[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 100 (Monday, July 22, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H5019-H5021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AMERICAN 5-CENT COIN DESIGN CONTINUITY ACT OF 2002

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4903) to amend title 31, United States Code, to specify that the 
reverse of the 5-cent piece shall bear an image of Monticello, and for 
other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4903

       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 ``American 5-Cent Coin Design 
     Continuity Act of 2002''.

     SEC. 2. DESIGNS ON THE 5-CENT COIN COMMEMORATING THE 
                   BICENTENNIAL OF THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and after 
     consulting with the Coin Design Advisory Committee and the 
     Commission of Fine Arts, the Secretary of the Treasury may 
     change the design on the obverse and the reverse of the 5-
     cent coin for coins issued in 2003, 2004, and 2005 in 
     commemoration of the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase.
       (b) Design Specifications.--
       (1) Obverse.--If the Secretary of the Treasury elects to 
     change the obverse of 5-cent coins issued during 2003, 2004, 
     and 2005, the design shall include an image of President 
     Thomas Jefferson in commemoration of his role with respect to 
     the Louisiana Purchase and the commissioning of the Louis and 
     Clark Expedition to explore the newly acquired territory.
       (2) Reverse.--If the Secretary of the Treasury elects to 
     change the reverse of the 5-cent coins issued during 2003, 
     2004, and 2005, the design selected shall commemorate the 
     Louisiana Purchase.
       (3) Other inscriptions.--5-cent coins issued during 2003, 
     2004, and 2005 shall continue to meet all other requirements 
     for inscriptions and designations applicable to circulating 
     coins under section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 3. DESIGNS ON THE 5-CENT COIN SUBSEQUENT TO THE 
                   COMMEMORATION OF THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE 
                   LOUISIANA PURCHASE.

       (a) In General.--Section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting after the 4th sentence 
     the following new sentences: ``The obverse of any 5-cent coin 
     issued after December 31, 2005, shall bear an image of Thomas 
     Jefferson. The reverse of any 5-cent coin issued after 
     December 31, 2005, shall bear an image of the home of Thomas 
     Jefferson at Monticello.''.
       (b) Design Consultation.-- The 2d sentence of section 
     5112(d)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting ``, after consulting with the Coin Design Advisory 
     Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts,'' after ``The 
     Secretary may''.

     SEC. 4. COIN DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 51 of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 
     5136 (as amended by section 5 of this Act) the following new 
     section:

     ``Sec. 5137. Coin Design Advisory Committee

       (a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the Coin 
     Design Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the 
     ``Advisory Committee'').

[[Page H5020]]

