[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]
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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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