[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15637-15643]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          NASA AND JPL 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 68) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 68

       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 ``NASA and JPL 50th 
     Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the 50th 
     anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics 
     and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 
     the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred 
     to as the ``Secretary) shall mint and issue the following 
     coins:
       (1) $50 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $50 gold coins 
     which shall--
       (A) weigh 33.931 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 32.7 millimeters; and
       (C) contain 1 troy ounce of fine gold.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins of 
     each of the 9 designs specified in section 3(a)(3)(B), which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (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. 3. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and 
     unparalleled achievements of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
       (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 ``2008''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum'', and such other inscriptions as the Secretary may 
     determine to be appropriate for the designs of the coins.
       (3) Coin images.--
       (A) $50 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear an image of the sun.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $50 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear a design emblematic of the sacrifice of 
     the United States astronauts who lost their lives in the line 
     of duty over the course of the space program.
       (iii) Edge.--The edge of the $50 coins issued under this 
     Act shall bear the names and dates of the spacecraft missions 
     on which United States astronauts lost their lives over the 
     course of the space program.
       (iv) High relief.--The design and inscriptions on the 
     obverse and reverse of the $50 coins issued under this Act 
     shall be in high relief.
       (B) $1 coins.--
       (i) Obverse.--The obverse of the $1 coins issued under this 
     Act shall bear 9 different designs each of which shall 
     consist of an image of 1 of the 9 planets of the solar 
     system, including Earth.
       (ii) Reverse.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act shall bear different designs each of which shall be 
     emblematic of discoveries and missions of the Jet Propulsion 
     Laboratory to the planet depicted on the obverse of the coin, 
     subject to the following requirements:

       (I) Earth coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act which bear an image of the Earth on the obverse 
     shall bear images emblematic of, and honoring, the 
     discoveries and missions of the National Aeronautics and 
     Space Administration, the Mercury, Gemini and Space Shuttle 
     missions and other manned Earth-orbiting missions, and the 
     Apollo missions to the Moon.
       (II) Jupiter coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Jupiter on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the Galilean moon Europa and depict both a past and future 
     mission to Europa.
       (III) Saturn coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued 
     under this Act which bear an image of the planet Saturn on 
     the obverse shall include a scientifically accurate depiction 
     of the moon Titan and depict both a past and a future mission 
     to Titan.
       (IV) Pluto coin.--The reverse of the $1 coins issued under 
     this Act which bear an image of the planet Pluto on the 
     obverse shall include a design that is emblematic of 
     telescopic exploration of deep space by the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration and the ongoing search 
     for Earth-like planets orbiting other stars.

       (iii) Edge.--It is the sense of the Congress that, to the 
     extent practicable, the edge of each $1 coin should bear the 
     names and dates or range of dates of missions or mission 
     types to the planet depicted on the obverse.
       (4) Realistic and scientifically accurate depictions.--The 
     images for the designs of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be selected on the basis of the realism and scientific 
     accuracy of the images and on the extent to which the images 
     are reminiscent of the dramatic and beautiful artwork on 
     coins of the so-called ``Golden Age of Coinage'' in the 
     United States, at the beginning of the Twentieth Century, 
     with the participation of such noted sculptors and medallic 
     artists as James Earle Fraser, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Victor 
     David Brenner, Adolph A. Weinman, Charles E. Barber, and 
     George T. Morgan.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, the Director of the Jet Propulsion 
     Laboratory, and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 4. SYMBOLIC INCLUSION OF METALS THAT HAVE FLOWN IN 
                   SPACE.

       (a) Collection.--Each Federal agency and instrumentality of 
     the United States, including the Department of Defense, the 
     Smithsonian Institution, the National Aeronautics and Space 
     Administration, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, that has 
     in its possession any craft, or any part of a craft, that 
     flew in space shall--
       (1) retrieve such gold, silver, copper, and other metals 
     that the Director of the United States Mint determines are 
     appropriate for use in the production of any coins under this 
     Act, from such craft or part, that can be retrieved without 
     harming any such craft or

