[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 16089-16093]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2527) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in recognition and celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2527

       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 ``National Baseball Hall of 
     Fame Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) On June 12, 1939, the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
     and Museum opened in Cooperstown, New York. Ty Cobb, Walter 
     Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner 
     comprised the inaugural class of inductees. This class set 
     the standard for all future inductees. Since 1939, just one 
     percent of all Major League Baseball players have earned 
     induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
       (2) The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is 
     dedicated to preserving history, honoring excellence, and 
     connecting generations through the rich history of our 
     national pastime. Baseball has mirrored our Nation's history 
     since the Civil War, and is now an integral part of our 
     Nation's heritage.
       (3) The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 
     chronicles the history of our national pastime and houses the 
     world's largest collection of baseball artifacts, including 
     more than 38,000 three dimensional artifacts, 3,000,000 
     documents, 500,000 photographs, and 12,000 hours of recorded 
     media. This collection ensures that baseball history and its 
     unique connection to American history will be preserved and 
     recounted for future generations.
       (4) Since its opening in 1939, more than 14,000,000 
     baseball fans have visited the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
     and Museum to learn about the history of our national pastime 
     and the game's connection to the American experience.
       (5) The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an 
     educational institution, reaching 10,000,000 Americans 
     annually. Utilizing video conference technology, students and 
     teachers participate in interactive lessons led by educators 
     from the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. These award-
     winning educational programs draw upon the wonders of 
     baseball to reach students in classrooms nationwide. Each 
     educational program uses baseball as a lens for teaching 
     young Americans important lessons on an array of topics, 
     including mathematics, geography, civil rights, women's 
     history, economics, industrial technology, arts, and 
     communication.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--In recognition and celebration of the 
     National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (B) have diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (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 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
       (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.
       (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, 
     to the extent possible without significantly adding to the 
     purchase price of the coins, the $1 coins and $5 coins minted 
     under this Act should be produced in a fashion similar to the 
     2009 International Year of Astronomy coins issued by Monnaie 
     de Paris, the French Mint, so that the reverse of the coin is 
     convex to more closely resemble a baseball and the obverse 
     concave, providing a more dramatic display of the obverse 
     design chosen pursuant to section 4(c).

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the game of baseball.
       (2) Designations 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 ``2015''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Commission of Fine 
     Arts and in accordance with subparagraph (c); and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
       (c) Obverse Design Competition.--The Secretary shall hold a 
     competition and provide compensation for its winner to design 
     the common obverse of the coins minted under this Act, with 
     such design being emblematic of the game of baseball. The 
     competition shall be held in the following manner:
       (1) The competition shall be judged by an expert jury 
     chaired by the Secretary and consisting of 3 members from the 
     Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee who shall be elected by 
     such Committee and 3 members from the Commission of Fine Arts 
     who shall be elected by such Commission.
       (2) The Secretary shall determine compensation for the 
     winning design, which shall be not less than $5,000.
       (3) The Secretary may not accept a design for the 
     competition unless a plaster model accompanies the design.
       (d) Reverse Design.--The design on the common reverse of 
     the coins minted under this Act shall depict a baseball 
     similar to those used by Major League Baseball.

     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, 2015.

     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).

[[Page 16090]]

