[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 116 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5613-H5616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             MARCH OF DIMES COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT OF 2011

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3187) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
recognition and celebration of the 75th anniversary of the 
establishment of the March of Dimes Foundation, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3187

       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 ``March of Dimes Commemorative 
     Coin Act of 2011''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) President Franklin Roosevelt's personal struggle with 
     polio led him to create the National Foundation for Infantile 
     Paralysis

[[Page H5614]]

     (now known as the March of Dimes) on January 3, 1938, at a 
     time when polio was on the rise.
       (2) The Foundation established patient aid programs and 
     funded research for polio vaccines developed by Jonas Salk, 
     MD, and Albert Sabin, MD.
       (3) Tested in a massive field trial in 1954 that involved 
     1.8 million schoolchildren known as ``polio pioneers'', the 
     Salk vaccine was licensed for use on April 12, 1955 as 
     ``safe, effective, and potent''. The Salk and Sabin polio 
     vaccines funded by the March of Dimes ended the polio 
     epidemic in the United States.
       (4) With its original mission accomplished, the Foundation 
     turned its focus to preventing birth defects, prematurity, 
     and infant mortality in 1958. The Foundation began to fund 
     research into the genetic, prenatal, and environmental causes 
     of over 3,000 birth defects.
       (5) The Foundation's investment in research has led to 13 
     scientists winning the Nobel Prize since 1954, including Dr. 
     James Watson's discovery of the double helix.
       (6) Virginia Apgar, MD, creator of the Apgar Score, helped 
     develop the Foundation's mission for birth defects 
     prevention; joining the Foundation as the head of its new 
     birth defects division in 1959.
       (7) In the 1960s, the Foundation created over 100 birth 
     defects treatment centers, and then turned its attention to 
     assisting in the development of Neonatal Intensive Care 
     Units, or NICUs.
       (8) With March of Dimes support, a Committee on Perinatal 
     Health released Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy in 
     1976, which included recommendations that led to the 
     regionalization of perinatal health care in the United 
     States.
       (9) Since 1998, the March of Dimes has advocated for and 
     witnessed the passage of the Birth Defects Prevention Act, 
     Children's Health Act, PREEMIE Act, and Newborn Screening 
     Save Lives Act.
       (10) In 2003, the March of Dimes launched a Prematurity 
     Campaign to increase awareness about and reduce the incidence 
     of preterm birth, infant mortality, birth defects, and 
     lifelong disabilities and disorders.
       (11) The March of Dimes actively promotes programs for and 
     funds research into newborn screening, pulmonary surfactant 
     therapy, maternal nutrition, smoking cessation, folic acid 
     consumption to prevent neural tube defects, increased access 
     to maternity care, and similar programs to improve maternal 
     and infant health.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) $1 Silver Coins.--In recognition and celebration of the 
     founding and proud service of the March of Dimes, the 
     Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to 
     as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue not more than 
     500,000 $1 coins, which shall--
       (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--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 be emblematic of the mission and programs of the 
     March of Dimes, and its distinguished record of generating 
     Americans' support to protect our children's health.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act, there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2015''; 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) contain motifs that represent the past, present, and 
     future of the March of Dimes and its role as champion for all 
     babies, such designs to be consistent with the traditions and 
     heritage of the March of Dimes;
       (2) be selected by the Secretary, after consultation with 
     the March of Dimes and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (3) be reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--For the coins minted under this Act, at 
     least 1 facility of the United States Mint shall be used to 
     strike proof quality coins, while at least 1 other such 
     facility shall be used to strike the uncirculated quality 
     coins.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary of the Treasury may 
     issue coins minted under this Act only during the 1-year 
     period beginning on January 1, 2015.

     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 of $10 per 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 March of Dimes to help 
     finance research, education, and services aimed at improving 
     the health of women, infants, and children.
       (c) Audits.--The March of Dimes shall be subject to the 
     audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United 
     States Code, with regard to the amounts received 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. The Secretary may issue guidance to carry 
     out this subsection.

     SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to ensure that--
       (1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not 
     result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
       (2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, shall be 
     disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the 
     total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins 
     authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use 
     of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping) is 
     recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with 
     sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 9. 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 
Illinois (Mr. Dold) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to add extraneous materials on this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3187, the March of Dimes 
Commemorative Coin Act of 2011. I'm proud to have introduced this bill 
and to have worked closely with my friend and colleague from New York, 
Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
  This legislation authorizes the minting and issue in 2015 of a 
commemorative coin honoring the 75th anniversary of the March of Dimes 
and recognizes their landmark accomplishments in maternal and child 
health. Surcharges on the sales of these special coins will fund 
critical research and programs to support healthy mothers, healthy 
infants, and healthy families nationwide.

