[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 108 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6246-H6249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ABRAHAM LINCOLN COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2808) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in commemoration of the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2808

       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 
     Commemorative Coin 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 present-day LaRue 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 were 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 his 
     country, dying from an assassin's bullet on April 15, 1865.
       (6) The year 2009 will be the bicentennial anniversary of 
     the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
       (7) The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has been 
     charged by Congress with planning the celebration of 
     Lincoln's bicentennial.
       (8) The proceeds from a commemorative coin will help fund 
     the celebration and the continued study of the life of 
     Lincoln.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) $1 Silver Coins.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins, which 
     shall--
       (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--All coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the life and legacy of President 
     Abraham Lincoln.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;

[[Page H6247]]

       (B) an inscription of the year ``2009''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Commission of Fine Arts and the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial 
     Commission; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning 
     on January 1, 2009.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1), title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary 
     from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be 
     promptly paid by the Secretary to the Abraham Lincoln 
     Bicentennial Commission to further the work of the 
     Commission.
       (c) Audits.--The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission 
     shall be subject to the audit requirements of section 
     5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code.
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue 
     guidance to carry out this subsection.

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


                             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 materials thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to urge passage of H.R. 2808, the Abraham Lincoln 
Commemorative Coin Act. I commend my friend, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. LaHood), for its introduction.
  Mr. Speaker, in 2009, our great Nation will celebrate the 
bicentennial of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. To commemorate this 
event, the bill we are considering today authorizes the Secretary of 
the Treasury to mint as many as half a million silver $1 coins for sale 
in 2009. Surcharges on the sales will be used to fund the work of 
Abraham Lincoln's Bicentennial Commission, which is planning various 
special events to commemorate the occasion of Lincoln's birth.
  I fully support this program, Mr. Speaker, because there is so much 
to learn about this great man. Certainly, he was a tremendous 
President, perhaps the only man who could have held this country 
together during the difficult period of his presidency. Certainly, he 
freed the slaves, and certainly he left us some of our clearest 
statements of what the United States stands for both as a Nation and as 
a symbol.
  But so much more has been said and written about him, so much that 
can shed light on different aspects of this man, from his persona to 
his presidency. As a matter of fact, thanks to the hard work and 
efforts of my colleague Mr. LaHood and others, an Abraham Lincoln 
Presidential Library and Museum just opened in Springfield, Illinois, 
in April of 2005 to help Americans rediscover one of their greatest 
Presidents.
  There is no disputing that Lincoln was a great man. One of my 
favorite stories of his presidency could not happen today. It involves 
an event on which some claim the entire Civil War turned.
  Early on in the war, an inventor presented himself at the White House 
with a new weapon and was led in to see the President. Lincoln, who had 
been quite a hunter in his youth, is said to have taken this new weapon 
out to the south lawn to try it out on a pile of firewood. The 
President immediately saw the great potential in its accuracy and 
speed, and his decision to arm the Union troops with a new repeater 
rifle many claim is one of the reasons the Union side won the war.
  Mr. Speaker, the point of this story is not to talk about firearms 
but to talk about a remarkable man who literally took charge of a 
deeply divided Nation when he became President. His leadership through 
such a tumultuous time in our Nation's history certainly qualifies him 
as one of the greatest individuals to represent the State of Illinois.
  It is that great President who will be honored by the minting of 
these coins and whose memory will be brought to life to a whole new 
generation in just 3 short years. For that reason, Mr. Speaker, I urge 
immediate adoption of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. 
I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois, Congresswoman Biggert.
  As a member of the Illinois delegation, I am proud to join my 
distinguished colleague today in support of H.R. 2808, the Abraham 
Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act. This bill celebrates the many 
contributions of our 16th President and one of Illinois' favorite sons, 
Abraham Lincoln, by directing the Treasury to mint a coin in 
commemoration of the bicentennial of his birth.
  Born to humble roots in 1809, Abraham Lincoln and his family moved to 
Illinois in 1830. Lincoln would go on to serve in the Illinois House of 
Representatives, represent Illinois in the 30th Congress and run 
unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate. In addition, he practiced law and 
later served as a judge.
  In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President in the midst of a 
Nation dissolving from within. By the time of his first inaugural 
address in March, seven States had already seceded from the Union. Yet, 
committed to doing everything in his power to prevent civil war, 
President Lincoln used his inaugural address to make a stirring appeal 
for the preservation of the Union, ending his address by saying:
  ``I am loathe to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not 
be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our 
bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every 
battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone 
over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when 
again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our 
nature.''
  Nevertheless, in April, Fort Sumter was attacked, and the war began.
  For 4 years, Lincoln was consumed with winning the war and salvaging 
the Union, and as the war finally neared its end in March 1865, Lincoln 
focused on healing and reuniting a ravaged Nation. Instead of rebuking 
or punishing the Confederacy, Lincoln chose instead to offer a united 
vision of a healed country. During his last inaugural address, he said:
  ``With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the 
right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the 
work we are in, to bind up the Nation's wounds, to care for him who 
shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all 
which may achieve and

[[Page H6248]]

cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all 
nations.''

