[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 102 (Monday, July 19, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H5759-H5762]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1033) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in commemoration of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1033

       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 that--
       (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; and
       (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) Denomination.--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 not more than 500,000 $1 coins, each of 
     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 Act 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 Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. SOURCES OF BULLION.

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

[[Page H5760]]

     SEC. 5. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the expedition of Lewis and Clark.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2004'' and 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 Act shall bear the likeness of 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 
     Act 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 Act 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 Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the period beginning on 
     January 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2004.

     SEC. 7. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act 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 Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act 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 Act 
     shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.

     SEC. 8. 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 Act 
     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. 9. 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 Act will not result in any net 
     cost to the United States Government.
       (b) Payment for Coins.--A coin shall not be issued under 
     this Act 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 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the 
     National Credit Union Administration Board.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member rises today to urge the passage of H.R. 
1033, legislation introduced by this Member which authorizes the U.S. 
Department of the Treasury to mint 500,000 one-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 bicentennial celebrations.
  Original cosponsors of this legislation include the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy), 
the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), and the gentleman from Montana 
(Mr. Hill), who is the co-chairman of the Lewis and Clark Caucus. Last 
Congress, a very similar bill was introduced by this Member; and we, in 
fact, had 299 House cosponsors.
  This Member would especially like to thank the gentleman from Iowa 
(Chairman Leach) and the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) the 
subcommittee chairman for expediting the consideration of this 
legislation once House-Senate tactics on revenue measures on this 
Congressional measure were settled. I thank the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. LaFalce) for his role, as well.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important to note a Lewis and Clark commemorative 
coin bill, which this Member also introduced, conforming with all rules 
of the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, passed the House in 
the 105th Congress by a vote of 398 to 2, but was not individually 
passed by the Senate before the 105th Congress adjourned.
  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. The journey 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.
  This expedition was one of the most remarkable and productive 
military and scientific exploring expeditions in all of American 
history. This expedition advanced our geographical knowledge of the 
continent and its beautiful natural resources.
  In addition, the expedition greatly enhanced amicable relationships 
and nurtured a mutual friendship and respect between the United States 
and the autonomous American Indian nations. Furthermore, Sacajawea, the 
young Native American woman who was a guide and interpreter for the 
expedition, deserves our acknowledgment and admiration.
  In addition, the distinguished Senator from North Dakota, Senator 
Byron Dorgan, has simultaneously introduced a companion bill on this 
subject in the other body, S. 1187.
  Under H.R. 1033, these coins will include the likeness of Meriwether 
Lewis and William Clark and the U.S. Mint considers 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.
  In its 1997 report, the congressionally authorized Citizens Coin 
Advisory Committee recommended commemorating the Lewis and Clark 
Expedition with the coin. This Lewis and Clark Commemorative Coin 
authorized by this legislation will be scheduled to be minted and into 
circulation in the year 2004.
  The legislation provides that the net proceeds from the surcharges 
included in the price of the coin shall be distributed to the National 
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, two-thirds of it, and the 
National Park Service, the remaining third, to be used by the Park 
Service for activities associated with commemorating the bicentennial 
of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Thus, this contribution from the 
proceeds of coin sales to the Park Service will save taxpayers on 
currently planned Lewis and Clark events.
  The legislation also includes language requiring the Department of 
the Treasury to take action necessary to ensure that the minting and 
issuing of the coins result in no net costs to the United States.

[[Page H5761]]

  Moreover, the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, which 
advocates this commemorative coin, is an outgrowth of the Lewis and 
Clark Trails Foundation, Incorporated, which was created in 1969 to 
continue the work of the 1964 congressionally established Lewis and 
Clark Trails Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member believes that the courage and 
resilience and discoveries of Lewis and Clark assisted by Native 
Americans along the route of their great expedition, ``The Corps of 
Discovery,'' left an indelible and lasting contribution to the 
settlement and perhaps to the ultimate boundaries of the United States.
  Lewis and Clark, in 1804, began an expedition from St. Louis into the 
unknown wilderness of the West.

