[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 170 (Monday, October 28, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8505-H8507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1865) to require the Secretary of the
Treasury to mint a coin in commemoration of the opening of the National
Law Enforcement Museum in the District of Columbia, and for other
purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1865
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 ``National Law Enforcement
Museum Commemorative Coin Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2000, Congress passed and President William J.
Clinton signed into law the National Law Enforcement Museum
Act (Public Law 106-492), which authorized the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., to build the
National Law Enforcement Museum on Federal land in the
District of Columbia to honor and commemorate the service and
sacrifice of law enforcement officers in the United States.
(2) In April 2016, construction began on the National Law
Enforcement Museum in the District of Columbia across the
street from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in
Judiciary Square.
(3) The National Law Enforcement Museum formally opened in
October of 2018.
(4) The National Law Enforcement Museum's mission is--
(A) to honor and commemorate the extraordinary service and
sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers;
(B) to serve as an important bridge between law
enforcement's past and present, between the heroes of
yesteryear and those who have followed in their footsteps,
and between America's peace officers and the public they
serve;
(C) increase public understanding and support for law
enforcement and to promote law enforcement safety; and
(D) strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and
the communities they serve with thought-provoking programs at
the Museum and around the country that promote dialogue on
topics of current interest.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'')
shall mint and issue the following coin:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which
shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent gold.
(2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which
shall--
(A) weigh 26.73 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent silver.
(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 section 5134 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 National Law Enforcement
Museum and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement
officers throughout the history of the United States.
(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 ``2021''; 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 be--
(1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the
Commission of Fine Arts and the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial Fund, Inc.; and
(2) 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.--Only 1 facility of the United States
Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the
coins minted under this Act.
(c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins
minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning
on January 1, 2021.
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 issued under this Act
shall include a surcharge of--
(1) $35 per coin for the $5 coin;
(2) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
(3) $5 per coin for the half-dollar coin.
(b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1) 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 National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and
outreach programs and exhibits.
(c) Audits.--The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund, Inc., 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 (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. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
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 House Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. David Scott) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs.
Wagner) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous
material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, in 2000, Congress passed and President Clinton signed
into law the National Law Enforcement Museum Act. That bill authorized
the construction of the National Law Enforcement Museum to commemorate
the service and sacrifices of our U.S. law enforcement officers, a
very, very important piece of legislation.
The National Law Enforcement Museum opened its doors in October of
2018 with a mission to honor the lives of service and sacrifice of
America's law enforcement officers, serve as an important bridge
between law enforcement's past and present, and strengthen the
relationship between law enforcement and the communities that they
serve.
[[Page H8506]]
This bipartisan legislation authorizes the Department of the Treasury
to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar coins in 2021
to commemorate the National Law Enforcement Museum and the service and
sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout history. Proceeds from
the sales of these coins will go toward funding the museum's
educational and outreach programs and exhibits.
Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Pascrell of New Jersey--as I
affectionately refer to him, the mayor of Paterson, New Jersey, a great
town--for introducing this bill this Congress, and I urge Members to
vote ``yes.''
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1865, the National Law
Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act.
I would like to also thank the gentleman from New Jersey,
Representative Pascrell, and my colleague, Senator Blunt from Missouri,
for all of their hard work on this important, bipartisan piece of
legislation.
Madam Speaker, in 2000, Congress authorized the creation of the
National Law Enforcement Museum, and just 18 years later, the museum
was formally opened on October 13, 2018, in Washington, D.C., across
the street from the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Every day, our Nation's law enforcement officers put their uniforms
on and go to work not knowing if they will make it home. They
selflessly protect us while asking nothing in return.
The establishment of this museum serves as a reminder of the great
sacrifices that law enforcement officers make. By educating the public
on their work, the museum serves as a vital resource in sharing the
daily experiences of our men and women in uniform.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 1865, the National Law Enforcement Museum
Commemorative Coin Act, directs the U.S. Treasury to mint a coin in
2021 in commemoration of the opening of the National Law Enforcement
Museum here in Washington, D.C.
Additionally, the proceeds of this important commemorative coin will
go to support the National Law Enforcement Museum and to ensure that it
is able to maintain a robust and diverse level of programming.
Madam Speaker, the passage of H.R. 1865 will greatly honor our
Nation's law enforcement and further support this remarkable
institution. We should do our part by passing this bipartisan piece of
legislation to create this commemorative coin.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a distinguished gentleman and
the sponsor of this important piece of legislation.
Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Scott for his comments.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our brave men and
women in blue who put their lives on the line every day to protect our
communities.