[[Page 15638]]

     part that may be of continuing use for its original purpose 
     or for research, or whose preservation is appropriate for 
     historical purposes; and
       (2) deposit such metals so retrieved with the Director of 
     the United States Mint.
       (b) Use of Metals in Production of Coins.--Any metals 
     deposited with the Director of the United States Mint under 
     subsection (a) shall be used in the production of the coins 
     struck under this Act by blending such metals with other 
     metal necessary for the production of such coins so that all 
     of the coins produced under this Act will contain some 
     proportion of the bullion obtained from craft or parts of 
     crafts that flew in space in an amount appropriate for the 
     types and denominations of the coins and the amount of metals 
     so deposited.
       (c) Recordkeeping.--It is the sense of the Congress that 
     each Federal agency and instrumentality of the United States 
     which retrieves any metals in accordance with subsection (a) 
     should maintain accurate and complete records of the 
     retrieval and deposit of any such metals sufficient to allow 
     the Director of the United States Mint--
       (1) to provide certificates of authenticity with coins 
     issued under this Act that some proportion of the contents of 
     such coins were obtained from craft or parts of crafts that 
     flew in space; and
       (2) to package with each issued coin a list of the missions 
     in which such craft flew in space.
       (d) Private Spacecraft.--
       (1) In general.--Each Federal agency and instrumentality of 
     the United States that has or continues to conduct space-
     related missions shall, in addition to the efforts described 
     in subsection (a), make efforts to secure and retrieve from 
     privately-held craft that has flown in space such gold, 
     silver, copper and other metals that the Director of the 
     United States Mint determines are appropriate for use in the 
     production of any coins under this Act.
       (2) Recordkeeping.--It is the sense of the Congress that 
     each Federal agency and instrumentality of the United States 
     which retrieves any metals pursuant to paragraph (1) from 
     privately-held craft that has flown in space should comply 
     with the recordkeeping procedures described in subsection (c) 
     with respect to such metal.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in proof quality only.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular combination of 
     denomination and quality of the coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue 
     coins minted under this Act beginning January 1, 2008.
       (d) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins may be 
     minted under this Act after December 31, 2008.

     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) 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.
       (c) Presentation.--In addition to the issuance of coins 
     under this Act in such other methods of presentation as the 
     Secretary of the Treasury determines to be appropriate, the 
     Secretary shall provide, as a sale option, a presentation 
     case which displays the $50 gold coin in the center 
     surrounded by the $1 silver coins in an elliptical orbit.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge as follows:
       (1) A surcharge of $50 per coin for the $50 coin.
       (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 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 distributed as follows:
       (1) The first $1,000,000 available for distribution under 
     this section, to the NASA Family Assistance Fund for the 
     purposes of providing need-based financial assistance to the 
     families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries 
     suffered in the performance of their official duties.
       (2) Of amounts available for distribution after the payment 
     under paragraph (1), \1/2\ to the Secretary of the 
     Smithsonian Institution for the preservation, maintenance, 
     and display of space artifacts at the National Air and Space 
     Museum (including the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center).
       (3) Of amounts available for distribution after the payment 
     under paragraph (1), \1/2\ to the Secretary of the 
     Smithsonian Institution for the express purpose of providing 
     funding for the establishment of a new stand-alone National 
     Museum of Money.
       (c) Audits.--The NASA Family Assistance Fund and the 
     Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 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. BRONZE DUPLICATES.

       The Secretary may strike and sell bronze duplicates of the 
     $50 gold coins authorized under this Act, at a price the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Baker) and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker).


                             General Leave

  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 68 and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Culberson) and the Members of the Texas delegation for their efforts in 
recognizing the achievements of NASA with the introduction of H.R. 68.
  It is highly appropriate at the time we are soon to expect the space 
shuttle program to reenter demand exploration effort this week that we 
observe and appreciate the heroism, genius and sacrifices that the 
program has given us to this point in time.
  I think it is also appropriate that with NASA's Deep Impact Project 
of just a few days ago, impacting the surface of Comet Temple, as well 
as the very slow rolling wheels of Spirit and Opportunity cross and 
traverse the face of Mars, it seems stunningly impossible that these 
programs began only 50 years ago. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I think 
this legislation is important for the House to favorably consider as it 
seeks to commemorate the anniversary by issuing in 2008 into silver 
dollar coins and a single $50 coin representing the nine planets and 
the gold coin representing the sun.
  Fittingly, the first million dollars of surcharges resulting from 
this effort will go to a needs-based fund benefiting the next of kin of 
those heroes who died in the exploration of space. Further, the 
remainder of funds will go to the Smithsonian for help in preservation 
of important spacecraft and half of the fund to create a stand-alone 
Smithsonian museum here in the District dedicated specifically to 
coins, currency and other monetary forms of transaction.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Culberson) who has led the charge to see this goal through to its final 
conclusion.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me 
time and for bringing this bill to the floor in an expeditious fashion. 
I want to thank the committee members. I want to thank my 291 co-
sponsors. I especially want to thank an extraordinarily able member of 
the gentleman's staff, Joe Pinder, who has done a superb job in helping 
prepare this bill for this floor.
  It is indeed appropriate that the Congress recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory with this 
commemorative coin set for the year 2008 here about 24 hours away from 
America's return to space with our launch tomorrow afternoon of the 
Space Shuttle Discovery, which will go

