[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12430-S12434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                50 STATES COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROGRAM ACT

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of calendar No. 244, S. 1128.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1228) to provide a 10-year circulating 
     commemorative coin program to commemorate each of the 50 
     States, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill 
which had been reported from the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs, with an amendment to insert the part printed in italic:

                                S. 1228

       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 finds that--
       (1) it is appropriate and timely--
       (A) to honor the unique Federal republic of 50 States that 
     comprise the United States; and
       (B) to 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 during the 25-year period preceding the date 
     of enactment of this Act;
       (3) a circulating commemorative 25-cent coin program could 
     produce earnings of $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; and
       (4) it is appropriate to launch a commemorative circulating 
     coin program that encourages young people and their families 
     to collect memorable tokens of all of 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 
     inserting after subsection (k) the following new subsection:
       ``(l) Redesign and Issuance of Quarter Dollar in 
     Commemoration of Each of the 50 States.--
       ``(1) Redesign beginning in 1999.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the fourth 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) Issuance.--
       ``(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).''.

     SEC. 4. UNITED STATES DOLLAR COINS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United 
     States $1 Coin Act of 1997''.
       (b) Weight.--Section 5112(a)(1) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and weighs 8.1 grams''.
       (c) Color and Content.--Section 5112(b) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``dollar,''; and
       (2) by inserting after the fourth sentence the following: 
     ``The dollar coin shall be golden in color, have a 
     distinctive edge, have tactile and visual features that make 
     the denomination of the coin readily discernible, be minted 
     and fabricated in the United States, and have similar 
     metallic, anti-counterfeiting properties as United States 
     clad coinage in circulation on the date of enactment of the 
     United States $1 Coin Act of 1997.''.
       (d) Design.--Section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking the fifth and sixth sentences 
     and inserting the following: ``The Secretary of the Treasury, 
     in consultation with the Congress, shall select appropriate 
     designs for the obverse and reverse sides of the dollar 
     coin.''.
       (e) Production of New Dollar Coins.--
       (1) In general.--Upon the depletion of the Government's 
     supply (as of the date of enactment of this Act) of $1 coins 
     bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony, the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall place into circulation $1 coins that 
     comply with the requirements of subsections (b) and (d)(1) of 
     section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, as amended by 
     this section.
       (2) Authority of secretary to continue production.--If the 
     supply of $1 coins bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony 
     is depleted before production has begun of $1 coins which 
     bear a design which complies with the requirements of 
     subsections (b) and (d)(1) of section 5112 of title 31, 
     United States Code, as amended by this section, the Secretary 
     of the Treasury may continue to mint and issue $1 coins 
     bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony in accordance with 
     that section 5112 (as in effect on the day before the date of 
     enactment of this Act) until such time as production begins.
       (3) Numismatic sets.--The Secretary may include such $1 
     coins in any numismatic set produced by the United States 
     Mint before the date on which the $1 coins authorized by this 
     section are placed in circulation.

[[Page S12431]]

       (f) Marketing Program.--
       (1) In general.--Before placing into circulation $1 coins 
     authorized under this section, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall adopt a program to promote the use of such coins by 
     commercial enterprises, mass transit authorities, and 
     Federal, State, and local government agencies.
       (2) Study required.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     conduct a study on the progress of the marketing program 
     adopted in accordance with paragraph (1).
       (3) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2001, the Secretary 
     of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress on the 
     results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (2).

     SEC. 5. FIRST FLIGHT COMMEMORATIVE COINS.

