[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10324-H10328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1830
                 LITTLE ROCK NINE MEDALS AND COINS ACT

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2560) to award congressional gold medals to Jean Brown 
Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, 
Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth 
Eckford, and Jefferson Thomas, commonly referred to collectively as the 
``Little Rock Nine'' on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 
integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2560

       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 ``Little Rock Nine Medals and 
     Coins Act''.

                 TITLE I--LITTLE ROCK NINE GOLD MEDALS

     SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

       The Congress hereby finds the following:
       (1) Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba 
     Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma 
     Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and 
     Jefferson Thomas, hereafter in this section referred to as 
     the ``Little Rock Nine'', voluntarily subjected themselves to 
     the bitter stinging pains of racial bigotry.
       (2) The Little Rock Nine are civil rights pioneers whose 
     selfless acts considerably advanced the civil rights debate 
     in this country.
       (3) The Little Rock Nine risked their lives to integrate 
     Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and 
     subsequently the Nation.
       (4) The Little Rock Nine sacrificed their innocence to 
     protect the American principle that we are all ``one nation, 
     under God, indivisible''.
       (5) The Little Rock Nine have indelibly left their mark on 
     the history of this Nation.
       (6) The Little Rock Nine have continued to work towards 
     equality for all Americans.

     SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized 
     to present, on behalf of the Congress, to Jean Brown Trickey, 
     Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, 
     Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, 
     Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson Thomas, commonly referred to 
     collectively as the ``Little Rock Nine'', gold medals of 
     appropriate design, in recognition of the selfless heroism 
     such individuals exhibited and the pain they suffered in the 
     cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in 
     Little Rock, Arkansas.
       (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 for each 
     recipient
       (c) Authorization of Appropriation.--Effective October 1, 
     1997, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out this section.

     SEC. 103. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       (a) Striking and Sale.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals 
     struck pursuant to section 2 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 2 shall be reimbursed out of the 
     proceeds of sales under subsection (a).

     SEC. 104. NATIONAL MEDALS.

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

               TITLE II--GERALD AND BETTY FORD GOLD MEDAL

     SEC 201. 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. 202. 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 201 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 201 shall be reimbursed out of the 
     proceeds of sales under subsection (a).

     SEC. 203. NATIONAL MEDALS.

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

             TITLE III--JACKIE ROBINSON COMMEMORATIVE COINS

     SEC. 301. 6-MONTH EXTENSION FOR CERTAIN SALES.

       Notwithstanding section 101(7)(D) of the United States 
     Commemorative Coin Act of 1996, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     may, at any time before January 1, 1999, make bulk sales at a 
     reasonable discount to the Jackie Robinson Foundation of not 
     less than 20 percent of any denomination of coins minted 
     under section 101(7) of such Act which remained unissued as 
     of July 1, 1998, except that the total number of coins of any 
     such denomination which were issued under such section or 
     this section may not exceed the amount of such denomination 
     of coins which were authorized to be minted and issued under 
     section 101(7)(A) of such Act.

                  TITLE IV--$1 COIN DESIGN EVALUATION

     SEC. 401. COMMISSIONING OF STUDY REQUIRED.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall commission, on a

[[Page H10325]]

     reimbursable basis, a study, similar to the study conducted 
     under section 302 of the United States Commemorative Coin Act 
     of 1996, to compare the relative acceptance by the public and 
     the fiscal impact on the Treasury of the United States of the 
     use of the image of Sacajawea on the obverse of the new $1 
     coin with that of the relative acceptance by the public and 
     the fiscal impact on the Treasury of the United States of the 
     use of the image of the Statue of Liberty.
       (b) Design and Scope of Study.--The study required to be 
     commissioned under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) be designed by the Comptroller General, in consultation 
     with the Committee on Banking and Financial Services of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Secretary of 
     the Treasury, and the Director of the United States Mint;
       (2) be conducted by private sector consultants selected by 
     the Comptroller General on the basis of their education, 
     training, and experience;
       (3) measure the estimated acceptance of each image, 
     including an estimate of the number of potential sales of 
     proof, uncirculated, and other qualities of coins bearing 
     each such image;
       (4) estimate the number of coins bearing each such image 
     which would be removed from circulation for collections or as 
     souvenirs by both formal and informal numismatists and other 
     collectors, as well as tourists; and
       (5) examine the financial impact which could flow from 
     other factors that might influence the choice of an image for 
     the obverse of the coin.
       (c) Inclusion of Focus Groups and Interested 
     Associations.--In carrying out the study required under this 
     section, the consultants selected by the Comptroller General 
     shall--
       (1) convene groups consisting of individuals representing a 
     broad cross-section of the populace for purposes of testing 
     the relative acceptance of the 2 images; and
       (2) consult with the American Numismatic Association and 
     the Coin Coalition, as well as any marketing organization or 
     operator of a sales location which might sell proof, 
     uncirculated, and other qualities of the new $1 coin.
       (d) Report.--
       (1) In general.--A report on the study shall be completed 
     and submitted to the Congress before January 31, 1999.
       (2) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph 
     (1) shall contain the findings and conclusions of the 
     consultants conducting the study and the Comptroller General, 
     together with such recommendations as the consultants and the 
     Comptroller General determine to be appropriate.
       (e) Funding.--Not to exceed $350,000 of the costs of the 
     study required under this section shall be reimbursed by the 
     Secretary of the Treasury from the United States Mint Public 
     Enterprise Fund.

