[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1841-H1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 2040) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
mint coins in commemoration of the semicentennial of the enactment of 
the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2040

       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 ``Civil Rights Act of 1964 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress hereby finds as follows:
       (1) On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks' brave act of defiance, 
     refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a 
     segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, galvanized the modern 
     civil rights movement and led to the desegregation of the 
     South.
       (2) On February 1, 1960, 4 college students, Joseph McNeil, 
     Franklin McCain, David Richmond, and Ezell Blair, Jr., asked 
     to be served at a lunch counter in Greensboro, North 
     Carolina, and lunch counter sit-ins began to occur throughout 
     the South to challenge segregation in places of public 
     accommodation.
       (3) On May 4, 1961, the Freedom Rides into the South began 
     to test new court orders barring segregation in interstate 
     transportation, and riders were jailed and beaten by mobs in 
     several places, including Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama.
       (4) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was the leading civil 
     rights advocate of the time, spearheading the civil rights 
     movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s with 
     the goal of nonviolent social change and full civil rights 
     for African Americans.
       (5) On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., led 
     over 250,000 civil rights supporters in the March on 
     Washington and delivered his famous ``I Have A Dream'' speech 
     to raise awareness and support for civil rights legislation.
       (6) Mrs. Coretta Scott King, a leading participant in the 
     American civil rights movement, was side-by-side with her 
     husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during many civil 
     rights marches, organized Freedom Concerts to draw attention 
     to the Movement, and worked in her own right to create an 
     America in which all people have equal rights.
       (7) The mass movement sparked by Rosa Parks and led by Dr. 
     Martin Luther King, Jr., among others, called upon the 
     Congress and Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson 
     to pass civil rights legislation which culminated in the 
     enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
       (8) The Civil Rights Act of 1964 greatly expanded civil 
     rights protections, outlawing racial discrimination and 
     segregation in public places and places of public 
     accommodation, in federally funded programs, and employment 
     and encouraging desegregation in public schools, and has 
     served as a model for subsequent anti-discrimination laws.
       (9) We are an eminently better Nation because of Rosa 
     Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and all those men and 
     women who have confronted, and continue to confront, 
     injustice and inequality wherever they see it.
       (10) Equality in education was one of the cornerstones of 
     the civil rights movement.
       (11) On September 10, 1961, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 
     wrote that African American ``students are coming to 
     understand that education and learning have become tools for 
     shaping the future and not devices of privilege for an 
     exclusive few''.
       (12) Over its long and distinguished history, the United 
     Negro College Fund has provided scholarships and operating 
     funds to its member colleges that have enabled more than 
     300,000 young African Americans to earn college degrees and 
     become successful members of society.
       (13) Those graduates include Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 
     as well as leaders in the fields of education, science, 
     medicine, law, entertainment, literature, the military, and 
     politics who have made major contributions to the civil 
     rights movement and the creation of a more equitable society.
       (14) Congress has an obligation to lead America's continued 
     struggle to fight discrimination and ensure equal rights for 
     all.
       (15) The year 2014 will mark the semicentennial of the 
     passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue not more than 350,000 $1 coins each of 
     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.--For purposes of section 5136 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--The design of the coins minted 
     under this Act shall be emblematic of the enactment of the 
     Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights 
     in America.

[[Page H1842]]

