Little Rock Nine Medals and Coins Act

Summary: TABLE OF CONTENTS: 
     Title I:  Little Rock Nine Gold Medals 
     Title II:  Gerald and Betty Ford Gold Medals 
     Title III:  Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coins 
     Title IV:  $1 Coin Design Evaluation 
     Title V:  Leif Ericsson Millennium Commemorative Coin 
Little Rock Nine Medals and Coins Act - 
Title I:  Little Rock Nine Gold Medals
 - Authorizes the President to present gold medals, on behalf of the Congress, to named individuals referred to collectively as the "Little Rock Nine," in recognition of the selfless heroism they exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. 
(Sec. 102) Authorizes appropriations. 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates of such medals in bronze. 
Title II:  Gerald and Betty Ford Gold Medal
 - Authorizes the President to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal to Gerald and Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the United States. 
(Sec. 201) Authorizes appropriations.  Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicate medals in bronze. 
Title III:  Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coins
 - Amends the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury, before January 1, 1999, to make bulk sales at a reasonable discount to the Jackie Robinson Foundation of not less than 20 percent of any denomination of coins remaining unissued which were minted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in major league baseball by Jackie Robinson. 
Title IV:  $1 Coin Design Evaluation
 - Instructs the Comptroller General to commission a study comparing the relative acceptance by the public and the fiscal impact on the Treasury of the use of the image of Sacajawea on the obverse of the new $1 coin with that of the relative acceptance by the public and the fiscal impact on the Treasury of the use of the image of the Statue of Liberty. 
(Sec. 401) Provides a maximum reimbursement amount for study costs, to be funded from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. 
Title V:  Leif Ericsson Millennium Commemorative Coin
 - Leif Ericsson Millennium Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue one-dollar silver coins, in conjunction with the simultaneous minting and issuance of commemorative coins by the Republic of Iceland, in commemoration of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by Leif Ericsson. 
(Sec. 506) Mandates that all coin surcharges be paid to the Leifur Eiriksson Foundation for the purpose of funding student exchanges between the United States and Iceland.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Little Rock Nine Medals and Coins 
Act''.

                 TITLE I--LITTLE ROCK NINE GOLD MEDALS

SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

    The Congress hereby finds the following:
            (1) Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Melba 
        Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma 
        Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson 
        Thomas, hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Little 
        Rock Nine'', voluntarily subjected themselves to the bitter 
        stinging pains of racial bigotry.
            (2) The Little Rock Nine are civil rights pioneers whose 
        selfless acts considerably advanced the civil rights debate in 
        this country.
            (3) The Little Rock Nine risked their lives to integrate 
        Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and subsequently 
        the Nation.
            (4) The Little Rock Nine sacrificed their innocence to 
        protect the American principle that we are all ``one nation, 
        under God, indivisible''.
            (5) The Little Rock Nine have indelibly left their mark on 
        the history of this Nation.
            (6) The Little Rock Nine have continued to work towards 
        equality for all Americans.

SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized to 
present, on behalf of the Congress, to Jean Brown Trickey, Carlotta 
Walls LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray 
Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed Wair, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and 
Jefferson Thomas, commonly referred to collectively as the ``Little 
Rock Nine'', gold medals of appropriate design, in recognition of the 
selfless heroism such individuals ex- hibited and the pain they 
suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central High 
School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury shall strike a gold 
medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined 
by the Secretary for each recipient.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriation.--Effective October 1, 1997, 
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
to carry out this section.

SEC. 103. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    (a) Striking and Sale.--The Secretary of the Treasury may strike 
and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medals struck pursuant to 
section 2 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a 
price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, 
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold 
medal.
    (b) Reimbursement of Appropriation.--The appropriation used to 
carry out section 2 shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds of sales 
under subsection (a).

SEC. 104. NATIONAL MEDALS.

    The medals struck pursuant to this title are national medals for 
purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

               TITLE II--GERALD AND BETTY FORD GOLD MEDAL

SEC 201. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized to 
present, on behalf of the Congress, to Gerald R. and Betty Ford a gold 
medal of appropriate design--
            (1) in recognition of their dedicated public service and 
        outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the 
        United States; and
            (2) in commemoration of the following occasions in 1998:
                    (A) The 85th anniversary of the birth of President 
                Ford.
                    (B) The 80th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. Ford.
                    (C) The 50th wedding anniversary of President and 
                Mrs. Ford.
                    (D) The 50th anniversary of the 1st election of 
                Gerald R. Ford to the United States House of 
                Representatives.
                    (E) The 25th anniversary of the approval of Gerald 
                R. Ford by the Congress to become Vice President of the 
                United States.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury shall strike a gold 
medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined 
by the Secretary.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated not to exceed $20,000 to carry out this section.

SEC. 202. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    (a) Striking and Sale.--The Secretary of the Treasury may strike 
and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to 
section 201 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a 
price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, 
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold 
medal.
    (b) Reimbursement of Appropriation.--The appropriation used to 
carry out section 201 shall be reimbursed out of the proceeds of sales 
under subsection (a).

SEC. 203. NATIONAL MEDALS.

    The medals struck pursuant to this title are national medals for 
purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.

             TITLE III--JACKIE ROBINSON COMMEMORATIVE COINS

SEC. 301. SIX-MONTH EXTENSION FOR CERTAIN SALES.

