[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 26, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1351-H1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           AMERICAN 5-CENT COIN DESIGN CONTINUITY ACT OF 2003

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 258) to ensure continuity for the design of the 5-cent coin, 
establish the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 258

       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 2003''.

              TITLE I--U.S. 5-CENT COIN DESIGN CONTINUITY

     SEC. 101. DESIGNS ON THE 5-CENT COIN.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and after 
     consulting with the Citizens Coinage 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 
     recognition of the bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase and 
     the expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
       (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 depict a likeness of President 
     Thomas Jefferson, different from the likeness that appeared 
     on the obverse of the 5-cent coins issued during 2002, in 
     recognition of his role with respect to the Louisiana 
     Purchase and the commissioning of the Lewis and Clark 
     expedition.
       (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 depict images that 
     are emblematic of the Louisiana Purchase or the expedition of 
     Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
       (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. 102. DESIGNS ON THE 5-CENT COIN SUBSEQUENT TO THE 
                   RECOGNITION OF THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE 
                   LOUISIANA PURCHASE AND THE LEWIS AND CLARK 
                   EXPEDITION.

       (a) In General.--Section 5112(d)(1) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting after the 4th sentence 
     the following new sentence: ``Subject to other provisions of 
     this subsection, the obverse of any 5-cent coin issued after 
     December 31, 2005, shall bear the likeness of Thomas 
     Jefferson and the reverse of any such 5-cent coin 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 Citizens Coinage 
     Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts,'' after 
     ``The Secretary may''.

     SEC. 103. CITIZENS COINAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) In General.--Section 5135 of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended to read as follows:

     ``Sec. 5135. Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee

       ``(a) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is hereby established the Citizens 
     Coinage Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as 
     the `Advisory Committee') to advise the Secretary of the 
     Treasury on the selection of themes and designs for coins.
       ``(2) Oversight of advisory committee.--The Advisory 
     Committee shall be subject to the authority of the Secretary 
     of the Treasury (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
     `Secretary').
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) Appointment.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of 
     11 members appointed by the Secretary as follows:
       ``(A) 7 persons appointed by the Secretary--
       ``(i) 1 of whom shall be appointed 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 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 from among individuals 
     who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory 
     Committee by virtue of their education, training, or 
     experience in American history;
       ``(iv) 1 of whom shall be appointed from among individuals 
     who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory 
     Committee by virtue of their education, training, or 
     experience in numismatics; and
       ``(v) 3 of whom shall be appointed from among individuals 
     who can represent the interests of the general public in the 
     coinage of the United States.
       ``(B) 4 persons appointed by the Secretary on the basis of 
     the recommendations of the following officials who shall make 
     the selection for such recommendation from among citizens 
     who are specially qualified to serve on the Advisory 
     Committee by virtue of their education, training, or 
     experience:
       ``(i) 1 person recommended by the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives.
       ``(ii) 1 person recommended by the minority leader of the 
     House of Representatives.
       ``(iii) 1 person recommended by the majority leader of the 
     Senate.
       ``(iv) 1 person recommended by the minority leader of the 
     Senate.
       ``(2) Terms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a 
     term of 4 years.
       ``(B) Terms of initial appointees.--As designated by the 
     Secretary at the time of appointment, of the members first 
     appointed--
       ``(i) 4 of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A) 
     shall be appointed for a term of 4 years;
       ``(ii) the 4 members appointed under paragraph (1)(B) shall 
     be appointed for a term of 3 years; and
       ``(ii) 3 of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(A) 
     shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.
       ``(3) Preservation of public advisory status.--No 
     individual may be appointed to the Advisory Committee while 
     serving as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
       ``(4) Continuation of service.--Each appointed member may 
     continue to serve for up to 6 months after the expiration of 
     the term of office to which such member was appointed until a 
     successor has been appointed.
       ``(5) Vacancy and removal.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any vacancy on the Advisory Committee 
     shall be filled in the manner in which the original 
     appointment was made.
       ``(B) Removal.--Advisory Committee members shall serve at 
     the discretion of the Secretary and may be removed at any 
     time for good cause.
       ``(6) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Advisory 
     Committee shall be appointed for a term of 1 year by the 
     Secretary from among the members of the Advisory Committee.
       ``(7) 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 travel, lodging, 
     meals, and incidental expenses incurred in connection with 
     attendance of such members at meetings of the Advisory 
     Committee in the same amounts and under the same conditions 
     as employees of the United States Mint who engage in official 
     travel, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(8) Meetings.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at the 
     call of the Secretary, the chairperson, or a majority of the 
     members, but not less frequently than twice annually.
       ``(B) Open meetings.--Each meeting of the Advisory 
     Committee shall be open to the public.
       ``(C) Prior notice of meetings.--Timely notice of each 
     meeting of the Advisory Committee shall be published in the 
     Federal Register, and timely notice of each meeting shall be 
     made to trade publications and publications of general 
     circulation.
       ``(9) 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) Advising the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme 
     or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion 
     coinage, congressional gold medals and national and other 
     medals produced by the Secretary of the Treasury in 
     accordance with section 5111 of title 31, United States Code.
       ``(2) Advising the Secretary of the Treasury with regard 
     to--
       ``(A) the events, persons, or places that the Advisory 
     Committee recommends be commemorated by the issuance of 
     commemorative coins in each of the 5 calendar years 
     succeeding the year in which a commemorative coin designation 
     is made;
       ``(B) the mintage level for any commemorative coin 
     recommended under subparagraph (A); and
       ``(C) the proposed designs for commemorative coins.
       ``(d) Expenses.--The expenses of the Advisory Committee 
     that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be 
     reasonable and appropriate shall be paid by the Secretary 
     from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
       ``(e) Administrative Support, Technical Services, and 
     Advice.--Upon the request of the Advisory Committee, or as 
     necessary for the Advisory Committee to carry out the 
     responsibilities of the Advisory Committee under this 
     section, the Director of the

