[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.

                          ____________________