[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H7444-H7446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1560) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in commemoration of the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 
and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1560

       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 ``Lewis and Clark Expedition 
     Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The expedition commanded by Meriwether Lewis and 
     William Clark, which came to be called ``The Corps of 
     Discovery'', was one of the most remarkable and productive 
     scientific and military exploring expeditions in all American 
     history.
       (2) President Thomas Jefferson gave Lewis and Clark the 
     mission to ``explore the Missouri River & such principal 
     stream of it, as, by its course and communication with the 
     waters of the Pacific Ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregon, 
     Colorado, or any other river may offer the most direct and 
     practical water communication across this continent for the 
     purposes of commerce''.
       (3) The Expedition, in response to President Jefferson's 
     directive, greatly advanced our geographical knowledge of the 
     continent and prepared the way for the extension of the 
     American fur trade with American Indian tribes throughout the 
     land.
       (4) President Jefferson directed the explorers to take note 
     of and carefully record the natural resources of the newly 
     acquired territory known as Louisiana, as well as diligently 
     report on the native inhabitants of the land.
       (5) The Expedition departed St. Louis, Missouri, on May 14, 
     1804.
       (6) The Expedition held its first meeting with American 
     Indians at Council Bluff near present-day Fort Calhoun, 
     Nebraska, in August 1804, spent its first winter at Fort 
     Mandan, North Dakota, crossed the Rocky Mountains by the 
     mouth of the Columbia River in mid-November of that year, and 
     wintered at Fort Clatsop, near the present-day city of 
     Astoria, Oregon.
       (7) The Expedition returned to St. Louis, Missouri, on 
     September 23, 1806, after a 28-month journey covering 8,000 
     miles during which it traversed 11 future States: Illinois, 
     Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, 
     Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
       (8) Accounts from the journals of Lewis and Clark and the 
     detailed maps that were prepared by the Expedition enhance 
     knowledge of the western continent and routes for commerce.
       (9) The Expedition significantly enhanced amicable 
     relationships between the United States and the autonomous 
     American Indian nations, and the friendship and respect 
     fostered between American Indian tribes and the Expedition 
     represents the best of diplomacy and relationships between 
     divergent nations and cultures.
       (10) The Lewis and Clark Expedition has been called the 
     most perfect expedition of its kind in the history of the 
     world and paved the way for the United States to become a 
     great world power.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the bicentennial of 
     the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue--
       (1) not more than 200,000 $1 coins, each of which shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper; and
       (2) not more than 200,000 half dollar coins, each of which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 12.50 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this title shall 
     be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, 
     United States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this 
     title shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. SOURCES OF BULLION.

       The Secretary shall obtain silver for minting coins under 
     this title only from stockpiles established under the 
     Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.

     SEC. 5. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     title shall be emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and 
     Clark.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this title there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the years ``1804-1806''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (3) Obverse of coin.--The obverse of each coin minted under 
     this title shall bear the likeness of Thomas Jefferson, 
     Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
       (4) General design.--In designing this coin, the Secretary 
     shall also consider incorporating appropriate elements from 
     the Jefferson Peace and Friendship Medal which Lewis and 
     Clark presented to the Chiefs of the various Indian tribes 
     they encountered and shall consider recognizing Native 
     American culture.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     title shall be selected by the Secretary after consultation 
     with the Commission of Fine Arts and shall be reviewed by the 
     Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 6. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this title shall 
     be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this title.
       (c) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this title beginning on January 1, 2003.
       (d) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins may be 
     minted under this title after December 31, 2003.

     SEC. 7. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this title shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in subsection (d) with respect 
     to such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this title at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this title before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
       (d) Surcharges.--All sales of coins minted under this title 
     shall include a surcharge of--
       (1) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
       (2) $7 per coin for the half dollar coin.

     SEC. 8. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no 
     provision of law governing procurement or public contracts 
     shall be applicable to the procurement of goods and services 
     necessary for carrying out this title.
       (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not 
     relieve any person entering into a contract under the 
     authority of this title from complying with any law relating 
     to equal employment opportunity.

