[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11003]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT OF 2001

  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 355, a bill 
requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration 
of the contributions to our nation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Coin Act of 2001, S. 
355, was introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu on February 15.
  As we approach the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's ``I have a dream'' 
speech, we remember that Dr. King was a man larger than life who had an 
extraordinary impact not only on the civil rights movement, but also on 
the history of America. He was living proof that non-violence can 
change the world.
  In the last session of Congress, this measure was introduced in both 
the House and Senate, but no action was taken on the floor. My 
constituents, however, concerned themselves with the issues and the 
Borough Council of Fair Lawn, NJ, passed Resolution 315-2000 urging 
that the measure be adopted and the commemorative coins be authorized 
for the year 2003.
  David L. Ganz, the Mayor of the Borough of Fair Lawn is a former 
member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee, a long-
time advocate of using commemorative coins properly, and an avid coin 
collector. In an article appearing in COINage magazine, a monthly trade 
publication, in the July 2001 issue, Mr. Ganz argues that ``the 
accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. transcend the work of 
presidents and academicians and cut across cultural lines. His life's 
work ultimately affected the fabric of American society . . . worthy of 
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 . . . [and leading to] social justice for 
a whole class of citizens and a generation of Americans.''
  This is a remarkable opportunity to honor a remarkable man, and I 
urge the Banking Committee, and ultimately this body, to promptly enact 
this legislation into law and authorize this distinctive tribute to a 
distinctive American.

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