[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7153-H7155]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               GREATEST GENERATION COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1057) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, 
DC, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1057

       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 ``Greatest Generation 
     Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The National World War II Memorial was dedicated in 
     Washington, DC, on May 29, 2004, and is located on the east 
     end of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, opposite the 
     Lincoln Memorial and west of the Washington Monument.
       (2) The dedication of the National World War II Memorial 
     was the culmination of a 17-year effort that started on 
     December 10, 1987 when the World War II Memorial Act was 
     first introduced in the House of Representatives, and was 
     authorized by an Act of Congress signed into law on May 25, 
     1993. Construction began September 4, 2001, after several 
     years of fundraising and public hearings.
       (3) Opening to the public on April 29, 2004, the World War 
     II Memorial is the first national memorial dedicated to all 
     who served during World War II and acknowledges the 
     commitment and achievement of the entire Nation.
       (4) The Memorial honors the more than 16,000,000 who served 
     in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II, 
     the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who 
     supported the war effort from home.
       (5) It is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and 
     commitment of the American people to the common defense of 
     the Nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom 
     from tyranny throughout the world.
       (6) Today, the Memorial is a top destination for millions 
     of annual visitors from all over the country and the world. 
     For many young visitors, their visit to the Memorial is a 
     first glimpse to a grateful Nation's remembrance of the 
     sacrifices made by the World War II generation.
       (7) For World War II veterans, the Memorial is a special 
     destination, a rendezvous point, and a gathering place for 
     reunions and commemoration programs.
       (8) The Friends of the National World War II Memorial play 
     a vital role in the preservation and maintenance of the 
     National World War II Memorial as a treasure for the American 
     people, while helping to facilitate key commemorative and 
     educational programs

[[Page H7154]]

     at the Memorial to pay tribute to America's ``Greatest 
     Generation'' and their efforts to preserve liberty for 
     generations to come.
       (9) The National World War II Memorial stands as an 
     important symbol of America's national unity, a timeless 
     reminder of the moral strength and power that flows when free 
     people are at once united and bonded together in a common and 
     just cause for liberty.

     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 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. DESIGNS OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the National World War II Memorial 
     and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and 
     civilians during World War II.
       (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 ``2024''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The designs for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Commission of Fine Arts and the Friends of the National World 
     War II Memorial; 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) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning 
     on January 1, 2024.

     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) 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 Friends of the National 
     World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in 
     maintaining and repairing the National World War II Memorial, 
     and for educational and commemorative programs.
       (c) Audits.--The Friends of the National World War II 
     Memorial 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. 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1057, which would 
require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of 
the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
  The National World War II Memorial is located on the east end of the 
reflecting pool on The National Mall. The process for the dedication of 
the National World War II Memorial started in 1987, and it was a 17-
year effort until the memorial was finally opened to the public in 
2004.
  It is the first national memorial dedicated to all who served in 
World War II and acknowledges the commitment and achievement of the 
entire Nation. The memorial today is a top destination for millions of 
annual visits from all over the country and the world.
  The more than 16 million people who served in the Armed Forces, the 
more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported the war 
effort from home are all honored with this memorial. It commemorates 
the spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the American people to the 
common defense of the Nation and to the broader causes of peace and 
freedom from tyranny throughout the world.
  It acts as a symbol of national unity, and it is a timeless reminder 
of the moral strength and power that flows when free people are at once 
united and bonded together in a common and just cause for liberty.
  This bill, sponsored by Representative Kaptur, would provide tangible 
support to the World War II Memorial by directing the Secretary of the 
Treasury to produce commemorative coins in recognition of everything 
that the memorial represents.
  Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong and enthusiastic support of H.R. 1057, the Greatest 
Generation Commemorative Coin Act.
  What an honor to stand on this House floor and pay tribute to that 
generation, the World War II heroes who we know and love so much, 
including my father-in-law, who helped free the Buchenwald 
concentration camp, and my dad, who flew a B-25.
  Since its inception in 2024, the National World War II Memorial has 
been a popular attraction for anybody visiting Washington. Millions 
visit this iconic site annually.
  Along the entrance to the memorial plaza are 12 bronze relief panels 
that show scenes from the Atlantic front and 12 scenes from the Pacific 
front. The Rainbow Pool is at the center of the plaza, and behind that 
pool is the Freedom Wall.
  During World War II, the gold star was used as a symbol to indicate 
that a member of the family had lost their life in the war. The 4,048 
gold stars on the Freedom Wall commemorate the more than 400,000 
Americans who paid the ultimate cost and gave their life in the war for 
freedom in Europe and in the Pacific.
  Anytime I visit the memorial, I always take an extra second to walk 
and read the quote from President Truman found on the memorial wall. It 
reads:

[[Page H7155]]

``Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our 
country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. 
America will never forget their sacrifices.''
  This memorial is an important place for all Americans, but 
unfortunately, its age is beginning to show. Coming up on its 18th year 
of service, the memorial is in need of repair--hence the importance, 
Madam Speaker, of passing this legislation today.

