear an image capturing the unique 
character of each and every individual State. This will promote public 
awareness of the roots of the Federal system upon which our Nation is 
founded and increase knowledge of the individuality of each and every 
State in the Nation.
  Beyond the educational dividends, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. 
Castle] and I crafted H.R. 2414 to benefit the Federal budget as well. 
Indirect savings from the program will result in an estimated $3.4 
billion, plus interest, gain for the Treasury over the 10 years that 
this program is in effect.
  Beyond these issues, the circulating commemorative program for 
quarters makes management sense for the mint. Last year, the gentleman 
from Delaware [Mr. Castle], the chairman, and I produced a bill that 
would limit the number of noncirculating commemorative coins. As many 
here may know, there has been a glut on the commemorative coin market 
over the last few years, and the mint and numismatic community have 
urged Congress to reduce the number of commemoratives.
  At the same time, we have been urged to authorize a circulating 
program. The program proposed in H.R. 2414 will strike a balance 
between the mint's productivity capacity and the desire to create 
artistic collectible coinage.
  In what better way could we create excitement in U.S. coinage? This 
program, as one witness in committee hearings described it, would put 
pride back into the pockets of the American citizens. The American 
public will become more aware of the rich history of the U.S. coinage, 
which dates all the way back to the 1790's.
  To illustrate this fact, we need to look back no further than 1976, 
the year we commemorated our Nation's bicentennial on the quarter. The 
bicentennial coins honored the people, places, events, and ideals which 
were the foundation of our great Nation.
  I expect that the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program will reflect 
similar values which exist in each of our 50 States while also 
celebrating our Nation's diversity. Moreover, I believe the legislation 
will generate a collective pride among Americans about not only their 
home States, but also the United States in general.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope that our colleagues will join us in support of 
H.R. 2414.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H7620]]

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Leach], chairman of the Committee on Banking 
and Financial Services.
  Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished friend, the 
gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle], for whom we are all in such great 
debt.
  Mr. Speaker, at issue with American coinage and currency is the need 
for stability and confidence, combined with the need for keeping up 
with the times. This bipartisan legislation, largely the work of the 
gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] and the gentleman from New York 
[Mr. Flake], chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Domestic International Monetary Policy, uniquely is designed to 
maintain continuity by keeping George Washington on one side of the 
quarter, while celebrating American history, and particularly that of 
her 50 States, in new ways on the reverse side.
  The legislation provides an opportunity for artistic expressions from 
our citizenry; it celebrates State history in an uplifting way; and it 
allows for collectors to collect all 50 quarters for only $12.50. Not 
only is this exciting approach educational, indeed fun, but the 
Government projects that the program will produce interest savings on 
the debt of between $2.6 and $5.1 billion.
  I know of very few bills ever brought before Congress in which one 
can find a more unique combination of circumstance: a celebration of 
history, an exercise in artistic expression, and multibillion dollar 
savings to the Federal Government.
  This modest modification of our coinage could not be more in the 
public interest. I congratulate the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. 
Castle] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] on their 
imaginative initiative.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce].
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Flake] for yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2414, legislation intended to 
revitalize the American public's interest in our circulating coins. I 
surely join in all the remarks that have been made thus far by the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Castle], the gentleman from New York 
[Mr. Flake], and the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. Leach].
  This is a unique way to celebrate history, to celebrate the dual 
sovereignty that exists. We have a symbol of the Federal Government 
standard throughout each and every coin, and we allow for an expression 
from each and every State in celebration of the dual sovereignty.
  But more than anything else, I want to take this opportunity to, 
while the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle], as the chairman of the 
committee, is worthy of greatest praise for this particular bill, I 
want to single out the work of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] 
because this may well be the last bill that he will report out to the 
floor and manage. His contribution, not just on this bill, but his 
contributions on countless bills and legislation and issues over the 
years has been virtually legendary.
  He is one of those unique individuals who can and does reach out to 
all sides, whether Democrat or Republican, whether liberal or 
conservative, in order to find common ground. He is not only one of the 
most respected Members of this Chamber, it is quite clear too he is 
perhaps the best-liked Member of this Chamber, and I think that is 
because of the conciliatory approach that he has taken.
  So, it is with some sadness that I participate in today's ceremony 
because it might mark the last bill that the gentleman from New York 
[Mr. Flake] manages.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Washington [Mr. Metcalf]. Let me just say, in matters of monetary 
policy and currency and coins, I do not think there is anyone other 
than the next two speakers on our side who have shown as much interest 
on this subcommittee. We appreciate that work.
  Mr. METCALF. Mr. Speaker, in 1976, the U.S. Mint introduced the 
Bicentennial quarter. The success of this coin in the coin collecting 
groups was astounding. Today we have a new opportunity to change a coin 
for the better.
  The new quarter, uniquely representing all 50 States individually, 
will be an outstanding addition to the coin family and will encourage 
coin savings. The earnings for the Treasury, let's hold it, can you 
imagine a Federal project earning money? But this time it is true. The 
earnings for the Treasury, by all indications, will be substantial.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] and the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] for this positive legislation.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to 
the brilliant gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton].
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Flake] for yielding me the time. I must say, I learned only today that 
this may be his last bill. I hope this is not his last hoorah, however. 
I am sure it will not be, especially since I understand there is a $23 
million cathedral that awaits him in Queens.
  May I also thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] for his 
kindness in agreeing to support a subsequent bill that he would 
cosponsor with me and with the other delegate to add us to the 50 
States who are being commemorated with these coins.
  I rise, then, in support of H.R. 2414. And I congratulate the 
chairman and ranking member on a very innovative and worthwhile bill 
that manages to commemorate and make savings for the Treasury at the 
same time. Would that we could more often accomplish this dual feat.