                              {time}  1415

  They returned in 1806 with a wealth of knowledge and experience which 
has been invaluable in the development of the United States and the 
American Nation. We still stand in awe of their intrepid journey to 
explore the American West.
  Therefore, this Member would strongly encourage his colleagues to 
vote for H.R. 1033, the Lewis and Clark Commemorative Coin Bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1033, and I give special 
commendation to the principal author of the bill, the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), and to the two Democratic lead sponsors on the 
bill, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) and the gentleman from 
North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy). I commend them for their fine work 
advancing it to the House floor.
  The bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin 
commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition. The expedition, led by 
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, was one of the most remarkable and 
productive scientific and military expeditions in all American history.
  At the direction of President Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark led 
an expedition force of some 40 soldiers and civilians up the Missouri 
river, across the Rocky Mountains, along the Columbia River to the 
Pacific Ocean. The expedition covered a vast stretch of America's 
territory, over 8,000 miles, and 11 future States, including what is 
now Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
  The pioneering spirits of Lewis and Clark culminated in the 
development of new maps for uncharted territories and a collection and 
study of previously unknown species of plants and animals. With their 
new glimpse of uncharted territories, Lewis and Clark inspired 
subsequent generations of Americans to push the American frontier to 
the Pacific ocean.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation celebrates this historic geographical 
and scientific exploration of the United States. The minting and 
issuance of the Lewis and Clark commemorative coin will be done at no 
cost to the American taxpayer and proceeds from its sale will accrue to 
the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council and the National Park Service. 
Both of these organizations are currently preparing for the 
bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Mr. 
Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 1033.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), the chief Democratic sponsor of this 
bill.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman yielding me 
this time, and I appreciate the leadership of the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter). I would like to express my strong support for 
H.R. 1033, the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative 
Coin Act. I hope this time we get it through, that there are not hang-
ups.
  I was pleased with what the House did in the last session. It is of 
particular interest to me as the only graduate of Lewis and Clark 
College in Portland, Oregon, the namesake of the great explorers; in 
fact, both my degrees are from the institution. I grew up in the 
Pacific Northwest, steeped in the lore and tradition that surrounded 
the Lewis and Clark expedition.
  It is very important to us in the Pacific Northwest. One hundred 
years ago in our community, the centennial of the Lewis and Clark 
expedition was celebrated in a world's fair that had a profound impact 
on our community, on the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast in 
general.
  This resolution, which passed the House last year and has been ably 
described by the gentleman from Nebraska and the gentleman from New 
York, has the potential of providing resources for a national 
celebration of this undertaking. I will not bore Members or our guests 
with further recitation of that exploration, but suffice it to say that 
over 200 years ago when President Jefferson coaxed the Congress to 
appropriate $2,500 for this exploration, it was money well spent; and I 
think that the resources that will be invested in this celebration will 
likewise be well spent.
  There is a great deal that we need to do to reconnect with our 
friends in the Native American communities in the 11 States throughout 
the passage of the expedition, for us to acknowledge the contributions 
they made and understand what it means in today's world to be connected 
to people of other ethnic backgrounds, particularly Native Americans, 
but also I think this is an international respect as well.
  It is a chance for our Nation to reflect on the power of exploration 
and scientific advancement, to reach out to others in the Native 
American community who were a part of that exploration, who on more 
than one occasion rescued the explorers. It is an opportunity for us as 
a Nation to reflect on our ancestors who had the ability to dream on a 
vast scale.
  Today, we need this observance and all that it requires to help us 
face our destiny in a new century. I am pleased to be associated with 
the legislation and hope that the House will act expeditiously.
  Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. 
I want to simply conclude by thanking the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer). During the last Congress he was extremely helpful in us 
getting the 290 cosponsors to meet the subcommittee requirement, and I 
appreciate his effort and his long interest in Lewis and Clark.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1033.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1033, 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. 1033 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, 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. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1033.
  The question was taken.

[[Page H5762]]

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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