          TITLE V--LEIF ERICSSON MILLENNIUM COMMEMORATIVE COIN

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Leif Ericsson Millennium 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 502. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) $1 Silver Coins.--In conjunction with the simultaneous 
     mining and issuance of commemorative coins by the Republic of 
     Iceland in commemoration of the millennium of the discovery 
     of the New World by Leif Ericsson, the Secretary of the 
     Treasury (hereafter in this title referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue not more than 500,000 1 
     dollar coins, which shall--
       (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (3) 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 5136 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this 
     title shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 503. SOURCES OF BULLION.

       The Secretary may obtain silver for minting coins under 
     this title from any available source, including stockpiles 
     established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock 
     Piling Act.

     SEC. 504. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     title shall be emblematic of the millennium of the discovery 
     of the New World by Leif Ericsson.
       (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 year ``2000''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     title shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Leifur Eiriksson Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts; 
     and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.

     SEC. 505. 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 January 1, 2000.
       (d) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins may be 
     minted under this title after December 31, 2000.

     SEC. 506. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this title 
     shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (b) Distribution.--All surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this title shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the Leifur Eiriksson 
     Foundation for the purpose of funding student exchanges 
     between students of the United States and students of 
     Iceland.
       (c) Audits.--The Leifur Eiriksson Foundation shall be 
     subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of 
     title 31, United States Code, with regard to the amounts 
     received by the Foundation under subsection (b).

     SEC. 507. 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 the provisions of this title.
       (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not 
     relieve any person entering into a contract under the 
     authority of this Act from complying with any law relating to 
     equal employment opportunity.

  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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of 2560, the Little Rock Nine Medals 
and Coin Act. This bill directs the production of nine Congressional 
Gold Medals on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the integration of 
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, by Jean Brown Trickey, 
Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria 
Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford 
and Jefferson Thomas, known as the ``Little Rock Nine.''
  The gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) has worked hard as the 
House sponsor to obtain 299 co-sponsors for this measure.
  The rest of the amendment to this bill represents what has become a 
regular function of reconciling our coin legislation with that of the 
Senate. It includes the Gerald and Betty Ford Congressional Gold Medal, 
which had already passed this House by a wide margin but was used as a 
vehicle by the Senate to transmit their priority coin programs. It 
accepts these Senate priorities by granting the Robinson Foundation a 
limited opportunity to make a bulk purchase of authorized but unsold 
Jackie Robinson commemorative coins. It provides for a study to ensure 
successful public acceptance of the new one dollar coin.
  Finally, it enacts the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee 
recommendation in favor of the bill of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. 
Leach) to commemorate the millennium of Leif Ericsson's voyage of 
discovery by jointly minting coins with Iceland.
  I urge the immediate adoption of H.R. 2560.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. VENTO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. This is good 
legislation. The Little Rock Nine is a very profound demonstration, I 
think, of the human spirit as they climbed not just those steps in 
Little Rock, Arkansas, but climbed into the history and raised the 
consciousness of this country in terms of the civil rights movement and 
the need, in our diverse population, for integration, to work together.
  I would further like to comment, Madam Speaker, on the issue of the 
other medals in terms of recognizing Jackie Robinson for his 
significant role in terms of athletics and his outstanding role as an 
athlete but, most importantly, as an American.
  I also, of course, would be remiss if I did not recognize President 
Gerald Ford, and Betty Ford, for their work here and, of course, on the 
eve of Columbus Day, October 12, to recognize Leif Ericsson. I know 
that many of my