                              {time}  1500

  We come to the floor, however, to remind our colleagues that this is 
a union of 50 States, four insular areas and the District of Columbia. 
I know it is important to all of us to think of our country in all of 
its fullness.
  There are, of course, among us those of us who still sting from the 
fact that the vote that we won on the House floor was, in fact, taken 
back when the majority arrived. My taxpaying citizens have not 
forgotten that. It is one thing to take back a vote that we won on the 
floor and was approved by the courts. It is quite another to exclude 
our jurisdictions from a mere commemorative act. The fact is that there 
was no intent to exclude us, and we should have come forward sooner.
  I very much appreciate the way in which the chairman has worked with 
me to see that the four insular areas and the District are subsequently 
included. I daresay, Mr. Speaker, that including us in the 
commemorative coin act means more to my district than to that of most 
Members. That has to do with our peculiar history. This bill seeks to, 
and I am quoting, promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of 
the United States about the individual States, their history and 
geography and the rich diversity of the national heritage. The 
commemorative coin, when it includes the territories and the District, 
will probably for the first time inform many Americans that there are 
such areas and the District.
  The bill seeks also to encourage young people and their families to 
collect memorable tokens of all of the States, yes, and of the four 
insular areas and the District.
  We are most pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement to 
support what is surely one of the more worthwhile and innovative bills 
that will come to the floor during the 105th Congress.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. I would like to 
just state that the delegate from the District of Columbia and I have 
had some very fruitful and meaningful discussions about this, and I am 
in agreement with her. We are going to cosponsor along, I am sure, with 
the delegates from the insular areas legislation that would hopefully 
be able to be added to this at some point in the future. I think there 
would be some historical and educational aspects of that that could be 
helpful to the young people of our country. We do have to go back to 
Treasury and do some clearance, but we will be glad to go to work on 
that right away.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Oklahoma [Mr.  Lucas], another Member who has been just of 
tremendous