                              {time}  1430

  Unfortunately, he would not live to see the end of the Civil War. In 
April of 1865, just blocks from where we stand today, Lincoln was 
assassinated at Ford's Theatre.
  Abraham Lincoln's service to Illinois alone warrants our remembrance 
and recognition, but his stewardship and vision led our Nation through 
the darkest and most dangerous time in our history; and for that, all 
Americans today and all those to come, are forever indebted to him.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
friend and colleague, the author of this legislation, Mr. LaHood, from 
the great State of Illinois.
  (Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Biggert and 
Congresswoman Bean for this opportunity to consider the bill on the 
floor today that I have been working on for about a year and a half.
  In a little more than 2 years, the United States will celebrate the 
200th birthday of its greatest President, Abraham Lincoln. We are all 
familiar with this legendary man's story. He was born in poverty in 
Kentucky, educated himself while growing up in the wilds of southern 
Indiana, and after failing in business eventually established a 
thriving legal practice in Illinois. He overcame repeated obstacles in 
his personal, professional, and political life and rose to lead our 
country through the greatest crisis it has ever faced.
  The American political system was still a fragile experiment, just 85 
years old, when Abraham Lincoln became President in 1861. Many 
Europeans at the time viewed America's democracy with distaste and 
skepticism, and Lincoln knew that government of the people, by the 
people, and for the people would be discredited forever if a 
disaffected minority could simply withdraw from the government. His 
faith in representative government allowed him not only to save the 
Union but to forge a Nation.
  As the Congressman who represents much of the same district he 
represented in the 30th Congress from 1847 to 1849, I am privileged to 
be involved in the work of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, 
on which I serve as one of the cochairs along with Senator Richard 
Durbin and Harold Halzer. For the last several years, we have been 
striving to plan a fitting and proper celebration of the bicentennial 
of Lincoln's birthday in 2009. Among our efforts is this legislation 
that comes before the House today, H.R. 2808, the Abraham Lincoln 
Commemorative Coin Act.
  This bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 500,000 one-
dollar commemorative coins which would highlight the life and legacy of 
President Abraham Lincoln during the bicentennial year of 2009. 
Proceeds from the sale of the coin will help fund the celebration and 
the continued study of the life of President Lincoln.
  This legislation could not have come to the floor today without the 
extraordinary help and assistance of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. In 
order to bring a bill like this to the floor, it requires 290 
signatures of Members of the House in order to signal that the bill is 
prepared and ready to be considered by the House. Mr. Jackson was a 
great help in lining up and getting the signatures so that we could 
bring the bill to the House.
  I urge all to support the bill.
  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support 
of this legislation, and I commend my colleagues, Representative LaHood 
and Representative Jackson from Illinois, for the work that they did on 
this legislation. I am pleased to join with Representatives Biggert and 
Bean in expressing strong support for the measure.
  Abraham Lincoln was obviously one of the great historical figures of 
our Nation, and I remember as a child that my mother used to tell us 
stories about Abraham Lincoln. I recall how we would sit around her in 
awe of his exploits. I ultimately became, I guess what I would call a 
Lincoln scholar after having decided to major in history in 
undergraduate school. And Abraham Lincoln is one of the reasons that I 
am proud to call myself an Illinoisan.
  I am proud of the heritage of our State, proud of the tremendous work 
that he did and what he has meant to the development of what is the 
greatest Nation on the face of the Earth, the United States of America; 
and so I urge passage of this legislation.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would just like to thank 
again my friend and colleague, Mr. LaHood, for his introduction of this 
bill; and I would also like to thank the Members of the Illinois 
delegation who have spoken so eloquently, and thank Ms. Bean for her 
managing this bill and Mr. Davis for being here and Mr. Jackson for 
also working on this bill.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2808, the 
Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act, sponsored by the gentleman from 
Illinois, Mr. LaHood.
  The legislation calls for the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and 
issue not more than 500,000 one-dollar silver coins in 2009, to mark 
the bicentennial of the birth of one of our greatest Presidents, 
Abraham Lincoln. The Nation's 16th President, he was born February 12, 
1809, in present-day LaRue County, Kentucky.
  Mr. Speaker, we all know the story of the tall, craggy man who went 
on to become a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois. Later, by dint of 
honesty, integrity, intelligence and compassion, became President, and 
served through some of the most trying times of our Nation. We all know 
the tragic story of his death after being shot at Ford's Theater on 
April 15, 1865. And we all know the Gettysburg Address and the 
Emancipation Proclamation.
  Few of us know, I think, the history of that famous proclamation. 
Although it ended up as a proclamation by the President using his war 
powers, it started life as a normal piece of legislation. In fact, its 
existence first was reported 144 years ago in the famous Harper's 
Weekly magazine of July 26, 1862, which said: ``The following message 
was delivered to Congress on Monday: FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES--Herewith is the draft of the bill to 
compensate any State which may abolish slavery within its limits, the 
passage of which, substantially as presented, I respectfully recommend. 
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.''
  Congress and President Lincoln already had started down the road to 
emancipation, freeing slaves in the District of Columbia on April 16 of 
that year and in U.S. territories two months later. Lincoln issued a 
preliminary emancipation proclamation on September 22 of 1862, shortly 
after the Union victory at Antietam, and the final proclamation January 
1, 1863. The Thirteenth Amendment made the proclamation permanent late 
in 1865.
  Mr. Speaker, those were astonishing actions, even for a time of war, 
and serve to remind us how truly remarkable Abraham Lincoln was. These 
coins called for in this legislation, and the surcharges on the sales 
of the coins that will be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial 
Commission, will further illuminate Abraham Lincoln's life.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation has more than the 290 cosponsors 
required for consideration, and will proceed at no cost to the 
taxpayers. Companion legislation already has passed the other body. I 
recommend its immediate passage.
  I enclose the following exchange of correspondence:

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                Washington, DC, September 5, 2006.
     Hon. William M. Thomas, Chairman,
     Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: I am writing concerning H.R. 2808, 
     the ``Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was 
     introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on 
     Financial Services on June 8, 2006. It is my expectation that 
     this bill will be scheduled for floor consideration in the 
     near future.
       As you know, section 7 of the bill establishes a surcharge 
     for the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill. I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest 
     in such surcharges as revenue matters. However, I request 
     that your committee forego action on H.R. 2808 in order to 
     allow the bill to come to the floor expeditiously. I 
     appreciate your cooperation in so doing, and agree that your 
     decision to forego further action on this bill will not 
     prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with respect to its 
     jurisdictional prerogatives on

[[Page H6249]]

     this or similar legislation. I would support your request for 
     conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction should 
     this bill be the subject of a House-Senate conference.
       I will include a copy of this letter and your response in 
     the Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance.
           Yours truly,
                                                 Michael G. Oxley,
                                                         Chairman.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                Washington, DC, September 5, 2006.
     Hon. Michael G. Oxley,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Oxley: I am writing concerning H.R. 2808, the 
     ``Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act,'' which is 
     scheduled to be on the House floor on September 6, 2006.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 
     2808 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee 
     on Ways and Means. However, in order to expedite this bill 
     for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. 
     This is being done with the understanding that it does not in 
     any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives 
     on this bill or similar legislation.
       I appreciate and agree to your offer to include this 
     exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
                                                         Chairman.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2808, the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act.
  This Act recognizes the fact that the year 2009 will be the 
bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln and directs 
the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins commemorating his birth.
  President Abraham Lincoln is one of the most important, most 
instrumental, and most revered individuals in our Nation's history. Few 
others have had such an important role in guiding the future of our 
Nation. He was committed to a government of the people, believed the 
Constitution was inviolate, and fought for the rights of every 
individual.
  President Lincoln's achievements include no less than the abolishment 
of slavery, the survival of the Union and the civil rights of all 
individuals, regardless of race or creed. President Lincoln truly 
believed in and fought for one indivisible Nation with liberty and 
justice for all. The legacy he left after his tragic death has 
continued to inspire generations.
  I hope that we, as elected Members of Congress of this great Nation, 
continue to find inspiration in President Lincoln's words from his 
Second Inaugural Address:
  ``With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the 
right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the 
work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds.''
  In order to honor the 200th anniversary of his birth, the Abraham 
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission has been charged by Congress with 
planning the celebration of President Lincoln's bicentennial.
  The proceeds from a commemorative coin will help fund the celebration 
and the continued study of the life of President Lincoln. 500,000 one 
dollar silver coins will be issued, dated in the year 2009.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great admiration and respect that 
I rise today in support of H.R. 2808, the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative 
Coin Act. In celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, I join 
the Illinois delegation and other colleagues in honoring this great 
Illinoisan with a commemorative coin.
  Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. As a young 
man, he moved to Illinois where he earned the nickname, ``Honest Abe.'' 
He began his political career at the young age of 23, when he was 
elected to the Illinois General Assembly. After serving 12 years, 
Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives. He went on to run 
for U.S. Senate, during which he debated Stephen Douglas in the cities 
of Quincy and Galesburg located in my district. Although he was 
defeated, Lincoln's call to public service was strong and unwavering; 
he reemerged two years later as a presidential candidate.
  On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President 
of the United States. From the beginning of his presidency, Lincoln was 
tasked with the challenge of reuniting a Nation divided over slavery 
and Civil War. President Lincoln was steadfast in his efforts to 
preserve our Union and never let the world forget that the Civil War 
involved an even larger issue. This he profoundly stated in dedicating 
the military cemetery at Gettysburg by proclaiming, ``We here highly 
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, 
under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of 
the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the 
earth.''
  As Representative of the 17th District of Illinois, I look to the 
legacy of Abraham Lincoln for guidance and inspiration. Not only did 
Mr. Lincoln show great leadership during a tumultuous time in our 
history, but he exhibited determination and conviction as he 
successfully fought to defend the liberty of every American.
  I urge my fellow colleagues to join me and vote in support of H.R. 
2808, the Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Act.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 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. 2808, 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 question will 
be postponed.

                          ____________________