[[Page 15639]]

from zero to Mach 25 in 8 minutes and 30 seconds into Earth's orbit 
tomorrow and just a short week after the Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
again showed the world the technological prowess of America's space 
program by hitting a comet for the very first time and exposing its 
inner workings to the eyes of scientists.
  It was, in fact, on January 31 of 1958 that the American space 
program began with the launch of the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1, 
which was built and controlled by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, under 
the guidance of the United States Army in response to the Soviet 
Union's launching of Sputnik. The United States responded very quickly, 
and before the year was out, the Congress had created the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration on December 3, 1958. JPL was then 
transferred over to the control of NASA. And since that time, JPL and 
NASA and the United States have gone on to explore our entire solar 
system with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer Space 
Telescope.
  We now have telescopes in orbit around the Earth that have identified 
up to 160 planets around other solar systems. NASA has discovered, as 
the chairman just mentioned, with the Mars Rovers that liquid water not 
only once existed on the surface of Mars, it appears that there are 
large frozen lakes on Mars. We have landed on the surface of the moon 
Titan. We not only landed men on the moon with the very successful 
Apollo program, but we are, under President Bush's vision for space 
exploration and the leadership of our new NASA administrator, Mike 
Griffin, rapidly moving towards the day very soon when men and women 
will return to the surface of the moon.
  The accomplishments of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory are 
absolutely extraordinary, but this exploration has not come without 
risk or loss. As with all exploration that is new in pressing the 
frontiers, it is dangerous. Tragically, on January 27, 1967, the three 
Apollo astronauts were killed in a fire on the launch pad of Apollo I. 
On January 28, 1996 the Space Shuttle Challenger was lost with its 
entire crew. And on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia and 
its seven-member crew were lost during reentry.
  Therefore, in designing this set of coins, I have proposed in this 
bill that the centerpiece will be a $50 gold piece in high relief and 
proof honoring the lives of astronauts who have lost their lives in 
their exploration of space. On that $50 gold piece will be an image of 
the sun. Then arranged around it will be nine silver proof dollars, 
each one representing a different planet in the solar system and each 
one commemorating missions to that planet. And of course the silver 
dollar for the planet Earth on the reverse side will have a design 
emblematic to the Apollo missions as well as Earth orbital missions.
  This commemorative coin set is just one small piece of ongoing work 
that Congress is doing in support of NASA. It is difficult to even 
measure the value of the work that NASA does in exploring outer space. 
Measuring the value of NASA's work today is a lot like the question 
facing Americans 200 years ago when the Lewis and Clark expedition was 
launched to explore the west. How could Americans then measure the 
value of all the minerals and animal species that the Lewis and Clark 
expedition would find? How can we today measure the value of the 
exploration and discoveries that will be made by NASA in the Jet 
Propulsion Laboratory?
  Americans today are enjoying the value of the miniaturization of 
computers, medical technology, heart pumps, valves, power generators, 
image processing, cell phone technology, CAT scanners, MRI machines, 
pacemakers. All of these extraordinary technological innovations are 
the result of work on our space program.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to be the author of this legislation.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 68, the NASA and JPL 
50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. Since it was first introduced 
by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson) at the beginning of this 
Congress, it has gathered almost 300 bipartisan co-sponsors, and I am 
very proud to have worked with him in this effort.
  It is not surprising that it has such strong support. NASA is a 
national institution that has always had strong support in this body. 
Its quest for scientific knowledge and new frontiers of exploration has 
often pulled this Nation together.
  In the half century since its founding, NASA has so often given us 
something to be proud of and patriotic about. When President Kennedy 
first told the world that the United States would be the first to put a 
man on the moon; when Neil Armstrong fulfilled that promise with one 
small step seen around the world, and I do not think any of us who had 
the honor of seeing that will ever forget it; when the Hubble telescope 
sent back those first amazing photos of far away galaxies 15 years ago; 
when the Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity found evidence of a former 
sea deep beneath the surface of the red planet, these are just a few of 
the very proud moments that this coin remembers.
  This coin also honors those brave men and women who have given their 
lives in their pursuit of knowledge. The crew of the Challenger, the 
crew of the Columbia, the Apollo I crew. These are true heroes, and it 
is imminently fitting that the proceeds of this coin will go to the 
families of NASA personnel who have died in the line of duty.
  It is particularly appropriate that we consider this bill today just 
hours before the important launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery 
tomorrow. That launch begins the mission stage of the Return to Flight 
program NASA undertook after the Columbia tragedy. That review included 
new safety procedures, new analysis and reporting procedures, and new 
cost efficiencies. Let us hope that it is the successful beginning of a 
new and exciting era of this agency.
  Commander Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a space shuttle 
mission, and her crew of 7 will once again take the shuttle to the 
International Space Station testing new safety procedures and 
delivering supplies. Although there have been several well-known women 
astronauts before, Commander Collins is still a new first, and I for 
one am particularly excited about this mission. We, the world, will be 
watching as Discovery lifts off tomorrow.

