[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13475-13477]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CENTURY OF SERVICE COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 2139) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in 
commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Lions Clubs 
International, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2139

       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 ``Lions Clubs International 
     Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Lions Clubs International is the world's largest 
     service club organization founded in 1917 by Chicago business 
     leader Melvin Jones. Lions Clubs International empowers 
     volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian 
     needs, encourage peace and promote international 
     understanding through Lions clubs.
       (2) Today, Lions Clubs International has over 1.35 million 
     members in more than 45,000 clubs globally, extending its 
     mission of service throughout the world every day.
       (3) In 1945, Lions Clubs International became one of the 
     first nongovernmental organizations invited to assist in 
     drafting the United Nations Charter and has enjoyed a special 
     relationship with the United Nations ever since.
       (4) In 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation was 
     established to assist with global and large-scale local 
     humanitarian projects and has since then awarded more than 
     $700 million to fund five unique areas of service: preserving 
     sight, combating disability, promoting health, serving youth 
     and providing disaster relief.
       (5) In 1990, the Lions Clubs International Foundation 
     launched the SightFirst program to build comprehensive eye 
     care systems to fight the major causes of blindness and care 
     for the blind or visually impaired. Thanks to the generosity 
     of Lions worldwide, over $415 million has been raised, 
     resulting in the prevention of serious vision loss in 30 
     million people and improved eye care for hundreds of millions 
     of people.
       (6) On June 7, 2017, Lions Clubs International will 
     celebrate 100 years of community service to men, women, and 
     children in need throughout the world.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) $1 Silver Coins.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue not more than 400,000 $1 coins in 
     commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Lions 
     Clubs International, each of which shall--
       (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (3) 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 sections 5134 and 
     5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under 
     this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     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 centennial of the Lions Clubs 
     International.
       (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 ``2017''; 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) chosen by the Secretary after consultation with Lions 
     Clubs International Special Centennial Planning Committee and 
     the Commission of Fine Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only one facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     under this Act only during the calendar year beginning on 
     January 1, 2017.

     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 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) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--

[[Page 13476]]

       (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 issued under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge of $10 per 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 Lions Clubs 
     International Foundation for the purposes of--
       (1) furthering its programs for the blind and visually 
     impaired in the United States and abroad;
       (2) investing in adaptive technologies for the disabled; 
     and
       (3) investing in youth and those affected by a major 
     disaster.
       (c) Audits.--The Lions Clubs International Foundation 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. The Secretary may issue guidance to carry 
     out this subsection.

     SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to ensure that--
       (1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not 
     result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
       (2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, shall be 
     disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the 
     total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins 
     authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use 
     of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping) is 
     recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with 
     sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 9. 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 
Illinois (Mr. Dold) and the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
add extraneous material on this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2139, the Lions Clubs 
International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill, which authorizes the minting and issuing of 
commemorative coins in 2017, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 
world's largest service club organization, Lions Clubs International. 
Lions Clubs International empowers volunteers to serve their 
communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote 
international understanding through service in Lions Clubs.

