[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Naismith 
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, a bill that 
would have the U.S. Treasury mint coins in recognition of the Hall of 
Fame's 60th anniversary. These unique dome-shaped coins that would come 
at no expense to the taxpayers is the ideal symbol for the first and 
only museum that honors the sport on all levels around the world.
  In my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891, a young 
physical education teacher by the name of James Naismith introduced 
this simple game to his class that he called, ``basket ball.'' Since 
then, the world of sports has never been the same. The Naismith 
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in his honor in 1959, even 
though all they had was a couple of displays at Springfield College. 
The Hall of Fame has since grown into one of the most impressive 
structures on the Springfield skyline, where more than 6 million 
visitors a year get to see hundreds of thousands of items of 
memorabilia spanning the past hundred years. More than 300 people have 
been enshrined at the Hall of Fame since its inception. Some of the 
great players of all time such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Wilt 
Chamberlain, along with some of the legendary coaches like Pat Summit 
and John Wooden will forever be immortalized for their contribution to 
this sport. As importantly, the Hall of Fame has always been an 
advocate for good sportsmanship and promoting respect on and off the 
court.
  Mr. Speaker, what began as a simple game in a gym has transformed 
into a worldwide sensation that attracts millions of spectators every 
night. It is for this reason that I ask that the Naismith Memorial 
Basketball Hall of Fame receive this great recognition and I ask my 
colleagues to support this bill.

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