[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 24, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1384-H1388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND UNITED STATES TERRITORIES CIRCULATING QUARTER 
                           DOLLAR PROGRAM ACT

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2993) to provide for a circulating quarter dollar coin 
program to honor the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 2993

       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 ``District of Columbia and 
     United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. ISSUANCE OF REDESIGNED QUARTER DOLLARS HONORING THE 
                   DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND EACH OF THE 
                   TERRITORIES.

       Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection:
       ``(n) Redesign and Issuance of Circulating Quarter Dollar 
     Honoring the District of Columbia and Each of the 
     Territories.--
       ``(1) Redesign in 2009.--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the fourth sentence of 
     subsection (d)(1) and subsection (d)(2) and subject to 
     paragraph (6)(B), quarter dollar coins issued during 2009, 
     shall have designs on the reverse side selected in accordance 
     with this subsection which are emblematic of the District of 
     Columbia and the territories.
       ``(B) Flexibility with regard to placement of 
     inscriptions.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1), the 
     Secretary may select a design for quarter dollars issued 
     during 2009 in which--
       (i) the inscription described in the second sentence of 
     subsection (d)(1) appears on the reverse side of any such 
     quarter dollars; and
       (ii) any inscription described in the third sentence of 
     subsection (d)(1) or the designation of the value of the coin 
     appears on the obverse side of any such quarter dollars.
       ``(2) Single district or territory design.--The design on 
     the reverse side of each quarter dollar issued during 2009 
     shall be emblematic of one of the following: The District of 
     Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American 
     Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands.
       ``(3) Selection of design.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each of the 6 designs required under 
     this subsection for quarter dollars shall be--
       ``(i) selected by the Secretary after consultation with--

       ``(I) the chief executive of the District of Columbia or 
     the territory being honored, or such other officials or group 
     as the chief executive officer of the District of Columbia or 
     the territory may designate for such purpose; and
       ``(II) the Commission of Fine Arts; and

       ``(ii) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
       ``(B) Selection and approval process.--Designs for quarter 
     dollars may be submitted in accordance with the design 
     selection and approval process developed by the Secretary in 
     the sole discretion of the Secretary.
       ``(C) Participation.--The Secretary may include 
     participation by District or territorial officials, artists 
     from the District of Columbia or the territory, engravers of 
     the United States Mint, and members of the general public.
       ``(D) Standards.--Because it is important that the Nation's 
     coinage and currency bear dignified designs of which the 
     citizens of the United States can be proud, the Secretary 
     shall not select any frivolous or inappropriate design for 
     any quarter dollar minted under this subsection.
       ``(E) Prohibition on certain representations.--No head and 
     shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and 
     no portrait of a living person may be included in the design 
     of any quarter dollar under this subsection.
       ``(4) Treatment as numismatic items.--For purposes of 
     sections 5134 and 5136, all coins minted under this 
     subsection shall be considered to be numismatic items.
       ``(5) Issuance.--
       ``(A) Quality of coins.--The Secretary may mint and issue 
     such number of quarter dollars of each design selected under 
     paragraph (4) in uncirculated and proof qualities as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       ``(B) Silver coins.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), the 
     Secretary may mint and issue such number of quarter dollars 
     of each design selected under paragraph (4) as the Secretary 
     determines to be appropriate, with a content of 90 percent 
     silver and 10 percent copper.
       ``(C) Timing and order of issuance.--Coins minted under 
     this subsection honoring the District of Columbia and each of 
     the territories shall be issued in equal sequential intervals 
     during 2009 in the following order: the District of Columbia, 
     the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the 
     United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the 
     Northern Mariana Islands.
       ``(6) Other provisions.--
       ``(A) Application in event of admission as a state.--If the 
     District of Columbia or any territory becomes a State before 
     the end of the 10-year period referred to in subsection 
     (l)(1), subsection (l)(7) shall apply, and this subsection 
     shall not apply, with respect to such State.
       ``(B) Application in event of independence.--If any 
     territory becomes independent or otherwise ceases to be a 
     territory or possession of the United States before quarter 
     dollars bearing designs which are emblematic of such 
     territory are minted pursuant to

[[Page H1385]]

     this subsection, this subsection shall cease to apply with 
     respect to such territory.
       ``(7) Territory defined.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `territory' means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
     Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and 
     the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).