                              {time}  1650

  The Lions Club was established, Mr. Speaker, in 1917 by Chicago 
business leader Melvin Jones after he posed this simple question to his 
local business club: ``What if people put their talents to work 
improving their communities?'' Now headquartered in Oak Brook, 
Illinois, the organization has grown over the years from that simple 
question, Mr. Speaker, to 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members 
globally. In that time, the Lions Club has organized local youth 
programs, taken up the banner to try to eradicate blindness, and 
participated in the drafting of the United Nations charter.
  The Lions Club has worked in countless ways to improve the lives of 
people all over the world, Mr. Speaker. Here are just a few of the 
highlights from this storied and generous organization. In 1925, Helen 
Keller addressed the Lions Club at their international convention in 
Cedar Point, Ohio. She challenged them to become the ``knights of the 
blind in the crusade against darkness.'' The Lions embraced this 
challenge and have since helped in the effort to save the sight of more 
than 15 million children through eye screenings, glasses, and other 
treatments. They have established eye care centers that have reached 
more than 120 million children and prevented serious vision loss for 
more than 30 million worldwide.
  In 1945, the Lions Club became the first nongovernmental organization 
invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations charter. Since 
then, the Lions Club has worked closely with the United Nations, 
providing aid and manpower for the United Nations Children's Fund; the 
United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; and 
the World Health Organization.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation does not merely recognize the 
accomplishments of Lions all over the world. The people who voluntarily 
buy Lions Club coins each will pay a surcharge on top of the cost of 
producing and marketing the coin. The coins will be sold at a price 
which will recover all taxpayer costs, and the surcharges go to the 
Lions Club to further its work.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation recognizes and celebrates the 
accomplishments of a truly selfless organization and all of its 
members, who give so much of themselves each and every day. I am proud 
to be one of the 292 cosponsors of this bill and of the 69 senators who 
have sponsored the companion bill introduced by my good friend, Senator 
Moran of Kansas. I look forward to its swift passage in this House and 
over in the Senate, and I want to make sure that it gets to the 
President's desk for signature.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. MOORE. I am so happy to be able to speak affirmatively about this 
legislation. I'm really impressed with the storied history of the Lions 
and their dynamic history, where they serve in more than 200 countries 
and geographic areas. I am particularly struck by their service and 
stewardship to our young people across the world, and I'm so proud to 
be a cosponsor of this legislation. I would urge all Members to support 
this resolution.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DOLD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to another Member from the 
State of Illinois, the chief deputy whip, (Mr. Roskam).
  Mr. ROSKAM. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Today is a day when we can celebrate accomplishment in the private 
sector and in the volunteer sector, and to celebrate a rich history and 
a century of accomplishment--accomplishment that is borne of service to 
one another.
  The gentleman from Illinois a minute ago gave a brief history of the 
Lions Club International. I am honored to serve as the representative 
for the Lions Club International headquarters. They're an organization 
that not only, as was previously mentioned, has an impact here in the 
United States but has had an impact around the world. And I would argue 
that if you have an impact on vision for children, if you have an 
impact on vision for others, you're not just having an impact on that 
family but you're having a generational impact.
  And so here we are today, celebrating the Lions Club International as 
they're on the cusp of a new century. So there's a lot to celebrate. 
There's a lot to be proud of here. And I want to thank also Chairman 
Bachus and Ranking Member Frank and the staff of the Financial Services 
Committee and the Lions around the world who reached out and built a 
constituency for this legislation today. I am a strong supporter, and I 
am pleased to be a part of this bipartisan effort.

[[Page 13477]]

  I urge its passage.
  Mr. DOLD. I just want to wrap up by saying it is indeed an honor to 
be able to stand up here in a bipartisan way to pay tribute to 
literally the millions of members of the Lions Club that are doing such 
great work all across the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.

                                    U.S. House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Ways and Means,

                                   Washington, DC, August 1, 2012.
     Hon. Spencer Bachus,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Bachus, I am writing concerning H.R. 2139, 
     the ``Lions Clubs International Century of Service 
     Commemorative Coin Act,'' which is scheduled for floor action 
     the week of July 30, 2012.
       As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains 
     jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R. 
     2139 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. 2139, 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, August 1, 2012.
     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. 2139, Lions Clubs International Century of 
     Service Commemorative Coin Act, which is scheduled for Floor 
     consideration under suspension of the rules on Wednesday, 
     August 1, 2012.
       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 forgo action by the Committee on Ways and 
     Means on H.R. 2139 in order to allow the bill to come to the 
     Floor expeditiously. Also, I agree that your decision to 
     forgo 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 McGarry of my staff at 202-225-7502.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Spencer Bachus,
                                                         Chairman.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2139, 
the Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin 
Act. I thank my colleague, Mr. Roskam from Illinois, for introducing 
this bill which would direct the Secretary of Treasury to mint and 
issue $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of 
the Lions Clubs International.
  Founded in 1917 by Chicago businessman Melvin Jones, the Lions Club 
has expanded to over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members worldwide. 
What began as a national association extended beyond U.S. borders 
within 3 years of founding. Now, nearly a century later, the Lions 
continue to carry out their motto ``We Serve'' in 207 countries, 
touching every corner of the globe.
  In the last century, Lions Clubs International has helped to solve 
problems and serve humanitarian needs on the ground. Their services 
reach the blind, youth, and the elderly and also address health, the 
environment and disaster relief.
  I am especially grateful to the Lions for their dedicated assistance 
to the people of my district in American Samoa. Following the deadly 
2009 tsunami that devastated villages in American Samoa and Samoa, our 
local Lions Clubs were among those that came to the aid of our people. 
The Lions Club of Pago Pago continued to provide relief to many 
residents who lost their eyeglasses during the tsunami. Volunteers 
offered residents eye screening services that included complete eye 
examinations to evaluate visual health and detect eye diseases, 
prescriptions, and referral services. The Apia Lions in Samoa also 
provided assistance through disaster relief shelters and distributed 
donations such as clothing, food, and medicine from international Lions 
Clubs members.
  I am proud to say that the Lions Club of Pago Pago has provided 
consistent services to our people of American Samoa and is a priceless 
asset to our community. I commend the Lions Clubs International and I 
stand in full support of this bill which celebrates and honors a 
century of international leadership in humanitarian service.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dold) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 2139, 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. DOLD. 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.

                          ____________________