    Notwithstanding section 101(7)(D) of the United States 
Commemorative Coin Act of 1996, the Secretary of the Treasury may, at 
any time before January 1, 1999, make bulk sales at a reasonable 
discount to the Jackie Robinson Foundation of not less than 20 percent 
of any denomination of coins minted under section 101(7) of such Act 
which remained unissued as of July 1, 1998, except that the total 
number of coins of any such denomination which were issued under such 
section or this section may not exceed the amount of such denomination 
of coins which were authorized to be minted and issued under section 
101(7)(A) of such Act.

                  TITLE IV--$1 COIN DESIGN EVALUATION

SEC. 401. COMMISSIONING OF STUDY REQUIRED.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
commission, on a reimbursable basis, a study, similar to the study 
conducted under section 302 of the United States Commemorative Coin Act 
of 1996, to compare the relative acceptance by the public and the 
fiscal impact on the Treasury of the United States of the use of the 
image of Sacajawea on the obverse of the new $1 coin with that of the 
relative acceptance by the public and the fiscal impact on the Treasury 
of the United States of the use of the image of the Statue of Liberty.
    (b) Design and Scope of Study.--The study required to be 
commissioned under subsection (a) shall--
            (1) be designed by the Comptroller General, in consultation 
        with the Committee on Banking and Financial Services of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, 
        and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
        and the Director of the United States Mint;
            (2) be conducted by private sector consultants selected by 
        the Comptroller General on the basis of their education, 
        training, and experience;
            (3) measure the estimated acceptance of each image, 
        including an estimate of the number of potential sales of 
        proof, uncirculated, and other qualities of coins bearing each 
        such image;
            (4) estimate the number of coins bearing each such image 
        which would be removed from circulation for collections or as 
        souvenirs by both formal and informal numismatists and other 
        collectors, as well as tourists; and
            (5) examine the financial impact which could flow from 
        other factors that might influence the choice of an image for 
        the obverse of the coin.
    (c) Inclusion of Focus Groups and Interested Associations.--In 
carrying out the study required under this section, the consultants 
selected by the Comptroller General shall--
            (1) convene groups consisting of individuals representing a 
        broad cross-section of the populace for purposes of testing the 
        relative acceptance of the 2 images; and
            (2) consult with the American Numismatic Association and 
        the Coin Coalition, as well as any marketing organization or 
        operator of a sales location which might sell proof, 
        uncirculated, and other qualities of the new $1 coin.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--A report on the study shall be completed 
        and submitted to the Congress before January 31, 1999.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted pursuant to paragraph 
        (1) shall contain the findings and conclusions of the 
        consultants conducting the study and the Comptroller General, 
        together with such recommendations as the consultants and the 
        Comptroller General determine to be appropriate.
    (e) Funding.--Not to exceed $350,000 of the costs of the study 
required under this section shall be reimbursed by the Secretary of the 
Treasury from the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

          TITLE V--LEIF ERICSSON MILLENNIUM COMMEMORATIVE COIN

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Leif Ericsson Millennium 
Commemorative Coin Act''.

SEC. 502. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

    (a) $1 Silver Coins.--In conjunction with the simultaneous mining 
and issuance of commemorative coins by the Republic of Iceland in 
commemoration of the millennium of the discovery of the New World by 
Leif Ericsson, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this title 
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue not more than 
500,000 1 dollar coins, which shall--
            (1) weigh 26.73 grams;
            (2) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
            (3) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
    (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this title shall be legal 
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
    (c) 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.

SEC. 503. SOURCES OF BULLION.

    The Secretary may obtain silver for minting coins under this title 
from any available source, including stockpiles established under the 
Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act.

SEC. 504. DESIGN OF COINS.

    (a) Design Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
        title shall be emblematic of the millennium of the discovery of 
        the New World by Leif Ericsson.
            (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
        under this title there shall be--
                    (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
                    (B) an inscription of the year ``2000''; and
                    (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God 
                We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E 
                Pluribus Unum''.
    (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this title 
shall be--
            (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
        Leifur Eiriksson Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts; 
        and
            (2) reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory 
        Committee.

SEC. 505. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

    (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this title shall be 
issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
    (b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States Mint may 
be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this 
title.
    (c) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted 
under this title beginning January 1, 2000.
    (d) Termination of Minting Authority.--No coins may be minted under 
this title after December 31, 2000.

SEC. 506. SURCHARGES.

    (a) In General.--All sales of coins minted under this title shall 
include a surcharge of $10 per coin.
    (b) Distribution.--All surcharges received by the Secretary from 
the sale of coins issued under this title shall be promptly paid by the 
Secretary to the Leifur Eiriksson Foundation for the purpose of funding 
student exchanges between students of the United States and students of 
Iceland.
    (c) Audits.--The Leifur Eiriksson 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 by the Foundation under 
subsection (b).

SEC. 507. GENERAL WAIVER OF PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), no provision 
of law governing procurement or public contracts shall be applicable to 
the procurement of goods and services necessary for carrying out the 
provisions of this title.
    (b) Equal Employment Opportunity.--Subsection (a) shall not relieve 
any person entering into a contract under the authority of this Act 
from complying with any law relating to equal employment opportunity.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 9, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.