       (b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (1) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (2) an inscription of the year ``2014''; and
       (3) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (c) 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
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee 
     established under section 5135 of title 31, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this Act beginning January 1, 2014, except 
     that the Secretary may initiate sales of such coins, without 
     issuance, before such date.
       (c) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins shall be 
     minted under this Act after December 31, 2014.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the coins issued under this Act shall be sold by the 
     Secretary at a price equal to the sum of the face value of 
     the coins, the surcharge required under section 7(a) for the 
     coins, and the cost of designing and issuing such coins 
     (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead 
     expenses, and marketing).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders at a Discount.--
       (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) Surcharge Required.--All sales shall include a 
     surcharge of $10 per coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, 
     United States Code, all surcharges which are received by the 
     Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be promptly paid by the Secretary to the United Negro College 
     Fund (UNCF) to carry out the purposes of the Fund, including 
     providing scholarships and internships for minority students 
     and operating funds and technology enhancement services for 
     39 member historically black colleges and universities.
       (c) Audits.--The United Negro College Fund shall be subject 
     to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, 
     United States Code, with regard to the amounts received by 
     the Fund under subsection (b).
       (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 gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Scott) and the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Heller) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam 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 Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself just a couple of 
minutes here at the beginning.
  This is a very, very important and timely piece of legislation. H.R. 
2040 is the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act. As a 
steadfast proponent of this most important legislation, it is indeed my 
honor and privilege.
  First and foremost, I wish to commend my good friend and my own 
personal hero and mentor from the great State of Georgia, my colleague, 
Mr. John Lewis, on the extraordinary work that he has done throughout 
his entire life, and certainly on the work to bring this commemorative 
coin bill recognizing the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 to the floor with the minting of a $1 coin.
  I applaud the bill for honoring not only the importance of this 
legislation, but also the many contributions of so many Americans from 
all walks of life, from all different backgrounds that have come 
together to make this country great, and certainly have made 
outstanding contributions during the civil rights era.
  I further want to acknowledge the vital role of the United Negro 
College Fund, UNCF, that they have played in ensuring access to and 
opportunities for higher education for so many deserving students who, 
if it had not been for the UNCF, would not have received a college 
education. During its 64-year existence, the UNCF has raised more than 
$2.3 billion to support its 39 Historically Black Colleges and 
University member institutions. And during 2007, the UNCF raised an 
impressive $220 million in scholarships to help some 65,000 students 
realize their dreams of receiving a college education. So it's 
important for us to note that this is more than just a piece of 
legislation for it's important to note that the proceeds from the sale 
of this coin will go towards advancing what the Civil Rights Act 
initially made possible, opportunity for education and empowerment by 
benefiting the United Negro College Fund and those member schools which 
played such a vital role, Madam Speaker, in the sit-ins, they started 
on black college campuses, on the marches, the civil rights marches 
started by students on black college campuses, demonstrations in the 
deep south and throughout this country energized by those on black 
college campuses. These United Negro College Fund students, graduates, 
faculty and institutions played a significant part in the Civil Rights 
Movement, and I, as a young activist at that time, as many of my 
colleagues, am a graduate myself of a Historically Black University, 
Florida A&M University. And I might add, had it not been for Florida 
A&M University, Madam Speaker, I would not be standing in the Congress 
of the United States today.
  Now, granted we've come a long way. However, there is still much, 
much work to do. I am living proof that minorities are able to elect 
the candidate of their choice as I was elected to the Georgia House of 
Representatives 34 years ago, becoming the youngest legislator to serve 
in the State House of Representatives at that time. I owe a tremendous 
debt of gratitude to those who came before me, and the Civil Rights Act 
of 1964 has been instrumental in achieving all of these successes.
  I submit the following correspondence for the Record:

                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2008.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Chairman, Financial Services Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Frank, I am writing regarding H.R. 2040, the 
     Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2040 
     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, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding 
     commemorative coin bills and 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 in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 2040, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the record.
           Sincerely,
                                                Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman.
                                  ____



                                     House of Representatives,

                                    Washington, DC, March 6, 2008.
     Hon. Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Charlie: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 2040, the ``Civil Rights Act of 1964 
     Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was introduced in the House 
     and referred to the Committee on Financial Services on April 
     25, 2007. It is my understanding that this bill will be 
     scheduled for floor consideration shortly.
        I wish to confirm our mutual understanding on this bill. 
     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 appreciate 
     your willingness to forego committee action on H.R. 2040 in 
     order to allow

[[Page H1843]]

     the bill to come to the floor expeditiously. I 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 this or similar legislation. I 
     would support your request for conferees on these provisions 
     within your jurisdiction should this bill be the subject of a 
     House-Senate conference.
       I will include this exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance.
                                                     Barney Frank,
                                                         Chairman.