                              {time}  2020

  Mr. Speaker, it's summertime across our Nation, and back home in our 
districts, children are playing outside with friends or are going 
swimming at the pool. But more than 75 years ago, children stayed 
indoors during the summer. Their parents wouldn't let them go to the 
park or to the pool because of outbreaks of polio. Polio back then 
could strike any child, and no one knew what the cause was.
  The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 
1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, with a mission to 
eradicate polio. In FDR's day, polio was an epidemic disease that 
paralyzed or killed up to

[[Page H5615]]

52,000 Americans, mostly children, every year. Even the President had 
polio.
  So during the Great Depression, citizens sent dimes--4 billion of 
them--to the White House to fund polio research. That effort funded the 
research by Doctors Salk and Sabin that produced the vaccines that have 
eradicated polio in the United States and in much of the world.
  In the quest for a vaccine, the March of Dimes supported many other 
research milestones in newborn and child health. For example, in 1953, 
Francis Crick and March of Dimes grantee Dr. James D. Watson identified 
the double helix structure of DNA and, in 1962, won the Nobel Prize for 
mapping the human genome.
  Another research breakthrough came in the 1960s when the March of 
Dimes supported research that developed the first screening test for 
PKU, a rare metabolic genetic disorder that causes intellectual 
disabilities. Since that time, the March of Dimes has led the effort to 
expand newborn screening. Now every baby born in the United States 
receives screening for dozens of conditions that have the potential to 
cause catastrophic health problems or death if not detected or treated 
promptly at birth.
  Today the March of Dimes is leading the national effort to reduce 
premature birth. Every year, nearly 500,000 infants are born far too 
soon. In my home State of Illinois, almost 13 percent of all infants 
are born prematurely. Preterm birth is the leading cause of death among 
newborns. Many of those who survive face a lifetime of serious health 
problems, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, chronic 
lung disease, and vision and hearing loss. Preterm delivery can happen 
to any pregnant woman, and in nearly half of the cases, no one knows 
why.
  The March of Dimes National Prematurity Campaign funds a robust 
portfolio of research and education programs designed to unveil the 
causes and address the risk factors of preterm birth. For example, the 
March of Dimes is working with hospitals to implement best practices 
that discourage early elective deliveries before 39 completed weeks of 
pregnancy. Thanks to the dedication of the March of Dimes and others, 
the United States has seen a decline in the prematurity rate for 4 
consecutive years.
  Mr. Speaker, the March of Dimes has an extraordinary history of 
achievement. More than 4 million infants are born every year in the 
United States, and the March of Dimes helps each and every one through 
research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. The commemorative 
coin will help fund these vitally important activities.
  H.R. 3187 has broad bipartisan support in both Chambers of the 
Congress, with 304 cosponsors here in the House and 68 in the United 
States Senate. This legislation complies with all statutory 
requirements for the commemorative coin program, and the coins will be 
produced at no cost to the American taxpayer. To claim the surcharges, 
the March of Dimes will raise matching funds form private sources.

