House Approves Civil Rights Coin Legislation

April 2, 2008

House Approves Civil Rights Coin Legislation
Bill Co-Authored by Pryce and Civil Rights Hero Congressman John Lewis
$2.5 Million in Proceeds to Benefit the United Negro College Fund

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. House approved legislation (HR 2040) co-authored by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH) and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) to recognize the fiftieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the minting of a commemorative $1 coin. During the 109 th Congress, Pryce was the author of identical legislation.

Said Pryce upon passage, “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is widely recognized as one of the most effective, influential pieces of legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in the last century. The statute helped dismantle the insidious system of legalized discrimination in voting and public accommodations in America and helped our nation belatedly reach the promise put forth by our Founding Fathers – that all men are indeed created equal.”

Pryce added, “The Act is the bedrock for the America we know today. Upon its passage, the law transformed our nation into one that recognizes our minority citizens, the disabled, women, the elderly, and other groups as invaluable contributors to our society, and all inherently and equally deserving of the protections afforded by our Constitution. The fight for civil rights continues, and the Civil Rights Commemorative Coin honors our nation’s historic struggle, and reaffirms the promise for justice and equality for all in the generations that will follow us.”

Pryce was particularly honored to share in the bill’s passage with Congressman John Lewis – the bill’s sponsor– who is considered a hero and statesman from the Civil Rights movement. Said Pryce, “Congressman Lewis’s brave leadership in the first Selma to Montgomery march, and his support for nonviolent revolution in the face of the brutal attacks of that fateful Sunday, are the very acts of courage the coin seeks to honor for future generations.”

Commemorative coins are authorized by Congress to celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. While the coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. As well as memorializing important aspects of American history and culture, commemorative coins help raise money for important causes. A portion of a coin’s cost is collected as a surcharge that benefits community organizations. Under H.R. 2040, the Civil Rights Commemorative Coin is expected to raise up to $2.5 million for the United Negro College Fund, which provides scholarships and internships for minority students and assists our nation’s historically black colleges and universities.

Back to Home Page