     SEC. 9. DISTRIBUTION OF SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, 
     United States Code, the proceeds from the surcharges received 
     by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this 
     title shall be promptly paid by the Secretary as follows:
       (1) National lewis and clark bicentennial council.--\2/3\ 
     to the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, for 
     activities associated with commemorating the bicentennial of 
     the Expedition.
       (2) National park service.--\1/3\ to the National Park 
     Service for activities associated with commemorating the 
     bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
       (b) Audits.--Each organization that receives any payment 
     from the Secretary under this section shall be subject to the 
     audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 10. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       (a) No Net Cost to the Government.--The Secretary shall 
     take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting 
     and issuing coins under this title will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.
       (b) Payment for Coins.--A coin shall not be issued under 
     this title unless the Secretary has received--
       (1) full payment for the coin;
       (2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the 
     United States for full payment; or
       (3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the 
     Secretary from a depository institution whose deposits are 
     insured by the

[[Page H7445]]

     Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit 
     Union Administration Board.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento) 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 rise in support of H.R. 1560, the Lewis and Clark 
Commemorative Coin Act of 1998. This bill directs the minting of coins 
to commemorate the bicentennial of the incredible expedition conducted 
by the Corps of Discovery.
  The Corps was commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson and led by 
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. This expedition confirmed the 
extent of the Louisiana Purchase and pushed our national boundary from 
the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. It was an heroic and exhausting 
adventure. The gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) has invested 
considerable energy of his own in obtaining the requisite cosponsors.

                              {time}  1300

  This bill also conforms in all respects to current coin reform 
legislation. It has already been approved by the Citizens Commemorative 
Coin Advisory Committee. It also meets other strictures of those 
reforms, including mintage limits and retention of surcharge payments 
until all of the government's costs are recovered from the program.
  The amendment makes explicit the minting of the coin in the year 
2003, the first year of the bicentennial celebration. I urge the 
adoption of H.R. 1560.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of this measure, which 
has been spearheaded by our friend and the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. 
Bereuter), and to be a cosponsor on this measure. I know they worked 
hard in achieving the sponsorship and crafting the policy path this 
measure sets.
  The idea, of course, is recognized, and of import the 200-year 
bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition, an expedition that, 
indeed, made graphic the immence importance of the Louisiana Purchase 
by the United States, led by then, President Thomas Jefferson.
  This was an important journey of over 8,000 miles and, of course, the 
map-making and the documentation of these areas through Illinois, 
Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, 
Idaho, Washington and Oregon, obviously provided us with the knowledge, 
and an appreciation for the vastness of this purchase as well as the 
tremendous resources and the native population within these areas and 
the different topographies that would for many years be trodden by 
Americans on the journey of Western expansion.
  The Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Coin Act, of course, 
celebrates this discovery and the exploits of these two individuals. 
Part of the dollars will go to the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council 
and part to the National Park Service as they prepare for the 
celebration. So we will be able to celebrate based on the enthusiasm of 
those that are interested in Lewis and Clark and their accomplishments, 
as well as, of course, coin collectors resources that will fund this 
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial celebration.
  The expedition commanded by Meriwhether Lewis and William Clark was 
one of the most remarkable and productive scientific and military 
expeditions in American history.