[[Page H7621]]

help in dealing with the issues of coinage, monetary policy, and 
related issues of our subcommittee.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 
2414, the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act of 1997. Although 
most Americans are not coin collectors and do not give them much of a 
thought, coins are in reality a part of our daily lives. For most, the 
change in our pockets is something we do not think about. We simply 
pick through it when making a purchase, paying a toll on the highway, 
or buying a soda from a vending machine. Perhaps once in a while we may 
stop to look at a coin when it catches our eye. But for most of us, the 
pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters are simply coins in our pockets.
  In a sense, it is unfortunate that we take coins for granted, because 
they tell a story. For over 2,000 years nations and governments have 
used coins for commerce. And while many of those nations and 
governments have not survived, the coins that they created have 
survived the passage of time and provide a window into the past.
  In the case of our Nation's coins, we are reminded of our Nation's 
history and of those people, places, and events which were part of what 
made this country great. Although I am confident that our Nation will 
survive for centuries, I believe our coins, and specifically these 
commemorative quarters, will leave a record for generations to come.
  It is for that exact reason I am such an avid supporter of this 
legislation. H.R. 2414 will temporarily change how the quarter looks 
and replace it with designs emblematic of our 50 States. Beginning in 
1999, there will be five new designs every year for the following 10 
years, as the chairman and ranking member so eloquently pointed out, in 
the order in which the States ratified the Constitution.
  I truly believe that the real benefit of this program is that it will 
encourage coin collecting by all Americans. Because this is a 
circulating program, there will be no surcharge, no fees that have 
often made coin collecting prohibitive for most Americans. The cost of 
collecting the commemorative quarter set will be $12.50 spread out over 
10 years. This means that Americans, regardless of age or income, will 
be able to collect a complete set.
  My vision is that this legislation will change the way we see coins. 
When this program is in place, I hope Americans will stop and take a 
look at the change they receive when making a purchase, instead of just 
throwing it in a pocket or a wallet. I hope everyone will stop to look 
at the designs on the quarters and reflect on our Nation's diverse and 
rich history which will be reflected in each design.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr.  Castle], the 
chairman, and the gentleman from New York [Mr.  Flake], the ranking 
member, for introducing this legislation and for their efforts to bring 
it to the floor in such a timely manner. As someone with a personal 
interest in coins, I appreciate this effort to realize the potential of 
our Nation's coinage programs. Once again, I urge all Members to 
support H.R. 2414.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Guam 
[Mr.  Underwood].
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me 
this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2414, the 50 State 
Commemorative Coin Act. This is a worthwhile project for all the 
reasons that have already been pointed out and one that we should 
certainly support. The main sponsor, the gentleman from Delaware, 
certainly has a very worthwhile project.
  There is one element of the project that I hasten to point out, and 
that is to suggest that in the future, instead of taking $12.50 out, we 
could perhaps move that to $13.75 by including the District of Columbia 
and the insular areas. One comes here to the House of Representatives 
and one of the things that is most notable about this institution is 
that the seals of all the 50 States and the insular areas and the 
District of Columbia are all around us. I take opportunity to point 
that out to various Members of the House so that they continue to 
remember us in their legislation.
  As has already been indicated by the gentleman from Delaware, he 
recognizes that this legislation does not include the District of 
Columbia or any of the insular territories, and that he will work along 
with us to make sure that that defect and that deficiency will be 
corrected in the future.
  If the purpose of this is truly educational, I can think of no areas 
that need more of an educational boost in the American consciousness 
than the insular areas. I repeatedly, even in my personal dealings in 
the Washington, D.C. area, have been routinely told that my driver's 
license is no good, my checks are no good because I come from a foreign 
country. When I hasten to point out that I am a Member of the House of 
Representatives, they would say they did not know they let foreigners 
in there. But I want to point out that without the District of Columbia 
and the territories, we really devalue our national symbols, and 
without us, we forget the contributions of millions of citizens to the 
life of this Nation.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from the 
beautiful Virgin Islands [Ms. Christian-Green].
  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. 
Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2414, the 50 State, soon to be 50 
State, the District of Columbia and Territories Commemorative Coin 
Program, and to thank the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle], the 
chairman, for agreeing to work with those of us who represent the 
District and offshore areas to have us included. I also want to thank 
the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] for her 
leadership and persistence on this issue and to join my colleagues in 
recognizing the efforts of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] and 
his distinguished service to this House and this country.
  Mr. Speaker, as the representative of the people of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, full American citizens who have fought in record numbers 
alongside Americans from the District, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto 
Rico and the States, we want and deserve to be a part of this program. 
We look forward to having our young people and their families embark on 
this wonderful educational journey with their fellow Americans.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
have already spoken to the issue raised by the delegates who have been 
so eloquent in carrying their message here today. I think the 
historical perspective of what they say and what the District of 
Columbia says does make a great deal of sense. In fact, the more I 
hear, the more I like it, and we should go forward with that as soon as 
we can.
  I would like to close not necessarily by talking about the 
legislation, but talking about the distinguished gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Flake], the ranking member, with whom I have worked for some 
3 years now in the position of chair and ranking member. I do not know 
of any working relationship in this Congress which has been stronger 
than ours. We have never had a disparaging word between us. We have 
been in sync on practically everything. One time when he got rolled on 
something, he told me, and I got rolled on it almost as rapidly, on 
something we were not sure we really wanted to do.
  He has been just an absolute pleasure to work with. I thought of 
presenting some sort of resolution having all 435 Members urging the 
distinguished gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] to stay in Congress, 
but I thought his church might vote about 3,000 to nothing as opposed 
to 435 to nothing and perhaps be able to overwhelm us. We will miss him 
tremendously.
  I do not know if this will be his last piece of legislation or not. 
If we can conjure up some other trouble out there, we probably will, 
because we have had a habit of doing that, but in case it is, I just 
want to give public recognition to one of the fine public servants in 
America today who has been called to a higher calling, if you will, and 
I respect that, much as it troubles me to have to lose him on the 
committee and in the Congress of the United States.
  He has obviously been tremendously helpful in the preparation and 
presentation of this legislation, which, by the way, is not being heard 
here for the first time. We have been working on this for over 2 years 
together, and we have had many, many discussions with