                              {time}  1330

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HELLER of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, it's a great honor to rise today to support passage of 
legislation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964 with the minting of a commemorative $1 coin.
  It is a particular honor to be working on a bill sponsored by one of 
the heroes of the civil rights movement, Congressman John Lewis and my 
colleague Deborah Pryce.
  Madam Speaker, the Civil Rights Act is widely recognized as one of 
the most effective, influential pieces of legislation passed by the 
United States Congress in the last century. The statute helped 
dismantle the insidious system of legalized discrimination in voting 
and public accommodations in America and served as a model for 
subsequent civil rights laws. Equally important, the Civil Rights Act 
helped America belatedly reach the promise put forth by our Founding 
Fathers, that all men are indeed created equal.
  The Act is the bedrock for the America we know today, a Nation that 
recognizes the equal rights of the disabled, women, the elderly, 
minority citizens, and other groups as invaluable contributors to our 
society, and all inherently equally deserving of the protections 
afforded by our Constitution.
  The bill before us today provides for the minting of a Civil Rights 
Commemorative Coin, with the proceeds expected to raise up to $2.5 
million for the United Negro College Fund, providing scholarships and 
internships for minority students and assisting our Nation's 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As the bill honors our 
Nation's past, it helps to fund our Nation's future.
  Madam Speaker, it is a great honor for me to be joined in this 
legislative effort by Congressman John Lewis. Mr. Lewis, the principal 
sponsor, is a man whose courage, thoughtful advocacy, and leadership in 
the struggle for civil rights speaks for itself. His brave leadership 
in the first Selma to Montgomery march, and his support for nonviolent 
revolution in the face of the brutal attacks of that fateful Sunday are 
the very acts of courage the coin seeks to honor for future 
generations.
  It is especially auspicious that we are taking up the bill this week, 
because Friday marks the tragic 40th anniversary of the assassination 
of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we can help honor his legacy and 
his indelible and inalterable imprint on America by authorizing a 
tribute to his historic works in the form of a commemorative coin. 
While it is but a small tribute to a man who gave his life for our 
betterment, it is a permanent statement of gratitude from a Nation 
forever thankful for his vision, compassion, and determination.
  Madam Speaker, pick up any newspaper in the country and you will see 
that the topic of race relations continues to be an important part of 
our American dialogue. But we should not be a Nation that hides from 
its past. We cannot sweep our past mistakes under the rug and refrain 
from debate on topics that we might find uncomfortable. Rather, we must 
know that the fight for equality for all is never ending and that 
recognizing and understanding our Nation's past is critical if we are 
to ensure a just America for all in the future.
  The fight for civil rights continues, and the Civil Rights 
Commemorative Coin honors both our Nation's historic struggles and the 
promise for justice and equality for all the generations that will 
follow us.
  I urge immediate passage of this bill, Madam Speaker.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Let me just extend my deep appreciation to the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Heller) for his kind words. They were very 
touching and meaningful. Thank you very much.
  Now, Madam Speaker, if I may yield time to probably the most fitting 
and appropriate person to speak on this bill, the author of the bill, 
