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Congressional Gold
Medal Nominees 9-11 Heroes
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1538
To posthumously award congressional gold medals to government workers
and others who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon and perished and to people aboard United Airlines Flight
93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane to crash, to
require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration
of the Spirit of America, recognizing the tragic events of September
11, 2001, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 1, 2003
Mr. KING of New York (for himself, Mrs.
MALONEY, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. STEARNS) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
A BILL
To posthumously award congressional gold medals to government workers
and others who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon and perished and to people aboard United Airlines Flight
93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane to crash, to
require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration
of the Spirit of America, recognizing the tragic events of September
11, 2001, and for other purposes.
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 `True American
Heroes Act of 2003'.
TITLE I--MEDALS FOR RESPONDERS AND RESISTERS
SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR
GOVERNMENT WORKERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE ATTACKS ON THE WORLD TRADE
CENTER AND PERISHED.
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED- In recognition of
the bravery and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency workers, and
other employees of State and local government agencies, including
the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and of the United
States Government and others, who responded to the attacks on the
World Trade Center in New York City, and perished in the tragic
events of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing and
presumed dead), the Speaker of the House and the President pro
tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the
presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of
appropriate design for each such officer, emergency worker,
employee, or other individual to the next of kin or other personal
representative of each such officer, emergency worker, employee, or
other individual.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING- For purposes of the
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the
Treasury shall strike gold medals with suitable emblems, devices,
and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary to be emblematic
of the valor and heroism of the men and women honored.
(c) DETERMINATION OF RECIPIENTS- The Secretary
of the Treasury shall determine the number of medals to be presented
under this section and the appropriate recipients of the medals
after consulting with appropriate representatives of Federal, State,
and local officers and agencies and the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey.
(d) DUPLICATIVE GOLD MEDALS FOR DEPARTMENTS
AND DUTY STATIONS-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the
Treasury shall strike duplicates in gold of the gold medals struck
pursuant to subsection (a) for presentation to each of the
following, for permanent display in the respective offices,
houses, stations, or places of employment:
(A) The Governor of the State of New York.
(B) The Mayor of the City of New York.
(C) The Commissioner of the New York
Police Department, the Commissioner of the New York Fire
Department, the head of emergency medical services for the City
of New York, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
(D) Each precinct house, fire house,
emergency response station, or other duty station or place of
employment to which each person referred to in subsection (a)
was assigned on September 11, 2001, for display in each such
place in a manner befitting the memory of such persons.
(e) DUPLICATE BRONZE MEDALS- Under such
regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may strike
and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under
subsection (a) at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the
bronze medals (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery,
and overhead expenses) and the cost of the gold medal.
(f) USE OF THE UNITED STATES MINT AT WEST
POINT, NEW YORK- It is the sense of the Congress that the medals
authorized under this section should be struck
at the United States Mint at West Point, New
York, to the greatest extent possible.
SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR
PEOPLE ABOARD UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 93 WHO HELPED RESIST THE
HIJACKERS AND CAUSED THE PLANE TO CRASH.
(a) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS- The Congress finds
as follows:
(1) On September 11, 2001, United Airlines
Flight 93, piloted by Captain James Dahl, departed from Newark
International Airport at 8:01 a.m. on its scheduled route to San
Francisco, California, with 7 crew members and 38 passengers on
board.
(2) Shortly after departure, United Airlines
Flight 93 was hijacked by terrorists.
(3) At 10:37 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93
crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
(4) Evidence indicates that people aboard
United Airlines Flight 93 learned that other hijacked planes had
been used to attack the World Trade Center in New York City and
resisted the actions of the hijackers on board.
(5) The effort to resist the hijackers
aboard United Airlines Flight 93 appears to have caused the plane
to crash prematurely, potentially saving
hundreds or thousands of lives and preventing
the destruction of the White House, the Capitol, or another important
symbol of freedom and democracy.
(6) The leaders of the resistance aboard
United Airlines Flight 93 demonstrated exceptional bravery, valor,
and patriotism, and are worthy of the appreciation of the people
of the United States.
(b) PRESENTATION OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS
AUTHORIZED- In recognition of heroic service to the Nation, the
Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf
of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design for each
passenger or crew member on board United Airlines Flight 93 who is
identified by the Attorney General as having aided in the effort to
resist the hijackers on board the plane to the next of kin or other
personal representative of each such individual.
(c) DESIGN AND STRIKING- For the purpose of
the presentation referred to in subsection (b), the Secretary of the
Treasury shall strike gold medals of a single design with suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
(d) DUPLICATE MEDALS- Under such regulations
as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, the Secretary may
strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck under
subsection (b) at a price sufficient to cover the cost of the bronze
medals (including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses) and the cost of the gold medals.
