[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3604-H3609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 5-STAR GENERALS COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 1177) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
mint coins in recognition of five United States Army 5-Star Generals, 
George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry ``Hap'' 
Arnold, and Omar Bradley, alumni of the United States Army Command and 
General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to coincide with the 
celebration of the 132nd Anniversary of the founding of the United 
States Army Command and General Staff College, as amended.

[[Page H3605]]

  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1177

       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 ``5-Star Generals 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The United States Army Command and General Staff 
     College, founded in 1881, has in its many evolutionary forms, 
     served this country consistently and well for 127 years.
       (2) The Command and General Staff College has played a 
     decisive role in the education and training of officers, 
     particularly in their field grade years of service, in times 
     of war and peace, since its establishment.
       (3) The Command and General Staff College has had a 
     salutatory effect on many fields of battle by providing its 
     officer student bodies the necessary skills of battle 
     management, leadership development, and the most modern and 
     effective command and staff action procedures, all of which 
     have been key to this Nations' success in its many conflicts 
     which, thereby, have preserved its freedoms and way of life.
       (4) The Command and General Staff College, the Nations' 
     oldest military staff college, does not have a commemorative 
     coin cast in celebrating its long and honorable history, 
     displaying its heritage, and serving as a reminder to the 
     holder of such coins the service to the Nation its graduates 
     have provided in war and peace.
       (5) The United States Army Command and General Staff 
     College is the Nation's largest and oldest military staff 
     college, continuing to educate officers from all United 
     States branches of military services, select members of our 
     civil government, and officers from many friendly and allied 
     nations from around the globe. Located in the middle of the 
     American heartland, will continue to serve as a beacon of 
     light to the proposition of intellectual curiosity and 
     professional military excellence in the development of its 
     students, and serve as a link to American citizenry grateful 
     for the sacrifices, some in the fullest measure of duty and 
     devotion to the Nation, made by the graduates of its Command 
     and Staff College.
       (6) The Command and General Staff College Foundation, Inc. 
     (in this Act referred to as the ``Foundation'') is dedicated 
     to promoting excellence in the faculty and students of the 
     United States Army Command and General Staff College. Seeking 
     new ways to educate and remind our citizens regarding the 
     capable and selfless service of our military officers, and to 
     imbue in them a sense of pride in those who bear the burden 
     of military leadership in our Nation's wars and in times of 
     peace.
       (7) The Foundation is a nongovernmental, member-based, and 
     publicly supported nonprofit organization that is entirely 
     dependent on funds from members, donations, and grants for 
     its functions and supports exclusively the United States Army 
     Command and General Staff College.
       (8) The Foundation uses funding to provide the Margin of 
     Excellence to the programs and activities of the College in 
     support of the educational needs of the Nation's field grade 
     officer corps, and the faculty and staff attendant thereto.
       (9) In 2006, the Secretary of the Army accepted the first 
     Foundation gift to the College in support of the Command and 
     General Staff College.
       (10) The Foundation is actively engaged in the initial 
     stages of its first capital campaign to support the Command 
     and General Staff College.
       (11) The five 5-Star Generals who attended or taught at the 
     Command and General Staff College; include Douglas MacArthur, 
     George C. Marshall, Henry ``Hap'' Arnold, Dwight D. 
     Eisenhower, and Omar N. Bradley.
       (12) Douglas macarthur, general of the army.--
       (A) General MacArthur was a distinguished soldier, scholar, 
     and strategist who gave sixty-one years of service to his 
     country.
       (B) He commanded the 42d Division in World War I, and later 
     served as the Chief of the Army General Staff. Prior to 
     retirement, he was the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth 
     of the Philippines.
       (C) In 1941, he was recalled to active duty as Commanding 
     General, United States Army Far East.
       (D) He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic 
     defense of the Philippines.
       (E) After being ordered to depart the Philippines by the 
     President, he inspired the world with his statement, ``I 
     shall return.''.
       (F) Forces under his command defeated those of the Empire 
     of Japan.
       (G) After accepting the Japanese surrender, he directed the 
     highly successful reconstruction of the Japanese nation, and 
     served as the first commander of United Nations Forces during 
     the Korean War.
       (H) General MacArthur, son of General Arthur MacArthur, 
     spent time as a child at Ft. Leavenworth and later in his 