                              {time}  1100

  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 68, which commemorates the proud 
history of our National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and I 
would like to join my colleagues in thanking Joe Pinder, a member of 
the committee, for his very, very hard work in bringing the bill before 
us today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al 
Green) a member of the committee whose district is very close to where 
the shuttle will take off tomorrow and who is also a member of the 
Committee on Financial Services.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding me this time, and I rise to support this bipartisan effort to 
honor NASA with a 50th anniversary commemorative coin. Mr. Speaker, 
this is a great occasion, and I wish to thank those who have made this 
great occasion possible.
  I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), chairman of the 
Committee on Financial Services; the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Culberson); the majority leader, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. DeLay); 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green); the gentlewoman from New 
York (Mrs. Maloney); and the gentleman from California (Mr. Schiff) for 
their singular effort to bring this bipartisan bill to the floor.
  I also wish to thank the many who work at NASA, Mr. Speaker, from the 
top administrator to the janitors who sweep the floor. They all play a 
role in making space flight possible. And of course, Mr. Speaker, I 
thank God for those brave astronauts who leave loved ones behind to 
traverse the heavens.
  Mr. Speaker, while we commemorate NASA's 50 years of existence, we 
must acknowledge that it could not have been done without the hand of 
God.

[[Page 15640]]

And if it is God's will, Mr. Speaker, it is safe to say that we have 
only just begun.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman from Louisiana yield 
for the purpose of entering into a colloquy?
  Mr. BAKER. I yield to the gentleman from Texas for the purpose of a 
colloquy.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the chairman of the 
subcommittee, is it his understanding that a major purpose of 
commemorative coin legislation is to produce coins that commemorate 
particular institutions, individuals, or places, allowing both 
collectors and other citizens who are fans of the person or thing being 
commemorated to buy coins at a reasonable cost?
  Mr. BAKER. That is my understanding.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Is it further the gentleman's understanding that the 
Congress has received complaints from citizens who want to buy such 
commemorative coins claiming that, particularly for the more sought-
after coins, that professional coin dealers buy up large numbers of 
those coins and sets, and then turn around and resell them to the 
public at a marked-up price?
  Mr. BAKER. That is unfortunately the case.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Would the gentleman also agree that it is the intent 
of Congress, through this legislation, that as many people as possible 
have an equal opportunity to buy these commemorative coin sets or 
individual coins once the Mint initially issues them?
  Mr. BAKER. That is correct.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Then I am sure the gentleman would also agree with me 
that the Mint should be very careful, take as much care as possible 
with all high-demand commemorative coin issues, but particularly with 
coin sets produced under this act, to sell no more than 10 complete 
sets of any issue to any individual, whether the purchase is made by 
that individual or through straw buyers.
  Mr. BAKER. The gentleman agrees and stipulates the Mint should make 
every effort not to sell more than 10 sets of coins produced under the 
act to any buyer, be they bought by that individual or through buyers 
acting on behalf of that individual.
  Mr. CULBERSON. I thank the gentleman, and would the gentleman yield 
further?
  Mr. BAKER. The gentleman continues to yield.
  Mr. CULBERSON. As the gentleman knows, the legislation under 
consideration by the House today would devote a portion of the 
surcharge income produced by the sale of these coins to provide not 
only funds for the NASA Family Assistance Fund, but also the initial 
funding for a stand-alone museum of money in Washington, DC, as a part 
of the Smithsonian Institution.
  And as the gentleman also knows, the National Numismatic Collection 
of the Smithsonian is not currently on display, except for a few coins 
or currency in various exhibits related to the coins or currency or to 
the images displayed on them. Would the gentleman agree with me that 