       (a) Coin Specifications.--
       (1) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (A) $10 gold coins.--Not more than 100,000 $10 coins, each 
     of which shall--
       (i) weigh 16.718 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.06 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (B) $1 silver coins.--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.
       (C) Half dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half 
     dollar coins each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (iii) be minted to the specifications for half dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this section 
     shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (c) Sources of Bullion.--The Secretary shall obtain gold 
     and silver for minting coins under this section pursuant to 
     the authority of the Secretary under other provisions of law, 
     including authority relating to the use of silver stockpiles 
     established under the Strategic and Critical Materials 
     Stockpiling Act, as applicable.
       (d) Design of Coins.--
       (1) Design requirements.--
       (A) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     section shall be emblematic of the first flight of Orville 
     and Wilbur Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 
     17, 1903.
       (B) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this section there shall be--
       (i) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (ii) an inscription of the year ``2003''; and
       (iii) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (2) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     section shall be--
       (A) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Board of Directors of the First Flight Foundation and the 
     Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (B) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.
       (e) Period for Issuance of Coins.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this section only during the period 
     beginning on August 1, 2003, and ending on July 31, 2004.
       (f) Sale of Coins.--
       (1) Sale price.--The coins issued under this section shall 
     be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (A) the face value of the coins;
       (B) the surcharge provided in paragraph (4) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (C) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (2) Bulk sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this section at a reasonable discount.
       (3) Prepaid orders.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this section before the issuance 
     of such coins.
       (B) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (4) Surcharges.--All sales shall include a surcharge of--
       (A) $35 per coin for the $10 coin;
       (B) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
       (C) $1 per coin for the half dollar coin.
       (5) Marketing expenses.--The Secretary shall ensure that--
       (A) a plan is established for marketing the coins minted 
     under this section; and
       (B) adequate funds are made available to cover the costs of 
     carrying out that marketing plan.
       (g) General Waiver of Procurement Regulations.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 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.
       (2) Equal employment opportunity.--Paragraph (1) does not 
     relieve any person entering into a contract under the 
     authority of this section from complying with any law 
     relating to equal employment opportunity.
       (h) Treatment as Numismatic Items.--For purposes of 
     sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all 
     coins minted under this subsection shall be considered to be 
     numismatic items.
       (i) Distribution of Surcharges.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to section 5134 of title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this section shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the First Flight Foundation 
     for the purposes of--
       (A) repairing, refurbishing, and maintaining the Wright 
     Brothers Monument on the Outer Banks of North Carolina; and
       (B) expanding (or, if necessary, replacing) and maintaining 
     the visitor center and other facilities at the Wright 
     Brothers National Memorial Park on the Outer Banks of North 
     Carolina, including providing educational programs and 
     exhibits for visitors.
       (2) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall have the right to examine such books, records, 
     documents, and other data of the First Flight Foundation as 
     may be related to the expenditures of amounts paid under 
     paragraph (1).
       (j) Financial Assurances.--The Secretary shall take such 
     actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting and 
     issuing coins under this section will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.


                           Amendment No. 1631

       (Purpose: To make a series of amendments)
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, Senators D'Amato and Sarbanes have an 
amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Alabama (Mr. Sessions), for Mr. D'Amato 
     for himself and Mr. Sarbanes, proposes an amendment numbered 
     1631.

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of 
the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment is as follows:
       On page 14, strike lines 4 through 10.
       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC.  RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
     shall be construed to evidence any intention to eliminate or 
     to limit the printing or circulation of United States 
     currency in the $1 denomination.

  Mr. BOND. With respect to the Manager's Amendment, I would like to 
ask the Senator to clarify his intent. As I understand the amendment 
regarding the dollar coin language, it is your intent, as chairman of 
the committee, and it is the intent of the Banking Committee that S. 
1228, as amended, will not in any way restrict the continued printing 
and circulation of the dollar bill.
  Mr. D'AMATO. That is correct. Moreover, when S. 1228, as amended, is 
adopted, this will similarly indicate the intent of Congress that the 
dollar bill shall continue to be printed and shall remain in 
circulation.
  Mr. THOMPSON. There is a provision in the amended version of S. 1228 
that I feel needs clarification. In setting the design parameters for 
the new dollar coin, the legislation makes clear that the coin should 
be golden in color, have a distinctive edge, and include other features 
to ensure that the coin is not confused with any existing coins. The 
last design parameter within the legislation states that the coin 
should have anticounterfeiting properties of coinage in circulation at 
the time of the bill's enactment. I ask the Senator, is this provision 
intended to require the Mint to use clad coin technology in the new 
dollar coin?
  Mr. GRAMS. No, that provision is intended to be descriptive. The Mint 
is instructed to utilize anticounterfeiting technology.
  Mr. COATS. I thank Senator Grams for his answer. Is this provision 
intended to limit the Mint's choice of technology in the development of 
the dollar coin? For instance, could the Mint choose a plated coin 
rather than a clad coin?
  Mr. GRAMS. This provision is not intended to limit the U.S. Mint's 
use of technology or approach to design. We intend for the Mint to 
develop a dollar coin that meets the needs of the public and is not 
subject to counterfeiting. If the Mint believes that a plated coin will 
offer the best approach to meeting its needs, then a plated coin could 
be developed.
  Mr. FRIST. Thus, it is not the Committee's intention to limit the 
Mint's flexibility, to require a certain coin technology or to limit 
competition among potential suppliers of coin blanks?
  Mr. GRAMS. The Senator from Tennessee has stated the situation 
exactly. The Committee is directing the Mint to develop the best 
possible dollar coin. We have not sought to limit the Mint or require a 
clad coin.
  Mr. FRIST. I thank the Senator for his answer.

