[105th Congress Public Law 215]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
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[DOCID: f:publ215.105]
[[Page 112 STAT. 895]]
Public Law 105-215
105th Congress
An Act
To present a congressional gold medal to Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela. <<NOTE: July 29, 1998 - [H.R. 3156]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION <<NOTE: 31 USC 5111 note.>> 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Nelson Mandela has dedicated his entire life to the
abolition of apartheid and the creation of a true democracy in
the Republic of South Africa and has sacrificed his own personal
freedom for the good of everyone.
(2) For nearly 30 years as a political prisoner, Nelson
Mandela never compromised his political principles, was a source
of strength and education for other political prisoners, and
refused offers of freedom in exchange for a renunciation of his
personal and political beliefs.
(3) After his release from prison, Nelson Mandela continued
to pursue his goal of a free South Africa, and was elected and
subsequently inaugurated as State President of the Republic of
South Africa on May 10, 1994, at the age of 75 years.
(4) <<NOTE: Desmond Tutu.>> Nelson Mandela's dedication to
freedom did not cease once the apartheid laws were lifted, as he
then focused his efforts toward reconciliation by creating the
Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, chaired by the Archbishop Desmond
Tutu.
(5) Nelson Mandela is the recipient of many awards and
accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize (which he accepted
with then-State President F.W. de Klerk in 1993), and more than
50 honorary degrees from universities around the world.
(6) <<NOTE: Amy Elizabeth Biehl. Peter Biehl. Linda
Biehl.>> Millions of individuals of all races and backgrounds in
the United States and around the world followed Nelson Mandela's
example and fought for the abolition of apartheid in the
Republic of South Africa and in this regard the Congress
recognizes Amy Elizabeth Biehl, an American student who lost her
life in the struggle to free South Africa from racial
oppression, and the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation
displayed by her parents, Peter and Linda Biehl.
(7) Nelson Mandela is a prime example of how to work to heal
the wounds of racism.
SEC. <<NOTE: 31 USC 5111 note.>> 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized to
present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of appropriate design
to Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in recognition of his life-
[[Page 112 STAT. 896]]
long dedication to the abolition of apartheid and the promotion of
reconciliation among the people of the Republic of South Africa.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the presentation
referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter
in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal
with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by
the Secretary.
SEC. <<NOTE: 31 USC 5111 note.>> 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary
may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under
section 2 at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals,
including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead
expenses.
SEC. <<NOTE: 31 USC 5111 note.>> 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck under this Act are national medals for purposes of
chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
SEC. <<NOTE: 31 USC 5111 note.>> 5. FUNDING AND PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be charged against
the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed
$30,000 to pay for the cost of the medals authorized by this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in the United States
Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Approved July 29, 1998.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3156:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998):
June 16, considered and passed House.
July 14, considered and passed Senate.
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