the numismatic collection, one of the largest and best of its sort in 
the world, should be displayed in its own building here in Washington, 
in such a way that helps people understand not only the history of 
commerce and coins and currency in the United States but also the 
history of this country's development?
  Mr. BAKER. I do agree.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Would the gentleman further agree that the numismatic 
collection would best be displayed in a separate museum here in 
Washington, not as a subset or subsidiary of any existing Smithsonian 
museum, but that such a museum could also display examples of other 
forms of exchange of value, from barter and wampum to coins and 
currency of other countries, to electronic transfers of value, along 
with demonstrations of how coins and currencies are produced in its own 
stand-alone museum here in Washington, DC?
  Mr. BAKER. I do agree.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Does the gentleman agree that such a museum's exhibits 
could be kept vital by constant development of traveling exhibits to 
museums around the country, including those of the American Numismatic 
Association, the American Numismatic Society, and perhaps, if it is 
constructed, a museum in the old Mint in San Francisco?
  Mr. BAKER. The gentleman agrees and believes that such a plan would 
be an excellent way to keep a new national museum of money exciting so 
that visitors would be interested in returning many times.
  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for this colloquy.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House 
Committee on Science, this is an important day and an important week. I 
am delighted we have an opportunity to debate the assets of NASA today 
in the commemoration of their beginning their human space flight again. 
This legislation, the NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin 
Act, is one that I think speaks loudly to the celebration that we hold 
tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Texas 
(Mr. Culberson), and I was a proud original cosponsor in his effort to 
promote and celebrate the excitement of the work of NASA and the Jet 
Propulsion Lab. I also thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) 
and the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) as well for their 
efforts in moving this legislation forward.
  This legislation is unique in its promotion of NASA and the Jet 
Propulsion Lab, and it speaks to the best of what NASA represents. I 
believe, of course, that human space flight is crucial to the knowledge 
of men and women and the improvement and enhancement of Americans and 
people around the world. At the same time, the Jet Propulsion Lab also 
offers its own assets: new technology and understanding of flight and 
new sciences regarding these issues.
  The good news of this particular legislation is it responds to a 
concern that I have, and that is to recognize the families that have 
seen their loved ones lost in the exploration of space. We know that 
space exploration is a good thing, so the idea that the $50 coin and 
the $10 coin, or the two coins that will be offered, the surcharge that 
will be on those two coins will be utilized for the NASA Family 
Assistance Funds, which proposes financial assistance to the families 
of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered in the 
performance of their official duties.
  As a neighbor to the Johnson Space Center, I knew the families of 
Challenger and Columbia, and my heart, as well as the hearts of all 
Americans, poured out in response to the enormous impact and loss of 
life to those families and to America, brave astronauts willing to risk 
their lives so that others might live well or better.
  Tomorrow, at 3:51, the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch 
from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with a woman commander. What 
better statement to support that effort than by passing this 
legislation today. Even as they go forward, they will have the 
opportunity to test the muster and fortitude of the space station by 
delivering goods and services there. They will first demonstrate repair 
techniques on the shuttle's protective tiles, known as the thermal 
protection system. During the second space walk, they will replace a 
failed control moment gyroscope, which helps keep the station oriented 
properly. And, finally, they will install the external storage 
platform, a sort of space shelf for holding spare parts during station 
construction.
  This bill also provides for a freestanding museum and also a 
traveling exhibit to promote and celebrate the various metals that have 
been found in space. I think that is an excellent idea.