       ``(b) Membership.--
       (1) Appointment.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of 9 
     members, as follows:
       ``(A) The Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Treasury.
       ``(B) 4 persons appointed by the President--
       ``(i) 1 of whom shall be appointed for a term of 4 years 
     from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve 
     on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, 
     training, or experience as a nationally or internationally 
     recognized curator in the United States of a numismatic 
     collection;
       ``(ii) 1 of whom shall be appointed for a term of 4 years 
     from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve 
     on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their experience in 
     the medallic arts or sculpture;
       ``(iii) 1 of whom shall be appointed for a term of 3 years 
     from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve 
     on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, 
     training, or experience in American history; and
       ``(iv) 1 of whom shall be appointed for a term of 2 years 
     from among individuals who are specially qualified to serve 
     on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, 
     training, or experience in numismatics.
       ``(C) 1 person appointed by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives from among individuals who are specially 
     qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of 
     their education, training, or experience, including staff 
     employees of the House of Representatives, who shall serve at 
     the pleasure of the Speaker.
       ``(D) 1 person appointed by the minority leader of the 
     House of Representatives from among individuals who are 
     specially qualified to serve on the Advisory Committee by 
     virtue of their education, training, or experience, including 
     staff employees of the House of Representatives, who shall 
     serve at the pleasure of the minority leader.
       ``(E) 1 person appointed by the majority leader of the 
     Senate from among individuals who are specially qualified to 
     serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, 
     training, or experience, including staff employees of the 
     Senate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the majority 
     leader.
       ``(F) 1 person appointed by the minority leader of the 
     Senate from among individuals who are specially qualified to 
     serve on the Advisory Committee by virtue of their education, 
     training, or experience, including staff employees members of 
     the Senate, who shall serve at the pleasure of the minority 
     leader.
       ``(2) Continuation of service.--Each appointed member may 
     continue to serve after the expiration of the term of office 
     to which such member was appointed until a successor has been 
     appointed and qualified.
       ``(3) Vacancy.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any vacancy on the Advisory Committee 
     shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
     appointment was made.
       ``(B) Acting officials may serve.--In the event of a 
     vacancy in a position described in paragraph (1)(A), and 
     pending the appointment of a successor, or during the absence 
     or disability of any individual serving in any such position, 
     any individual serving in an acting capacity in any such 
     position may serve on the Advisory Committee while serving in 
     such capacity.
       ``(4) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Advisory 
     Committee shall be the person serving in the position 
     described in paragraph (1)(A) (or serving in an acting 
     capacity in such position).
       ``(5) Pay and expenses.--Members of the Advisory Committee 
     shall serve without pay for such service but each member of 
     the Advisory Committee shall be reimbursed from the United 
     States Mint Public Enterprise Fund for expenses incurred in 
     connection with attendance of such members at meetings of the 
     Advisory Committee.
       ``(6) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet, not 
     less frequently than quarterly, at the call of the 
     chairperson or a majority of the members.
       ``(7) Quorum.--7 members of the Advisory Committee shall 
     constitute a quorum.
       ``(c) Duties of the Advisory Committee.--The duties of the 
     Advisory Committee are as follows:
       ``(1) Advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any design 
     proposals relating to circulating coinage and numismatic 
     items, including congressional gold medals.
       ``(2) Advise the Secretary of the Treasury with regard to 
     any other proposals or issues relating to any items produced 
     by the United States Mint that the Secretary may request of 
     the Advisory Committee.
       ``(d) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of 
     the Advisory Committee, the Director of the United States 
     Mint shall provide to the Advisory Committee the 
     administrative support services necessary for the Advisory 
     Committee to carry out its responsibilities under this 
     section.
       ``(e) Annual Report.--
       ``(1) Required.--Not later than January 30 of each year, 
     the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the Committee 
     on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
     Senate.
       ``(2) Contents.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
     describe the activities of the Advisory Committee during the 
     preceding year and the reports and recommendations made by 
     the Advisory Committee to the Secretary of the Treasury.
       ``(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act Does Not Apply.--The 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply with respect 
     to the Committee, except that each meeting of the Advisory 
     Committee shall be open to the public following publication 
     of a notice of the meeting in the Federal Register.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. King) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Israel) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. King).


                             General Leave

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this legislation, and to insert extraneous material on the bill, 
H.R. 4903.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge passage of H.R. 4903, the Keep Monticello 
on the Nickel Act, introduced by the distinguished gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cantor) with the bipartisan sponsorship of the Virginia 
delegation.
  As the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) will describe in more 
detail, the bill allows for the redesign of the 5-cent coin for the 
years 2003, 2004, and 2005 to recognize the importance of the Louisiana 
Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition that began 200 years ago 
next year.
  The bill specifies that all redesigned coins shall bear the image of 
Thomas Jefferson on the face or obverse and that in 2006 and thereafter 
the coin bear the image of Jefferson on the obverse and of his home, 
Monticello, on the reverse. The images of Jefferson may be different 
and the view of Monticello that returns to the coin might differ from 
the current one.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill also contains numerous other provision which 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) will describe.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to manage time on the Keep Monticello on 
the Nickel Act, legislation that preserves the portrait of Monticello 
on the nickel.
  All Americans are familiar with the role that Thomas Jefferson played 
in our Nation's founding. Jefferson was the third President of the 
United States, the author of the Declaration of Independence, and the 
founder of the University of Virginia. One of the foremost 
intellectuals in American history, Jefferson produced many of his 
finest writings at Monticello, his picturesque mansion outside of 
Charlottesville; and it is appropriate that we preserve the mansion on 
our Nation's coinage.
  Our distinguished colleague from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) has put 
forward a plan to mint to commemorate the plans of Lewis and Clark for 
3 years and revert to the Monticello for 2006. That is a reasonable 
compromise. We support the Cantor legislation. I urge my colleagues to 
support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the sponsor of the legislation.
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 4903 
that would authorize the U.S. Mint to redesign the nickel for 3 years 
to recognize the Lewis and Clark expedition and to ensure Monticello, 
the Virginia estate of Thomas Jefferson, has its place on the reverse 
side of the nickel after 2005.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the bill would authorize and establish a 
Citizen's Coin Design Advisory Committee that would report directly to 
the Secretary of the Treasury. The purpose of this committee would be 
to advise the Secretary on the design or redesign of coins and metals 
providing a broad range of input from professional and citizen 
representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I introduced this legislation after representatives from 
the Mint came to my office and informed me that the imagine of Thomas 
Jefferson's Monticello would be removed from the reverse side of the 
nickel and would be replaced by the image of a Native American and an 
eagle facing

