[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAYFLOWER

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                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an important 
anniversary in our nation's history. In 2020, the United States will 
celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Pilgrims at Plymouth, 
Massachusetts.
  Today, descendants of the Mayflower live in nearly every district in 
the country, which is why I introduced the Mayflower Commemorative Coin 
Act. This bill will recognize the lasting significance of the 
Mayflower's arrival for our nation's history and authorizes the U.S. 
Treasury to mint coins in honor of the anniversary.
  Coin bills are revenue neutral and are not a burden to taxpayers. 
Proceeds from the sale will go to the General Society of Mayflower 
Descendants, the Wampanoag Nation, and other non-profit organizations 
in Plymouth, which will benefit education, scholarship, and outreach 
programs to honor the history of the Pilgrims. This includes a 50 year 
peace treaty with the Wampanoag Tribe and the creation of the Mayflower 
Compact--one of our country's first examples of self-governance in the 
New World.
  Mr. Speaker, the arrival of the Pilgrims remains an important 
symbolic moment in our country's history. I encourage all my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing this historic occasion.

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