  At the direction of President Thomas Jefferson, Meriwhether Lewis and 
William Clark led a band of some 40 soldiers and civilians up the 
Missouri River, across the Rocky Mountains, and down the Columbia River 
to the Pacific Ocean. From 1804 to 1806, Lewis and Clark covered 8,000 
miles and crossed 11 future states, including Illinois, Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, 
Washington, and Oregon.
  Thanks to the pioneering spirit of Lewis and Clark, new maps were 
made of a vast territory, scores of previously unknown species of 
plants and animals were collected and studied, and with this new 
glimpse of previously unchartered territory, Americans were first 
inspired to push the American frontier to the Pacific Ocean.
  The Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act 
celebrates this historic, geographical and scientific exploration of 
the United States. Proceeds from the sale of these commemorative coins 
will benefit the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National 
Park Service as they prepare for the bicentennial celebration of the 
Lewis and Clark expedition. This commemorative coin will be produced 
and sold at no cost to the American taxpayer.
  This will be timely insofar as the 200-year anniversary, and I 
commend my colleagues that have brought this bill forward and ask 
Members to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield whatever time he may consume to the 
gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), who has worked so very, very 
hard on this legislation obtaining the necessary cosponsors and is 
truly an expert on it.
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the chairman of the 
subcommittee, for yielding me this time. I rise today to request the 
passage of H.R. 1560, the legislation introduced by this Member which 
authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to mint 200,000 one-
dollar coins and 200,000 half-dollar coins to commemorate the 
bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The coins will be of 
legal tender. In addition, this measure will raise money to defer costs 
of the bicentennial celebrations.
  I would like to thank my distinguished colleagues, especially the 
gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the distinguished gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Waters) for their effort on H.R. 1560, 
respectively, as chairperson and ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy of the Committee on Banking 
and Financial Services, and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Vento), 
who has just spoken.
  President Thomas Jefferson, eager to explore newly acquired land from 
the Louisiana Purchase, chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to 
begin the expedition, which came to be called The Corps of Discovery. 
President Jefferson gave the following directive to Lewis and Clark to, 
``explore the Missouri River and such principal streams of it, as by 
its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific Ocean, 
whether the Columbia, Oregon, Colorado or any other river, may offer 
the most direct and practicable water communication across this 
continent for the purposes of commerce.''
  Lewis and Clark departed St. Louis on May 14, 1804 and returned to 
St. Louis 28 months later on September 23, 1806. Their journey of 
undaunted courage, recently chronicled in a very popular novel by 
Steven Ambrose, covered 8,000 miles of the land which now constitutes 
the States of Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, 
South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon, or some parts of 
them.
  This expedition was one of the most remarkable and productive 
military and scientific exploring expeditions in all of American 
history. This expedition advanced our geographic knowledge of the 
continent and its beautiful natural resources. In addition, the 
expedition greatly enhanced amicable relationships and nurtured a 
mutual friendship and respects at that time between the United States 
and the various American Indian nations. Furthermore, Sacajawea, the 
young Native American woman who was a guide and interpreter for the 
expedition, has been singled out for acknowledgment and admiration.
  I might say I am particularly looking forward to the bicentennial 
celebration because it is in my district in Nebraska where Lewis and 
Clark first met and consulted with the Indian tribes at what was called 
Council Bluffs, a site which is located near the location later chosen 
for the historic Fort Atkinson. I would hope we have celebrations on 
that site in 2004 which would perhaps emphasize the Native Americans' 
vital role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
  In order for a commemorative coin bill to be considered by the House 
of Representatives, of course, it is necessary to acquire at least the 
requisite 290 cosponsors, or greater, for the legislation, and we met 
that with over 300.

