[117th Congress Public Law 162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 136 STAT. 1349]]
Public Law 117-162
117th Congress
An Act
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration
of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Aug. 3, 2022 - [H.R. 1057]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Greatest
Generation Commemorative Coin Act. 31 USC 5112 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Greatest Generation Commemorative
Coin Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The National World War II Memorial was dedicated in
Washington, DC, on May 29, 2004, and is located on the east end
of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, opposite the
Lincoln Memorial and west of the Washington Monument.
(2) The dedication of the National World War II Memorial was
the culmination of a 17-year effort that started on December 10,
1987 when the World War II Memorial Act was first introduced in
the House of Representatives, and was authorized by an Act of
Congress signed into law on May 25, 1993. Construction began
September 4, 2001, after several years of fundraising and public
hearings.
(3) Opening to the public on April 29, 2004, the World War
II Memorial is the first national memorial dedicated to all who
served during World War II and acknowledges the commitment and
achievement of the entire Nation.
(4) The Memorial honors the more than 16,000,000 who served
in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II,
the more than 400,000 who died, and the millions who supported
the war effort from home.
(5) It is a monument to the spirit, sacrifice, and
commitment of the American people to the common defense of the
Nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from
tyranny throughout the world.
(6) Today, the Memorial is a top destination for millions of
annual visitors from all over the country and the world. For
many young visitors, their visit to the Memorial is a first
glimpse to a grateful Nation's remembrance of the sacrifices
made by the World War II generation.
(7) For World War II veterans, the Memorial is a special
destination, a rendezvous point, and a gathering place for
reunions and commemoration programs.
(8) The Friends of the National World War II Memorial play a
vital role in the preservation and maintenance of the
[[Page 136 STAT. 1350]]
National World War II Memorial as a treasure for the American
people, while helping to facilitate key commemorative and
educational programs at the Memorial to pay tribute to America's
``Greatest Generation'' and their efforts to preserve liberty
for generations to come.
(9) The National World War II Memorial stands as an
important symbol of America's national unity, a timeless
reminder of the moral strength and power that flows when free
people are at once united and bonded together in a common and
just cause for liberty.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this
Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the following
coin:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which
shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain not less than 90 percent gold.
(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 not less than 90 percent silver.
(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.
SEC. 4. DESIGNS OF COINS.
(a) Design Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this
Act shall be emblematic of the National World War II Memorial
and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians
during World War II.
(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 ``2024''; and
(C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God
We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E
Pluribus Unum''.
(b) Selection.--The designs for the coins minted under this Act
shall be--
(1) <<NOTE: Consultation.>> selected by the Secretary after
consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Friends of
the National World War II Memorial; and
(2) <<NOTE: Review.>> reviewed by the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee.
[[Page 136 STAT. 1351]]
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, 2024.
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) 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 issued under this Act shall
include a surcharge of--
(1) $35 per coin for the $5 coin;
(2) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
(3) $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 Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the
National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the National World
War II Memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
(c) Audits.--The Friends of the National World War II Memorial 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. 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
[[Page 136 STAT. 1352]]
(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.
Approved August 3, 2022.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1057:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 168 (2022):
July 26, considered and passed House.
July 27, considered and passed Senate.
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