H.R. 951

119 HR 951 IH: 250 Years of Service and Sacrifice Commemorative Coin Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-02-04
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 951  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   February 4, 2025   Ms. Malliotakis  (for herself,  Mr. Hill of Arkansas , and  Mrs. Watson Coleman ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on Financial Services    A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the continual recognition of the Nation’s semiquincentennial by honoring over 250 years of Americans’ service and sacrifice.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   250 Years of Service and Sacrifice Commemorative Coin Act   .
2.
Findings
The Congress finds the following:
(1)
July 4, 1776, marks the historic date when the unanimous Declaration of Independence was adopted, establishing the thirteen United States of America as a free and independent nation.
(2)
July 4, 2026, will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Nation’s declaration of independence.
(3)
It is a long-standing tradition to honor significant milestones in American history through the minting of commemorative coins.
(4)
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation exemplifies the principles of service and sacrifice that have defined the Nation for more than 250 years by providing financial support, housing assistance, and educational opportunities to Gold Star families, first responders, veterans, and their families, honoring the bravery and dedication of those who serve.
(5)
First responders have played a vital role in safeguarding American lives and communities since the Nation’s founding, dating back to the first publicly funded, paid fire department established in Boston in 1678.
(6)
During the Civil War (1861–1865), first responders, including battlefield medics and firefighters, played critical roles in saving lives and mitigating destruction, reinforcing their importance in times of national crisis.
(7)
Gold Star families, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the Nation, have endured profound loss while upholding the principles of freedom and democracy. Their resilience and dedication to honoring their fallen loved ones continue to inspire and strengthen communities across America.
(8)
First responders embody the ideals of  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness  by safeguarding lives and communities, representing a modern continuation of the sacrifices made during the fight for independence.
(9)
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission ensures that the legacy of service and sacrifice is preserved and that those who dedicate their lives to protecting others are never forgotten.
(10)
The issuance of this commemorative coin will raise awareness of the sacrifices made by Gold Star families, first responders, veterans, and their families, fostering a deeper understanding of their role in upholding the freedoms envisioned in the Declaration of Independence.
(11)
Congress has a long-standing tradition of authorizing commemorative coins to celebrate the Nation’s history and the contributions of its citizens and organizations to preserving liberty and justice for all.
(12)
Proceeds from the surcharges on the sale of these commemorative coins will directly benefit the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, enabling the continuation of its impactful programs that support Gold Star families, first responders, veterans, and their families.
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 coins in continual recognition of the Nation’s semiquincentennial by honoring over 250 years of Americans’ service and sacrifice:
(1)
$5.00 Gold Coins
Not more than 100,000 $5.00 coins, which shall—
(A)
weigh 8.359 grams;
(B)
have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C)
contain at least 90 percent gold.
(2)
$1 Silver Coins
Not more than 500,000 $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.
(d)
Mintage limit exception
If the Secretary determines, based on independent, market based research conducted by the designated recipient organization identified in section 7(b) that the mintage levels described under this subsection are not adequate to meet public demand, the Secretary may increase the mintage levels as the Secretary determines is necessary to meet public demand.
4.
Designs of coins
(a)
Design requirements
(1)
In general
The designs of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of over 250 years of American’s service and sacrifice.
(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  2028 ; 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)
selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the Stephen Siller-Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2)
reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
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 under this Act only during the period beginning on January 1, 2028, and ending on December 31, 2028.
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.
7.
Surcharges
(a)
In general
All sales of coins issued under this Act shall include a surcharge as follows:
(1)
A surcharge of $35 per coin for the gold coins.
(2)
A surcharge of $10 per coin for the silver coins.
(3)
A surcharge of $5 per coin for the half-dollar coins.
(b)
Distribution
All surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be allocated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to support programs that provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families, the families of first responders killed in the line of duty, scholarships for their children, resources for disaster response teams, and memorial projects honoring their service and sacrifice. These efforts serve as a living tribute to the enduring legacy of those who have safeguarded and advanced the ideals of the Declaration of Independence from its signing to the present day.
(c)
Audits
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 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 of the Treasury may issue guidance to carry out this subsection.
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(b) 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.