     career, he taught as a Captain in the Field Engineering 
     School, and served as the adjutant, quartermaster, and 
     commanding officer of the 3d Engineer Battalion (later 
     reflagged as the 2d Engineer Battalion).
       (13) George c. marshall, general of the army.--
       (A) General George C. Marshall entered the Army from the 
     Virginia Military Institute in 1902.
       (B) During a long career of public service, he 
     distinguished himself as a leader, tactician, strategist, 
     statesman, and, truly, as the ``Organizer of Victory.''
       (C) In World War I, he was regarded as one of the most 
     talented staff officers in the United States Army.
       (D) After that war, and throughout the many long and 
     challenging duties of the interwar years, he was appointed 
     United States Army Chief of the General Staff in 1939.
       (E) During World War II, he achieved recognition as one of 
     America's greatest military leaders.
       (F) As chief strategist of that global war, he materially 
     assisted in directing the Allied Powers to victory.
       (G) In 1947 he was appointed Secretary of State for the 
     United States and his outstanding career as a statesman 
     proved equal to his brilliant military career.
       (H) He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his conception 
     and implementation of the European Recovery Program, and, 
     subsequently, he served as the Secretary of Defense for 1 
     year.
       (I) General Marshall's service at Ft. Leavenworth included 
     graduation from the United States Army School of the Line in 
     1907, the United States Army Staff College in 1908, followed 
     by instructor duty at Ft. Leavenworth from in 1909 and 1910.
       (14) Henry h. arnold, general of the army.--
       (A) General ``Hap'' Arnold is the only officer in the 
     history of our country to earn the ranks of General of the 
     Army and General of the Air Force.
       (B) General Arnold, a graduate of West Point in 1907, 
     received his pilot training in 1911 from the Wright brothers 
     in Dayton, Ohio.
       (C) He became one of our Nation's strongest advocates for 
     air power, and personally held numerous records and trophies 
     for flying achievements, to include the first delivery of 
     United States mail by air.
       (D) Accomplishments in and from the air in the World Wars, 
     particularly in World War II, were heavily influenced by his 
     genius.
       (E) As a result of General Arnold's contributions, massed 
     air power gave a third dimension to battles of World War II, 
     swept the skies of the enemy, and denied him mobility on the 
     ground.
       (F) One of General Arnold's citations reads in part: ``From 
     conception to execution, General Arnold's leadership guided 
     the mightiest air force in history.''
       (G) General Arnold's service at Ft. Leavenworth was as a 
     student at the Command and General Staff College, 1928-1929.
       (15) Dwight d. eisenhower, general of the army.--
       (A) General Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1915, began a career 
     of distinguished public service reaching the highest 
     positions of military and civil leadership in the United 
     States.
       (B) During World War II, as Commander in Chief, Allied 
     Expeditionary Force, he led the invasion of North Africa and 
     defeated the German force on that continent.
       (C) In 1944, as Supreme Allied Commander, Allied 
     Expeditionary Force, he was instructed: ``You will enter the 
     continent of Europe, and, in conjunction with other United 
     Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany 
     and the destruction of her armed forces.''
       (D) In accomplishing this mission, he commanded the largest 
     combination of land, sea and air forces in history.
       (E) Following World War II, he was instrumental in the 
     development of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
       (F) After his brilliant military career he was elected 34th 
     President of the United States.
       (G) His service at Ft. Leavenworth was 1917-1918 as a 
     tactical instructor officer for a course for lieutenants and 
     in 1925-1926 as a student at the Command and General Staff 
     College from which he was the honor graduate of his class.
       (16) Omar n. bradley, general of the army.--
       (A) Throughout his distinguished military career, General 
     Omar N. Bradley was recognized as an exceptional leader, 
     tactician, and educator.
       (B) As Commandant of the Infantry School, he developed the 
     officer candidate program through which more than 45,000 
     combat leaders of World War II were commissioned.
       (C) During the war, he successfully commanded a division, 
     corps, army, and army group. While commanding II Corps, he 
     was instrumental in defeating German forces in North Africa 
     and Sicily.
       (D) His successful career as a field commander reached a 
     peak when, as commander of the 12th Army Group, he greatly 
     assisted in the liberation of Europe.
       (E) This group contained the largest number of American to 
     ever serve under one commander. He became the Army Chief of 
     Staff in 1948 and the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
     Staff in 1949.
       (F) General Bradley's service at Ft. Leavenworth was as a 
     student at the Command and General Staff College, 1928-1929.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In recognition and celebration of the 
     5-Star Generals attendance and graduation from the Command 
     and General Staff College, and notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary of

