[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 140 (Monday, October 30, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H11580-H11581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1515
      ACKNOWLEDGING AND SALUTING CONTRIBUTIONS OF COIN COLLECTORS

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 154) to acknowledge and 
salute the contributions of coin collectors.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 154

       Whereas in 1982, after a period of 28 years, the Congress 
     of the United States resumed the United States commemorative 
     coin programs;
       Whereas since 1982, 37 of the Nation's worthy institutions, 
     organizations, foundations, and programs have been 
     commemorated under the coin programs;
       Whereas since 1982, the Nation's coin collectors have 
     purchased nearly 49,000,000 commemorative coins that have 
     yielded nearly $1,800,000,000 in revenue and more than 
     $407,000,000 in surcharges benefitting a variety of deserving 
     causes;
       Whereas the United States Capitol has benefitted from the 
     commemorative coin surcharges that have supported such 
     commendable projects as the restoration of the Statue

[[Page H11581]]

     of Freedom atop the Capitol dome, the furtherance of the 
     development of the United States Capitol Visitor Center, and 
     the planned National Garden at the United States Botanic 
     Gardens on the Capitol grounds;
       Whereas surcharges from the year 2000 coin program 
     commemorating the Library of Congress bicentennial benefit 
     the Library of Congress bicentennial programs, educational 
     outreach activities (including schools and libraries), and 
     other activities of the Library of Congress; and
       Whereas the United States Capitol Visitor Center 
     commemorative coin program will commence in January 2001, 
     with the surcharges designated to further benefit the Capitol 
     Visitor Center: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
     Congress of the United States acknowledges and salutes the 
     ongoing generosity, loyalty, and significant role that coin 
     collectors have played in supporting our Nation's meritorious 
     charitable organizations, foundations, institutions, and 
     programs, including the United States Capitol, the Library of 
     Congress, and the United States Botanic Gardens.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett of Nebraska). Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) and the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Bentsen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus)


                             General Leave

  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material concerning Senate Concurrent Resolution 
154.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Alabama?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The resolution before us today, Mr. Speaker, recognizes one of the 
truly unsung contributions made in this country, that of thousands of 
coin collectors who buy commemorative coins issued by the United States 
Mint. Senator Lott introduced this resolution in the Senate, and it was 
passed on the Senate floor last week on October 23.
  This resolution acknowledges and salutes the ongoing generosity, 
loyalty, and significant role that coin collectors have played in 
supporting our Nation's charitable organizations, foundations, 
institutions, and programs. While coin collecting has been a hobby for 
many years, collecting commemorative coins is a little different. The 
coins are issued in a limited quantity, and they have surcharges that 
make the cost much more than the face value of the coins.
  The coin community has been very supportive and generous in buying 
commemorative coins during the last 20 years, a period of significant 
change for the commemorative coin program. Since 1982, when Congress 
resumed the commemorative coin program, which was after a 28-year 
break, 37 commemorative coins have been authorized.
  In addition to the honor given to the recipients and the educational 
value of these coins, they have also raised more than $400 million for 
a variety of charitable organizations and other worthy causes. That is 
$407 million to be exact. Our Nation's coin collectors and coin dealers 
have been essential to the success of these programs. They have 
purchased nearly 49 million commemorative coins, which has yielded $1.8 
billion in revenue and, as I mentioned, $407 million in contributions 
to very deserving causes.
  This resolution recognizes the accomplishments and the contributions 
of the commemorative coin community and gives them the recognition that 
they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. BENTSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 
154. Over the last few years, Congress has passed bipartisan 
legislation to mint several commemorative coins, the proceeds of which 
have gone to a number of important organizations and projects that 
benefit communities across America.
  Commemorative coins, which are available directly from the United 
States Mint, are generally approved by members of the Citizens 
Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee. This committee was established 
by the 102nd Congress for the purpose of recommending, with input from 
the public and coin collectors, the events, persons or places that are 
appropriate for commemoration through congressionally mandated coins. 
Commemorative coins typically celebrate and honor people, places, 
events, and institutions.
  It is fitting for Congress to honor the Nation's coin collectors, 
because it is largely they who purchase commemorative coins. By doing 
so, coin collectors ensure our national heritage, as reflected in our 
coins, is preserved and valued by our citizens. In addition, funds 
raised from commemorative coin surcharges have funded important 
projects that are near and dear to every Member that serves and has 
served in this institution. These include restoration of the Statue of 
Freedom on top of our Capitol Dome, the Library of Congress's 
bicentennial programs, the upcoming U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, and 
many others.
  In short, Mr. Speaker, these commemorative coins pay for themselves 
and, in the process, pay for important projects that would otherwise be 
funded with taxpayers' money. We therefore thank our Nation's coin 
collectors through this resolution and honor their devotion to their 
hobby, one that certainly benefits all Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge its 
immediate passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) that the House suspend the rules 
and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 154.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution 
was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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