                             General Leave

  Mr. CASTLE. 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 thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Delaware?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2993, the District of 
Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar 
Program Act, introduced on February 10 by the gentleman from New York 
(Mr. King).
  Similar to the popular 50-State Quarter program I am proud to have 
authored, the legislation would create a 1-year program to use designs 
reminiscent of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto 
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands on the reverse of our circulating quarters in the year 
following the end of the State quarter program in 2008. Passage of this 
legislation would foster respect for and enhance historical knowledge 
of the District of Columbia and the territories that are an 
indispensable part of the United States and also would be an economic 
windfall for the United States Treasury.
  Mr. Speaker, the State quarter program, which reached the halfway 
mark at the end of December of this past year, has dramatically 
increased general knowledge of the historical contributions of our 50 
States. I believe the legislation under consideration today would do 
the same for the District and the territories. These areas have some of 
the highest enlistment rates in our Armed Forces. Their commitment 
continues through today's conflicts, through the tragic sacrifice of 
the lives of, among others, Lance Corporal Gregory E. MacDonald of the 
District of Columbia, and Army Private Jonathan I. Falaniko of Pago 
Pago, American Samoa.
  As well, Mr. Speaker, the District and the territories have many 
historical, cultural, and athletic contributions to our Nation; and the 
bill we consider today would allow a great opportunity to recognize 
them in artwork on the reverse of the quarters.
  The 1-year program provides more than intangible benefits to the 
United States. It provides an economic boon to our Nation's Treasury. 
The success of the State quarter program has been overwhelming. The 
quarters have become one of the most popular collector's items in the 
United States and abroad; and by the halfway point of the program, the 
government had already benefited by over $4 billion, representing coins 
that have been taken out of circulation by collectors. As a result, it 
is estimated that if the popularity of quarters produced under this 
legislation follows similar trends, as much as $1 billion worth of the 
quarters may be taken out of circulation.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) for 
introducing the bill, and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) for her tireless campaign towards its passage. I also 
commend many others who have urged passage in the past, including the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), who sponsored a previous version 
of the legislation, and the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters). 
Of course, I would also like to thank the ranking member of the 
subcommittee, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) and the 
chairman and ranking member of the full committee, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Oxley), and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for 
their assistance in making this legislation possible.
  I urge swift passage of H.R. 2993 to recognize the invaluable 
contributions of the District and territories.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  My attention was first drawn to this bill by the gentlewoman from the 
District of Columbia, who has been a very strong advocate for the 
District of Columbia in this and in other matters. In recognition of 
her leadership role on this legislation, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time, and I am grateful to the gentleman from Massachusetts for his 
strong support and advocacy of this bill. May I offer my thanks as well 
to the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle), who has been with this 
bill since 1998 and was, from the moment that the territories and the 
District were not included, helpful throughout and insistent that we be 
included. Of course, the exclusion of the territories and the District 
was entirely inadvertent; and he comes once again full circle, because 
he was chairman at that time.
  Indeed, twice before, the House has passed a bill to afford the five 
insular areas and the District of Columbia a quarter coin bearing a 
design of their choice on the reverse side. Inadvertently, these 
Americans were excluded from the 50-State bill affording this same 
right to the States in 1998. We owe very special thanks to three 
successive committee chairs and ranking members of the Committee on 
Financial Services. It is one thing to ask a committee to come to the 
floor once with a bill; it is a burden to come three times, even on 
suspension. I would like to thank the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Castle), who has chaired the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, 
Trade, and Technology during the 105th Congress, and worked with me and 
introduced legislation to allow the District and the insular areas to 
participate in this program.

