[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.
____________________