[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5170-H5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MOTHER'S DAY CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 2268) to require the Secretary of the Treasury 
to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment 
of Mother's Day, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2268

       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 ``Mother's Day Centennial 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress hereby finds as follows:
       (1) Anna Jarvis, who is considered to be the founder of the 
     modern Mother's Day, was born in Webster, West Virginia on 
     May 1, 1864.
       (2) A resident of Grafton, West Virginia, Anna Jarvis 
     dedicated much of her adult life to honoring her mother, Anna 
     Reeves Jarvis, who passed on May 9, 1905.
       (3) In 1908, the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of 
     Grafton, West Virginia, officially proclaimed the third 
     anniversary of Anna Reeves Jarvis' death to be Mother's Day.
       (4) In 1910, West Virginia Governor, William Glasscock, 
     issued the first Mother's Day Proclamation encouraging all 
     West Virginians to attend church and wear white carnations.
       (5) On May 8, 1914, the Sixty-Third Congress approved H. J. 
     Res. 263 designating the second Sunday in May to be observed 
     as Mother's Day and encouraging all Americans to display the 
     American flag at their homes as a public expression of the 
     love and reverence for the mothers of our Nation.
       (6) On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a 
     Presidential Proclamation directing government officials to 
     display the American flag on all government buildings and 
     inviting the American people to display the flag at their 
     homes on the second Sunday of May as a public expression of 
     the love and reverence for the mothers of our nation.

     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 400,000 $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 100th anniversary 
     of President Wilson's proclamation designating the second 
     Sunday in May as Mother's Day.
       (b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--

[[Page H5171]]

       (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 as follows:
       (1) \1/2\ to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the 
     purpose of furthering research funded by the organization.
       (2) \1/2\ to the National Osteoporosis Foundation for the 
     purpose of furthering research funded by the Foundation.
       (c) Audits.--The Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the 
     National Osteoporosis Foundation 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 
     respective organizations 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 gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Maloney) and the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. 
Capito) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. 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 therein.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2268, a bill introduced by the 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) to create a commemorative 
coin honoring the 100th anniversary of Mother's Day. The 297 bipartisan 
cosponsors of this bill made clear that the Congress strongly supports 
recognizing the importance of Mother's Day in this way, and I am 
delighted to add my voice to this chorus.
  Mother's Day was first proclaimed in 1908 by the Matthews Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Grafton, West Virginia, in honor of one mother, 
Anna Reeves Jarvis.
  Congress designated the second Sunday in May to be observed as 
Mother's Day, and it was recognized as a national day to honor all 
mothers by President Woodrow Wilson on May 9, 1914.
  The bill calls for a silver dollar to be minted in 2014 with a design 
commemorating President Wilson's proclamation. The $10 surcharge 
proceeds from their sale is to go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a 
household word and organization in combating breast cancer, and to the 
National Osteoporosis Foundation for research purposes.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill honoring Mother's Day and 
our Nation's mothers, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from New York 
(Mrs. Maloney) for her support of this bill, and I am very excited it 
is before the House today.
  There is a very special bond that exists between mothers and their 
children that words cannot describe. For the lucky ones among us, a 
mother--our, someone else's, or a mother figure such as a grandmother--
has made all of the difference in our lives. The tender care, unending 
support, and the unconditional love of a mother truly are life's 
greatest blessing for a child.
  Every year on the second Sunday in May this Nation honors its 
mothers. We seek to acknowledge their tireless support and their 
enduring love. My colleague has spoken about how this tradition began, 
but I would like to go over it because it is a proud history of 
tradition for our State of West Virginia.
  In 1868, Anna Reeves Jarvis organized a committee in her home town of 
Grafton, West Virginia, to sponsor a mother's friendship day. The 
purpose was to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil 
War. However, Anna Reeves Jarvis' dream of an annual memorial Mother's 
Day commemorating each mother for the service she renders to humanity 
had not gained wide-spread support during her lifetime.
  However, her daughter, Anna M. Jarvis, took on her mother's cause. On 
May 9, 1907, the second anniversary of her mother's death, Anna invited 
friends to her home and outlined her plan to make her mother's dream of 
a nationwide day in honor of mothers a reality.
  Within a year, working with Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, 
progress was made and on Sunday, May 10, 1908, church services were 
held in which mothers were honored. They were held in Grafton, West 
Virginia, and in Philadelphia.
  This initial celebration was only the beginning. Jarvis worked for 
years to popularize her idea. She wrote letters to churches and 
business leaders, to newspaper editors and to Members of Congress. She 
was even able to bring the drive for a Mother's Day observance to the 
attention of the President of the United States.
  Her efforts were rewarded. In 1910, the governor of West Virginia, 
William Glassock, issued a Mother's Day proclamation. By the next year, 
Mother's Day services were held in all States of the Union. In 1914, 
President Woodrow Wilson, responding to a joint resolution in Congress, 
issued a proclamation setting aside the second Sunday every May for 
``displaying the American flag as a public expression of our love and 
reverence for the mothers of our country.''
  Today, Mother's Day is celebrated throughout the world. In the United 
States, the President and governors issue proclamations recognizing 
mothers, churches perform services in honor of mothers everywhere, and 
the hearts of all are filled with all of our love for our mothers.
  This bill would authorize the minting of silver $1 coins in honor of 
the women who have sacrificed so much for their children. It is a small 
token of our love and admiration, but one that will hopefully express 
the love we hold for our mothers. Surcharges of the sale of the coins, 
as my colleague mentioned, will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and 
the National Osteoporosis Foundation for research.
  I chose both of these foundations because I have great admiration for 
the work they do for men and women, but particularly for women as we 
battle the difficult tragedies of breast cancer and the growing 
difficulties associated with osteoporosis which over 80 percent of the 
people it strikes are women.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this resolution, but I would like to 
take this opportunity to thank my mother. She has made a difference in 
my life. I appreciate her unconditional love and

