[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 14 (Thursday, February 10, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1261-S1263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. DeWine, Mr. Leahy, 
        Mr. Allen, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr. Reid):
  S. 337. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to revise the 
age and service requirements for eligibility to receive retired pay for 
non-regular service, to expand certain authorities to provide health 
care benefits for Reserves and their families, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, we have long recognized that our country has 
an obligation to take care of the brave men and women who wear the 
uniform of the United States--and their families.
  Sixty years ago we passed the GI Bill of Rights for the 16 million 
veterans who served in WorId War II. By providing new opportunities in 
housing and education, we helped them return to civilian life.
  Our military forces have changed dramatically since then--but the 
benefits we offer to military families haven't kept pace with the 
changes.
  Today our military relies on volunteers, and our security depends on 
recruiting and retaining good troops--including members of the National 
Guard and Reserves.
  The Guard and Reserves serve at the command of State governors, but 
members are also available to be called to active duty by the 
President. And over the last 10 years, the role of the National Guard 
and Reserves in our military has steadily increased.
  Today, reports indicate that almost half of the forces deployed in 
support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom come 
from the National Guard and the Reserves.
  These Guardsmen and Reservists are not only providing much-needed 
``boots on the ground.'' They bring specific skills that our regular 
active military cannot duplicate.
  For example, in my home state of Nevada, half of the pilots in the 
Nevada Air National Guard are civilian pilots.
  A majority of the Nevada National Guard military police, who are in 
the 72nd MP Company that just returned from Iraq, work as law 
enforcement officers in Las Vegas.
  And the Nevada Army Guard's 126th Medical Company an air ambulance

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unit, which flew more than 174 traumatic medical evacuations in 
Afghanistan, is made up entirely of men and women who work as civilian 
paramedics.
  So the National Guard and Reserves are strengthened by the fact that 
members hold civilian jobs as pilots, police officers and paramedics.
  The Guard and Reserves also provide the primary service--or the only 
service--in several crucial areas of national security, including: port 
security; airport security; civil support teams; and reconnaissance and 
Drug Air Interdiction.
  Since we rely more than ever on members of our National Guard and 
Reserves, we need to modernize the benefits that are available to 
them--especially in the areas of retirement and health care.
  Let's start with health care.
  It's true that service in the Guard and Reserve is a part time 
obligation--but it is unlike any other part-time job that a person 
might hold.
  When the Guard and Reserves call, members must put their duty above 
their regular jobs and even their families. That means taking time off 
from their regular jobs . . . and forgoing many family activities 
because they are busy fulfilling their Guard or reserve duties.
  And it means being ready for deployment at any time.
  In short, we expect members to make the Guard and Reserves a top 
priority in their lives.
  In return for that commitment . . . for the sacrifices they make at 
their regular jobs . . . we owe them the peace of mind of knowing that 
their families will receive quality medical care.
  We need to offer medical care that leverages the existing military 
health care system. That is why TRICARE should be an option for all 
members of the National Guard and Reserves.
  The lack of health care benefits for Guard and Reserve members is a 
serious problem. Currently, about 40 percent of the enlisted members 
don't have any health care coverage.
  This affects troop readiness. In recent mobilizations, 10 to 15 
percent of the Guard and Reserve members could not be deployed due to 
health-related issues.
  It also affects the state of mind of those who are training for 
dangerous deployments. A Reservist in training on the weekend shouldn't 
be worried about whether his or her sick child will be able to see a 
doctor.
  Providing better health care benefits to members of the Guard and 
Reserve is not only the right thing to do--it's a matter of national 
security.
  We just also upgrade the retirement benefits available to those who 
choose to serve for long periods of time.
  A person who serves in the Guard or Reserve for 20 years is subject 
to being called up to active duty numerous times, disrupting his or her 
civilian career and retirement planning.
  We must take this into account, and improve the retirement benefits 
for Guard and Reserve members.
  The current reserve retirement system is 50 years old, and it doesn't 
reflect the extent to which our nation now depends on the National 
Guard and Reserves.
  This outdated system doesn't allow members to receive retired pay or 
retiree health benefits until they are 60 years old. We must update the 
system so those who serve can receive benefits at age 55, if they meet 
all the other requirements.
  This change would recognize the importance of the Guard and Reserves 
in today's military . . . and it would recognize the sacrifices that 
members make in their civilian careers in order to serve their country.
  Once again, this is not only the right thing to do--it will make our 
country stronger and safer by encouraging and rewarding service in the 
National Guard and Reserves.