[[Page H10326]]

constituents in Minnesota would endorse the recognition that he is 
receiving here, in spite of my efforts to teach a more poignant aspect 
of history with regards to the discovery of North America.
  At the request of the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), I have 
actually sponsored this. Now, there is real bipartisanship and working 
together, Madam Speaker.
  Madam Speaker, I am very pleased that we are here on the floor today 
considering legislation to award the congressional gold medal to those 
individuals known as the ``Little Rock Nine'' on the occasion of the 
40th anniversary of the integration of Central High School in Little 
Rock, Arkansas.
  I would like to commend Congressman Bennie Thompson for introducing 
this bill and his tireless work and commitment to see it become law.
  The bill will authorize the President to award congressional gold 
medals to Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo 
Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, 
Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson Thomas.
  These individuals advanced the struggle for civil rights in this 
country by their heroic efforts to integrate Central High School.
  When these courageous young people climbed the stairs of Central High 
School on September 25, 19957 and they climbed into the civil rights 
history of your Nation, they forced this country to face its racial 
segregation.
  They themselves did something about it and challenged our Nation to 
face up to the issue of justice.
  I am also pleased that this bill includes a provision to extend the 
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Program so that the Jackie Robinson 
Foundation can continue to purchase these coins until January 1, 1999.
  I would like to thank Chairman Castle and the work of others like 
Congressman Meeks who worked to ensure that we properly honor this 
American sports hero and legendary African-American.
  With this bill we also authorize the presentation of a presidential 
gold medal to President Gerald and Betty Ford as well as the Leif 
Ericsson Millennium Commemorative Coin Act. I'm sure many of my 
Minnesota constituents will endorse this recognition as I have at 
Congressman Sabo's request.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. Vento. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), my good friend from the other end of the 
Mississippi, who has sponsored the underlying provision with regards to 
the Little Rock Nine.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, on September 25, 1957, nine African 
American high school students voluntarily risked their lives to remind 
us of the basic American principles. When Jean Trickey, Carlotta 
LaNier, Melba Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Karlmark, Thelma Wair, 
Ernie Green, Elizabeth Eckford and Jefferson Thomas stepped onto the 
campus at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, they forced our 
country to admit that segregation is an abomination to every democratic 
principle and every freedom we enjoy as Americans.
  Make no mistake, this is about race. It is about all the valiant men 
and women who fought in and are still fighting in our Nation's struggle 
to recognize the civil rights of every American.
  By passing H.R. 2560 and bestowing the highest award Congress can 
present to civilians on the Little Rock Nine, Congress is sending an 
historic, significant message. It is important for that little boy to 
be able to play baseball on the lighted field, and it is equally 
important for all Americans to recognize men and women who made that 
seemingly small feat possible for a small town boy in Arkansas.
  Today, our Nation has a solemn and long overdue thanks. Thanks to the 
civil rights pioneers who blazed a trail through the wilderness of 
racial discrimination to lead our Nation, kicking and screaming at 
times, down the path of justice and equality.
  I might add, Madam Speaker, it is long overdue. These individuals who 
are now all in their mid-fifties have paid a tremendous price. Some of 
them are on disability. Some of them are very successful. Nonetheless, 
by awarding this commemorative coin, we now recognize the work that 
they did.
  Mr. VENTO. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the 
balance of the time to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) to 
manage that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Minnesota?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers).
  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to address the portion 
of this bill which honors the thirty-eighth president of the United 
States, Gerald R. Ford and his wife Betty. We previously passed that 
portion of this bill, but it was under unanimous consent, and we did 
not have an opportunity for debate.
  The thirty-eighth president, Gerald R. Ford, has long been noted for 
his successful efforts to heal this Nation after a previous impeachment 
drama that we dealt with. Our Nation owes him a great debt of gratitude 
for his unprecedented work in carrying us through that most difficult 
period, for restoring and healing and stability in this Nation.
  This is a particularly appropriate year to recognize him. It is the 
year of President Ford's 85th birthday. It is also the year of the 80th 
birthday of Betty Ford, who in her own right deserves recognition. Her 
name is also included on the medal, due to her work in publicizing the 
dangers of breast cancer and vastly increasing public awareness of this 
terrible disease in this Nation.
  Her work with the Betty Ford Clinic also has earned her a place of 
recognition on this medal.
  In addition to those two birthdays, this year we also celebrate their 
50th wedding anniversary, as well as the 50th anniversary of President 
Ford's election to this House of Representatives, where he served very 
ably for 25 years and, in fact, became the minority leader for a number 
of years.
  In addition to that, this is the 25th anniversary of the year that 
President Ford acceded to the vice presidency of the United States of 
America. As we all know, he did a marvelous job as vice president and 
president and put this Nation on the right course for years to come.
  In recognition of the accomplishments of both President Ford and his 
wife Betty, and in recognition of all that he has done for this Nation, 
I urge all members to vote for this bill.