                              {time}  1115

  In the 106th Congress, the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus), as 
chair of the same subcommittee, introduced this bill and the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters), as ranking member of the 
subcommittee, cosponsored the legislation.
  Today, I would especially thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
King), who is chair of the subcommittee during the 107th and 108th 
Congress who introduced the bill and the gentlewoman from New York 
(Mrs. Maloney), the ranking member, who sponsored the bill the last two 
sessions.
  May I also give special thanks to the chair of the full committee, 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Oxley) and the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for their support. I want to particularly 
thank the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay), with 
whom I recently spoke concerning the bill and who kindly agreed to move 
it to suspension.
  To date, there have been over 21 billion State quarter coins minted; 
26 States have had their State design on the reverse side of the 
quarter with four more States to be added before the end of this year. 
Five are added each year. All the coins are minted according to the 
year each State ratified the Constitution of the United States or were 
admitted into the Union.
  Although the States have appropriate latitude, there are limitations 
as to what can be used as a design. According to Public Law 105-124, 
the Secretary of the Treasury has the final approval of each design. 
The law gives clear guidance as to what is an acceptable design 
concept. Such suitable design concepts include State landmarks, 
landscapes, historically significant buildings, symbols of State 
resources or industries, official State flora and fauna, State icons 
and outlines of the States themselves. State flags and seals are not 
considered suitable.
  Among the examples of suitable coins already in circulation are New 
York's Statue of Liberty, Missouri's depiction of Lewis and Clark as 
they paddle down the Missouri River with the Gateway Arch in the 
background, and North Carolina's design depicting the first successful 
airplane flight.
  We look forward to the day when the residents of the District of 
Columbia

[[Page H1386]]

