[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 64 (Monday, May 10, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5079-S5080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CONRAD:
  S. 2395. A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 
coins in commemoration of the centenary of the bestowal of the Nobel 
Peace Prize on President Theodore Roosevelt, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today the 
Theodore Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act, which would commemorate the 
centenary of the bestowal of the Nobel Peace Prize on President 
Theodore Roosevelt. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury 
to mint and issue coins bearing the likeness of Theodore Roosevelt. The 
sales of these coins would support programs to educate the public about 
the impressive achievements of our 26th President.
  As those of my colleagues who have studied Roosevelt's life are 
aware, my state has a special connection with Theodore Roosevelt. 
Roosevelt liked to say that the years he spent in the Badlands of North 
Dakota were the best of his life. He even attributed his success as 
President to his experiences as a hunter and rancher in western North 
Dakota. It is with great pride, then, that I introduce the Theodore 
Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act, which honors President Roosevelt's 
foreign policy achievements and commitment to conservation in this 
country. In particular, the bill highlights his success in drawing up 
the 1905 peace treaty ending the Russo-Japanese War. This 
accomplishment earned him the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize--making him the 
first citizen of the United States to receive the Peace Prize. 
Moreover, the bill pays tribute to his enduring respect for our 
Nation's wildlife and natural resources. Over his tenure as

[[Page S5080]]

President, Roosevelt established 51 bird reserves, 4 game preserves, 
150 national forests, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments, 
totaling nearly 230 million acres of land placed under public 
protection.
  It is fitting, therefore, that the proceeds from the surcharge 
associated with the coin be used for educational programs at two very 
important sites in the life of Theodore Roosevelt--his home in New 
York, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, and the national park that 
bears his name and honors his conservation efforts, Theodore Roosevelt 
National Park, located in Medora, ND. These two sites played a 
significant role in the development of Teddy Roosevelt's policies and 
offered him refuge away from the stress associated with public life.
  In addition, the bill would provide funds for the maintenance and 
acquisition of the largest collection of Roosevelt's unofficial papers, 
which is housed in the Harvard Library. The Theodore Roosevelt 
Collection is second only to the Library of Congress's collection of 
Roosevelt's presidential papers, and the funds raised by this bill 
would aid in the Collection's goal of purchasing additional Roosevelt 
materials, which will be preserved and exhibited throughout history.
  As a North Dakotan and an American, it is my hope that this bill will 
renew interest in the life of Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt's courage, 
patriotism, optimism, and spirit reflect what is best about our 
country, and he is remembered not only as a great statesman, but also a 
friend to the environment. I encourage my colleagues to support this 
important legislation to honor Theodore Roosevelt's contributions to 
U.S. foreign and domestic policy and build upon his efforts to promote 
respect for our nation's lands.
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