                              {time}  1840

  Mr. CASTLE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the balance 
of my time to manage this legislation be turned over to the gentleman 
from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), another member of the committee.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Snyder).
  Mr. SNYDER. Madam Speaker, last night on this floor by unanimous 
consent agreement a bill was passed, Senator Bumpers' Senate bill to 
include Little Rock Central High School and the surrounding 
neighborhood as a national historic site, as part of our national park 
system, to recognize the historical significance of the events that 
occurred in the school year 1957-1958 in Little Rock, Arkansas, at 
Central High School. I am proud to have been a cosponsor of that bill 
and to be a cosponsor of this bill.
  As I went around getting cosponsors with the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) and others for this recognition bill of the 
Little Rock Nine, all you had to say to other Members is, ``This is 
Central High School, 1957, Little Rock Nine.'' We are very much aware 
that the eyes of the world were on Central High School at that event.
  What was the event about? It was about nine kids, nine children who 
put up with events that the rest of us have never had to put up with in 
our life. Melba Patillo has a book out the last several years called 
``Warriors Don't Cry.'' That is what this was for these nine kids, 
these nine children as they were fighting our battles, the battles of 
America during this school year in 1957.
  This photo right here is Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock 
Nine, in 1957 who found herself alone in the middle of a mob one day at 
school. This one right here is Hazel Massery who was a 15-year-old 
student at the time. This photo seared the world with a picture of 
bigotry. They were beaten, they were kicked, they were tripped, they

[[Page H10327]]