[[Page S12432]]

  Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, I am very pleased that the one 
dollar coin bill is a part of this legislation. I have long been a 
supporter of legislation authorizing the production of a new dollar 
coin, and was an original cosponsor of the dollar coin bill, which 
became part of this coin legislation.
  Changing the currency or the coinage of the United States always 
involves an element of controversy. After all, virtually everyone uses 
money--every day. Americans are familiar with our currency and coinage, 
and they understandably and justifiably have opinions on whether to 
change it. There are a number of reasons, however, why this change is 
necessary.
  Unfortunately, today's dollar is not worth what it once was. In fact, 
the dollar's value has declined by over a factor of four in just the 
last 35 years. When I was a teenager, you could get a hamburger, fries 
and a small coke at McDonald's for 42 cents. Now the cost is over $2. 
You could get a Chicago Tribune and a Chicago Sun-Times for 10 cents. 
Now the Tribune costs 50 cents and the Sun-Times 35 cents. I could go 
on and on, but the point is simple--inflation has made the dollar worth 
less than a quarter was when John F. Kennedy was President of the 
United States.
  Perhaps the most telling illustration of the erosion of value of our 
currency and coinage is the fact that so many stores now have a 
``penny'' dish in front of their cash registers--inviting their 
customers to take a penny or two or leave a penny or two to make their 
transactions come out to the nearest nickel. It is that kind of change 
in the value of money that led Great Britain to replace the one-pound 
note with a one-pound coin. And it is that fact that led Canada to 
replace its one-dollar bill with a one-dollar coin.
  These foreign countries, and many others, understood that they needed 
to update their currency and coinage to fit present-day economic 
realities--and that need is no less real in this country. That is why I 
cosponsored this legislation, because I believe that updating our money 
to reflect current economic realities is long overdue. I think we 
should act carefully. I think the coin must be designed carefully. We 
need to learn from past mistakes, but we should not let those past 
mistakes keep us from taking the action that is necessary now.
  Secondly, in many instances, a dollar coin would be more practical 
than a paper note. I'm sure we've all had a run-in with a balky dollar 
bill changer, one that simply won't take our dollar for a subway ride 
or a soft drink, no matter how many times we straighten the dollar.
  Finally, the use of a dollar coin would save money. For example, the 
Chicago Transit Authority would save over $2 million annually, because 
coins are easier and less expensive to process than bills. Many 
manufacturers that serve the vending industry and coin-operated 
industry would also save money because it is less expensive to retrofit 
machines to accept dollar coins, than to add a dollar bill changer to 
machines.
  However, the dollar coin we have currently, known as the ``Susan B. 
Anthony,'' lacks sufficient public acceptance to make it effective. 
This coin too closely resembles the quarter in appearance and texture. 
Moreover, according to the Mint, the supply of these coins is 
decreasing, and more would have to be minted within the next few years 
if the coin were not replaced. This legislation calls for the 
replacement of the Susan B. Anthony coin with a coin that is golden in 
color and smooth edged so that it is more easily differentiated from 
the quarter.

  The Susan B. Anthony coin is, unfortunately, the only American 
currency in circulation that honors the achievements of a woman. Since 
the Susan B. Anthony coin will no longer be widely circulated, it is 
only appropriate that the design of this new coin depict a woman or 
women of historical significance. To that end, I believe that the new 
coin should depict the images of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady 
Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Susan B. Anthony. These four women were 
staunch abolitionists, and fought for equal rights for women. It is 
largely through their efforts that women have opportunities for higher 
education, the right to control their own property and children, the 
right to hold public office and the right to vote.
  Three of these women, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and 
Susan B. Anthony, have been honored with a statue in the Capitol. This 
statue, however, was carved in 1921, and failed to include Sojourner 
Truth, the great abolitionist, feminist and preacher. This coin 
provides an excellent opportunity to recognize the contributions of 
Sojourner Truth, along with her fellow women's rights advocates.
  Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in 1797 in New York State. 
Freed in 1827 under the New York State Emancipation Act, she spent the 
next 53 years preaching and lecturing about God, abolition and women's 
rights.
  Sojourner Truth was an advocate of women's rights. She consistently 
supported equality among all people. In 1851, Sojourner Truth spoke at 
a Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. Despite widely voiced 
concerns by many of the white women in attendance that they did not 
want an African American speaking, potentially confusing and tarnishing 
their cause, Sojourner Truth rose to respond to male preachers who were 
denouncing women's rights based on the inherent frailty of women:

       I want to say a few words about this matter. I am a woman's 
     rights. I have as much muscle as any man and can do as much 
     work as any man. I have plowed and reaped and husked and 
     chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that? I have 
     heard much about the sexes being equal; I can carry as much 
     as any man, and can eat as much, too, if I can get it. I am 
     as strong as any man that is now . . . Why, children, if you 
     have woman's rights, give it to her and you will feel better. 
     You will have your own rights, and they won't be so much 
     trouble . . .

She inspired the Convention and women's rights advocates as she did all 
of her audiences.
  Sojourner Truth dedicated her life to achieving equality. She 
considered herself to be on a sojourn to tell the truth, a sojourn 
directed by God. It would be a fitting tribute to Sojourner Truth and 
to the truth which she preached, to honor her by depicting her image on 
the dollar coin, along with her fellow women's rights crusaders, 
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Susan B. Anthony.
  Along with a number of my colleagues on the Senate Banking Committee, 
I filed additional views with the committee report of this legislation, 
indicating our support for the four suffragettes. We also intend to 
make our views known to Secretary Rubin, who has the authority to 
select the design of the coin. I urge my colleagues to support this 
effort to ensure that the mistake made in 1921 is rectified and that 
Sojourner Truth can take her rightful place with the other suffragettes 
who fought for equal rights for all Americans.


                           Amendment No. 1632

       (Purpose: To make an amendment relating to coinage.)

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I understand that Senator Coats has an 
amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Alabama Mr. Sessions, for Mr. Coats, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 1632.
       On Page 8, line 11, strike ``clad''.

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
amendments be agreed to, the committee amendment be agreed to, the bill 
be considered read a third time and passed, as amended, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the bill appear at this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendments (Nos. 1631 and 1632) were agreed to.
  The committee amendment was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 1228), as amended, was passed, as follows:

                                S. 1228

       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 finds that--
       (1) it is appropriate and timely--
       (A) to honor the unique Federal republic of 50 States that 
     comprise the United States; and

[[Page S12433]]

       (B) to 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 during the 25-year period preceding the date 
     of enactment of this Act;
       (3) a circulating commemorative 25-cent coin program could 
     produce earnings of $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; and
       (4) it is appropriate to launch a commemorative circulating 
     coin program that encourages young people and their families 
     to collect memorable tokens of all of 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 
     inserting after subsection (k) the following new subsection:
       ``(l) Redesign and Issuance of Quarter Dollar in 
     Commemoration of Each of the 50 States.--
       ``(1) Redesign beginning in 1999.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the fourth 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) Issuance.--
       ``(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).''.

     SEC. 4. UNITED STATES DOLLAR COINS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United 
     States $1 Coin Act of 1997''.
       (b) Weight.--Section 5112(a)(1) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and weighs 8.1 grams''.
       (c) Color and Content.--Section 5112(b) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``dollar,''; and
       (2) by inserting after the fourth sentence the following: 
     ``The dollar coin shall be golden in color, have a 
     distinctive edge, have tactile and visual features that make 
     the denomination of the coin readily discernible, be minted 
     and fabricated in the United States, and have similar 
     metallic, anti-counterfeiting properties as United States 
     clad coinage in circulation on the date of enactment of the 
     United States $1 Coin Act of 1997.''.
       (d) Design.--Section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking the fifth and sixth sentences 
     and inserting the following: ``The Secretary of the Treasury, 
     in consultation with the Congress, shall select appropriate 
     designs for the obverse and reverse sides of the dollar 
     coin.''.
       (e) Production of New Dollar Coins.--
       (1) In general.--Upon the depletion of the Government's 
     supply (as of the date of enactment of this Act) of $1 coins 
     bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony, the Secretary of 
     the Treasury shall place into circulation $1 coins that 
     comply with the requirements of subsections (b) and (d)(1) of 
     section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, as amended by 
     this section.
       (2) Authority of secretary to continue production.--If the 
     supply of $1 coins bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony 
     is depleted before production has begun of $1 coins which 
     bear a design which complies with the requirements of 
     subsections (b) and (d)(1) of section 5112 of title 31, 
     United States Code, as amended by this section, the Secretary 
     of the Treasury may continue to mint and issue $1 coins 
     bearing the likeness of Susan B. Anthony in accordance with 
     that section 5112 (as in effect on the day before the date of 
     enactment of this Act) until such time as production begins.
       (3) Numismatic sets.--The Secretary may include such $1 
     coins in any numismatic set produced by the United States 
     Mint before the date on which the $1 coins authorized by this 
     section are placed in circulation.
       (f) Marketing Program.--
       (1) In general.--Before placing into circulation $1 coins 
     authorized under this section, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall adopt a program to promote the use of such coins by 
     commercial enterprises, mass transit authorities, and 
     Federal, State, and local government agencies.
       (2) Study required.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     conduct a study on the progress of the marketing program 
     adopted in accordance with paragraph (1).
       (3) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2001, the Secretary 
     of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress on the 
     results of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (2).