[[Page H3606]]

     the Treasury (hereafter in this act referred to as the 
     ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 100,000 $5 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (B) have diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 500,000 $1 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (3) Half dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half 
     dollar coins which shall--
       (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) be minted to the specifications for half dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (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 sections 5134 and 
     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.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall include the portraits of Generals George C. 
     Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry 
     ``Hap'' Arnold and Omar N. Bradley.
       (2) Designations and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the face value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2013''; 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--
       (1) be selected by the Secretary after consultation with 
     the Command and General Staff College Foundation, and the 
     Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) be 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 Facilities.--For each of the three coins minted 
     under this Act, at least one facility will be used to strike 
     proof quality coins, while at least one other facility will 
     be used to strike the uncirculated quality coins.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning 
     on January 1, 2013.

     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 minted under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge as follows:
       (1) A surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin.
       (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin.
       (3) A surcharge of $5 per coin for the half dollar coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f) of 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 Command and General 
     Staff College Foundation to help finance its support of the 
     Command and General Staff College.
       (c) Audits.--The Command and General Staff College 
     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 Foundation 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 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.

     SEC. 8. BUDGET COMPLIANCE.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives, provided that such statement has been 
     submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Moore) and the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Jenkins) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kansas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert any extraneous material 
thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kansas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1177, the 5-
Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act. I was pleased to introduce this 
bipartisan legislation last year with my colleagues from Kansas, 
Representatives Lynn Jenkins, Todd Tiahrt, and Jerry Moran. I 
appreciate their work in helping to find cosponsors. The legislation 
now has 300 Republican and Democratic cosponsors, including a very 
special one of our colleagues that we learned had a very strong 
connection to this bill after we filed it. I'll discuss his connection 
in a moment.
  H.R. 1177 will authorize the U.S. Treasury to mint a series of 
commemorative $5 and $1 and half-dollar coins bearing the likeness of 
five U.S. generals who served during World War II. The coins would 
honor these 5-star generals:
  General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was the Supreme Allied Commander in 
Europe during World War II, and later President of the United States;
  General George Marshall, who was the Army Chief of Staff during World 
War II, and later Secretary of State and Defense Secretary;
  General Douglas MacArthur, who led Allied forces to victory in the 
Pacific theater during World War II, and later led Allied forces in the 
Korean War;
  General Henry Arnold, who commanded the Army Air Corps in Europe and 
remains the only person ever to hold the title of General of the Air 
Force; and
  General Omar Bradley, who commanded Allied forces on their march to 
victory in North Africa and became the first person to hold the 
position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