had food thrown on them, they had verbal insults. Worst of all, they 
feared for their lives. It changed their lives but it also changed the 
lives of the rest of us and of our Nation.
  This is a photo from 1997, the 40th anniversary of the desegregation 
of Central High School. This is Elizabeth Eckford, 40 years later, and 
this is that 15-year-old girl who had such a look of hatred and bigotry 
on her face 40 years ago. I am very pleased to be part of the 
recognition of the Little Rock Nine and their courage. It is very, very 
important that we recognize what they went through. I was in the Marine 
Corps in Vietnam. We had the opportunity to earn medals. There were no 
medals given in 1957 and 1958 for the sacrifices that the Little Rock 
Nine went through.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson).
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
this time. I want to congratulate my colleague from Arkansas for his 
work on this and so many others. Forty-one years ago, nine youths 
walked through the doors of Little Rock Central High School and forever 
changed American culture. The Little Rock Nine as they are known today 
forced this Nation to examine its soul and decide whether ours would be 
a society of hostility and division or a society of tolerance and 
unity. The images of those youths facing an angry and defiant mob at 
the door of Central High are forever burned into our national 
consciousness. They are images of fear and hesitation. They are images 
of a crossroads in our Nation's history. While we cannot and should not 
ever forget those painful images of four decades ago, we should today 
celebrate the fact that this great Nation made the right choice and 
took the right path. We decided that ours would be a Nation of unity, 
not division; a Nation of tolerance, not hate.
  Madam Speaker, all Americans today owe a debt of gratitude to those 
nine youths who forced this Nation to look inward and make that 
decision. For that, I am proud to rise today in support of this 
legislation to award them the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  (Mr. Davis of Illinois asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman 
for yielding me this time. When the Little Rock Nine walked in the 
door, I was a 16-year-old college freshman at Arkansas AM&N College. It 
is so delightful to see an opportunity, they are contemporaries of 
mine. Ernie Green. Mrs. Patillo actually was a teacher at the Scipio A. 
Jones High School when I did student teaching. That is Melba Patillo's 
mother. Minnie Jean Brown was my mother's favorite of the nine. Each 
day after the news, she wanted to find out, what did Minnie Jean Brown 
do that particular day.
  Daisy Bates really ought to be in this group, because she emerged as 
a leader among leaders at that time. Attorney Wiley Branton from Pine 
Bluff who ultimately became an attorney for the national NAACP. Dr. 
Flowers, Attorney Flowers, all of those who played a role, I am simply 
pleased to join with others who feel that the time has come to say to 
the Little Rock Nine and all of those involved in that particular 
situation, that they too played a major role in the civil rights 
development in this country during the 1950s and 1960s which have 
brought us to this point today.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Arkansas (Mr. Berry) who did a lot of work to get this bill to where it 
is now.
  Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from 
Mississippi for this time and congratulate him and my colleague from 
Arkansas and many others who have made this evening possible.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 2560 and also to pay tribute to nine 
people who showed America what it means to be courageous. This 
legislation will award the Congressional Gold Medal to nine people who 
40 years ago stepped into a school and changed history forever. We all 
remember the day when the nine young people faced an angry mob of 
segregationists to voluntarily integrate Central High School in Little 
Rock, Arkansas. These young people became symbols to all of us of what 
it means to be courageous, honorable and exceptionally brave.
  This legislation honors Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, 
Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma 
Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford and Jefferson Thomas 
for making our country a better place to live. Although they probably 
did not know it at the time, those people who were only children in 
1957 taught all Americans a valuable lesson: Stand up for what you 
believe in. Be courageous and proud. Those nine people deserve the 
Congressional Gold Medals for what they did. That is why every Member 
should support this legislation.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Meeks).
  (Mr. Meeks of New York asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Madam Speaker, it has come to my attention 
this summer, in the heat of the Sosa-McGwire home run race, that the 
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin program was set to end on June 30, 
1998. This program has been a source of pride for Americans as we have 
recognized a true American hero. Mr. Robinson's breaking of the race 
barrier in professional sports in many aspects signaled our country's 
drive to equal justice and equal treatment under the law. Moreover, his 
life's story is indicative of Americans striving to defeat high odds, 
and his achievements represent the best that this country has to offer. 
These reflections on his contributions to baseball and indeed his 
contributions to America were the foundation of our enactment of coin 
legislation to pay homage to Mr. Robinson.
  It is with dismay that I learned of the legislative history behind 
this important program and I was obligated in part to defend this 
program since it was a program that my predecessor Reverend Floyd Flake 
helped implement.

                              {time}  1850

  For those of my colleagues who do not know, this extension is 
necessary because of the allocation of Jackie Robinson surcharges, the 
Botanical Gardens Coin Program. I recognized the political agendas at 
the close of the 104th Congress required this arrangement. However we 
also recognize today the Jackie Robinson Program has suffered because 
of the arrangement. Today's legislation, in addition to honoring the 
Little Rock Nine on whose shoulders I also stand, allowed the Jackie 
Robinson Foundation to buy the remaining stock until January 1, 1999. 
It will then be free to resell these coins to help further the 
foundation's educational mission.
  I, therefore, urge the adoption of H.R. 2560 and extend my gratitude 
of thanks to Senator D'Amato, who, with Congressman Flake, created this 
program, and I also extend my appreciation to the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle), the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and 
the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for their efforts in 
bringing this legislation to the floor today.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand tonight 
with the collective forces on both sides of the aisle to give tribute 
to nine children, nine children who courageously, yet fearfully, stood 
in the doors of Central High School to say that we must change the 
culture of this society, we must change the culture of schools, high 
schools in this country and all schools.
  As a former teacher, I can recognize how important it is to ensure 
that quality of education, irrespective of race, be given to every 
child across this country. I have seen and have followed their careers, 
and they have positioned themselves in many endeavors, but clearly have 
positioned themselves as outstanding Americans.
  I had the pleasure of traveling with Ernie Green this last March when 
we travelled with the President to Africa. This outstanding man has no 
remorse. He serves his country with dignity and serves his country with 
distinction.

