[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H6593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO GERALD R. AND BETTY FORD

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Banking and Financial Services be discharged from further 
consideration of the bill (H.R. 3506) to award a congressional gold 
medal to Gerald R. and Betty Ford, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do so for 
the purpose of yielding to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for 
an explanation of the bill.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, under the gentleman's reservation in 
response, let me state that H.R. 3506 was introduced by the gentleman 
from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) and cosponsored by 296 Members. It 
authorizes President Clinton to present to Gerald R. and Betty Ford a 
gold medal on behalf of Congress and in recognition of their dedicated 
public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people 
of the United States, and to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the 
birth of President Ford, the 80th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. 
Ford, the 50th anniversary of the first election of Gerald R. Ford to 
the House of Representatives, and their 50th wedding anniversary.
  The bill authorizes appropriation of up to $20,000 to cover the cost 
of providing the medal. The actual amount spent for the medal is 
recouped by the Mint through the sale of authentic bronze reproductions 
of the medal.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, as a proud cosponsor of 
the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 3506

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

     SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized 
     to present, on behalf of the Congress, to Gerald R. and Betty 
     Ford a gold medal of appropriate design--
       (1) in recognition of their dedicated public service and 
     outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the 
     United States; and
       (2) in commemoration of the following occasions in 1998:
       (A) The 85th anniversary of the birth of President Ford.
       (B) The 80th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Ford.
       (C) The 50th wedding anniversary of President and Mrs. 
     Ford.
       (D) The 50th anniversary of the 1st election of Gerald R. 
     Ford to the United States House of Representatives.
       (E) The 25th anniversary of the approval of Gerald R. Ford 
     by the Congress to become Vice President of the United 
     States.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated not to exceed $20,000 to carry out this 
     section.

     SEC. 2. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       (a) Striking and Sale.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck 
     pursuant to section 1 under such regulations as the Secretary 
     may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost 
     thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, 
     and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
       (b) Reimbursement of Appropriation.--The appropriation used 
     to carry out section 1 shall be reimbursed out of the 
     proceeds of sales under subsection (a).

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL MEDALS.

       The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals 
     for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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