       (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 minted under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge as follows:
       (1) A surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin.
       (2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin.
       (3) A surcharge of $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 National Baseball Hall 
     of Fame to help finance its operations.
       (c) Audits.--The National Baseball Hall of Fame 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 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. BUDGET COMPLIANCE.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives, provided that such statement has been 
     submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Mexico (Mr. Pearce) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to add extraneous material on this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Mexico?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PEARCE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, baseball truly is the American sport. From the earliest 
age, we begin enrolling our children in pee-wee baseball leagues. We 
take our children to games where we enjoy a day at the ballpark eating 
hot dogs and Cracker Jacks. That is because baseball is America's 
national pastime, and that's why I'm proud to ask for consideration of 
the bill before us.
  H.R. 2527 was introduced in July, on the same day as the 50th 
Congressional Baseball Game, by Mr. Hanna for himself and 296 others, 
including myself. This bill was also introduced for Mr. Barton and Mr. 
Doyle, who managed the Republican and Democrat teams in the 50th 
Congressional Baseball Game.
  H.R. 2527 gives special recognition to a place that honors baseball, 
a game which, since the time of the Civil War, has occupied our leisure 
hours. The bill calls for the minting and issuing in 2015 of a limited 
number of gold, silver, and so-called ``clad'' coins commemorating the 
75th anniversary of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 
Cooperstown, New York.
  The Hall of Fame and Museum opened and admitted the inaugural class 
of ballplayers in June 1939 as war clouds gathered over the world. In 
the 72 years since its opening, the Baseball Hall of Fame has served as 
a home base, detailing the rich history of our national pastime. More 
than 14 million people have visited the Hall of Fame.
  This commemorative coin program, which will be conducted at no cost 
to the taxpayer, will also operate in accordance with all the statutes 
covering these types of coin programs at the U.S. Mint. Further, the 
program has the potential to raise several million dollars to help 
finance the operation of the Hall of Fame through surcharges on the 
sales of these coins. Notably, to claim the surcharges, the Hall of 
Fame must raise matching funds from nongovernment sources.
  The bill ensures that all three coins will have common designs. For 
example, the bill requires that the reverse side--sometimes referred to 
as the ``back side''--of each coin is to be in the image of a baseball. 
The bill further requests that the U.S. Mint try to produce the coins 
in such a way that it makes the reverse side rounded, like a baseball.
  The passage of this bill, the commemorative coin bill, is one of 
those exceptional pieces of legislation that brings the House together 
in bipartisan fashion. Particularly at this time, a bill that can 
garner nearly 300 signatures of support from House Members on both 
sides of the aisle is a good thing.
  I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this bill, and I urge all the 
Members to support this coin act today.

                                    U.S. House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                 Washington, DC, October 24, 2011.
     Hon. Spencer Bachus,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Bachus: I am writing concerning H.R. 2527, 
     the ``National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin 
     Act,'' which is scheduled for Floor action on Tuesday, 
     October 25, 2011.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 
     2527 contains a provision that establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill, and this falls within the jurisdiction of the Committee 
     on Ways and Means.
       However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding 
     commemorative coin bills and 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 or similar legislation in the future.
       I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming 
     this understanding with respect to H.R. 2527, and would ask 
     that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Dave Camp,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                    U.S. House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                 Washington, DC, October 24, 2011.
     Hon. Dave Camp,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Camp: I am writing in response to your letter 
     regarding H.R. 2527, the Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative 
     Coin Act, which is scheduled under for Floor consideration 
     under suspension of the rules on Tuesday, October 25, 2011.
       I wish to confirm our mutual understanding on this bill. As 
     you know, section 7 of the bill establishes a surcharge for 
     the sale of commemorative coins that are minted under the 
     bill. I acknowledge your committee's jurisdictional interest 
     in such surcharges as revenue matters and appreciate your 
     willingness to forego action by the Committee on Ways & Means 
     on H.R. 2527 in order to allow the bill to come to the Floor 
     expeditiously. Also, 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. Therefore, 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 this exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the 
     House. Thank you again for your assistance and if you should 
     need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact 
     Natalie McGarray of my staff at 5-7502.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Spencer Bachus,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 2527, the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation would honor the 75th 
anniversary of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
  H.R. 2527 calls for the Treasury Secretary to issue, in 2015, no more 
than

[[Page 16091]]

50,000 five-dollar gold coins, 400,000 one-dollar silver coins, and 
750,000 half-dollar ``clad'' coins in recognition of the National 
Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The program would be 
operated at no cost to the taxpayer and would be budget neutral. 
Currently, H.R. 2527 has 296 cosponsors.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Hanna).
  Mr. HANNA. I thank the gentleman from New Mexico for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 2527, the National 
Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act.
  First, I need to thank several of my colleagues for their help in 
bringing this bill to the floor: Congressmen Joe Barton and Mike Doyle, 
respectively, the Republican and Democratic managers of the 
congressional baseball teams and the original cosponsors of this bill; 
Financial Services Committee Chair Spencer Bachus and Ranking Member 
Barney Frank for their support on this bill, and each of the 296 
cosponsors who together joined to commemorate our national pastime.
  I am privileged to represent Cooperstown, a picturesque village in 
upstate New York and home of the National Hall of Fame. As a 10-year 
resident of Cooperstown, sponsoring this bill is especially meaningful 
to me.
  I urge all citizens of the world, baseball fans or not, to visit 
Cooperstown at least once. Cooperstown is a fine example of the beauty 
and grace of small town America.
  Mr. Speaker, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has spent 
the last seven decades celebrating and honoring the history of our 
national pastime. This bill will celebrate and honor the 75th 
anniversary of the Hall of Fame. The U.S. Treasury will produce an 
official United States Mint commemorative coin featuring the Baseball 
Hall of Fame. Importantly, there will be no cost to the American 
taxpayer associated with this bill.
  The coins are legal tender but will be produced in a limited 
quantity. They will become available in 2015 to mark the 75th 
anniversary of the opening of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