and the insular areas can see similar symbols of their jurisdictions 
and of their American citizenship appear, as well.
  This bill points up the importance of including all Americans in the 
symbols of American citizenship. The residents of the District and the 
insular areas are full and equal American citizens. To leave them out 
of mere expressions of citizenship is to deny the citizenship they 
revere and share with other Americans. The Americans who live in these 
areas have fought and died in our country's wars and have extraordinary 
records of service in the Armed Forces in considerably larger numbers 
than other States. The District of Columbia alone has lost more service 
members in Afghanistan and Iraq than many States and lost more in 
Vietnam than 10 separate States.
  We in the Congress are proud to represent all Americans.
  There are, of course, significant differences between the States and 
the jurisdictions covered by this bill. However, qualification to be a 
part of a program of quarter coins to commemorate congressional 
districts is not one of them. Under the Constitution, all Americans are 
equal notwithstanding important differences in form, structure and 
other significant distinctions. Today, by including all Americans, 
Congress avoids any appearance of differential or discriminatory 
treatment and any implication that these areas are colonies as, of 
course, was never the intention when the five jurisdictions were not 
included in the original bill as the House has made clear by repeatedly 
bringing this bill to the floor.
  Today, when our country is at war and faces unparalleled dangers, 
this bill is yet another example of our unity as Americans and our 
indivisibility in honoring all of our country's citizens. By passing 
this measure, the House will make it abundantly clear that we are one 
country and that our hope is that the Senate will join us.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just like to start by thanking the gentlewoman 
from District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her tenaciousness on this. I 
always favored this concept as soon as I heard about it. But if it was 
not for her, frankly, pushing everybody, I do not think we would be 
where we are today. And I say that because we have been there a couple 
of times before, and she has had to do it again and again.
  I doubt if there will be a Rose Garden ceremony for the signing of 
this if it passes, but I intend to come over there and shake your hand 
if it happens, because you deserve a lot of credit for it. We just have 
to get the Senate to cooperate.
  Apropos of comments made earlier by the distinguished gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) on another bill, this is a pretty good day 
here on the floor, at least this portion of it, as far as the Federal 
Government is concerned. The BEP hopefully will be able to enter into 
the business that they can do specifically that the private sector 
really cannot do as well and perhaps have a chance to add some revenues 
to the Federal Government as has indicated. This quarter program has 
already produced $4 billion in money to the Treasury as a result of the 
keeping of these coins and collecting.
  The chances are that the young people here are all collecting them. 
When you go to a classroom, you find that they are all collecting these 
coins.
  We still have 5 years to run, hopefully a 6th year to run on this. We 
hope it will produce, as I indicated earlier, another billion dollars. 
It is not many programs that actually produce real money, real revenue 
for the Federal Government.
  Pursuant to that, without advocating anything, I would say as an 
extension of this that I have introduced legislation, as you may know, 
for a Presidential program on the dollar coins, which is also, 
according to the studies that have been done, has the ability to 
produce revenue for the Federal Government as a collector's item, with 
the spouses to be on a gold coin sold at the price of gold which would 
be about $380 right now as a collector's item.
  All of these also have the ability to do what this coin has been done 
and, most importantly, inform not just young people but all of us about 
our States, as the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. 
Norton) has pointed out, and about our territories, and about our 
Presidents hopefully.
  So I think this has all been a very win-win-win situation. We are 
very appreciative of what this has done. I would encourage all of us to 
support this legislation, and hopefully this is something that we will 
get done this year.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I did want to say that the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Castle) deserves credit not simply for his advocacy here, but for being 
the main proponent of the whole program, which he correctly points out 
has been very successful, the State quarter program, the gentleman from 
Delaware (Mr. Castle) is the legislative author of that and is entitled 
to take all the credit for it.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Guam (Mr. Bordallo).
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) and the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) 
for managing this bill today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2993, a bill that 
will authorize the United States Mint to circulate quarter dollar coins 
depicting an important design representative of the District of 
Columbia and each respective United States territory.
  Guam has long sought to be represented on the back of the quarter 
dollar coin in the same manner as the States do. And I guess I will 
say, Mr. Speaker, that perseverance does pay off eventually. It has 
been many years, and I thank the gentlewoman from District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton), as well as the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. King), and the ranking member, the gentlewoman from New 
York (Mrs. Maloney), for their leadership in guiding this legislation 
to the floor today.
  This legislation was championed by the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Castle). The Commemorative Coin Act was passed in 1997 authorizing the 
minting of 50 commemorative coin designs representing the unique 
culture and history of each respective State. The intention was to 
foster pride amongst citizens of each State, greater appreciation for 
the diversity of our Nation, and instill a sense of national unity. 
While this program has been a true success, I am pleased that we now 
come together to ensure that the District of Columbia, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are equally recognized.
  H.R. 2993 will help educate the public that the territories are 
recognized as being part of the United States, in addition to 
guaranteeing that our Nation's own capital city is honored. Many people 
are confused as to the relationship of Guam and the territories to the 
United States of America. By authorizing United States currency 
representative of the territories, we can educate our country and the 
world about the vast reach of our Nation and foster a better 
understanding about its culture and ethnic diversity.
  Guam has a rich and patriotic history, and I support any effort that 
generates more interest in learning about our islands. Guam is an 
island approximately 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii and is the 
southernmost island of the Marianas chain. With a population of 
160,000, the island of Guam is home to two of the Nation's most 
important and strategic military bases, the Navy's COMNAVMAR base and 
Andersen Air Force Base. Natives of Guam, or Chamorros, are proud of 
their unique cultural heritage.
  Guam has always been a true melting pot since it was first traversed 
by Europeans upon the arrival of Magellan in the early 16th century. 
After serving for centuries as a major stop-off point along the Spanish 
galleon trade route, Guam was ceded to the United States in 1898 after 
the defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War. Since that time, Guam 
has served as an important gateway to the Pacific and an important 
center for commerce and cultural exchange between the United States and 
Asia.
  During World War II, Guam was occupied by Japanese imperial forces 
from 1941 to 1944. However, citizens of Guam proudly and defiantly 
affirmed their patriotism to the United States.

[[Page H1387]]