[[Page 15641]]

  Mr. Speaker, I rise to support this legislation and I make one 
comment. It is important as we support the human space shuttle as it 
goes off tomorrow, that we continue our oversight with the NASA 
authorization bill and that we recognize the importance of safety and 
that we promote in large dollars the needs of NASA as it looks to the 
sophistication of new safety standards.
  Then of course I hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring 
those who lost their lives aboard Columbia by rendering a gold medal, 
where I sought 300-plus signatures on legislation that I offered to 
promote that and to acknowledge their loss through a gold medal. I 
think that will bring us full circle to acknowledging going forward but 
also acknowledging the sacrifices that were being made.
  Let me conclude my remarks by saying that in 1962, John F. Kennedy 
was at Rice University and he said these words: ``We set sail on this 
new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained and new rights to 
be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people, 
for science technology has no conscience of its own.''
  Today, we honor them by this legislation. I congratulate my colleague 
for H.R. 68, and I urge my colleagues to enthusiastically support it, 
for it recognizes NASA and JPL for their 50th anniversary.
  I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H.R. 68, the NASA and JPL 50th 
Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act. Let me first thank the sponsor of 
this legislation my colleague from Texas, Mr. Culberson and the work of 
Ms. Maloney in bringing this legislation to the floor. This bill would 
require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of 
the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  I am heartened to see that the NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary 
Commemorative Coin Act stipulates that any funds generated by the sale 
of these coins shall be paid by the Secretary to the NASA Family 
Assistance Fund for the purposes of providing financial assistance to 
the families of NASA personnel who die as a result of injuries suffered 
in the performance of their official duties. This Act also states that 
each coin shall include a portion of metal that has flown In space so 
that these coins are truly symbolic of our Nation's journey through 
space.
  Being from the City of Houston, which is home to the Johnson Space 
Center I take great pride in the accomplishments of NASA. Tomorrow at 
3:51 p.m. the Space Shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch from the 
Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I am proud to say that I will be among 
the Congressional Delegation that will be in attendance at this 
historic launch. The launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery will come 
more than 2 years after the tragic Columbia shuttle accident. The crew 
of the Discovery will include astronauts Steve Robinson, Jim Kelly, 
Andy Thomas, Wendy Lawrence, Charlie Camarda, Eileen Collins and Soichi 
Noguchi. With implementation of the Columbia Accident Investigation 
Board recommendations completed, this crew of seven astronauts will fly 
aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-114 to test new safety 
techniques and deliver needed supplies to the International Space 
Station. Two crewmembers, Steve Robinson and Soichi Noguchi, will 
venture outside the Shuttle three times on spacewalks. The first will 
demonstrate repair techniques on the Shuttle's protective tiles, known 
as the Thermal Protection System. During the second spacewalk, they'll 
replace a failed Control Moment Gyroscope, which helps keep the station 
oriented properly. Finally, they'll install the External Stowage 
Platform, a sort of space shelf for holding spare parts during Station 
construction. STS-114 will also be the third trip of the Multi Purpose 
Logistics Module, MPLM, named Raffaello to the Station. It's 
essentially a ``moving van'' that transports supplies to the orbital 
outpost.
  I have consistently stated that since the Columbia shuttle accident, 
that safety must be our number one priority. There is no doubt that the 
Space Shuttle Discovery is the safest ever flown by NASA, but when it 
comes to safety there is always more work to be done, both in regards 
to the shuttle as well as to the International Space Station. All 
Americans can look proudly upon the achievements of our space 
exploration tomorrow when we witness the launch of Discovery.
  Truly, we as a nation have come a long way in the area of space 
exploration since President John F. Kennedy set the course for our 
Nation when he stated in a speech at Rice University in 1962: ``We set 
sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and 
new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of 
all people. For space science, like nuclear science and technology, has 
no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or 
ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position 
of preeminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea 
of peace or a new terrifying theater of war--The great British explorer 
George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he 
want to climb it. He said because it is there. Well space is there, and 
we're going to climb it. And the moon and the planets are there. And 
new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And therefore, as we set 
sail, we ask God's blessing, on the most hazardous, and dangerous, and 
greatest adventure, on which man has ever embarked.'' Tomorrow 
afternoon we embark on yet another journey of exploration and we write 
another chapter in the history of space. Our Nation has seen great 
tragedy and yet we continue to move forward because that is the only 
path that knowledge will accept, truly it is appropriate that 
tomorrow's shuttle will be called Discovery.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green), who has the honor of 
representing many NASA employees.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank both my House 
colleagues but also my Rayburn Hall colleague, and also we both came to 
Congress in 1993 together. I rise to offer my strong support for H.R. 
68 as an original cosponsor. The National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory have made significant 
contributions to all aspects of science advancement over the last half 
century and deserve the commemoration by having a coin minted 
celebrating this anniversary.
  Since its inception in October of 1958, NASA has pushed the 
boundaries of exploration from Earth to the Moon, to the outer reaches 
of the solar system and to the edge of the universe through scientific 
and technological feats in air and space. NASA remains a leading force 
in scientific research and stimulating public interest in aerospace 
exploration, as well as science and technology in general.
  Since 1997, I have had the privilege of having NASA astronauts visit 
middle schools in the congressional district I represent. It is good to 
have them as neighbors, literally in the district of the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. DeLay), but they actually come to our district to visit. The 
interaction between these middle school students with the astronauts 
and the questions they ask about space and NASA demonstrate the 
benefits of our space program and the impact on getting our students 
today who are in middle school excited about math and science.
  It is really great when an astronaut who has a great story to tell 
can get the attention of these 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Because, 
again, that is the future not only of NASA but of our Nation. When 
looking back over its history, we remember such revolutionary 
achievements as the Echo Project, which led to advancements towards the 
satellite systems we take for granted today, the creation of the manned 
spacecraft center and mission control in my hometown of Houston, which 
later was renamed the Johnson Space Center, on through Neil Armstrong's 
first steps on the Moon and the lift-off of the shuttle program and the 
construction of the International Space Station.
  The achievements of NASA have not come without cost, however, and 
having a coin minted to celebrate NASA's accomplishments will also 
honor the sacrifices made by crew members of Apollo I, Challenger and 
Colombia who gave their lives advancing our space program.
  As NASA takes one more significant step in history tomorrow by 
returning to flight after more than 2 years, we have the opportunity 
today to express our support by authorizing the production of a coin 
emblematic of the 50 years of exemplary and unparalleled achievements 
of NASA and the JPL. Our prayers and support are with our astronauts 
tomorrow, and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.

