[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 203 (Monday, December 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1203-E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REMARKS BY THE HONORABLE VENTRIS C. GIBSON UNITED STATES MINT DIRECTOR, 
         GREATEST GENERATION COMMEMORATIVE COIN DESIGN DISPLAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 11, 2023

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
remarks by the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson.
       Good Afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here to introduce 
     the designs for the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative 
     Coin Program. Every day, across the Nation, the Mint connects 
     Americans through coins. Next year, it will be our great 
     privilege to connect America to the service and sacrifice of 
     American soldiers and civilians during the Second World War.
       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. This is the first national memorial dedicated to 
     all who served during World War II and acknowledges the 
     commitment and achievement of the entire Nation. It honors 
     the more than 16 million who served in the Armed Forces of 
     the United States, the more than 400,000 who died, and the 
     millions who supported the war effort from home. Their legacy 
     is part of our American story.
       Since the Mint's establishment in 1792, the women and men 
     of our workforce have taken great pride in rendering the 
     story of our nation through enduring examples of numismatic 
     art.
       As the largest mint in the world, the United States Mint 
     produces the coinage required by our Nation to conduct its 
     trade and commerce. In addition, Congress authorizes a 
     maximum of two commemorative coin programs annually to 
     celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and 
     institutions. I would like to thank Senator Browne, 
     Representative McHenry and Representative Waters for their 
     work to get the Greatest Generation out of their respective 
     committees and working with the sponsors, leadership and Mint 
     to ensure the language was correct and passed in time for 
     2024.
       Since the beginning of the modern commemorative coin 
     program in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than 
     $522 million in surcharges authorized to help build or 
     enhance new museums, preserve historical sites, and support 
     important national programs. In accordance with legislation, 
     the Mint includes a surcharge as part of the price of each 
     commemorative coin. These surcharges are authorized to be 
     turned over to the sponsoring organizations for projects that 
     benefit the community. In this case, surcharges are 
     authorized to be awarded to the Friends of the National World 
     War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in 
     maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational 
     and commemorative programs.
       I'd like to tell you a little about the designs. The gold 
     obverse, designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Heidi 
     Wastweet and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist 
     Eric Custer, depicts the Wall of Stars at the World War II 
     Memorial with an olive branch. The inscriptions are 
     ``LIBERTY,'' ``IN GOD WE TRUST,'' ``2024,'' and ``WORLD WAR 
     II MEMORIAL.''
       Designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Ben Sowards 
     and sculpted by United States Mint Chief Engraver Joe Menna, 
     the gold reverse depicts a folded flag with the inscriptions 
     ``UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,'' ``E PLURIBUS UNUM,'' ``WWII 
     MEMORIAL,'' ``TO UNITE THE GENERATIONS OF TOMORROW,'' and 
     ``FIVE DOLLARS.''
       The silver obverse, designed by Artistic Infusion Program 
     Designer Beth Zaiken and sculpted by United States MIne 
     Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill, features an allegorical 
     tableau of figures supporting a globe. Each figure represents 
     a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII (Air Force, 
     Coast Guard, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps) plus a figure 
     representing the critical work of the Merchant Marine. The 
     inscriptions are ``1941-1945,'' ``WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL,'' 
     ``DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM,'' ``LIBERTY,'' ``IN GOD WE TRUST,'' 
     and ``2024.''
       Designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Ben Sowards 
     and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Renata 
     Gordon, the silver reverse design depicts a view from beneath 
     a baldacchino, a sculptural canopy, inside a victory pavilion 
     in the World War II Memorial featuring four eagles holding a 
     laurel wreath. Inside the wreath is a globe centered on the 
     Pacific Ocean. The inscriptions are ``UNITED STATES OF 
     AMERICA,'' ``E PLURIBUS UNUM,'' ``VICTORY,'' ``IN THE AIR,'' 
     ``AT SEA,'' ``ON LAND,'' ``WWII MEMORIAL,'' and ``ONE 
     DOLLAR.''

[[Page E1204]]

       The half dollar obverse, designed by Artistic Infusion 
     Program Designer Elana Hagler and sculpted by United States 
     Mint Medallic Artist Craig Campbell, features a reimagining 
     of the figure of Liberation on the World War II Victory 
     medal, awarded to all who served in the Armed Forces during 
     the War. The inscriptions are ``LIBERTY,'' ``IN GOD WE 
     TRUST,'' ``WORLD WAR II'' ``2024,'' and ``WE ANSWERED THE 
     CALL.''
  The half dollar reverse, designed by Artistic Infusion Program 
Designer Matt Swaim and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist 
John McGraw, depicts the World War II Memorial from the point of view 
of a person walking up a ramp leading to one of the towers. The 
inscriptions are ``UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,'' ``E PLURIBUS UNUM,'' and 
``HALF DOLLAR.''
  The Greatest Generation commemorative coin designs are emblematic of 
the National World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of 
American soldiers and civilians during World War II. We hope this 
program will honor their courage and their spirit. It is our pleasure 
to assist the Friends of the National World War II Memorial in their 
efforts to teach the lessons of yesterday to unite the generations of 
tomorrow.
       Thank you all very much.

                          ____________________