[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S4034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CONRAD (for himself, Mr. Allen, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Baucus, 
        Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Craig, 
        Mr. Dodd, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Hagel, 
        Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. 
        Levin, Mr. McCain, Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Nelson of 
        Nebraska, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Schumer, 
        Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Warner):
  S. 863. 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, with Senator 
Allen, and 27 of our colleagues, 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.
  President Roosevelt is one of our most celebrated presidents. Among 
his many achievements, Roosevelt received the Congressional Medal of 
Honor for leading a daring charge up San Juan Hill, which turned the 
tide in that battle near Santiago, Cuba.
  North Dakota 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 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. The bill also pays tribute to 
his enduring respect for our nation's wildlife and natural resources. 
During his tenure as 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 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, North Dakota. 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.
  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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