[[Page 15642]]


  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
and advise that that concludes the speakers on this side. As revealed 
by the eloquent statements from my colleagues, the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), a 10-year member of the Committee on Science; 
and the gentlemen from Texas (Mr. Al Green) and (Mr. Gene Green), both 
of whom represent NASA employees, I would say there is great enthusiasm 
on both sides of the aisle, with over 300 cosponsors.
  This is important legislation. It honors not only NASA on its 50th 
anniversary but the commitment of this country and body to science and 
scientific advancement. I thank very much the chairman of the 
committee, the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker), and the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Culberson), who has really been the fight behind moving 
this to the floor, along with the fine help of Joe Pinder.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I just wish to point out that the astronauts are the 
bravest of the brave and assume the most dire risk in these missions as 
they approach to reach the outer limits of mankind's understandings. 
But within the organization known as NASA and JPL, there are literally 
thousands of individuals who work collaboratively for years to get 
these launches to the place where they can proceed at the highest level 
of safety and responsibility.
  So I look at this act and this step the Congress is now authorizing 
today as one which recognizes not only those life-risking astronauts as 
being the pinnacle of our recognition, but certainly every member of 
the NASA JPL teams who literally work lifetimes to make these steps of 
exploration by humankind possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Culberson).

                              {time}  1115

  Mr. CULBERSON. Mr. Speaker, it is a collaborative effort. There are 
thousands of scientists and engineers at NASA and the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory and across the country and scientists around the world who 
participate in these missions.
  I also want to point out that this set of coins will contain metal 
that was recovered from spacecraft that actually flew in space. So some 
portion of each coin will contain metal that flew in space. There will 
be a certificate to that effect. The money will go to the support of 
the families, and it will also go to the support of the Air and Space 
Museum and for the creation of a money museum. The coins are expected 
to generate quite a bit of revenue, and, therefore, it will be a 
benefit to the families who have lost loved ones.
  But above all, Congress has expressed its strong support for NASA. I 
am proud to serve on the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on 
Science. The gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Wolf) is a strong 
supporter. This House has supported increased funding for NASA in a 
vote on this floor just weeks ago.
  So in addition to this coin, Congress has expressed our tangible 
support for NASA and their mission with increased funding.
  As this coin is brought into production in 2008, we do not know what 
the future holds, but I am confident it holds immense promise. Just as 
the Lewis and Clark expedition brought unknown and immense benefits to 
the Nation, the American space program will continue to bring 
incredible growth in our economy as a result of technological spinoffs. 
The unparalleled growth we have seen in worker productivity in America 
is a direct result of improvements in high technology and 
communications and scientific and medical research.
  Thomas Jefferson, my hero, always said freedom is the firstborn child 
of science, and there is no better way for America to express our pride 
and our confidence in our Nation's space program than by commemorating 
their 50th anniversary with this coin set in the year 2008.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record an exchange of correspondence 
between the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Ways 
and Means.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                    Washington, DC, July 11, 2005.
     Hon. Michael G. Oxley,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Oxley: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 68, the ``NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative 
     Coin Act,'' which was reported to the House by the Committee 
     on Financial Services on June 17, 2005.
       As you noted, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 
     68 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for the 
     sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the bill, 
     and thus falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 
     Ways and Means. However, in order to expedite this bill for 
     floor consideration, the Committee will forgo action. This is 
     being done with the understanding that it does not in any way 
     prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of 
     conferees or its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or 
     similar legislation.
       I appreciate and agree to your offer to include this 
     exchange of letters on this matter in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration.
           Best regards,
                                                      Bill Thomas,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                    Washington, DC, June 24, 2005.
     Hon. William M. Thomas,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Longworth House Office Building, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thomas: I am writing concerning H.R. 68, the 
     ``NASA and JPL 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act,'' 
     which will be scheduled for floor consideration in the near 
     future.
       I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest in 
     this bill and request your cooperation in moving the bill to 
     the House floor expeditiously. I agree that your decision to 
     forego further action on this bill will not prejudice the 
     Committee on Ways and Means with respect to its 
     jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar legislation. I 
     would support your request for conferees on those provisions 
     within your jurisdiction should this bill be the subject of a 
     House-Senate conference.
       I will include a copy of this letter and your response in 
     the Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance.
           Yours truly,
                                                 Michael G. Oxley,
                                                         Chairman.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, two and a half years ago we all watched in 
horror as the space shuttle Columbia fell apart during re-entry over 
the Southwest. Nearly two decades ago, we all watched in horror as the 
Challenger blew up on launch. And before that, we remember other space 
tragedies. But, Mr. Speaker, despite all the sense of sorrow and loss 
that those events brought, we also remember the successes of NASA and 
the Jet Propulsion Laboratories--spacewalks and moon walks, moon rocks 
and rocket jocks.
  The history of NASA and the JPL are a glorious celebration of all 
that is American, the right stuff, the elation and the tragedy, the 
bravery and the genius. And so today I rise in strong support of the 
proposal by the gentleman from Texas to honor the 50th anniversary of 
NASA and the JPL with commemorative coins to be issued in 3 years.
  Mr. Speaker, just like the space exploration program, this program is 
big and reaches for the stars. The coins will have symbolic, though 
trace, amounts of metal that has actually flown in space. Though the 
coins will be available individually, the prize no doubt will be sets 
representing the solar system that will become prized collector items 
for space fans and coin collectors alike who will be glad to fork over 
the $1,200 or $1,500 that will be necessary to buy nine silver dollars 
and one gold $50 coin.
  Fittingly, surcharges on the sale of the coins will go to help the 
survivors of those heroes killed in space exploration accidents, and to 
help preserve and display spacecraft at the Smithsonian Air and Space 
Museum, said to be the most popular tourist destination in the District 
of Colombia. Also fittingly some of the surcharge money will be used to 
seed creation of a Smithsonian Museum of Money here in DC. I know the 
gentleman from Texas, besides being an energetic Member of this body, 
is a coin collector himself, and I think it is fitting that a coin 
program and a coin collector will be the start of such an overdue money 
museum effort.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, as we all look at television this week and see 
the re-start of the