  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have sponsored this bipartisan bill, and I 
would like to thank the Congresswoman from New York, Representative 
Lowey, for her steadfast leadership and hard work to see this day 
become a reality. I would also like to thank Chairman Spencer Bachus 
and Ranking Member Barney Frank for helping to get this bill to the 
floor today. I also want to thank my friend from Georgia, for him 
managing time on the other side today and for his leadership as well.
  Mr. Speaker, for 75 years, the March of Dimes has dedicated itself to 
helping all infants get a healthy start in life, which is what I think 
is very, very important. I ask my colleagues to join me in voting for 
H.R. 3187, the March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  I rise today to lend my support to this extraordinary and wonderful 
piece of legislation, an expression of strong bipartisan support.
  I certainly want to thank my friend, Congressman Dold from Illinois, 
for his leadership on this. It's a pleasure to join with him on the 
floor today to manage time on this bill.
  This bill, H.R. 3187, as was pointed out, is the March of Dimes 
Commemorative Coin Act. For 75 years now, the March of Dimes 
organization has worked to prevent infant mortality, premature births, 
and birth defects in our children in the United States and in other 
parts of the world. And I can think of no better time and place to 
honor this wonderful organization than right here and right now in the 
Halls of Congress.
  This organization was originally founded by President Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt to help treat and prevent polio. The March of Dimes would 
meet with tremendous success and, through their funding of the work of 
Dr. Jonas Salk, would contribute greatly to curing that disease.
  Having accomplished their original goal, the March of Dimes would 
turn their attention to promoting healthy women, healthy pregnancies, 
and healthy babies. The March of Dimes Foundation works not only here 
in the United States in local communities around the country but, as I 
mentioned, also around the world to educate and inform women, doctors, 
and policymakers on the prevention of birth defects and premature 
birth. This work is so vital, so very important, and really so very 
precious, Mr. Speaker. And a healthy pregnancy and a healthy birth can 
mean so much and start the child off on the right foot that will last 
the rest of their entire life.
  This bill is simple, Mr. Speaker. It would allow for the minting, the 
making of a commemorative coin, which basically will be a silver $1 
coin, for this wonderful organization. These coins would then be sold 
to the general public with a portion going to pay off the cost of 
minting the coin, but the rest going to support the very, very 
important work of this foundation.
  So I ask, Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues join me in voting in favor 
of this bill, and in so doing, we'll be sending a big thank-you to the 
March of Dimes for their hard work and for their dedication over the 
last 75 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I will also mention the fact that we support them each 
year in our special cooking and preparation for their major fundraiser 
that many Members of Congress and our families and our wives take part 
in. What an extraordinary organization doing an extraordinary thing for 
those who are most precious to us, that is, the children of the United 
States of America.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, before I yield, I do want to just thank my 
good friend from Georgia (Mr. Scott) for his leadership and support of 
the March of Dimes.
  He talked a little bit about the recent fundraiser that the March of 
Dimes held, where Members of Congress actually were cooking for this 
fundraiser. What he failed to mention was that I believe Mr. Scott--and 
Mrs. Scott, for that matter--actually won the cooking contest. So thank 
you again. It was one of the few places I know we went back for 
seconds. I really appreciate that.
  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. I thank the gentleman.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield 2 minutes 
to my good friend, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert).
  Mrs. BIGGERT. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for yielding, and I 
commend him for his hard work on this important bill.
  I rise in support of the bill, H.R. 3187, the March of Dimes 
Commemorative Coin Act of 2011.
  This legislation recognizes the tremendous achievements of the March 
of Dimes in protecting the health of infants and mothers across the 
United States.
  Founded by President Franklin Roosevelt, as was noted, in 1938, the 
March of Dimes was instrumental in eradicating polio. The organization 
then turned its sights on birth defects, premature birth, and infant 
mortality.
  For decades, the March of Dimes has been on the forefront of medical 
research. It educates parents and medical professionals about healthy 
pregnancies and has helped significantly expand access to neonatal 
intensive care for premature and sick infants.

                              {time}  2030

  H.R. 3187 recognizes the accomplishments of this great American 
success story of goodwill and public service, and it celebrates the 
75th anniversary

[[Page H5616]]

of the March of Dimes through a commemorative coin.
  I'm pleased to have been an original cosponsor of this important 
bill, and I urge my colleagues to join us in paying a fitting tribute 
to an organization known as the ``champion for all babies.''
  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, so 
I will just close my remarks.
  Again, it is a pleasure working with you on this bill, Mr. Dold. And 
what a noble occasion this is for such a worthy cause.
  Thank you for mentioning about my wife. I give all credit to my wife 
for that cooking she did. I think it was shrimp and grits and let's 
see, and gumbo, her mother's gumbo, and it won first prize at that 
event. It is such a wonderful occasion, and to have all Members of 
Congress who participate with this fund-raising effort every year is 
just wonderful. I just urge a unanimous vote.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I just want to again commend my 
colleague. This is a bipartisan bill, broad bipartisan support, talking 
about the Commemorative Coin Act for the March of Dimes, truly a 
wonderful organization that really helps protect our nearest and 
dearest, our children. I just want to thank my colleagues for their 
leadership and support, and urge swift passage.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                                      Committee on Ways and Means,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, August 1, 2012.
     Hon. Spencer Bachus,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Bachus: I am writing concerning H.R. 3187, 
     the ``March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 2011,'' which 
     is scheduled for floor action the week of July 30, 2012.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 
     3187 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill, and this 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 or similar legislation in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 3187, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                  Committee on Financial Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, August 1, 2012.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Longworth House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Camp: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 3187, March of Dimes Commemorative Coin Act of 
     2011, which is scheduled for Floor consideration under 
     suspension of the rules on Wednesday, August 1, 2012.
       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 and appreciate your 
     willingness to forego action by the Committee on Ways and 
     Means on H.R. 3187 in order to allow the bill to come to the 
     Floor expeditiously. Also, 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. 
     Therefore, 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 and if you should 
     need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Natalie McGarry of my staff at 202-225-7502.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Spencer Bachus,
                                                         Chairman.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Brooks). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dold) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3187, 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.

                          ____________________