[[Page H1352]]

     United States Mint shall provide to the Advisory Committee 
     the administrative support, technical services, and advice 
     that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be 
     reasonable and appropriate.
       ``(f) Consultation Authority.--In carrying out the duties 
     of the Advisory Committee under this section, the Advisory 
     Committee may consult with the Commission of Fine Arts.
       ``(g) Annual Report.--
       ``(1) Required.--Not later than September 30 of each year, 
     the Advisory Committee shall submit a report to the 
     Secretary, the Committee on Financial Services of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 
     Urban Affairs of the Senate. Should circumstances arise in 
     which the Advisory Committee cannot meet the September 30 
     deadline in any year, the Secretary shall advise the 
     Chairpersons of the Committee on Financial Services of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate of the reasons for 
     such delay and the date on which the submission of the report 
     is anticipated.
       ``(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.
       ``(h) Federal Advisory Committee Act Does Not Apply.--
     Subject to the requirements of subsection (b)(8), the Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act shall not apply with respect to the 
     Committee.''.
       (b) Abolishment of Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee.--Effective on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee 
     (established by section 5135 of title 31, United States 
     Code, as in effect before the amendment made by subsection 
     (a)) is hereby abolished.
       (c) Continuity of Members of Citizens Commemorative Coin 
     Advisory Committee.--Subject to paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
     section 5135(b) of title 31, United States Code, any person 
     who is a member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
     Committee on the date of the enactment of this Act, other 
     than the member of such committee who is appointed from among 
     the officers or employees of the United States Mint, may 
     continue to serve the remainder of the term to which such 
     member was appointed as a member of the Citizens Coinage 
     Advisory Committee in one of the positions as determined by 
     the Secretary.
       (d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Section 5112(l)(4)(A)(ii) of title 31, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``Citizens Commemorative Coin 
     Advisory Committee'' and inserting ``Citizens Coinage 
     Advisory Committee''.
       (2) Section 5134(c) of title 31, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking paragraph (4); and
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).

             TITLE II--TECHNICAL AND CLARIFYING PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. CLARIFICATION OF EXISTING LAW.