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Bunning, Mr. Obama, Mr. Bayh, and 
        Mr. Lugar):
  S. 341. A bill to provide for the redesign of the reverse of the 
Lincoln 1-cent coin in 2009 in commemoration of the 200th anniversary 
of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln; to the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill to honor 
Abraham Lincoln in 2009, the bicentennial of his birth, by issuing a 
series of 1-cent coins with designs on the reverse that are emblematic 
of the 4 major periods of his life, in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and 
Washington, D.C. The bill would also provide for a longer-term redesign 
of the reverse of 1-cent coins so that after 2009 they will bear an 
image emblematic of Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a 
single and united country.
  Abraham Lincoln was one of our greatest leaders, demonstrating 
enormous courage and strength of character during the Civil War, 
perhaps the greatest crisis in our Nation's history. Lincoln was born 
in Kentucky, grew to adulthood in Indiana, achieved fame in Illinois, 
and led the Nation in Washington, DC. He rose to the Presidency through 
a combination of honesty, integrity, intelligence, and commitment to 
the United States.
  Adhering to the belief that all men are created equal, Lincoln led 
the effort to free all slaves in the United States. Despite the great 
passions aroused by the Civil War, Lincoln had a generous heart and 
acted with malice toward none and with charity for all. Lincoln made 
the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved, dying from an 
assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865. All Americans could benefit from 
studying the life of Abraham Lincoln.
  The ``Lincoln cent'' was introduced in 1909 on the 100th anniversary 
of Lincoln's birth, making the front design by sculptor Victor David 
Brenner the most enduring image on the Nation's coinage. President 
Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed by Brenner's talent that he was 
chosen to design the likeness of Lincoln for the coin, adapting a 
design from a plaque Brenner had prepared earlier. In the nearly 100 
years of production of the ``Lincoln cent,'' there have been only two 
designs on the reverse: the original, featuring two wheat-heads, and 
the current representation of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
  On the occasion of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and the 100th 
anniversary of the production of the Lincoln cent, we should recognize 
his great achievement in ensuring that the United States remained one 
Nation, united and inseparable.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 341

       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 ``Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial 
     1-Cent Coin Redesign Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, was one of the 
     Nation's greatest leaders, demonstrating true courage during 
     the Civil War, one of the greatest crises in the Nation's 
     history.
       (2) Born of humble roots in Hardin County, Kentucky, on 
     February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln rose to the Presidency 
     through a combination of honesty, integrity, intelligence, 
     and commitment to the United States.
       (3) With the belief that all men are created equal, Abraham 
     Lincoln led the effort to free all slaves in the United 
     States.
       (4) Abraham Lincoln had a generous heart, with malice 
     toward none and with charity for all.
       (5) Abraham Lincoln gave the ultimate sacrifice for the 
     country he loved, dying from an assassin's bullet on April 
     15, 1865.
       (6) All Americans could benefit from studying the life of 
     Abraham Lincoln, for Lincoln's life is a model for 
     accomplishing the ``American dream'' through honesty, 
     integrity, loyalty, and a lifetime of education.
       (7) The year 2009 will be the bicentennial anniversary of 
     the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
       (8) Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, grew to adulthood 
     in Indiana, achieved fame in Illinois, and led the nation in 
     Washington, D.C.
       (9) The so-called ``Lincoln cent'' was introduced in 1909 
     on the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, making the 
     obverse design the most enduring on the nation's coinage.
       (10) President Theodore Roosevelt was so impressed by the 
     talent of Victor David

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     Brenner that the sculptor was chosen to design the likeness 
     of President Lincoln for the coin, adapting a design from a 
     plaque Brenner had prepared earlier.
       (11) In the nearly 100 years of production of the ``Lincoln 
     cent'', there have been only 2 designs on the reverse: the 
     original, featuring 2 wheat-heads in memorial style enclosing 
     mottoes, and the current representation of the Lincoln 
     Memorial in Washington, D.C.
       (12) On the occasion of the bicentennial of President 
     Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the production 
     of the Lincoln cent, it is entirely fitting to issue a series 
     of 1-cent coins with designs on the reverse that are 
     emblematic of the 4 major periods of President Lincoln's 
     life.

     SEC. 3. REDESIGN OF LINCOLN CENT FOR 2009.

       (a) In General.--During the year 2009, the Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall issue 1-cent coins in accordance with the 
     following design specifications:
       (1) Obverse.--The obverse of the 1-cent coin shall continue 
     to bear the Victor David Brenner likeness of President 
     Abraham Lincoln.
       (2) Reverse.--The reverse of the coins shall bear 4 
     different designs each representing a different aspect of the 
     life of Abraham Lincoln, such as--
       (A) his birth and early childhood in Kentucky;
       (B) his formative years in Indiana;
       (C) his professional life in Illinois; and
       (D) his presidency, in Washington, D.C.
       (b) Issuance of Redesigned Lincoln Cents in 2009.--
       (1) Order.--The 1-cent coins to which this section applies 
     shall be issued with 1 of the 4 designs referred to in 
     subsection (a)(2) beginning at the start of each calendar 
     quarter of 2009.
       (2) Number.--The Secretary shall prescribe, on the basis of 
     such factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, 
     the number of 1-cent coins that shall be issued with each of 
     the designs selected for each calendar quarter of 2009.
       (c) Design Selection.--The designs for the coins specified 
     in this section shall be chosen by the Secretary--
       (1) after consultation with the Abraham Lincoln 
     Bicentennial Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) after review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory 
     Committee.

     SEC. 4. REDESIGN OF REVERSE OF 1-CENT COINS AFTER 2009.

       The design on the reverse of the 1-cent coins issued after 
     December 31, 2009, shall bear an image emblematic of 
     President Lincoln's preservation of the United States of 
     America as a single and united country.

     SEC. 5. NUMISMATIC PENNIES WITH THE SAME METALLIC CONTENT AS 
                   THE 1909 PENNY.

       The Secretary of the Treasury shall issue 1-cent coins in 
     2009 with the exact metallic content as the 1-cent coin 
     contained in 1909 in such number as the Secretary determines 
     to be appropriate for numismatic purposes.

     SEC. 6. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

        It is the sense of the Congress that the original Victor 
     David Brenner design for the 1-cent coin was a dramatic 
     departure from previous American coinage that should be 
     reproduced, using the original form and relief of the 
     likeness of Abraham Lincoln, on the 1-cent coins issued in 
     2009.
                                 ______