                              {time}  1330

  Mr. Speaker, the story of baseball is the story of America. Baseball 
is a game of skill, from the most precise pitchers to the heaviest 
hitters. In the late 1800s, men of all ethnic backgrounds joined 
together on the diamond to play the game that would become America's 
sport. Germans, Poles, and Italians, Irishmen, Jews, Native Americans 
and more formed teams, a hodgepodge of Americans, immigrants, all of 
whom found acceptance on the field.
  This game broke barriers long before the civil rights movement began. 
While much of America was segregated in the forties, the great Jackie 
Robinson in 1945 was signed to play Major League Baseball. Integration 
began on the baseball field.
  The examples go on. From the storied tales of Babe Ruth and Joe 
DiMaggio to the modern-day legacies of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, 
baseball touches the lives of everyday Americans and fans around the 
world. I cannot imagine a more timely occasion than now, during the 
2011 World Series, to honor baseball and its wonderful Hall of Fame in 
Cooperstown. I urge all my colleagues to support me in joining this 
cost-free, bipartisan legislation.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, being from St. Louis, Missouri, and going 
through this time with the Fall Classic, the St. Louis Cardinals happen 
to be in the World Series, and hopefully, we can bring home a victory.
  Speaking of victories, I would like to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania, my good friend and the manager of the 
Democratic baseball team, Mike Doyle.
  Mr. DOYLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support of this 
bill. I'm happy to support legislation that would designate a 
commemorative coin for the Baseball Hall of Fame. I want to thank my 
friend and colleague, Richard Hanna, for introducing this legislation 
and for working to get strong bipartisan support in the House of 
Representatives. I also want to thank my good friend, Joe Barton, for 
his work not only in the congressional baseball game itself but for 
working with me to help bring legislation to the floor.
  The Baseball Hall of Fame is more than just a shrine to the Nation's 
pastime. The Baseball Hall of Fame is proof of shared American values, 
that baseball is not merely a part of American history but has tracked 
the peaks of the American experience. Baseball is a game with roots in 
both England and the United States, which signifies the dual roots that 
define the birth of this country.
  Major League Baseball players like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams gave 
up years in their prime to fight against fascism and for the future of 
democracy in World War II. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 
1947, 7 years before the Supreme Court desegregated schools in Brown v. 
Board of Education and nearly 20 years before the Civil Rights Act.
  And the entire world, even Arizonans, rooted for the Yankees as they 
played in the World Series just weeks after the country was attacked on 
September 11.
  I'm also a supporter of the bill because baseball is an essential 
part of the experience of my district, more specifically, the city of 
Pittsburgh. The Pirates are one of the original Major League Baseball 
teams founded in 1887 and played in the first ever World Series. As 
someone who's lived in Pittsburgh my entire life, I have experienced 
the thrill of victory and more recently the agony of defeat as I've 
watched my beloved Pirates.
  As a young fan, I had the honor of watching my most favorite person 
ever to wear a baseball uniform, Roberto Clemente, a 12-time All-Star, 
a 12-time Golden Glove winner, MVP, with an impressive .317 lifetime 
batting average. He was not only a great baseball player but a great 
humanitarian. After Roberto singlehandedly helped the Pirates win the 
World Series in 1971 over the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles, 
Roberto was tragically killed in a plane crash just a few months later 
bringing relief supplies to victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake in 
1972. He will forever be remembered and beloved, not only by his native 
homeland of Puerto Rico and his adopted home of Pittsburgh, but by 
baseball fans across the world.
  You know, other sports may have more followers or more revenues or 
more popularity, but no other sport is so tied to the core of American 
experience as baseball. And now, because of this bill, Americans, as 
well as international visitors, can be assured that they can visit the 
Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
  Commemorative coins celebrate and honor American traditions. As well 
as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, 
these coins help raise money for important causes. This coin will raise 
funds to ensure that Cooperstown will not only be open to the Nation 
and the world now, but also for generations and generations beyond us, 
and will cost the government and the American taxpayer absolutely 
nothing.
  This bill couldn't come at a better time. We're at a point in our 
history when the defining standards of American life can seem lost; the 
idea that hard work ensures a decent life, that the future is always 
better than the past, that what unites us is always stronger than what 
divides us. There was a time when these notions were not just truths, 
but reliable truths. They were promises.
  We are now at a time when people feel a little less secure about the 
truth of American greatness. Well, I still believe in American 
greatness, and I think most Americans still believe in American 
greatness. And I believe that we need to celebrate that greatness 
wherever possible. This bill does just that.
  The Baseball Hall of Fame has personal importance for me because it 
reminds me of a time when the country's game was defined by great teams 
and great players, not large bankrolls and corporate-named stadiums. 
It's a reminder of when the game was ruled by

