[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 27]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 36452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE SANTA FE QUADRICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 18, 2007

  Mr. UDAll of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Santa Fe Quadricentennial Commemorative Coin Act. The minting of a 
commemorative coin will serve as a historic national tribute to the 
ever-distinct City Different.
  Santa Fe was officially elevated by the Spanish settlers from a plaza 
to a capital city in 1610 and has continued to be a meeting place and 
home to all cultures ever since. Santa Fe, to this day, continues to be 
a government, cultural, religious, and social center. Throughout its 
history, it has attracted settlers, traders, artists, historians, and 
tourists, all coming to see what Santa Fe and the surrounding 
communities have to offer.
  The Santa Fe area has long been home to native peoples, centuries 
prior to European incursions. In fact, some of the tribal communities 
in the area today have been there for over one thousand years. Arriving 
centuries later, though still over 400 years ago, the Spanish settlers 
were integral to the European exploration and settlement of this 
continent. This legislation honors both the tribal communities and 
Spanish settlers.
  Throughout the city are structures of great historical importance. 
Built in the 17th Century, the Palace of the Governors was the seat of 
government for generations and is now the oldest continuously used 
public building in the United States. It currently serves as the 
State's history museum, ensuring that current and future generations 
will be able to learn about the events that shaped New Mexico's past, 
present, and future.
  The creation of the commemorative coin will help in the preparation 
and celebration of this monumental quadricentennial. The proceeds from 
the sale of the gold five dollar and silver one dollar coins will be 
split, with half going towards the 400th Anniversary Committee to 
support programs to promote the understanding of Santa Fe and its 
legacies. The rest will go to the Department of Interior to ensure the 
preservation of Santa Fe, enhance national and international programs, 
and improve archaeological research activities throughout the area. 
These are especially important as we continue to learn more about all 
of the communities that have settled in the area for centuries.
  I want to take a moment to thank Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete 
Domenici who are working on this in the Senate, as well as cosponsors 
Representatives Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce for their support here 
in the House. We must all work to preserve the legacy of America's 
first European communities and the people who came long before, and I 
am proud the entire delegation has joined together to mark this 
remarkable milestone.
  For the rich blend of cultures steeped in centuries of heritage, it 
is only fitting that the Congress recognize the 400th anniversary of 
the Nation's oldest capital originally known as La Villa Real de la 
Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asis. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
passing this legislation.

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