       (a) In General.--Section 5134(f)(1) of title 31, United 
     States Code, is amended to read as follows:
       ``(1) Payment of surcharges.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, no amount derived from the proceeds of any surcharge 
     imposed on the sale of any numismatic item shall be paid from 
     the fund to any designated recipient organization unless--
       ``(i) all numismatic operation and program costs allocable 
     to the program under which such numismatic item is produced 
     and sold have been recovered; and
       ``(ii) the designated recipient organization submits an 
     audited financial statement that demonstrates, to the 
     satisfaction of the Secretary, that, with respect to all 
     projects or purposes for which the proceeds of such surcharge 
     may be used, the organization has raised funds from private 
     sources for such projects and purposes in an amount that is 
     equal to or greater than the total amount of the proceeds of 
     such surcharge derived from the sale of such numismatic item.
       ``(B) Unpaid amounts.--If any amount derived from the 
     proceeds of any surcharge imposed on the sale of any 
     numismatic item that may otherwise be paid from the fund, 
     under any provision of law relating to such numismatic item, 
     to any designated recipient organization remains unpaid to 
     such organization solely by reason of the matching fund 
     requirement contained in subparagraph (A)(ii) after the end 
     of the 2-year period beginning on the later of--
       ``(i) the last day any such numismatic item is issued by 
     the Secretary; or
       ``(ii) the date of the enactment of the American 5-Cent 
     Coin Design Continuity Act of 2003,
     such unpaid amount shall be deposited in the Treasury as 
     miscellaneous receipts.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply as of the date of the enactment of Public Law 
     104-208.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. 
Maloney) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. BIGGERT. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 258.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the sponsor of this bill.
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of the American 5-Cent 
Coin Design Continuity Act which is almost identical to H.R. 4903 that 
passed the House unanimously on July 22, 2002. This legislation will 
allow the U.S. Mint to remove Monticello from the nickel for the next 3 
years to recognize the Louisiana Purchase and historic Lewis and Clark 
expedition, two great accomplishments of Jefferson's Presidency. After 
3 years Monticello, the Virginia home of President Thomas Jefferson, 
will be returned to the reverse side of the nickel. Additionally, the 
bill would establish a Citizens Coin Design Advisory Committee that 
reports directly to the Secretary of the Treasury. The purpose of the 
committee would be to advise the Secretary on the design or redesign of 
coins and medals, providing a broad range of input from professional 
and citizen representatives. I believe that the Treasury Secretary 
needs a second independent opinion on proposals to redesign circulating 
coinage and on other mint products, and this committee will provide 
that opinion.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, this bill will clarify congressional intent 
regarding the disbursement of surcharges raised through the sale of 
Mint-produced commemorative coins. Mr. Speaker, this bill represents 
the bipartisan work of the entire Virginia delegation. I want to thank 
them because it will result in honoring the courageous Lewis and Clark 
expedition and its benefactor, Thomas Jefferson. I urge my colleagues 
to support H.R. 258 today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of the American 5-Cent 
Coin Design Continuity Act (H.R. 258), which is almost identical to 
H.R. 4903 that passed the House unanimously on July 22, 2002.
  This legislation will allow the U.S. Mint to remove Monticello from 
the nickel for the next 3 years to recognize the Louisiana purchase and 
historic Lewis and Clark expedition, two great accomplishments of 
Jefferson's presidency. After 3 years Monticello, the Virginia home of 
Thomas Jefferson, will be returned to the reverse side of the nickel.
  Additionally, H.R. 258 would establish a Citizens Coin Design 
Advisory Committee that reports directly to the Secretary of the 
Treasury. The purpose of the committee would be to advise the Secretary 
on the design or redesign of coins and medals, providing a broad range 
of input from professional and citizen representatives. I believe the 
Treasury Secretary needs a second, independent, opinion on proposals to 
redesign circulating coinage, and on other Mint products and this 
committee will provide that opinion.
  Finally, H.R. 258 will clarify Congressional intent regarding the 
disbursement of surcharges raised through the sale of Mint-produced 
commemorative coins.
  This correction will allow the University of Virginia and several 
other organizations access to funds from pre-existing commemorative 
coins at no cost to the American taxpayer.
  I originally introduced this legislation after representatives from 
the mint came to my office last summer and informed me that the image 
of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello would be removed from the reverse of 
the nickel and would be replaced by a questionable image to recognize 
the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Although I 
fully support celebrating the great achievements of the Corps of 
Discovery, I was surprised by the way the Mint made its decision on 
this issue.
  The Treasury Department has the authority to change the nickel once 
every 25 years, and this new design was presented as the replacement 
for Monticello. I learned from the Mint representatives that this new 
design was chosen internally without input from the American people or 
Congress. Even more disturbing, I also learned the Mint planned to 
announce its redesign shortly after our meeting.
  I was concerned about the Mint's plan because Jefferson's beloved 
Monticello represents so much to the people of the Commonwealth of 
Virginia and to all Americans,

[[Page H1353]]