my friend and a man who has put his life on the line repeatedly for 
civil rights, for human rights and for making this country and the 
world the beloved place that we all seek. Let me yield as much time as 
he may need to my good friend, John Lewis of Georgia.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my friends and 
my two colleagues for those kind words.
  I'm honored to stand here today as the chief sponsor of this 
legislation to recognize the brave and courageous men and women who 
paved the way for the historic, and necessary, set of laws we call the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  We would not be standing here today with this bill being considered 
on the floor, with 313 cosponsors, without the help of my good friend 
and colleague, Representative Vic Snyder. Representative Snyder was a 
champion of this bill. I appreciate his support of this bill and the 
ideas behind it.
  I would also like to acknowledge Congresswoman Deborah Pryce for her 
willingness to cosponsor this bill with me.
  On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks' brave act of defiance, refusing to 
give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus in Montgomery, 
Alabama, galvanized the modern-day civil rights movement. I remember as 
a young child, 15 years old, listening to the radio and hearing about 
Rosa Parks and the voice of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Their work inspired me and so many others to take up the cause of 
equality and join the movement. We must never forget the sacrifices 
that so many made.
  I am proud, very proud, to be the lead sponsor of this legislation, 
which celebrates the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and to remember those 
who fought for its passage.
  In 2014, the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 
commemorative coins will be minted with the images of the brave men and 
women who fought, and even died, for these laws. These coins will serve 
as educational tools for our children and their children, so that the 
struggle that so many took part in will never, ever be forgotten.
  The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was necessary, and it was right to pass. 
It greatly expanded civil rights protections. It outlawed segregation 
and racial discrimination in public places, places of public 
accommodation, the workplace, and even in federally funded programs. It 
also pushed to end segregation in our Nation's schools.
  It is only right then that we are working with the United Negro 
College Fund to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic 
milestone. Discrimination in our education system was real. For many 
African Americans, their only hope for a college education was through 
a UNCF school. UNCF institutions were founded to provide an education 
for African Americans who were banned by law or by custom from seeking 
a college education in the all-white public and private universities of 
the South.
  Today, UNCF continues their important mission of opening the doors to 
a college education. Over 60 percent of UNCF-supported students are the 
first in their families to attend college. By helping to fund the UNCF, 
these coins will put in reach a college education for first-generation 
students while also helping to ensure these important institutions of 
higher education remain open for future and unborn generations.
  I'm proud to stand here today as we pay tribute to the 1964 Civil 
Rights Act and to remember those who made it possible. There is still 
much work to be done, and we must continue to fight today, tomorrow, 
and into the future.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote for this bill.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, now I would like to extend and 
yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to thank 
Representative Scott from Georgia for yielding time, and I also want to 
commend the sponsor of this legislation