[[Page H10328]]

  If it is not but one thing we can remember, and that is that we must 
all contribute something to make this country a better world, a better 
life for our children, for all Americans.
  Let me thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), the 
gentleman on the other side of the aisle, my dear friend, and all who 
played a tremendous part in bringing these outstanding Americans to the 
floor. To give them a Congressional Medal of Honor would be the highest 
mark of saying thank you.
  To Betty Ford and all the others who will be receiving one, we 
congratulate them as well.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from 
Houston, Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, let me thank the gentleman 
from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), one, for his leadership on this issue, 
and thank my good friends on the other side of the aisle, this has been 
a collaborative effort; and certainly my colleagues from Arkansas 
because this is clearly a mark on America's landscape that shares with 
us the heroics of young people and what they say to America.
  This is my tribute to the Little Rock Nine. All of those nine African 
American students who integrated Central High School in 1957 went on to 
become college graduates. This is a testimony for America's children. 
This is certainly a testimony for our African American children of what 
we can do when we face adversity. And I believe as these young people 
faced adversity, they opened the eyes of America to excellence, to the 
value of integration, the value of understanding, the value of 
commonality, the value of humanity.
  All of these members moved away except one, Elizabeth Eckford, who 
came back, but what is striking is how successful they were.
  So I want to pay tribute to them as they have received the 
Congressional Medal of Honor and to recognize these individuals by 
name:
  Melba Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Jefferson Thomas, 
Gloria Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Terrence Roberts, Minnie Jean 
Brown Trickey, Thelma Mothershed Wair, and certainly to all their 
family members. We thank them on behalf of America for accepting the 
challenge that this Nation cannot stand divided.
  And might I also congratulate the Jackie Robinson Foundation and 
family for what this legislation will do for that program as well.
  Again, my hat is off to these great heroes of America.
  Mr. THOMPSON. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fox).
  Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 2560. 
This is certainly legislation which is bipartisan. We thank the 
sponsor, the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), for introducing 
the bill, certainly congratulate him for his efforts in this regard and 
to have this kind of legislation move forward.
  The Congressional Gold Medals is certainly fitting and proper in all 
respects, and certainly one that is appropriate, and I rise and ask 
that it be unanimously adopted, and I hope that my colleagues will 
agree that this is legislation that is universal, appropriate and 
certainly about time.
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  First of all, I would like to say thank you to the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) for his efforts to bring this about. It is a 
very onerous process to work through to have one of these bills become 
law. It requires many signatures and much effort, and he has shown 
himself to be truly dedicated to the effort by making this happen.
  Second, let me say that this is a wonderful and appropriate reason to 
strike such a gold medal. When we consider the efforts of these then 
brave young men and women in 1957 to go places and do things literally 
in Little Rock that had not been done before, it cannot be understated 
the danger that they were physically in, the emotional stress that they 
went through to take that step in the right direction for all of us. 
They did their part to make this country a better place, to enhance the 
quality of life and opportunities for everyone in this country, and 
that is very much deserving of this high honor.
  But let me also say for a moment or take a moment to express my 
appreciation to the chairman of this subcommittee, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle). Most likely this is the last piece of 
legislation that will come to the floor from the Subcommittee on 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy of the Committee on Banking 
and Financial Services of the U.S. House. Mr. Castle, that I have had 
the privilege of serving under as a member of this committee for now 
almost 4 years, has worked diligently in a variety of areas. There have 
been many concerns among those coin collectors out there in days gone 
by over how various commemorative programs were handled and how various 
expenses were affecting the United States Treasury. Mr. Castle has 
worked diligently to bring some rhyme or reason, some sanity to all of 
those programs. So he is owed in that right a huge debt of gratitude by 
all of us.
  Of course Mr. Flake, the ranking member at the beginning of this 
session of Congress, and now the gentlewoman from California (Ms. 
Waters), the ranking member on the subcommittee at the conclusion, have 
worked their part also, but I must say to the gentleman from Delaware 
(Mr. Castle), the progress that he has begun in this subcommittee of 
winning back the faith of those coin collectors out there who we all 
know are the main source of purchasers of the various numismatic items 
that we offer from the United States Treasury as a result of many of 
these pieces of legislation, have to have those issues and concerns 
addressed.
  So with that I thank the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) 
for his efforts, thank those brave, maybe not quite as young now as 
they were 40 years ago, young men and women who took those brave and 
bold steps to make this country, this world, a better place for all of 
us and for the generations that will come after them.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1900

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Emerson). 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. 2560, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
authorize the President to award gold medals to Jean Brown Trickey, 
Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria 
Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, 
and Jefferson Thomas, commonly referred to collectively as the `Little 
Rock Nine,' and for other purposes.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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