[[Page 16092]]

talent and love of the game. That's why we need the Hall of Fame. 
That's why I'm proud to support this bill, and that's why I ask all my 
colleagues to vote for it.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, after last night's game in the World Series, 
most Americans understand that ``T'' is for Texas.
  I yield 3 minutes to the manager of the Republican team, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Barton).
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. I want to thank the most valuable player for the 
Republican baseball team this year for the time.
  I want to commend Mr. Doyle, the manager of the Democratic 
congressional team, for his victory, and commend Mr. Clay, Congressman 
Clay, whose St. Louis Cardinals are playing my Texas Rangers in the 
World Series, who proudly wears the St. Louis Cardinals uniform in the 
congressional game; that in the next two, Wednesday and Thursday 
nights, at least one of those games the Rangers win so that they can 
get their first World Series championship in history. And once that 
happens, between them, the Rangers and the Cardinals will have 11 World 
Series championships.
  I want to thank Congressman Hanna for his excellent work on this 
bill. I am a proud cosponsor of it. I have the Cooperstown Hall of Fame 
baseball cap on my head, which I am violating the rules of the House so 
I have to take it off immediately.
  But it is a great institution. Fourteen million Americans have 
visited it in person since it was established in 1939. I hope to take 
my son or sons--I have two sons and two grandsons--to that Hall of Fame 
in person in the very near future. It truly is a history of America, 
from Babe Ruth of yesteryear to my childhood heroes, Willie Mays, Hank 
Aaron, people like that, Nolan Ryan, the current general manager of the 
Texas Rangers, to last night's heroes, Mike Napoli, who hit the home 
run in the bottom of the eighth inning, or hit the double, and hit a 
home run earlier, or Albert Pujols, who had three home runs Saturday 
night, I think 14 total bases, an amazing player who will certainly be 
in the Hall of Fame.
  This is truly a win-win for everyone. There is no cost to the 
taxpayer. The coin self-generates its funding. We can all celebrate the 
75th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame by supporting this 
legislation. And at the appropriate time I would encourage all the 
Members of the House of Representatives to do so.
  And again, go Rangers. Let's win the first World Series in Texas 
Rangers history this week.
  Mr. CLAY. Let me thank my friend from Texas (Mr. Barton) for his 
encouragement for his home team, and we are certain that the better 
team will prevail in this Fall Classic.
  At this time, Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Maloney).

