I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1565
To award a congressional gold medal to Brian Lamb.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 24, 2001
Mr. LAHOOD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Financial Services
A BILL
To award a congressional gold medal to Brian Lamb.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) C–SPAN, C–SPAN II, C–SPAN III, C–
SPAN.org, and C–SPAN Radio, the cable networks,
Internet site, and radio station dedicated to gavel-to-
gavel coverage of the United States House of Rep-
resentatives and the United States Senate, as well as
educational programming about our Nation’s history
and politics, have had a profound positive impact
upon the knowledge and awareness among our citi-
zens of our democracy about the law-making process
and government at all levels.
(2) Through the coverage of C–SPAN, C–
SPAN II, C–SPAN III, C–SPAN.org, and C–SPAN
Radio, educators, students, and concerned citizens
have had the opportunity to watch the Nation’s lead-
ers engage in historic debates, address issues that
impact all Americans, and been made aware of the
importance of the Congress in our democracy.
(3) The 80,000,000 households which receive
C–SPAN have a window on the legislative process
that is unbiased and comprehensive.
(4) C–SPAN programming such as the C–
SPAN School Bus, Booknotes, C–SPAN Radio, and
Washington Journal have significantly enriched the
level of political discourse and understanding in our
Nation.
(5) C–SPAN provides a unique and valuable
contribution to coverage of the American political
process that has no peer.
(6) This public service known as C–SPAN came
about due to the vision, dedication, and interest of
Brian Lamb.
(7) Brian Lamb’s efforts have resulted in C–
SPAN reaching over 80,000,000 households, and be-
coming an indispensable political resource for polit-
ical leaders, students, and interested political lead-
ers.
(8) Due to the hard work and perseverance of
Brian Lamb, the innovative programming concept of
C–SPAN was developed almost 25 years ago.
(9) C–SPAN has become a fixture of the Amer-
ican political scene and has so impacted American
politics that it is difficult to conceive of American
political life without C–SPAN.
(10) It is appropriate and fitting that Brian
Lamb be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for
establishing C–SPAN, C–SPAN II, C–SPAN III, C–
SPAN.org, and C–SPAN Radio as the network of
record for American political life.
(11) Brian Lamb’s vision, leadership, conviction
and commitment to public understanding of the
Congress, the law-making process, important and
timely political issues, and government generally,
demonstrate that he is worthy of the appreciation of
the American people as expressed through awarding
Brian Lamb the Congressional Gold Medal.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The President is
authorized to award to Brian Lamb, on behalf of the Con-
gress, a gold medal of appropriate design honoring Brian
Lamb in recognition of his contributions to the Nation.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes of the
award referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the
Treasury (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall
strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in
bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2
under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe,
and at a price sufficient to cover the costs thereof, includ-
ing labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead
expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
SEC. 4. STATUS AS NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national
medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United
States Code.
SEC. 5. FUNDING.
(a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.—There is
authorized to be charged against the United States Mint
Public Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000
to pay for the cost of the medals authorized by this Act.
(b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received from the
sale of duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be
deposited in the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund.
Æ