I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3109
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration 
of Celia Cruz. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
Mr. WELLER (for himself, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART 
of Florida, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. NUNES, and Mr. 
MENENDEZ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins 
in commemoration of Celia Cruz.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Celia Cruz Commemo-
rative Coin Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress hereby finds as follows:
(1) Celia Cruz began singing in amateur con-
tests in her hometown of Havana, Cuba, at the age 
of 14. 
(2) During this period Cruz studied music the-
ory, piano and voice at Cuba’s National Music Con-
servatory. 
(3) During the 1950’s, Cruz became an accom-
plished music talent and recording artist in Cuba 
and beyond the island’s shores. 
(4) On July 15, 1960, Cruz, her husband, and 
the members of her band fled Cuba for the United 
States to escape the oppressive regime of Fidel Cas-
tro. 
(5) Cruz and her husband worked and lived in 
the United States and became naturalized American 
citizens. 
(6) Cruz’ successful career in the entertainment 
industry spanned over 5 decades and she is widely 
known around the globe as ‘‘The Queen of Salsa’’. 
(7) Cruz recorded over 70 records during her 
career, earning multiple Grammy Awards and a Bill-
board Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 
1995.
(8) Cruz has also won numerous Latin Grammy 
Awards and other music industry recognitions that 
include a myriad of platinum albums. 
(9) Cruz has been honored with a Lifetime 
Achievement Award by the Smithsonian Institution 
and, in 1994, President Clinton presented Cruz with 
the National Medal of the Arts, the United States 
highest tribute in the arts community. 
(10) Celia Cruz was a champion of freedom and 
artistic expression who dedicated herself to helping 
others. 
(11) During the summer of 2002, a foundation 
was established in her name, the Celia Cruz Founda-
tion, helping to realize her dream of providing finan-
cial aid to low-income students who wish to study 
music and to assist cancer victims. 
(12) Celia Cruz, whose music, energy, and hap-
piness made her a role model for generations of 
Americans and inspired audiences around the world, 
died on July 16, 2003 in Fort Lee, New Jersey. 
(13) In 2008, the world will mark the 5th anni-
versary of her death and it will be an appropriate 
time to remember her achievements and lasting mu-
sical works and charitable legacy.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS. 
(a) DENOMINATIONS.—In commemoration of the 
achievements and lasting musical works and charitable 
legacy of Celia Cruz, the Secretary of the Treasury (here-
inafter in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall 
mint and issue the following coins: 
(1) $1 SILVER COINS.—Not more than 300,000 
$1 coins which shall—
(A) weigh 26.73 grams; 
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and 
(C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 per-
cent copper. 
(2) HALF
DOLLAR
CLAD
COINS.—Not more 
than 500,000 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 section 
5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted 
under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.