[[Page H7446]]

 I would say that this Member's gathering of those cosponsors was a 
labor of love and admiration for the Lewis and Clark expedition, and I 
wish to particularly recognize the contribution of our distinguished 
colleague, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), for his 
assistance in gaining those cosponsorships.
  Furthermore, the distinguished Senator from North Dakota, Senator 
Dorgan, has simultaneously introduced a companion bill on this topic in 
the Senate, S. 2005.
  Under H.R. 1560, these coins will include the likenesses of Thomas 
Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark, and will incorporate 
appropriate elements recognizing Native American culture. In its 1997 
report, the congressionally authorized Citizens Commemorative Coin 
Advisory Committee recommended commemorating the Lewis and Clark 
expedition with the coin. This Lewis and Clark commemorative coin 
legislation assures that the coin can go into circulation in the year 
2003. Moreover, the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, 
which supports this commemorative coin, is an outgrowth of the Lewis 
and Clark Trails Foundation, Inc., which was created in 1969 to 
continue the work of the 1964 congressionally established Lewis and 
Clark Trail Commission.
  House Resolution 1560 provides that the net proceeds from the 
surcharge included in the price of the coin shall be distributed to the 
National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, two-thirds, and the 
National Park Service for Lewis and Clark commemorative activities, 
one-third. This contribution to the Park Service could save taxpayers 
$1.13 million on currently planned events. The legislation also 
includes language requiring the Department of the Treasury to take 
actions necessary to ensure that the minting and issuing of the coin 
results in no net cost to the U.S. Government.
  In closing, this Member believes that the courage and resilience of 
Lewis and Clark and their party, with the assistance of Native 
Americans along the expedition on both sides of the Continental Divide, 
left an indelible and lasting mark on the landscape of the United 
States as we know it today. Lewis and Clark, in 1804, began an 
expedition into the unknown wilderness of the West. They returned in 
1806 with a wealth of knowledge and experience which has been 
invaluable in the development of the United States both as a country 
and a people.
  I anticipate great fanfare and attendance during that 3-to-4-year 
period. We have already had huge numbers of foreign visitors asking how 
they can take part of that water trail, and I think this is going to be 
a remarkable celebration of a truly remarkable event. Therefore, this 
Member would encourage his colleagues to vote on H.R. 1560, the Lewis 
and Clark Commemorative Coin bill, and unless I have a signal 
otherwise, I would like to have a recorded vote for them to do that.
  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
thank the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) for his continuing and 
abiding interest in this subject. I think it is of great importance to 
the people of the United States of America. What Lewis and Clark did is 
extraordinary, particularly at the time in which they did it, and I 
think we should all recognize that. This piece of legislation, I think, 
goes a long ways towards doing that.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of 
H.R. 1560, the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative 
Coin Act. I'd like to thank my friend and colleague Rep. Bereuter for 
his leadership on this historically significant legislation. H.R. 1560 
calls for the minting of dollar and half dollar coins honoring the 
astounding accomplishments of ``The Corps of Discovery.'' The proceeds 
from the sale of the coins will be distributed to the National Lewis 
and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service to defer 
the costs of bicentennial events and celebrations.
  Passage of this Act is in keeping with our ongoing commitment to this 
important expedition which opened the American West, making it possible 
for me and my constituents to call Portland, Oregon home. In 1803, 
Congress appropriated twenty-five hundred dollars to fund a small 
expedition whose mission it was to explore the uncharted west and to 
find the quickest water route to the Pacific Ocean. Thomas Jefferson 
entrusted his Secretary and good friend Meriwether Lewis and William 
Clark to embark on America's most historic journey. On May 14, 1804 
Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their ``Corps of Discovery'' 
departed Wood River, IL on a journey to explore the uncharted 
wilderness west of the Mississippi River. Over the next four years, 
they would travel thousands of miles, encountering lands, rivers and 
cultures that no Americans ever had before.
  Although they did not return from their journey with a direct water 
passageway across the continent, what they did bring was an invaluable 
wealth of knowledge. From Illinois to my home state of Oregon, and back 
to St. Louis, the Expedition covered 8,000 miles exploring what would 
become 11 future states. Their extensive journals and detailed maps 
depicted a rich landscape for those who until then could only imagine 
what lay beyond the Mississippi. Their expedition also exposed them to 
never before seen species of plants and animals. As well, Lewis and 
Clark succeeded in building and fostering friendships with the American 
Indian tribes they encountered during the Expedition.
  From 2003 to 2006, through the efforts of the National Lewis and 
Clark Bicentennial Council, the National Park Service, State and local 
entities and several other interested groups, Americans will have 
various opportunities to join in the celebration of the 200th 
anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Passage of H.R. 1560 is 
an important first step to ensuring that citizens all across this 
country have an opportunity to pay their respects to the history-
shaping achievements of Lewis and Clark and ``The Corps of Discovery''.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1560.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1560, the 
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, and I want to 
personally thank Congressman Bereuter, the sponsor of the legislation, 
for his work on this issue.
  Nearly two hundred years after the Corps of Discovery, Americans of 
all ages have begun a national pilgrimage to follow the steps of 
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The journey today stands as one of 
the most remarkable and productive scientific and military exploring 
expeditions in all of American History. H.R. 1560 recognizes this 
extraordinary journey and the discipline, sacrifice and strength shown 
by Lewis and Clark by authorizing the Treasury to mint one-dollar and 
half-dollar coins to commemorate the bicentennial of the expedition.
  The bill will not only serve to highlight this historic expedition 
and the roles of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson and 
the many Native Americans who aided in the journey, but it will also 
provide a source of financial support for commemorative activities. 
After the cost of minting is covered, the proceeds from the sale of the 
coin will be distributed to the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial 
Council and the National Park Service which will allow both entities to 
continue their work in planning and organizing bicentennial events.
  As we continue preparing for the bicentennial of this historic 
expedition, it is important that Congress play an active role in 
supporting and promoting its commemoration. I urge my colleagues to 
recognize the importance of the Lewis and Clark expedition to the 
nation and the efforts of the bicentennial council and the National 
Park Service to highlight its bicentennial by passing this legislation.
  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. Gillmor). 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. 1560, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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