But, I also feared that the new design being proposed was reminiscent 
of the Sacagawea experience that has been extremely unpopular with the 
American public.
  Monticello is the autobiographical masterpiece of Thomas Jefferson or 
as he called it, his ``essay in architecture'' and is recognized as an 
international treasure. It is the only home in America on the World 
Heritage List of sites that must be protected at all costs. At his 
beloved Monticello, Jefferson assumed his place in history as one of 
the greatest public servants of all time, shaping, debating, and honing 
his beliefs in liberty, democracy, and equality for all.
  H.R. 258 authorized the Mint to implement a four-year plan that will 
change the design on the reverse side of the nickel for 2003, 2004, and 
2005 in order to recognize the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana 
Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 2006, Monticello will 
return to the reverse of the nickel and this coin will become the new 
circulating 5 cent piece.
  Additionally, so that we don't experience another Sacagwea type 
failure, my bill provides a mechanism to ensure public input is 
considered during the redesign of our coinage.
  The bill creates an independent 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 and all future coin 
redesigns.
  I emphasize the word independent. Mr. Speaker, this panel is not 
intended to merely ratify proposals, but is intended to be able to 
speak with its own voice.
  It will review all designs or redesigns of circulating and 
commemorative coins and of Congressional Gold Medals ideas that the 
Mint puts forward. 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 Treasury Secretary--as well as four persons named by 
the leadership in the House and Senate. It will be able to provide the 
Secretary with a broad range of expertise and input to ensure that any 
redesign of circulating coinage, as well as the designs for 
commemorative coins and Congressional Gold Medals, be artistically 
appropriate and consistent with broad American themes and values.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, unlike a predecessor design review panel that 
reported to the Mint and considered only commemorative coin designs, 
this panel will meet in public.
  Additionally, Title II of my legislation clarifies language in the 
Commemorative Coin Reform Act of 1995 regarding the distribution of 
surcharge money raised by this sale of commemorative coins. That 
legislation specified that no surcharges were to be paid out until 
taxpayers had been repaid for the cost of the program, reforming a 
commemorative coins program that had cost taxpayers tens of millions of 
dollars in the past.
  After taxpayer costs were recovered, it specified that beneficiary 
organizations enumerated in the enabling legislation can benefit from 
these surcharges.
  H.R. 258 clarifies the intent of the specified disbursement 
procedure. Two programs have not received any surcharge disbursement 
despite having raised substantial private funds: the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots coin program and the Leif Ericson coin 
program.
  The University of Virginia will benefit from this change and be able 
to fund a student exchange program with Iceland, that will help foster 
Jeffersonian ideals between these two long standing democracies.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill represents the bipartisan work of the entire 
Virginia delegation and will result in honoring the courageous Lewis 
and Clark expedition and its benefactor, Thomas Jefferson. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 258 today.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of legislation that will preserve Monticello on the 
United States nickel. All Americans are familiar with the role Thomas 
Jefferson played in our Nation's founding. Jefferson was the third 
President of the United States, author of the Declaration of 
Independence, and the founder of the University of Virginia. Thomas 
Jefferson's beautiful home, Monticello, was where one of America's 
foremost thinkers produced many of his finest writings and great work. 
Monticello still stands outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, and it is 
appropriate that we preserve its place in our national heritage upon 
our national coinage.
  This year marks the 200th year celebration of the Louisiana Purchase 
and the voyage of Lewis and Clark into the western frontier. In an 
effort to recognize this important journey, the United States Mint has 
proposed celebrating this anniversary by commemorating the voyage and 
discoveries of Lewis and Clark on the nickel. The intent of the 
legislation we are considering today is to allow this anniversary to be 
celebrated while mandating that Monticello will return to the nickel 
after the celebration of Lewis and Clark.
  The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), whose district contains 
Monticello, has put forth a plan to allow the U.S. Mint to commemorate 
the journey of Lewis and Clark on the nickel for 3 years, after which 
the nickel will revert to the Monticello portrait in 2006.
  The likeness of Thomas Jefferson and Monticello is a fixture on our 
national coinage. This legislation ensures that the memory and 
importance we hold for the author of our Declaration of Independence 
will be preserved while we celebrate the achievements of Lewis and 
Clark. Additionally, title II of this legislation makes technical 
changes to the Commemorative Coin Reform Act enacted in 1995. These 
changes are intended to make coin programs operate more smoothly.
  I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor) for his leadership 
on this bill. I know he has worked with the Mint and Treasury to 
resolve the issues that were raised, and I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Goode).
  Mr. GOODE. Mr. Speaker, I too want to solute the Congressman from 
Virginia's Seventh District for crafting this bipartisan measure 
covering in a fine way the interest of all the stakeholders. The 
original Mint proposal was to remove both the current Thomas Jefferson 
and Monticello from the nickel. Needless to say, that proposal created 
an uproar in central Virginia, which is home to Thomas Jefferson and 
Monticello, the dwelling of our Nation's third President.
  Under this proposal the nickel will feature scenes from the discovery 
of Lewis and Clark and the Louisiana Purchase. That journey of Lewis 
and Clark which left St. Louis in 1804 had its beginnings in 
Charlottesville on January 18, 1803, when Jefferson requested funding 
from Congress for the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 2006 the nickel 
will return to its original front of Thomas Jefferson and the reverse 
of Monticello in a design similar to that which has been in place since 
1938. I hope it will be the pleasure of this body to overwhelmingly 
pass this measure and lay the foundation for its enaction this year
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
the great State of Washington (Mr. Baird) where Lewis and Clark reached 
their final destination.
  Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time, and I thank my good friend from the State of Virginia. It is 
appropriate that I follow him because, whereas the journey of Lewis and 
Clark began in his great district, it ended in mine, at least the first 
half of it. They went back home afterwards. But it is a great privilege 
and honor to represent the great State of Washington where Lewis and 
Clark, almost 200 years ago now, arrived at the coast, looked out 
across that ocean, hoping they would find a ship. They saw none, and 
they had to winter over across the river in the gentleman from Oregon's 
(Mr. Wu) district.
  But this commemoration is a chance not only to celebrate the 
accomplishments of Lewis and Clark but also the contributions of the 
Native Americans who helped them along their way to reinvigorate this 
Nation's spirit of adventure at a time when we sorely need it. By 
changing the nickel temporarily in this fashion, we can honor Lewis and 
Clark and also honor that great man, Thomas Jefferson, who sent them on 
the way.
  I rise in strong support of this, thank my colleagues for their 
leadership on it, and hope the American people will find new 
inspiration when they use this nickel with the new design.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter).
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
legislation. I