[[Page H7622]]

the Treasury and the mint working out and refining all of the details.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
would just like to thank the chairman of the committee. This has been 3 
wonderful years. I have enjoyed my tenure here over the last 11 years, 
both as a chairman of the Subcommittee on General Oversight and 
Investigations at a point and also as ranking member.
  I can honestly say that I do not leave the Congress because of the 
changes that have taken place in leadership. I leave the Congress 
because the Lord has blessed me to build a wonderful church community 
in Jamaica, Queens, NY, with over 9,000 members in that church now and 
a myriad of community development programs, over 800 employees. It is 
impossible for me to maintain both my church responsibilities and the 
responsibilities of this Congress.
  I was called at 15 to preach, and I was pastoring by the time I was 
19. I am 52 now, so I know what my calling is, and though I leave this 
place with some regret, because I have been very fortunate to work with 
both sides of the aisle, no one any greater than the gentleman from 
Delaware [Mr. Castle] for the last 3 years. I certainly do appreciate 
the kind of respect that we have had for each other and the kind of 
work that we have been able to do. Hopefully as I leave, I am certain 
there are persons who can take up this mantle and continue in that kind 
of relationship.
  I look forward to my days. Someone said I was going so I would have a 
lighter schedule. I would assure my colleagues that my schedule will be 
much heavier than it is even here. But I cannot do two full-time jobs. 
I have been working overtime in both. I am just privileged to have had 
this opportunity to be here.
  My one regret about my congressional life is that my mother and 
father did not live long enough to see me come here, but I know that 
they rejoice in what I have been able to do.
  I do hope the gentleman from New York [Mr. LaFalce], soon to be 
ranking member, who has served on this committee with me and the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gonzalez], who was chairman and ranking 
member, they have been exemplary in their work with me and legislation, 
and I am grateful for that.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore [Mr. Pease]. The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2414, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5, rule I, and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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