[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MEDAL OF HONOR COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 13, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I rise before you today in order to show my 
support for H.R. 1209, ``Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 
2009.'' The coins minted as a result of this legislation will be in 
recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor 
in 1861, America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy 
force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed 
Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and 
women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote 
awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary 
Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, 
can challenge fate and change the course of history.
  In these times of war and economic uncertainty I think it is 
important to honor those who served America to their greatest capacity. 
Moreover, recognition of this great honor will foster patriotism and 
inspire and encourage the youth of America to become worthy citizens.
  Only those who performed a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice 
so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or 
her comrades and must have involved risk of life can receive a Medal of 
Honor. Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be 
exacted and each recommendation for the award of this decoration will 
be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. This award is so 
prestigious that fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded to 
members of the United States Armed Forces.
  The Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009 as passed would 
direct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins 
and $1 silver coins emblematic of the design selected by the Secretary, 
after consultation with the Boards of the Congressional Medal of Honor 
Society and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, in honor of 
the distinguished service of the American military men and women who 
have been Medal of Honor recipients.
  The design for the coins minted under this Act will contain motifs 
that represent the 3 Medal of Honor designs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) 
and specifically honor the Medal of Honor recipients of both today and 
yesterday, such designs that are consistent with the traditions and 
heritage of the United States Armed Services, the mission and goals of 
the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the mission and goals of 
the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.
  The coins will only be available for a limited time. The period for 
coin issuance will be for the calendar year 2011. The coins minted 
under this Act shall be legal tender, however coins minted under this 
Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
  The treasury will only be producing no more than 100,000 $5 gold 
coins and no more than 500,000 $1 coins. I think it is wonderful that 
the surcharges imposed for the purchase of these coins will be 
distributed to the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to help 
finance educational, scholarship, and outreach programs of the 
Foundation.

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