When American forces arrived in 1944 in its push to win the war in the 
Pacific, patriots of Guam boarded small boats and paddled out to Navy 
warships volunteering to join forces to defeat the Japanese. Our island 
was liberated by the United States Marines and soldiers on July 21, 
1944; and soon after, Congress granted United States citizenship to the 
people of Guam.
  It is important to the people on Guam to gain greater recognition as 
being part of the United States of America. Guamanians have fought 
valiantly in every American conflict since being incorporated into the 
United States. Guam had the highest per capita number of deaths in the 
Vietnam conflict. Guamanians are proud and patriotic, and H.R. 2993 
honors their contribution to American valor and culture.
  So I do, Mr. Speaker, encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 2993.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), 
another able advocate for one of the territories.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I would not be standing here if it had not been for the 
able leadership and certainly the sensitivity and the commitment from 
the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle) for all these years that we 
have worked tirelessly in providing for this legislation that we now 
come to this most historic occasion in presenting this proposed 
legislation before our colleagues and hopefully in my desire that we 
pass it.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. This is 
an American issue. We are talking about the lives of some 5 million of 
our fellow Americans who live in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
District of Columbia and the insular areas.
  I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. King) for his 
sponsorship of this legislation and our colleague, also from New York 
(Mrs. Maloney), for her support as the ranking member of the 
subcommittee. And certainly I would be remiss if I did not thank the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank) for his support.
  It saddens me, Mr. Speaker, for all these years that we have tried 
earnestly to provide passage of this legislation, that there is still 
some misunderstanding or misinformation among some of our colleagues to 
the point it saddens me that even some may have this idea that we are 
not worthy enough, we are not worthy enough as those of us fellow 
Americans coming from the District of Columbia, from the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico, where some 3.8 million Americans, U.S. citizens, live, 
that we do not deserve the privilege of circulating just a quarter 
dollar in honor of the contributions that we have also made for all 
these years to the greatness of our Nation.

                              {time}  1130

  I am reminded of a fellow Chamorro who is a retired Marine brigadier 
general, a former Member and colleague of ours, Mr. Ben Blaz, and he 
made this statement I have never forgotten over the years. He said to 
his colleagues here in this Chamber, we are equal in times of war, but 
we are not equal in times of peace.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation would amend the popular 50 States 
Commemorative Coin Program Act to include six new designs emblematic of 
the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Designs on the reverse side 
of each quarter dollar issued during 2009 will be selected by the 
Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the chief executive 
officers of these areas.
  All five congressional delegates are and were original cosponsors of 
this bipartisan measure. This measure was first introduced in the 106th 
Congress and passed overwhelmingly in the House by a vote of 377 to 6. 
Unfortunately, the 106th Congress ended before the Senate was able to 
consider our bill.
  Again, in the 107th Congress, we introduced H.R. 4005, identical 
legislation which also passed the House and was received in the Senate 
in October of 2002. Once again, the Senate was unable to consider this 
matter before the 107th Congress adjourned. Now we have introduced H.R. 
2993; and we are hopeful, Mr. Speaker, that the House and Senate will 
pass this legislation before the 108th Congress adjourns.
  At this time, I also want to thank the gentlewoman from the District 
of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for her leadership, and I also want to thank 
our delegates who have worked tirelessly to ensure that this 
legislation is considered.
  Speaking on behalf of my own district in American Samoa, I believe it 
is only fitting for Congress to acknowledge our relationship with the 
United States, which has now been in place for other 104 years. Many 
fellow Americans have never heard of American Samoa. American Samoa has 
had a long and proud history of supporting the United States. The 
traditional leaders of the islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u ceded our 
islands to the United States in 1900. Four years later, the King of 
Manu'a and his chiefs ceded the Manu'a Islands.
  In the early part of the century, the harbor of Pago Pago, which was 
much sought after, was used as a coaling station for U.S. naval ships; 
and during World War II, these islands became a staging area for some 
30,000 soldiers and Marines before they were sent to Tarawa and 
Guadalcanal and other parts of the Pacific during World War II. To this 
day, American Samoa serves as a refueling point for U.S. naval ships 
and military aircraft.
  American Samoa also has a per capita enlistment rate in the U.S. 
military which is as high as any State or territory. I have had to 
personally carry two of my soldiers who recently died from Iraq in that 
terrible conflict. Our sons and daughters have served in record numbers 
in every U.S. military engagement since World War II to the present 
operations in Iraq. We have stood by the United States in good times 
and bad times, and I believe this relationship should be acknowledged 
with the issuance of a commemorative coin.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2993 affords us an opportunity to recognize the 
special contributions of the insular areas. I urge my colleagues to 
vote in favor of the legislation.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen), 
another of the able delegates who has been working for this on behalf 
of her territory.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
the time.
  I rise in strong support of H.R. 2993, the District of Columbia and 
U.S. Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act.
  It is a pleasure for me to be here as we again move closer toward 
rectifying the omission of the District of Columbia and the insular 
areas from the original 50 State Commemorative Coin Program Act. It has 
been more than 3 years; but with the vote today on H.R. 2993, my 
constituents as well as those of my colleagues from the Nation's 
capital and the other territories will finally get the opportunity to 
have our Nation commemorate and celebrate a significant event or fact 
about our respective homes.
  My district, the U.S. Virgin Islands, also known as America's 
Paradise, has many ecological, historical and cultural treasures which 
are worthy of commemoration. We also boast of having been the place 
where the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, grew up 
and honed the skills which served our fledgling nation so well.
  For the benefit of those who might not know this, the Virgin Islands 
have been a member of the American family since 1917 when Denmark sold 
the islands of the former Danish West Indies, St. Thomas, St. Croix and 
St. John, to the United States for just $25 million.
  We are located 1,000 miles southeast of Miami in the Caribbean Sea 
and are four main islands with numerous keys, with beaches that have 
consistently ranked among the best in the world. We also boast the only 
site where the members of Christopher Columbus' party are known to have 
set foot on what is today the U.S. The Salt River National Historical 
and Ecological Park was established in 1992 to, among other things, 
commemorate this important historical event.