[[Page H1354]]

am a co-chairman of the Lewis and Clark Caucus here in Congress. There 
is an equivalent effort in the Senate. We have been functioning for 
several years. The Members that have just spoken, from Virginia and 
Washington State, are certainly members of that. I think it is an 
outstanding item of legislation we have before us.
  Just this January the celebration of the Corps of Exploration, which 
will continue through 2006, began at Monticello. I know the gentleman 
undoubtedly was very proud of that event, and now I think we will have 
many celebrations and commemorations for the next several years to 
celebrate the bicentennial of the Corps of Exploration. This gives 
additional attention to this dramatic involvement of American history, 
and I rise in support and ask the Members of the body to support it.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle).
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I also rise in support of the legislation, 
for all the underlying reasons that we have here.
  I would like to just mention one other aspect, and I will submit a 
statement in full with respect to this. But the commemorative coin 
reform language, which required the beneficiary organization to raise 
private funds matching the surcharge they receive, has been 
misinterpreted by the Mint in a well-intentioned but unfortunate mix-up 
that has resulted in two coin program beneficiaries not receiving any 
surcharge distribution despite their coins having sold respectable 
numbers and having raised respectable amounts of private matching 
funds. They interpret the legislation that one had to sell to the 
maximum amount; and we believe one should have to sell to the minimum 
amount, to make a long story short.
  This is something which we think should be corrected for these groups 
and long term. We spent a lot of time working with the subcommittee 
when I headed it, trying to make sure that we did not lean on public 
funding for these programs, but groups could benefit from it as they 
made proper sales. To make a long story short, that is essentially what 
is included in this legislation along with the Lewis and Clark, and I 
will submit a fuller explanation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes to explain why I 
believe Mr. Cantor's ``American 5-Cent Coin Continuity Act'' is 
important.
  When I served as chairman of the old House Banking Committee's 
Domestic and International Monetary Policy subcommittee from 1995-98, a 
central portion of the subcommittee's business dealing with the United 
States Mint focused on increasing the usefulness of circulating coins 
and on reforming the nation's commemorative coin program, which had 
begun to cost taxpayers fairly large sums of money.
  When reform of the commemorative coin program, we eliminated the 
costs to the taxpayer, limited the number of coin programs each year to 
enhance their importance and desirability, and established the 
important principle that a group that is the beneficiary of the 
surcharges from the sale of commemorative coins should not view that as 
``free money,'' but should have to raise marching funds from the 
private sector before receiving the surcharge money.
  The second title of this bill clarifies the surcharge-distribution 
section of any commemorative-coin reform language. That language, 
requiring the beneficiary organization to raise private funds matching 
the surcharges they receive, has been misinterpreted by the Mint in a 
well-intentioned, but unfortunate mixup that has resulted in two coin 
program beneficiaries not receiving any surcharge distribution despite 
their coins having sold respectable numbers and having raised 
respectable amounts of private matching funds. Both the Black 
Revolutionary War Patriots program and the Leif Ericson program would 
likely be eligible for surcharge distribution. As before, this involves 
no taxpayer funds whatsoever.
  To make sure there is no further confusion about how the matching is 
supposed to work, I want to take a moment to illustrate it with an 
example. In a case where the maximum possible surcharges that could be 
collected for the commemorative coin was $5 million, but the Mint only 
managed to sell enough coins to collect $3 million in surcharges, the 
private matching funds that would have to be raised to collect any 
portion of the $3 million in surcharges must be $3 million, nothing 
less. The intent is to set a high bar for matching funds so those 