[[Page H5172]]

support, her willingness to help me when I fell, and to push me forward 
when I could not find the strength myself.
  I love you, Mom, and thanks.
  With that, being from West Virginia, I would like to say, too, that 
our sense of community and family is very strong. We are so very proud 
of Anna Jarvis' vision, her idea and her dedication to celebrate her 
own mother, and we are proud to be known as the birthplace of Mother's 
Day.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, but would also like to recognize my own mother, as I am sure all 
of us in this body appreciate our mothers. This is an important 
resolution, and I am proud to be the Democratic sponsor with my good 
friend from West Virginia, and I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2268, the Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. First, I 
would like to thank Representative Capito for authoring this 
legislation before us today.
  H.R. 2268 would instruct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and 
issue $1 coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of President 
Wilson's proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's 
Day.
  As an original cosponsor of this bill, I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank mothers across this nation for what they have 
done, do, and will do to keep our families and our country, strong.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to take the personal privilege of 
recognizing my mother, Mrs. Helen Gingrey. Ninety years young, my 
mother instilled in me the very values and work ethic that prepared me 
to serve in these hallowed halls.
  Her example testifies to the fact that we owe so very much to our 
mothers, to our fathers, to all those who cleared the way and smoothed 
the paths for us to succeed and realize our potential. We should honor 
their work not just in word but in deed--by ensuring a smoother, 
clearer path for the next generation--for our children and our 
grandchildren.
  And so, I call upon my colleagues to demonstrate their appreciation 
for mothers everywhere by supporting this legislation.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following 
correspondence:
                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 2008.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Chairman, Financial Services Committee,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Frank: I am writing regarding H.R. 2268, the 
     ``Mother's Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act.''
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 2268 
     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. 2268, 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,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                     Washington, DC, May 21, 2008.
     Hon. Charles B. Rangel,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 2268, the ``Mother's Day Centennial 
     Commemorative Coin Act,'' which was introduced in the House 
     and referred to the Committee on Financial Services on May 
     10, 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. 2268 in 
     order to allow 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 
     those 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.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2268, 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.

                          ____________________