                              {time}  1415

  All five of these 5-star generals either attended or taught at the 
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College located in Leavenworth, 
Kansas. The commemorative coins would be issued in 2013, and the 
proceeds would be paid to the Command and General Staff College 
Foundation to help finance their outstanding work in supporting the 
college.
  Finally, the colleague of ours who I mentioned earlier and who has a 
very special connection to this bill is my good friend from Iowa, 
Congressman Leonard Boswell. Like the 5-star generals we honor with 
this bill, Congressman Boswell attended the Command and General Staff 
College as a student after his first Vietnam tour in 1968, and later 
served as an instructor at the end of his service career in 1974. He 
was recently inducted into the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame, and after 
learning about our bill, worked harder than all of us in rounding up 
the necessary cosponsors to move this bill forward.
  I want to dedicate this bill to Congressman Leonard Boswell's long 
and distinguished service to our country. To honor Congressman Boswell, 
our Nation's 5-star generals, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff 
College, and all of our servicemen and -women who sacrifice so much to 
defend our country, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

[[Page H3607]]

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 2010.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Chairman, Financial Services Committee, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Frank, I am writing regarding H.R. 1177, the 
     5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over bills that raise revenue. H.R. 1177 
     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. 1177, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Sander M. Levin,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                  Committee on Financial Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                     Washington, DC, May 17, 2010.
     Hon. Sander M. Levin,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 1177, the ``5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin 
     Act,'' which was introduced in the House and referred to the 
     Committee on Financial Services on February 25, 2009. 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. 1177 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.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. JENKINS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1177, the 5-Star 
Generals Commemorative Coin Act, and I commend the gentleman from 
Kansas, Representative Moore, for introducing this legislation. The 
Command and General Staff College was founded at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, in 1881. It is an educational center for excellence, and one of 
the most prominent leaders in military education and training. The 
school is the intellectual center of the Army. And in addition to 
training U.S. military officers, allied nations from around the world 
send their military officers to train at the staff college.
  In fact, over the past 129 years, more than 90,000 U.S. military 
officers and 7,000 foreign military officers from 153 countries have 
graduated from the staff college, including Generals Colin Powell and 
David Petraeus. And upon graduation from the staff college, the 
majority of the international students attain the rank of general 
within their respective countries.
  This legislation will direct the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 
coins in recognition of the five men who have achieved the rank of 
General of the Army, including Generals George Marshall, Douglas 
MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Henry ``Hap'' Arnold, and Omar Bradley. 
These five generals led our forces to victory in World War II, but they 
also taught or studied at the staff college.
  The proceeds from the 5-star generals commemorative coin will help 
fund the Command and General Staff College Foundation to ensure 
military officers will be able to train there for years to come. The 
staff college is critical in the education and training of our military 
officers during times of war and peace. At a time when our Nation is 
working to extend the hand of friendship to nations abroad, there is no 
better place to fulfill that mission than at the staff college because 
of the first rate intercultural exchange that the students experience.
  Fort Leavenworth is in my congressional district, and I have spent a 
great deal of time learning about the successes of the staff college 
over the past 16 months. So today I would like to thank the chief 
executive officer of the Command and General Staff College Foundation, 
Col. Bob Ulin, who has championed this legislation from day one, and 
who hopefully is watching this debate and hopeful passage of the 5-Star 
Generals Commemorative Coin Act.
  I would also like to thank chairman of the Command and General Staff 
College Foundation, Lt. Gen. Bob Arter. The commitment of Col. Ulin and 
Gen. Arter to educating and training the best and the brightest 
military officers who attend the staff college, and their support and 
tireless efforts to move this legislation forward, is deeply 
appreciated.
  It is for these reasons that I urge all of my colleagues in the House 
to support this legislation to honor our Nation's military officers.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Iowa, Representative Leonard Boswell.
  (Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BOSWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
1177, the 5-Star Generals Commemorative Coin Act. I believe this 
legislation is very important to not only recognize the contributions 
of the Command and General Staff College to our U.S. military, but also 
to ensure that the program at the college remains strong for our future 
military leaders.
  For over 129 years, the Command and General Staff College has 
produced some of the best military leaders in the world, including the 
five 5-star generals who taught or studied at the college, as 
mentioned, Generals George Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight 
Eisenhower, Hap Arnold, Omar Bradley. I might add that Colin Powell and 
David Petraeus also graduated from the school.
  As Mr. Moore mentioned, I had the honor to both attend the college as 
a student and then become an instructor during my military career, and 
I can attest to the fact that those I served with were truly the best 
in the world. Last fall I had the privilege to be the keynote speaker 
at the flag ceremony for the international military students at the 
school. A lot has changed from my time there, and I had the opportunity 
to see the state-of-the-art training that our military personnel are 
receiving.
  This legislation will require the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold 
coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins in recognition of the 
five U.S. Army 5-star generals. The surcharges in the sale of such 
coins will be paid to the Command and General Staff College Foundation 
to help finance support for the college.
  The foundation, I can report, is capably led, and I appreciate the 
dynamic leadership of Ret. Col. Ulin. Some of the activities that the 
foundation performs include research grants for the faculty, support 
for the International Military Officer program, and support for guest 
speakers, professional development and other activities.
  During my career in the Army, I had the privilege to serve alongside 
many great men and women. The passage of H.R. 1177 will ensure that the 
Command and General Staff College remains the world-respected military 
institute of higher education that it is today.
  I would like to thank Mr. Moore for introducing such an important 
bill, and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1177.
  Ms. JENKINS. I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Kansas, Representative Tiahrt.
  (Mr. TIAHRT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. TIAHRT. First of all, Madam Speaker, I would like to thank Dennis 
Moore for his leadership in this legislation. He has always sought 
during his