programs with the most public support, as demonstrated through their 
ability to raise private matching funds, receive the surcharges. If the 
bar for matching funds were set too low, the commemorative coin program 
would be flooded with programs in search of ``free'' federal dollars.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no cost involved in this bill at all. In fact, 
if our experience with the 50-state quarters is any guide, there may 
even be a modest gain to the Treasury, as some coins are taken out of 
circulation permanently as collectibles. So Mr. Speaker, I see this as 
one of the rare pieces of legislation we handle around here that has 
bipartisan support and for which there are no losers, only winners. I 
urge its immediate, unanimous passage.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this 
important legislation and am pleased to join the other members of the 
Virginia Delegation in supporting The American 5-Cent Coin Design 
Continuity Act of 2003.
  The strong support this bill has received from the Virginia 
Delegation is evidence of how important this bill is to preserving 
important symbols of American History.
  As you all know, the Nickel currently displays a likeness of Thomas 
Jefferson on its face in addition to view of Monticello, Jefferson's 
home, on the reverse.
  Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and the 
Fourth President of the United States, is one of eight great men who 
rose to become President from Virginia, and is a source of great pride 
for not only Virginians, but for all Americans.
  H.R. 258 was introduced to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the 
Lewis and Clark Expedition, commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson 
to explore the new territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.
  Earlier this year I was honored to attend the Commencement Ceremony 
of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial at Monticello, the home of Thomas 
Jefferson outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, where the expedition 
began in 1803.
  From 2003 through 2006 our nation will observe the bicentennial of 
this incredible journey, this will also serve as the 200-year 
anniversary as the complete nation Jefferson envisioned.
  H.R. 258 would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to redesign 
the Nickel over a four-year period to commemorate the Louisiana 
Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. At the end of this period 
the nickel would revert to being a permanent tribute to Thomas 
Jefferson and Monticello, which are of invaluable historical importance 
to our great nation.
  A similar bill was passed in the 107th Congress by the House on July 
22, 2002. The bill was referred to the Senate where unfortunately no 
action was taken during the 107th Congress.
  I urge all members to support this important piece of legislation 
that not only commemorates two brave explorers, but also ensures that a 
great symbol of American history is preserved.
  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to speak to 
you today about the bicentennial of the Voyage of Meriweather Lewis and 
William Clark. As you know, Lewis and Clark were true pioneers who are 
integral to the history of my home state of Oregon. The final 
destination of their journey, was, after all, the Pacific Coast of 
Oregon. In fact, they spent a winter, and discovered a beached whale, 
just a few short miles north of my district. One might say that, if 
there were not so courageous and brave to make the difficult journey 
that they did, neither I nor the other representatives from the Pacific 
Northwest would be here in Congress today! Well, I for one am very 
thankful that they completed that journey!
  I'm excited and encouraged by the legislation before our committee 
today to honor the bicentennial of the Voyage of Lewis and Clark. In 
these troubling times, when fear seems all too commonplace, I believe 
it is important for all of us to look to those great adventurers that 
helped make this country what it is, and to take heart in the courage, 
perseverance, and dedication with which they overcame their own 
obstacles.
  Thank you again Mr. Speaker for the opportunity to offer my support 
for this legislation.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 258, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. 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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