[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10371-H10372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENSE OF HOUSE REGARDING TACTILE CURRENCY FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY 
                                IMPAIRED

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 122) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding tactile currency for the blind and visually 
impaired.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 122

       Whereas currency is used by virtually everyone in everyday 
     life, including blind and visually impaired persons;
       Whereas the Federal reserve notes of the United States are 
     inaccessible to individuals with visual disabilities;
       Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act enhances the 
     economic independence and equal opportunity for full 
     participation in society for individuals with disabilities;
       Whereas most blind and visually impaired persons are 
     therefore required to rely upon others to determine 
     denominations of such currency;
       Whereas this constitutes a serious impediment to 
     independence in everyday living;
       Whereas electronic means of bill identification will always 
     be more fallible than purely tactile means;
       Whereas tactile currency already exists in 23 countries 
     worldwide; and
       Whereas the currency of the United States is presently 
     undergoing significant changes for security purposes: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) endorses the efforts recently begun by the Bureau of 
     Engraving and Printing to upgrade the currency for security 
     reasons; and
       (2) strongly encourages the Secretary of the Treasury and 
     the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to incorporate cost-
     effective, tactile features into the design changes, thereby 
     including the blind and visually impaired community in 
     independent currency usage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana [Mr. Baker] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Flake] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker].
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation has a very noncontroversial purpose, 
which intends to update our currency to include tactile markings. This 
is a change which I believe will be certainly of value to all 
Americans.
  It is important to recognize the efforts of the Secretary of the 
Treasury and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in this general area 
of improvement. As our currency is constantly updated for security 
purposes, a new low-vision feature has been added in the form of a 
high-contrast, large numeral denoting the denomination of the bill. 
This change is already helping many Americans with vision difficulty.
  House Resolution 122 takes these efforts one step further by 
initiating the incorporation of tactile marking in our currency. This 
relatively minor change will have significant impact not only on 
individuals who have vision problems, but on all Americans that are 
visually impaired.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Leach and 
subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Delaware [Mr. Castle] for 
their support and assistance with the resolution; also, the ranking 
member, the gentlemen from New York, Mr. LaFalce and Mr. Flake for 
their support and courtesy in facilitating this.
  I also want to express my appreciation to the American Academy of 
Ophthalmology and the National Federation of the Blind for their 
technical assistance in drafting this proposal.
  I want to mention in connection with this resolution that I am 
particularly pleased to have worked with the Federation. They have been 
a leading force in our country in helping all of us acquire a more 
rational understanding of blindness. That has certainly been the case 
as we worked together on this particular matter. The Federation notes 
that although the visually impaired are currently able to use and 
handle their money, this additional step will facilitate safer and more 
secure transactions.
  It is important, Mr. Speaker, that we examine and move forward in 
designing different forms of currency for use in the decades ahead. In 
that process, it will be important to consult with experts who have 
relevant knowledge, such as those in the Federation. This will ensure 
that the conversion of our currency occurs in a manner that is both 
cost-conscious and beneficial to everyone.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the resolution offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker]. To the extent that the Bureau of 
Engraving and Printing can accommodate the visually impaired during the 
future redesigns of currency, it should do so.
  The availability of technology and materials exist today to do a 
great number of things with respect to the issue of anticounterfeiting. 
I would hope that the same technology may be used to make our visually 
impaired citizens more comfortable in their everyday business 
transactions.
  Indeed, we have seen at newsstands and stores there have been 
technological advances which have allowed those who are salespersons 
and others to be able to function, even though they are, in many 
instances, visually impaired. It is only right that we give this 
opportunity to all of the citizens of this Nation. It is right, it is 
fair, it is appropriate.
  I also recognize that we must not diminish the general market 
acceptance of our currency. Therefore, I would not

[[Page H10372]]

expect radical designs under the resolution which the gentleman from 
Louisiana [Mr. Baker] has presented. Nevertheless, I support the idea 
and the effort of this well-intentioned resolution.
  I would hope that this body would see fit to pass it, because I think 
it is the right thing to do for those of our citizens who are visually 
impaired and can benefit greatly by our response to their needs today.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my appreciation to the gentleman from 
New York for his courtesies and support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana [Mr. Baker] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 122.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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