[[Page H3608]]

career in Congress to find bipartisan legislation that we could work 
together on. I appreciate and also want to thank Congresswoman Jenkins 
for her participation and leadership in this issue as well as her time 
here on the floor and in Kansas.
  This is a unique bill. It's unique legislation that not only 
recognizes the service and sacrifice of five United States 5-star 
generals but also supports important work at the Command and General 
Staff College Foundation at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
  During this brief history of World War II, we had great leadership in 
America. Following that time, from 1944 to 1950, we had five heroic men 
who were promoted to 5-star status as generals, 5-star generals. These 
men all exemplified leadership. And when faced with difficult times, 
they chose to do the right thing and pursued strong goals to keep this 
world safe. And leadership matters. I think that's why this bill is 
important and why it matters.
  In times that are challenging, whether it's a time of war or a time 
of peace, we still are confronted with difficult situations, whether 
it's the economy or the safety of this country, and leadership is an 
important facet of finding our way through these difficult times. These 
five men exemplified that kind of leadership.
  I am also very pleased with how this bill was designed by Congressman 
Moore to allow the revenues to go to the United States Army Command and 
General Staff College Foundation. The Command and General Staff 
Foundation is dedicated to supporting the mission and the people of the 
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
  At the Command and General Staff College we not only educate men and 
women in the United States armed services, but we also have fellows who 
come from other countries and learn about this country and learn about 
how we protect freedom. I think it's valuable information.
  But one of the side benefits from the school I experienced personally 
is something I think goes on around the world. In 2001, we had two 
Kansas missionaries that were taken hostage by Philippine Muslim 
terrorists. At that time I went to our National Security Adviser and 
requested that we have our troops rescue these missionaries, our 
military go out and rescued Martin and Gracia Burnham. At that time we 
had no plans to do that in this government, so I bought a commercial 
airline ticket and flew to the Philippines.
  The liaison office was kind enough to send with me then a Marine 
colonel, Col. Regner, who is now Maj. Gen. Regner, and together we went 
to the Philippines. On the day before New Year's, in 2001, we flew over 
Basilan Island in the Philippines, where Martin and Gracia Burnham, the 
two Kansas missionaries, were held hostage.
  The next day, on New Year's Day 2002, Col. Regner and I met with 
President Arroyo at the Presidential Palace. I was greeted by a cold 
shoulder, if I can use that term, and it was because they really didn't 
have much, I think, to expect from what they could do on behalf of 
these missionaries.
  But when I walked in the room, Col. Regner recognized a colonel in 
the Philippine Army that he had attended school with at Fort 
Leavenworth at the Command and General Staff College. They greeted each 
other warmly, and the ice in the room melted. We were able to then 
negotiate several things for our military to help assist the rescue 
attempts for the Burnhams. And we were able to get, for example, 
training for the Philippine Army, and we were able to get advisers to 
travel along with the platoons that had completed their training, and 
also some assets overhead to find out where they were being held 
hostage.
  Long story short is that Gracia Burnham is home in Rose Hill, Kansas, 
safely today. Her husband Martin was killed in the rescue attempt. And 
it was because our advisers were not able to be with that platoon at 
the time they ran into the Philippine terrorists.
