ACTION
FROM THE COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Thomas Announces Committee Action on H.R. 1914, the “Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003,” H.R. 2768, the “John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act,” and H.R. 3277, the “Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act”

Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA), Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, the Committee ordered favorably reported, H.R. 1914, the “Jamestown 400^th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2003,” as amended, H.R. 2768, the “John Marshall Commemorative Coin Act,” as amended, and H.R. 3277, the “Marine Corps 230^th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act,” as amended, by voice vote.

DESCRIPTION OF H.R. 1914 AS APPROVED:

• H.R. 1914 would provide for the issuance of two coins to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of Jamestown:  (1) a $1 coin with a $10 surcharge, and (2) a $5 coin with a $35 surcharge.  The coins would be issued in calendar year 2007.  Surcharges would be used to promote the understanding of Jamestown legacies, to enhance educational programs relating to Jamestown, to improve infrastructure and archaeological research relating to Jamestown, and to conduct other programs to support the commemoration of Jamestown’s 400^th anniversary.

• The bill would provide that surcharges with respect to the coin, would not be collected if at the time of issuance there are two commemorative coin programs in place, and, therefore, violate the annual limit provided under the Commemorative Coin Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104‑208).

DESCRIPTION OF H.R. 2768 AS APPROVED:

• H.R. 2768 would provide for the issuance of a $1 coin with a $10 surcharge to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of Chief Justice John Marshall’s birth.  The coins would be issued in calendar year 2005.  Surcharges would be used to support historical research about the Supreme Court and the Constitution, support fellowship programs, internships and docents at the Supreme Court, and collect and preserve related antiquities, artifacts and other historical items.

• The bill would provide that surcharges with respect to the coin, would not be collected if at the time of issuance there are two commemorative coin programs in place, and, therefore, violate the annual limit provided under the Commemorative Coin Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104‑208).

DESCRIPTION OF H.R. 3277 AS APPROVED:

• H.R. 3277 would provide for the issuance of a $1 coin with a $10 surcharge to commemorate the 230^th anniversary of the Marine Corps.  The coins would be issued in calendar year 2005.  Surcharges would be used for the construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.

• The bill would provide that surcharges with respect to the coin, would not be collected if at the time of issuance there are two commemorative coin programs in place, and, therefore, violate the annual limit provided under the Commemorative Coin Reform Act of 1996 (P.L. 104‑208).