     SEC. 5. FIRST FLIGHT COMMEMORATIVE COINS.

       (a) Coin Specifications.--
       (1) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (A) $10 gold coins.--Not more than 100,000 $10 coins, each 
     of which shall--
       (i) weigh 16.718 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.06 inches; and
       (iii) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (B) $1 silver coins.--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.
       (C) Half dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half 
     dollar coins each of which shall--
       (i) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (ii) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (iii) be minted to the specifications for half dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this section 
     shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (c) Sources of Bullion.--The Secretary shall obtain gold 
     and silver for minting coins under this section pursuant to 
     the authority of the Secretary under other provisions of law, 
     including authority relating to the use of silver stockpiles 
     established under the Strategic and Critical Materials 
     Stockpiling Act, as applicable.
       (d) Design of Coins.--
       (1) Design requirements.--
       (A) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     section shall be emblematic of the first flight of Orville 
     and Wilbur

[[Page S12434]]

     Wright in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.
       (B) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this section there shall be--
       (i) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (ii) an inscription of the year ``2003''; and
       (iii) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (2) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     section shall be--
       (A) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Board of Directors of the First Flight Foundation and the 
     Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (B) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.
       (e) Period for Issuance of Coins.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this section only during the period 
     beginning on August 1, 2003, and ending on July 31, 2004.
       (f) Sale of Coins.--
       (1) Sale price.--The coins issued under this section shall 
     be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (A) the face value of the coins;
       (B) the surcharge provided in paragraph (4) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (C) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (2) Bulk sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this section at a reasonable discount.
       (3) Prepaid orders.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this section before the issuance 
     of such coins.
       (B) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under subparagraph (A) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (4) Surcharges.--All sales shall include a surcharge of--
       (A) $35 per coin for the $10 coin;
       (B) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
       (C) $1 per coin for the half dollar coin.

     SEC. 6. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
     shall be construed to evidence any intention to eliminate or 
     to limit the printing or circulatiion of United States 
     currency in the $1 demonination.
       (g) General Waiver of Procurement Regulations.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 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.
       (2) Equal employment opportunity.--Paragraph (1) does not 
     relieve any person entering into a contract under the 
     authority of this section from complying with any law 
     relating to equal employment opportunity.
       (h) Treatment as Numismatic Items.--For purposes of 
     sections 5134 and 5136 of title 31, United States Code, all 
     coins minted under this subsection shall be considered to be 
     numismatic items.
       (i) Distribution of Surcharges.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to section 5134 of title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this section shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the First Flight Foundation 
     for the purposes of--
       (A) repairing, refurbishing, and maintaining the Wright 
     Brothers Monument on the Outer Banks of North Carolina; and
       (B) expanding (or, if necessary, replacing) and maintaining 
     the visitor center and other facilities at the Wright 
     Brothers National Memorial Park on the Outer Banks of North 
     Carolina, including providing educational programs and 
     exhibits for visitors.
       (2) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
     shall have the right to examine such books, records, 
     documents, and other data of the First Flight Foundation as 
     may be related to the expenditures of amounts paid under 
     paragraph (1).
       (j) Financial Assurances.--The Secretary shall take such 
     actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting and 
     issuing coins under this section will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.