In recognition of their service, my co-chair, the co-chair of first
responders and our police, he and I go beyond which side of the aisle
we sit on to do what is right.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Rutherford, John Rutherford, for
his bipartisan work in this area, a former long-time sheriff. So I am
really talking about the gentleman also in this bill, because he put
his life on the line for quite a few years in Duval County, I believe.
So in recognition of their service, I helped pass the National Law
Enforcement Museum Act very early when I got to Congress. It was signed
into law by President Bill Clinton. He signed it faster than I was able
to get it passed. He signed it on November 9, 2000.
This museum honors the service of local, State, and Federal law
enforcement officers in the United States.
A decade later, construction of the museum began at Judiciary Square
in this great city, right across the street from the National Law
Enforcement Memorial. Construction was just completed last year. This
museum serves as a tribute to the lives, the sacrifices, and the
service of our Nation's law enforcement.
{time} 1730
This museum will play a vital role, as was mentioned before by the
gentlewoman, in educating the public on the varied work of our Nation's
law enforcement officers--which I contend most people in the Congress
are ignorant of--as well as promoting the safety of the men and women
in uniform.
To build on this support, I introduced H.R. 1865, the National Law
Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act, to direct the Department of
the Treasury to mint a coin in commemoration of the opening of this
great museum.
Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative coins will provide a
much-needed funding stream to the nonprofit National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial Fund for educational and outreach programs and
exhibits at the National Law Enforcement Museum. This will ensure our
Nation's finest are recognized properly for generations to come.
Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment now to recognize those
officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their communities. In
2018 and so far in 2019, we have mourned the loss of 266 men and women
who died in the line of duty, three of whom served in the State of New
Jersey.
The first officer that I will mention is Tamby Yagan of the Paterson
Police Department--my town--who spent 13 years of service in the police
department. Officer Yagan tragically died in an automobile crash on
April 22, 2018.
Lieutenant Christopher Robateau from the Jersey City Police
Department passed on January 5, 2018, after being struck by a vehicle.
And New Jersey State Police Trooper Robert Emmet Nagle, who passed on
November 26, 2018, because of a 9/11-related illness.
I grieve for their families and loved ones. I know the House does
also.
I thank Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Chairwoman Maxine Waters for
bringing this legislation to the floor. I also thank my good friend and
partner in chairing the bipartisan House Law Enforcement Caucus,
Congressman John Rutherford, a former sheriff, as I said before. He
co-authored this bill.
Finally, I thank Marcia Ferranto, the CEO of the National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, for her and her colleagues' work on
this bill and the efforts to make the National Law Enforcement Museum a
success.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 1
minute to the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. PASCRELL. This bill has strong support from several law
enforcement groups, including Concerns of Police Survivors, the Federal
Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police,
the National Association of Police Organizations, the National
Sheriffs' Association, and the Police Foundation.
Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 1865, and I look forward to
its passage and into law.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, it is now my privilege to yield 3 minutes
to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), the Republican lead and
cochair of the Law Enforcement Caucus.
Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I thank my kind colleague from
Missouri for this opportunity.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1865, which will give our
law enforcement officers and their long honorable history the
recognition that they so deserve.
The National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act will have
the Treasury, as was mentioned earlier, mint a commemorative coin in
recognition of the newly opened National Law Enforcement Museum here in
Washington, D.C. The proceeds collected from the sale of this coin will
be given to the museum to support its operations.
As you know, Madam Speaker, millions come from around the world to
visit our Nation's Capital every year. They learn about our culture,
our history, and our founding principles. Now, they may also visit the
National Law Enforcement Museum to learn about our heroic police
officers who dedicated
[[Page H8507]]
their lives and, in too many instances, made the supreme sacrifice
laying down their lives in order to keep their community safe.
As a former sheriff of Jacksonville, Florida, I saw the personal
sacrifices and brave actions by countless officers under my command.
Law enforcement officers around the country put on the uniform every
day and they head out to protect their community, willing to sacrifice
their life for their friends and neighbors. Sadly, too many of those
officers do not return home from their shift.
So far this year, 99 officers have lost their lives in the line of
duty, offering their full measure of devotion to their community. This
bill will ensure that their stories be told for generations to come.
I thank my good friend, Congressman Pascrell from New Jersey, co-
chair of the Law Enforcement Caucus. His support, respect, and true
concern for law enforcement across this country is greatly appreciated
by all of those organizations and men and women that he just listed.
Madam Speaker, I hope that all of my colleagues will join me today in
supporting our brave law enforcement officers across this country and
pass this important bill.
Mrs. WAGNER. Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance
of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1865, 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.
____________________