Commemorative coins honoring disabled American veterans are almost assured with recent action in the Senate.
House bill H.R. 634, titled American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, calls for a total of 350,000 silver dollar proof and uncirculated coins in 2010.
The bill easily passed in May of 2007 by a House vote of 416 to 0. It was quickly moved into the Senate for consideration, but in typical legislative fashion it settled soundly in committee awaiting either complete and forever forgetfulness, or action. Action won-over on May 20.
The legislation was unanimously passed in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Of course, it must still pass the full Senate vote and see Presidential ink to make law, but its unanimous passage is promising.
It’s also very noteworthy that a companion Senate bill, which is identical to the House version, was introduced in October of 2007. Senate bill S. 2119 was brought in by Tim Johnson [D-SD] and shows 72 cosponsors. While it looks like the House version will be the legislative "working copy" moving forward in both houses, the extremely strong bipartisan support for this legislation is clear. There is little doubt it will eventually become law.
Rep Dennis Moore [D-KS] introduced H.R. 634 with Rep Mark Kirk [R-IL]. Rep Moore commented after the House passage,
"More and more of our brave men and women are returning home with injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives. We can never fully communicate our gratitude for the service and sacrifice that our servicemen and women have made for our country, but this memorial is an important step. I’m grateful that my colleagues have joined me in this effort."
Rep Kirk said,
"We owe our disabled veterans a considerable debt for their sacrifices. This bill will help generate the necessary funds for a memorial near the nation’s Capitol – one that appropriately honors their service. As a naval reserve officer, I am proud that Congress is taking action to preserve the legacy of these heroes."
A surcharge of $10 per coin will go to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to raise the funds necessary to build the Memorial.
Lois Pope, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, joined Moore and Kirk in praising the bill’s intent.
"The coin bill passed by Congress today enables the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation to touch the lives of many individuals as we continue our mission of building the nation’s first Memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring the sacrifices of the 3 million living disabled American veterans, and all those who have passed before them," she said.
The design of the silver $1 dollar is to be emblematic of the design selected by the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