[[Page H1388]]

  Mr. Speaker, the people of the Virgin Islands see it as only fitting 
that we, along with the residents and citizens of Guam, American Samoa, 
the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia 
should also have the opportunity to educate our fellow Americans on 
whose side we have fought to defend and protect our Nation in every 
conflict from the Revolutionary War to the present day about our unique 
qualities, as well as promote our pride at being Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to thank the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. 
Castle), the champion of the original bill, and our ranking member, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Frank), for including the District of 
Columbia and our territories, and I particularly want to also extend 
our gratitude to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia because 
it was her leadership and dogged determination that made this day 
possible, and I ask my colleagues to support her in our effort and vote 
``yes'' on H.R. 2993.
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, with renewed appreciation of 
the gentleman from Delaware and the gentleman from Ohio, the chairman 
of the full committee, for allowing this measure, so important to so 
many of our colleagues, to come forward, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
will be very brief. I just want to thank the representatives from the 
various territories and from the District of Columbia for actual 
historical lessons here on the floor. I think it behooves all of us, I 
recall those comments of the gentleman from Nebraska next to me, that 
perhaps putting the territories and District of Columbia on the quarter 
is more important than the States in some ways as this is such a good 
educational tool for our young people. So, hopefully, we will get that 
done this year.
  Based on all I have heard, I think the problem is in the Senate, not 
the House. So we all need to go to work over in the Senate and get this 
done.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2993, the 
``District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating 
Quarter Dollar Program Act,'' and urge its immediate passage.
  Mr. Speaker, we all know how fond the American people are of the 50-
State quarter program that began in 1999. It has proved popular with 
collectors, of course, and it has caused all Americans to look at the 
change in their pockets or their purses in a new light. It has been an 
invaluable aid in teaching about the unique nature of each state.
  All Members salute the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. Castle, for his 
foresight in authoring that legislation. Today we consider a completely 
separate program, one that is modeled on, but is not part of the State 
quarter program. Instead of honoring five States a year for a decade, 
this program will issue six different quarters, for the District of 
Columbia and the five territories, all in a single year.
  Surely, the District of Columbia and the five territories will 
benefit in similar fashion as the states have. I think this program 
will be of particular benefit regarding the territories, which are not 
as well-known, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, of Guam and the United States Virgin Islands 
and American Samoa.
  I have learned a lot about the territories from previous debates on 
similar legislation in previous Congresses, Mr. Speaker, and I think 
this legislation will be educational as well.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us has passed the House in a 
number of Congresses, passing by both recorded and voice votes. I know 
of no objection to it, and I urge all Members to support its immediate 
passage.
  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). 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. 2993.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. CASTLE. 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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