[[Page H1844]]

and recognize his tremendous leadership in the struggle for human 
rights since his teen years when he was a mere lad. We heard him 
mention the age of 15, and that's about the time that he became 
actively engaged and involved in the struggle for human rights.
  This legislation highlights the Voting Rights Act of 1964, which even 
though all people in our country supposedly had the right to vote prior 
to that time, it provided the kind of protections that were necessary 
to make sure that those rights were not taken away, that those rights 
were not denied.
  I also want to commend Representative Lewis for his creative way of 
helping to raise money for the United Negro College Fund. I've been 
getting phone calls from my brother all week, and I know why he's 
calling me, because every year he and a friend of his, Jackis Casson, 
put on an event to raise money for the United Negro College Fund. And 
so he's been calling to solicit me to buy my tickets, and so the more 
money that we can generate through this legislation, the less money I 
might have to give.
  So I commend you so much and thank you so much.
  Mr. HELLER of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, this has been an extraordinary 
occasion. It is very important to remember where we have been so that 
we will have a good guide to determine where we need to go, and we have 
done that this afternoon in not only memorializing this important Civil 
Rights Act, but using this memorial of the 50th anniversary of the 
passing of the Civil Rights Act to make a difference where it counts 
the most, and that is in helping with the education of our young 
people.
  We have, indeed, made a difference here today. I recommend this bill, 
and we feel very strongly that we will get a unanimous vote on this 
bill.
   Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 2040 which is authored by my good friend from the Georgia 
delegation, Mr. John Lewis.
   Almost 44 years ago, the Civil Rights Act was passed into law. The 
legislation was a long time in coming--in 1957 and 1960 similar 
legislation had failed to pass Congress, and many attempts were made to 
derail the bill that was eventually signed into law by President Lyndon 
Johnson on July 2, 1964.
   However, the period leading up to passage of the Civil Rights Act 
seemed to happen in the blink of an eye compared to the long and 
arduous journey we have endured since. Ensuring equality for men and 
women of every race, creed, and orientation, though fixed in our laws 
in 1964, was not immediately fixed in the hearts and minds of the 
American people.
   Martin Luther King once said, ``The arc of the moral universe is 
long, but it bends towards justice.''
   So it has been with civil rights in this country. And, just as 
passage of antidiscrimination legislation did not end social discord in 
1964, memorializing the Civil Rights Act on a coin from the U.S. 
Treasury, as H.R. 2040 proposes, does not mean discrimination has run 
its course in the United States. More than ever, as the United States 
struggles with the problem of so many foreign born living in this 
country, contemplates the idea of a black man or a woman as the 
President of this country, and negotiates with nations whose religion 
and morals differ widely from our own, we need to remember the values 
inherent in the Civil Rights Act.
   I commend Mr. Lewis and all the cosponsors for bringing this 
legislation to the floor and I urge all my colleagues to join us in 
support of it.
   Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2040, requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
commemoration of the semicentennial of the enactment of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964, introduced by my distinguished colleague from 
Georgia, Representative John Lewis.
   I speak out today to commemorate the progress we have made in 
casting out the demons of prejudice and discrimination. I speak out 
today recognize the steps we have taken as a Nation to get closer to 
the American Creed. However, I must also speak out today to call 
attention to the progress we have yet to make in order to fulfill the 
tenants of Civil Rights Act of 1964. I speak out today to challenge 
this Nation to uphold our founding principles of equal opportunity for 
all, regardless of race, color, sex, religion and national origin.
   Though 44 years have passed since the passage of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964, today, in 2008, we are still witnessing horrible 
violations of the principles of this act. To cite a recent example, in 
Waller County, Texas, an attempted disenfranchisement of Prairie View 
A&M University students continues today, although the U.S. Supreme 
Court affirmed Prairie View A&M University student voter rights in 
1979.
   On November 5, 2003, the Waller County, Texas district attorney 
requested that the county Elections Administration bar the students at 
Historically Black College Prairie View A&M University from voting 
locally by virtue of his unilateral interpretation of ``domicile'' for 
voting purposes. Texas voter registration law only requires a person to 
be a resident of the county at least 30 days prior to the elections. 
African-American students represent the majority of Prairie View A&M's 
student body of 7,000 members, and these students constitute a major 
voting bloc in Waller County. The district attorney's request sought to 
effectively disenfranchise African-American college students in this 
area; as such, this request suggested a form of voter intimidation and 
likely had the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on 
account of race or color. Despite a prolonged dialog with Texas 
officials regarding this matter, relief from the pressures and 
intimidation experienced by the students when attempting to exercise 
their rights was never provided. This example does not stand alone 
among the long list of discriminatory acts that continue to plague our 
Nation.
   The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act requires the 
Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue, during 2014, up to 350,000 
$1 coins designed to be emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America. This coin 
would symbolize our progress, commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 
Civil Rights Act of 1964, and serve as a constant reminder of the work 
we still have to do. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin 
Act would also provide a surcharge of $10 per coin. All surcharges 
received in conjunction with the sale of this coin would be paid to the 
United Negro College Fund, UNCF. The $10 per coin surcharge will help 
the UNCF provide scholarships and internships for minority students. 
The money will also provide operating funds and technology enhancement 
services for 39 member historically Black colleges and universities 
throughout America.
   Madam Speaker, this important legislation would commemorate a 
landmark event in our history as Americans. By requiring the Secretary 
of the Treasurer to mint coins in commemoration of the semicentennial 
of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this legislation will 
celebrate our history, while also pushing us forward into a better 
future. For these reasons, I strongly support H.R. 2040 and urge all 
Members to do the same.
  Mr. SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2040, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________