[[Page H5021]]

westward to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark 
expedition. The Treasury Department has the authority to change the 
nickel once every 25 years. It was the intent that this new design be 
presented as the replacement for Monticello.
  I learned further that this new design was chosen internally at the 
U.S. Mint with no input from Congress or the American people. Even more 
striking, I was shocked to learn that the Mint planned to announce this 
redesign in just 10 days from our meeting.
  As a proud Virginian and American, I was concerned about the Mint's 
plan because Jefferson's beloved Monticello represented so much to the 
people of the Commonwealth of Virginia and, for that matter, to all 
Americans. I also feared that the new design and the process by which 
it was conceived was reminiscent of the failed Sacagawea one-dollar 
coin experience.
  Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson or 
as he called it, his ``essay in architecture,'' and is recognized as an 
international treasure. Monticello, ``little mountain'' in Italian, is 
the only home in America on the World Heritage List of Sites that must 
be protected at all costs. It is there that Jefferson assumed his place 
in history, shaping, debating, and producing his prolific writings on 
the topics of liberty, democracy, and equality for all.
  In America after September 11 we all know that these are the very 
principals that are under attack by the radical terrorists and their 
global organizations.
  H.R. 4903 authorizes the U.S. Mint to implement an interim design 
change on the reverse side of the nickel for the years 2003, 2004, and 
2005 in order to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark 
expedition. In 2006, Monticello will once again resume its place on the 
5-cent piece. Additionally, so that the American people will not 
experience another Sacagawea debacle, my bill provides a mechanism to 
ensure public input to this or any redesign of our coinage.
  The bill creates a nine-member coin design advisory committee which 
will make recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury as to the 
appropriate designs for the Lewis and Clark series. It will review all 
designs or redesigns of circulating and commemorative coins and of 
Congressional Gold Medal ideas that the Mint is assigned with. This 
committee will be made up of a coin collector, an internationally 
recognized coin museum curator, an expert in American history, and 
either a sculptor or a medallic artist, all appointed by the President, 
as well as four persons named by the leadership of the House and the 
Senate.
  This committee will be able to provide the Secretary of the Treasury 
with a broad range of expertise and input to ensure that any redesign 
or circulating coinage as well as the design for commemorative coins or 
Congressional Gold Medals be artistically appropriate and consistent 
with broad American themes and values.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a positive step forward, and I urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 4903 today.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of H.R. 4903, the Keep Monticello on the Nickel Act. for nearly 
65 years, the image of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello has graced our 
Nation's nickel. This legislation, introduced by my friend and 
colleague from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mr. Cantor, is a win-win. 
It ensures that Monticello has a permanent home on the five-cent piece, 
and also recognizes the need for a fair and open process to evaluate 
other commemorative coinage efforts, such as the one honoring the 
bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark 
expedition.
  Mr. Speaker, as you know, Thomas Jefferson was the author of the 
Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious 
Freedom, the third president of the United States and the founder of 
the University of Virginia. He voiced the aspirations of a new America 
as no other individual of his era. From his home in Monticello, 
Jefferson served his country for over five decades.
  Monticello is more than a classic piece of architecture; its 
significance even supercedes the fact that it is the only house in the 
United States on the United Nation's prestigious World Heritage List of 
sites. It is more: a symbol of Jefferson's age of optimism, of all that 
was and is great about America. It is, quite simply, Jefferson's 
autobiographical masterpiece.
  Mr. Cantor's legislation strikes a reasonable balance. It provides 
for nickel redesigns in 2003 and 2004 to commemorate both the Louisiana 
Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, returning Monticello to 
the reverse side of the coin in 2005. The legislation also establishes 
a Congressionally-appointed advisory board, whose responsibility it 
will be to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any proposed changes 
to U.S. coins.
  I join my fellow Members of the Virginia Delegation in urging all 
Members to support H.R. 4903, to allow for a three-year recognition of 
one of Jefferson's greatest accomplishments, the Louisiana Purchase, 
before returning to the foundation of all of his successes, Monticello.
  Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. King) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4903, 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: ``To ensure 
continuity for the design of the 5-cent coin, establish the Coin Design 
Advisory Committee, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________