  But the good news about the Command and General Staff College is that 
they open doors all around the globe. This foundation is going to 
support that organization. So I also want to thank Bob Ulin, the CEO of 
the CGSC Foundation, for his dedication to the men and women of the 
United States Army.
  And again, thank you, Congressman Moore, for your leadership here. 
And I want to thank the gentlewoman, Congressman Lynn Jenkins, from 
Kansas for the time.
  Ms. JENKINS. I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Kansas, Representative Moran.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. I thank the gentlewoman from Kansas for yielding 
to me. It's one of the rare occasions in which all four Members of the 
House delegation from our State are together on the floor. And I am 
honored to be here with my colleagues.
  For nearly 130 years, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, has played a central role in educating 
military commanders and producing world leaders. Many of this college's 
alumni are the legendary names that my generation grew up reading about 
and who continue to inspire us and our country today: Marshall, 
MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold, Bradley.
  The legislation we consider today, introduced by my colleague, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) directs the Mint to create a coin in 
recognition of these 5-star generals. The proceeds will benefit the 
nonprofit foundation formed in 2005 to enhance the education programs 
offered at the Command and General Staff College.
  Ret. Gen. Gordon Sullivan described the Command and General Staff 
College as the intellectual heart of the Army. Part of what makes the 
heart beat so strong in recent years is the Command and General Staff 
College Foundation. Under the leadership of Ret. Col. Bob Ulin, the 
foundation has successfully supported our country's oldest and largest 
military staff college by offering many programs and activities to 
promote excellence. This success was recently acknowledged with a 
tremendous pledge by Ross Perot for two new education initiatives.
  With no shortage of threats today from around our world, our country 
is demanding much from those who serve us in uniform. Our 
servicemembers deserve the best education and training to accomplish 
these missions.

                              {time}  1430

  The proceeds of these coins will help ensure that we meet this 
commitment to America's military men and women.
  I want to especially acknowledge my fellow Member from Kansas, the 
Honorable Lynn Jenkins, for her work in moving this legislation 
forward. I also want to thank my friend and colleague, Iowa Congressman 
Leonard Boswell, who personally secured many of the bill's 300 
cosponsors. Mr. Boswell is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and a 
former instructor at the college. Last week I had the pleasure of 
watching him be inducted into Fort Leavenworth's Hall of Fame. 
Congratulations and best regards to my colleague from Iowa (Mr. 
Boswell) on this great honor.
  This legislation both honors these great soldiers and alumni of the 
Command and General Staff College, but also helps the college continue 
its vital mission of professional military education. I urge my 
colleagues' support.
  Ms. JENKINS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time and 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, H.R. 1177 is a bipartisan measure 
that honors our 5-star generals, our colleague, Representative Boswell, 
and all of our servicemen and -women fighting to protect us. I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of this bill, and I yield back my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moore) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1177, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the 
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a 
quorum is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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