SEC. 103. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR
GOVERNMENT WORKERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE ATTACKS ON THE PENTAGON AND
PERISHED.
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED- In recognition of
the bravery and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency workers, and
other employees of the United States Government, who responded to
the attacks on the Pentagon Washington, D.C. and perished in the
tragic events of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing
and presumed dead) the Speaker of the House and the President pro
tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the
presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of
appropriate design for each such officer, emergency worker, or
employee to the next of kin or other personal representative of each
such officer, emergency worker, or employee.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING- For the purpose of
the presentation referred to in subsection
(a), the Secretary of the Treasury
shall strike gold medals of a single design with suitable emblems,
devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(c) DETERMINATION OF RECIPIENTS- The Secretary
of the Treasury shall determine the number of medals to be presented
under this section and the appropriate recipients of the medals
after consulting with the Secretary of Defense and any other
appropriate representative of Federal, State, and local officers and
agencies.
SEC. 104. NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck under this title are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United
States Code.
TITLE II--SPIRIT OF AMERICA COMMEMORATIVE
COINS
SEC. 201. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) On September 11, 2001, the United States
suffered the worst act of terrorism in its history.
(2) The more than 6,000 people who lost
their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks that occurred in
New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania on September
11, 2001, will not be forgotten.
(3) Hundreds of emergency personnel
responded heroically to the crisis and lost their lives as a
result.
(4) People from everywhere in the United
States responded to the crisis with an outpouring of support for
the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families.
(5) The civilized world stands with strength
and fortitude in opposition to the cowardly terrorist attacks
against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
(6) It is essential to remember not only the
tragedy of the attacks, but also the strength and resolve
demonstrated by the people of the United States in the aftermath
of the attacks.
(7) The minting of coins in commemoration of
the Spirit of America will pay tribute to the countless heroes who
risked their lives during the terrorist attacks and in their
aftermath so that others may live and to a united people whose
belief in freedom, justice, and democracy has never swayed.
SEC. 202. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) DENOMINATIONS- In commemoration of the
Spirit of America, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter
in this title referred to as the `Secretary')
shall mint and issue the following coins:
(1) $50 GOLD COINS- Such number of 50 dollar
coins as the Secretary determines under subsection (b), which
shall--
(A) weigh 1 ounce;
(B) have a diameter of 1.287 inches; and
(C) contain 91.67 percent gold and 8.33
percent alloy.
(2) $1 SILVER COINS- Such number of 1 dollar
coins as the Secretary determines appropriate to meet demand,
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- Such number of
half dollar coins as the Secretary determines appropriate to meet
demand, 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) NUMBER OF GOLD COINS-
(1) IN GENERAL- The number of gold coins
minted and issued under this title shall equal the sum of 25,000
and the number determined under paragraph (2).
(2) DETERMINATION OF NUMBER- The Secretary,
in consultation with the Attorney General of the United States and
the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia shall
determine the number of innocent individuals confirmed or presumed
to have been killed as a result of the terrorist attacks against
the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, and shall
identify such individuals. The Secretary, under subsection (a)(1),
shall mint and issue a number of 50 dollar coins equal to the
number of such individuals.
(c) LEGAL TENDER- The coins minted under this
title shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title
31, United States Code.
(d) NUMISMATIC ITEMS- For purposes of section
5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this
title shall be considered to be numismatic items.
(e) SOURCES OF BULLION- For the purpose of
minting coins under this title, the Secretary may only use metals
that are from natural deposits in the United States or any territory
or possession of the United States.
(f) SPECIAL TREATMENT UNDER EXIGENT
CIRCUMSTANCES-
(1) FINDINGS- The Congress finds as follows:
(A) The limitations contained in
paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) of section 5112(m) of title 31, United
States Code, and section 5134(f)(1)(B) of such title have well
served, and continue to serve, their purpose of bringing greater
stability to the markets for commemorative coins, maximizing
demand and participation in such programs, and ensuring that
such programs have a broad base of private support and are not
used as the primary means of fundraising by organizations that
are the recipients of surcharges.
(B) The shocking circumstances of
September 11, 2001, the broad base of public interest in showing
the Spirit of America and participating in the raising of funds
for the victims of the crimes committed on that date, and the
importance of implementing this coin program as quickly as
possible, notwithstanding the limitations contained in such
paragraphs, justify exempting the coins produced under this
title from such limitations.
(2) EXEMPTION- Paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 5112(m) of title 31, United States Code, and section
5134(f)(1)(B) of such title shall not apply to coins authorized
under this title.
SEC. 203. DESIGN OF COINS.
(a) IN GENERAL- The design of the coins minted
under this title shall be emblematic of the tragic events that
occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on
September 11, 2001.