                              {time}  1340

  Mrs. MALONEY. As a representative from the proud city of New York, 
which is the home of the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, I rise 
with strong enthusiasm in support of the National Baseball Hall of Fame 
commemorative coin, which was introduced by my friend and colleague 
from New York (Mr. Hanna), Congressman Hanna, and also congratulate 
Mike Doyle not only for his work on this bill but his winning work on 
the field of baseball here in Congress.
  Sales of the coin will go to the Baseball Hall of Fame to finance its 
operations, with matching funds raised from nongovernment sources. This 
program will be operated at no cost to the American taxpayer but will 
help the Baseball Hall of Fame to do its important work not only now 
but into the generations to come.
  Since the Hall of Fame and Museum opened in June of 1939, 14 million 
people have visited the site, which houses more than 38,000 3-D 
artifacts, 500,000 photographs, and 12,000 hours of recorded media on 
our Nation's favorite pastime. Cooperstown also claims to be the home 
of the original baseball game here in the United States. It truly is an 
institution in itself and serves as an educational tool in the 
classroom through videoconference technology and interactive lessons 
across the Nation.
  A coin to commemorate the Hall of Fame will ensure that it can 
continue to do the good work that it has been doing for over 70 years. 
I am so proud that it's located in my State, and we have finally found 
something we can all agree on, our favorite pastime in America--
baseball.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. CLAY. I yield the gentlewoman 1 additional minute.
  Mrs. MALONEY. I think it's important, given that we just passed the 
important and historic Gold Medal for the Montford Point Marines and 
recognized their fight in promoting and protecting human rights and 
civil rights. Literally, integration began on the baseball field. There 
on the mound, people come from across the country from all ethnic 
backgrounds, sometimes from foreign countries, to come together and 
support and work together in this wonderful sport that is truly an 
American sport.
  And I would say the Nation's Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has 
spent many decades celebrating and honoring baseball. This bill will be 
able to continue their good, hard work, and I urge all my colleagues to 
join me in supporting this cost-free bipartisan legislation that 
hopefully every one of us can agree on.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, the competition between the gentleman from 
Texas and the gentleman from Missouri notwithstanding, the bipartisan--
tentative bipartisan--effort is moving slowly forward.
  I would yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gibson).
  Mr. GIBSON. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation to provide a 
commemorative coin for the National Baseball Hall of Fame sponsored by 
my friend and colleague from New York (Mr. Hanna).
  Tourism is one of the most important drivers of our local economy in 
upstate New York. Many jobs are tied to it. And the over 350,000 
visitors to the museum each year provide a much needed important boost 
for the economy in the greater Cooperstown area.
  Baseball is America's pastime, the sport I played growing up in my 
hometown of Kinderhook, New York, and one that our son, Connor, plays 
now. On Columbus Day just past, I visited the Hall of Fame with Connor. 
It was a very special bonding moment for both of us and one that 
millions of American families have had the opportunity to do over the 
last 72 years.
  This legislation will help promote the Hall of Fame, will help 
provide a boost to our local economy through tourism and do so without 
costing the taxpayers a single penny. It is good legislation and we 
should all support it. I urge my colleagues to do so.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I certainly think that the National Baseball 
Hall of Fame is deserving of this recognition. I urge all of my 
colleagues to support this legislation.
  I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, the original sponsor of the bill, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Hanna), would like to go into extra 
innings. I yield the gentleman 1 additional minute.
  Mr. HANNA. I thank the gentleman from New Mexico.
  While every student of baseball knows, including my sister, Robin, 
who has told me many times that the New York Yankees are the finest 
team in the history of baseball, I would like to take this opportunity 
to wish good luck in the World Series to the Texas Rangers and the St. 
Louis Cardinals.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2527.
  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for 
H.R. 2527, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act. I 
want to thank my colleague from New York, Mr. Hanna, for introducing 
this legislation which I am proud to co-sponsor.
  The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened its doors on 
June 12, 1939,

[[Page 16093]]

in Cooperstown, New York. Since that time, just one percent of all 
major league players have been enshrined there for their amazing 
accomplishments on the field.
  But more than 14 million baseball fans have visited the Hall of Fame 
since its opening, to learn about the history of our national pastime 
and the game's connection to the American experience. As an avid 
baseball player and lifelong fan, I am in awe of the greats enshrined 
at Cooperstown like Ruth, Gehrig, Robinson, Clemente, and Koufax.
  Baseball is an integral part of the American fabric, and Americans 
from all walks of life still have much that we can learn from the 
values and lessons of the game.
  I urge all my colleagues to support the establishment of a National 
Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coin, and vote YES on H.R. 2527.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Pearce) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2527, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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