[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9526-S9527]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SACAJAWEA ON THE DOLLAR COIN

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise today to express my strong support 
for the selection of an image of Sacajawea for the new one dollar coin. 
The Dollar Coin Design Advisory Committee recently recommended to the 
Treasury Secretary that the new dollar coin bear a design inspired by 
Sacajawea. On July 29th, the Treasury Secretary announced that he was 
accepting the Committee's recommendation. I am pleased that the 
committee and the Treasury Secretary have recognized the important role 
of Sacajawea in the history of our Nation.
  I do believe that it is important, however, that the coin explicitly 
honor and bear a likeness of Sacajawea. The actual language of the 
committee's recommendation is that the coin should bear a design of 
``Liberty represented by a Native American woman, inspired by Sacajawea 
and other Native American women.'' This language is a bit vague, but it 
does make it clear that Sacajawea is their symbolic choice. I strongly 
urge the Treasury Secretary to approve a final design that is based on 
a historically accepted image of Sacajawea. There are several images 
that could be used, and I will be happy to share them with the 
Secretary.
  Mr. President, I am distressed to learn that a bill has been 
introduced in Congress that would overturn the recommendation and 
subsequent acceptance of the depiction of Sacajawea on the new one 
dollar coin. As we know, Congress specifically refrained from mandating 
a design for the coin when we passed the authorizing legislation. This 
was to ensure that political pressures would not affect the decision-
making process. Instead, the Treasury Secretary appointed the Dollar 
Coin Design Advisory Committee, which was specifically charged with 
coming up with a design for the coin, subject to some general 
guidelines from the Secretary. The selection process of the advisory 
committee emphasized citizen participation. After a thorough and open 
debate, the committee voted 6-1 to recommend Sacajawea for the dollar 
coin. Unfortunately, that whole process could be undermined by the bill 
that has been introduced. We are beyond debating the merits of 
Sacajawea or the Statue of Liberty. Arguments against her image 
obviously were not persuasive. I see no reason for Congress to attempt 
to impose its will and reverse a decision that was made by an unbiased 
panel based on extensive input from the American people.

  Mr. President, I sent a letter to the Treasury Secretary earlier this 
month requesting that he accept the committee's recommendation of 
Sacajawea for the new one dollar coin. In that letter, I outlined some 
of the reasons that I think she would be a great choice for the coin. I 
would like to briefly discuss these reasons right now.
  As most Americans know, Sacajawea was an integral part of the Lewis 
and Clark expedition, the story of which is an incredible tale of 
adventure, determination, cooperation, and persistence. When Lewis and 
Clark set out for the West, they had no idea what they might find in 
the coming months or how long they would be gone. Anyone who has 
traveled through the West has to be in awe of what the Lewis and Clark 
expedition was able to accomplish. It is remarkable that Sacajawea was 
just a teenager with an infant when she endured the rigors of this trip 
into uncharted territory.
  The importance of Sacajawea to the Lewis and Clark expedition can not 
be understated. Her knowledge of the land and its resources helped the 
expedition survive the rugged terrain of the West.

[[Page S9527]]

Her diplomatic and translation skills helped Lewis and Clark establish 
peaceful relations with the American Indians they met along the way, 
whose assistance was also vital to the expedition. Her bravery saved 
the expedition's valuable supplies, including the journals that would 
be used to record the trip, after a boat nearly capsized. Lewis and 
Clark's appreciation of her skills and resourcefulness led them to 
grant her a vote on the operation of the expedition that was equal to 
the other members of the group. In a very real sense, this is the first 
recorded instance of a woman being allowed to vote in America. I am 
proud to note that Wyoming, which typifies the landscape of their 
journey, also recognized the important role of women in overcoming the 
challenges of the West and was the first state to grant women the right 
to vote.
  I believe that the selection of Sacajawea to be represented on the 
dollar coin would not only celebrate her valuable contribution to the 
Lewis and Clark expedition, it would also celebrate the contributions 
of all American Indians during the expedition. In addition, it would 
honor all the American Indians of our nation; it would celebrate the 
greatest terrestrial exploration ever undertaken in U.S. history; and, 
it would commemorate the turning of our country's hearts and minds from 
Europe and the East--to the West and our future.
  Mr. President, I urge the Treasury Department to continue the process 
of selecting an image of Sacajawea for the dollar coin. I also urge the 
Treasury Department to specifically designate and honor Sacajawea as 
the person on the coin. And finally I encourage my colleagues to oppose 
any measure that would undermine the placement of Sacajawea on the 
dollar coin.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. DeWINE addressed the Chair.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Ohio.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for the 
next 20 minutes in morning business.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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