(b) DESIGNATION AND INSCRIPTIONS- On each coin
minted under this title there shall be--
(1) a designation of the value of the coin;
(2) an inscription of the date `September
11, 2001' (and such coin shall bear no other date); and
(3) inscriptions of the words `Liberty', `In
God We Trust', `United States of America', and `E Pluribus Unum'.
(c) SELECTION- The design for the coins minted
under this title shall be selected--
(1) by the Secretary after consultation with
the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) reviewed by the citizens advisory
committee established under section 5135 of title 31, United
States Code.
SEC. 204. STRIKING AND ISSUANCE OF COINS.
(a) QUALITY OF COINS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided under
paragraph (2), coins minted under this title shall be issued in
uncirculated quality.
(2) GOLD COINS- 50 dollar coins minted under
section 202(a)(1) shall be issued only in proof quality.
(b) MINT FACILITY-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided under
paragraph (2), only 1 facility of the United States Mint may be
used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under
this title.
(2) CLAD COINS- Any number of facilities of
the United States Mint may be used to strike the half dollar coins
minted under section 202(a)(3).
(c) PERIOD FOR ISSUANCE- The Secretary--
(1) shall commence issuing coins minted
under this title as soon as possible after the date of the
enactment of this Act; and
(2) shall not issue any coins after the end
of the 1-year period beginning on the date such coins are first
issued.
SEC. 205. SALE OF COINS.
(a) SALE PRICE- The coins issued under section
202(a) (other than the 50 dollar gold coins referred to in
subsection (d)) shall be sold by the Secretary at a price equal to
the sum of--
(1) the face value of the coins;
(2) the surcharges required by section
206(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 section 202(a) at a reasonable
discount.
(c) PREPAID ORDERS- The Secretary shall accept
prepaid orders received before the issuance of the coins minted
under section 202(a). The sale prices with respect to such prepaid
orders shall be at a reasonable discount.
(d) GOLD COINS- Notwithstanding section
204(c)(2), the Secretary shall issue a 50 dollar coin minted under
section 202(a)(1) for presentation free of charge to the next of kin
or personal representative of each individual identified under
section 202(b). The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of
such gold coins.
SEC. 206. SURCHARGES ON SALE OF COINS.
(a) ASSESSMENT- Any sale by the Secretary of a
coin minted under this title shall include a surcharge of an amount
determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to cover the cost of
the gold coins minted under section 202(a)(1) (including labor,
materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and shipping)
for presentment in accordance with section 205(d), which charge may
not be less than--
(1) $100 per coin for the 50 dollar gold
coins;
(2) $10 per coin for the 1 dollar coin; and
(3) $5 per coin for the half dollar coin.
(b) DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS- Any
proceeds from the surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale
of coins issued under this title in excess of the cost of producing
all coins issued under this title (including coins issued for
individuals identified pursuant to section 202(b)(2)) shall be--
(1) used to cover the costs incurred in the
production of gold medals under title I that have not been
recovered from the sale of duplicate bronze medals under such
title; and
(2) with respect to any amount remaining
after the costs described in paragraph (1) are covered,
transferred to any fund for victims of the tragedies of September
11, 2001, that the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney
General jointly determine to be appropriate.
END
Maloneys
Bill Would Give Highest Honor To 9-11 Heroes
Congresswoman
Carolyn Maloney wants to see that the men and women who died while
responding to the September 11th terrorist attacks are posthumously
given this countrys highest honor.
Her legislation, which has already passed the House,
would bestow the Congressional Gold Medal to the emergency responders
who were killed at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on the day
of the attacks. In addition, the honor would also be given to the
passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into a field in
Pennsylvania.
It
was an historic day and I think these people should be honored for the
tremendous bravery that they showed while trying to help save the
lives of others, Maloney said.
The congresswoman also wants coins to be minted that
would commemorate the 9-11 terrorist attacks, with some of the
proceeds being donated to the families of the victims. The bill was
approved in the last session of Congress by a 392-2 vote, but was
blocked in the Senate.
The House again passed the bill on the second
anniversary of 9-11.
For their valiance in defending freedom on the
most harrowing day in American history, the heroes of 9-11 deserve to
be remembered alongside the most valiant freedom fighters in American
history,
Maloney said. The Houses action honors the emergency
responders killed defending freedom on 9-11 as some of the greatest
Americans who ever lived.
If the legislation passes, the medals would be
delivered to the firehouses and offices where the deceased worked. The
emergency responders who died on 9-11 during the World Trade Center
disaster included 343 firefighters, 37 Port Authority officers and 23
police officers.
The Congressional Gold Medal has been award by
Congress since the Revolutionary War. The bill must be approved by the
Senate before it can be ratified into law.
Queens
Chronicle - Western Edition 2003
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