                              {time}  2140

  The surcharges or proceeds from this coin program will go to the 
Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the 
maintenance and repair of the memorial and the continuation of 
important education programs so that the youth of tomorrow never forget 
the service and sacrifice of those who came before.
  I thank my old friend Senator Bob Dole for all the years that he 
supported us in trying to get this memorial built and was there and 
lived to see it. And I thank the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), my 
dear friend, not only for the bill today to maintain the memorial but 
for originating the legislation that authorized the commission that 
established the memorial back in 1993.
  Those who give their lives for our country should be memorialized and 
remembered for all future generations. I support this bill, and I urge 
the entire House to stand up and support this bill for the memories of 
all those who served in World War II.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Waters for moving this bill 
and I thank Ranking Member Hill, as well, on behalf of the American 
people.
  The dedication of the World War II Memorial on our National Mall was 
the culmination of a 17-year effort in Congress to construct the first 
national memorial dedicated to the 16 million Americans who served in 
the Armed Forces during World War II and the more than 400,000 who died 
for liberty.
  As the Representative who in 1987 introduced the original legislation 
to construct the national memorial, I am thrilled to rise tonight in 
support of H.R. 1057, the National World War II Memorial Greatest 
Generation Commemorative Coin Act.
  I also rise, respectfully, in memory of World War II Army combat 
veteran Roger Durbin of Berkey, Ohio, who first suggested this 
meritorious idea to me, as well as my own uncle Stanley Rogowski, who 
fought in D-day and across France to free Paris and on to Brussels and 
Belgium and Luxembourg, and Anthony Rogowski, his brother, who fought 
in the Office of Strategic Services building the Burma Road in the very 
difficult battles in Asia.
  This bipartisan piece of legislation authorizes the U.S. Treasury to 
mint coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in 
Washington, D.C. The coin will serve as an important symbol of the 
spirit, sacrifice, and commitment of the brave Americans who fought to 
defend liberty, defeat tyranny, and establish institutions to safeguard 
peace and freedom in the 20th and 21st centuries and beyond.
  This legislation will ensure the memorial is properly maintained for 
years to come and, importantly, that the historical, educational, and 
commemorative programming is prepared to better inform the millions of 
people who visit each year and allow collections to be shared 
nationwide.
  Since the memorial's inception in 2004, nearly 80 million people have 
visited the site, making it one of the most popular sites in our 
Nation. Approximately 240,000 World War II veterans are still living 
with us today, including 9,000 Ohioans.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Sustaining the World War II Memorial for them and, importantly, to 
better inform and enhance interpretation of the purposes for which the 
war was fought will provide generations to come with a greater sense of 
America's history, and of course this is near and dear to all of our 
hearts.
  Please let me thank our partners at the Friends of the World War II 
Memorial, Holly Rotondi and Paul Marcone, and our staff assistant 
Margaret McInnis for their wonderful service in helping us move this 
bill forward to where it is today.
  I also thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger) and the 300 
House Members who sponsored this bipartisan bill as well as our Senate 
counterparts, Senators Mike Rounds and Jeanne Shaheen, for their 
bipartisan support. It is nice to do things on a bipartisan basis.
  Let me finally express gratitude to the marvelous, talented, and 
caring Chairwoman Maxine Waters for moving this bill along with so 
many, many others and for her dutiful service to the Nation, and her 
colleagues, Ranking Member Patrick McHenry as well as Congressman 
French Hill for their very generous support. I urge my colleagues to 
vote ``yes'' on H.R. 1057.
  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important 
bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
close.
  I thank Congresswoman Kaptur for her work to guarantee that the 
stories and values the World War II Memorial represents continue to 
circulate throughout the Nation. Madam Speaker and Members, each 
evening that I am in Washington, D.C. when I leave the Capitol to go 
home, I pass this memorial, and I think about Marcy Kaptur.
  I think about the first time that I learned and understood she 
created this. This was her legislation, and so it absolutely continues 
her vision, her foresight, and her love for the sacrifices that have 
been made by so many by establishing this World War II Memorial and 
everything that it represents.
  I am so grateful that I am able here this evening to show my support 
and to thank her for what she has done in creating that memorial.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important piece of 
legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1057, 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.

                          ____________________