[[Page 15643]]

space shuttle program, let us think a little about heroes, and about 
guts and glory, and about genius, and how all of these things are the 
essence of America. And today, let us support this legislation 
overwhelmingly.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 68, 
legislation authorizing the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins 
for the 50th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration (NASA) and the La Canada-Flintridge-based Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory (JPL), which I am privileged to represent.
  NASA and JPL's decades of space and planetary exploration are worthy 
of this recognition. For more than fifty years, JPL has reached the 
outer limits of our solar system and made incredible technological 
breakthroughs. These achievements are all thanks to the outstanding 
people who have worked there over the years. Having just recently 
visited JPL for Deep Impact, I am confident they have another exciting 
fifty years ahead.
  Several colleagues joined me at JPL on July 4th to watch Deep Impact, 
a mission that will expand our understanding of the universe and answer 
many questions about the origins of our solar system. As many of you 
read in the news, Deep Impact mission scientists at JPL accomplished 
the amazing feat of flying an 820-pound probe into the heart of a comet 
268 million miles from Earth. To complicate matters, the comet was 
speeding through space at 23,000 miles per hour.
  I want to thank my good friends Mr. Calvert, who chairs the House 
Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and Mr. Schiff, who used 
to represent JPL and now has Caltech in his district, for joining me at 
JPL to celebrate our nation's independence. I am sure they will agree 
that the fireworks we saw from JPL' s Mission Control room on July 4th 
rivaled those that were launched here at our Nation's capital.
  Deep Impact is just the latest in a long series of incredible 
accomplishments of JPL and NASA, dating back to the very beginning of 
United States space exploration. On January 31, 1958, the American 
space age began with the launch of Explorer I, the first U.S. 
satellite. At a time of national disappointment following the Soviet 
Union's successful launch of Sputnik, Explorer I turned the tide in 
international space exploration, displayed America's pioneering spirit-
and scientific excellence, and spurred our space efforts. The 
organization behind the development, launch, and control of Explorer I 
was JPL.
  JPL will continue to push the boundaries of space and science with 
upcoming missions, such as SIM PlanetQuest and the Terrestrial Planet 
Finder. These missions will bring us closer to discovering whether 
there may be other planets like our own. This quest is an important 
one, which is why the search for Earth-like planets is a central part 
of the President's vision for space exploration.
  I have no doubt these very exciting missions will expand our 
horizons, answer many questions and capture our imagination, just as 
previous missions have. For example, it was one year ago that the 
Cassini-Huygens Spacecraft successfully entered orbit around Saturn. 
Since that time we have seen some incredible images and learned a great 
deal about Saturn and its rings.
  A little over two years ago, the first of the two Mars Exploration 
Rovers, Spirit, was launched. In January 2004, the second rover, 
Opportunity, landed on Mars. Both have proven to be work horses on the 
planet's unforgiving surface, and both have made fascinating 
discoveries. Spirit found evidence that early Martian history was wet 
and violently explosive, and Opportunity found evidence of a shallow 
ancient sea.
  There are also tangible scientific and technological results from JPL 
and NASA's successes. For example, the work of scientists and engineers 
at JPL has resulted in medical imaging technology used in brain 
surgery, the detection of breast cancer and detection of skin cancer, 
and in computer chips that have been used to reduce engine emissions in 
automobiles. These and other breakthroughs play a critical role in 
ensuring America keeps its technological and scientific edge.
  I congratulate JPL and NASA on their many decades of exploration and 
discovery.
  Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Shaw). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 68, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________