I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1538
To posthumously award congressional gold medals to government workers 
and others who responded to the attacks on the World Trade Center 
and the Pentagon and perished and to people aboard United Airlines 
Flight 93 who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane to 
crash, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in com-
memoration of the Spirit of America, recognizing the tragic events of 
September 11, 2001, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 1, 2003
Mr. KING of New York (for himself, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. ENGEL, and Mr. 
STEARNS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services 
A BILL 
To posthumously award congressional gold medals to govern-
ment workers and others who responded to the attacks 
on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and per-
ished and to people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 
who helped resist the hijackers and caused the plane 
to crash, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to 
mint coins in commemoration of the Spirit of America, 
recognizing the tragic events of September 11, 2001, 
and for other purposes.
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 ‘‘True American Heroes 
Act of 2003’’. 
TITLE I—MEDALS FOR 
RESPONDERS AND RESISTERS 
SEC. 101. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR GOVERN-
MENT WORKERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE 
ATTACKS ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER 
AND PERISHED. 
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—In recognition of 
the bravery and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency work-
ers, and other employees of State and local government 
agencies, including the Port Authority of New York and 
New Jersey, and of the United States Government and 
others, who responded to the attacks on the World Trade 
Center in New York City, and perished in the tragic events 
of September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing 
and presumed dead), the Speaker of the House and the 
President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appro-
priate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the 
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design for each 
such officer, emergency worker, employee, or other indi-
vidual to the next of kin or other personal representative 
of each such officer, emergency worker, employee, or other 
individual.
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For purposes of the 
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall strike gold medals with suitable em-
blems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the 
Secretary to be emblematic of the valor and heroism of 
the men and women honored. 
(c) DETERMINATION
OF RECIPIENTS.—The Sec-
retary of the Treasury shall determine the number of med-
als to be presented under this section and the appropriate 
recipients of the medals after consulting with appropriate 
representatives of Federal, State, and local officers and 
agencies and the Port Authority of New York and New 
Jersey. 
(d) DUPLICATIVE GOLD MEDALS FOR DEPARTMENTS 
AND DUTY STATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Treas-
ury shall strike duplicates in gold of the gold medals 
struck pursuant to subsection (a) for presentation to 
each of the following, for permanent display in the 
respective offices, houses, stations, or places of em-
ployment: 
(A) The Governor of the State of New 
York. 
(B) The Mayor of the City of New York.
(C) The Commissioner of the New York 
Police Department, the Commissioner of the 
New York Fire Department, the head of emer-
gency medical services for the City of New 
York, and the Chairman of the Board of Direc-
tors of the Port Authority of New York and 
New Jersey. 
(D) Each precinct house, fire house, emer-
gency response station, or other duty station or 
place of employment to which each person re-
ferred to in subsection (a) was assigned on Sep-
tember 11, 2001, for display in each such place 
in a manner befitting the memory of such per-
sons. 
(e) DUPLICATE BRONZE MEDALS.—Under such reg-
ulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary 
may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal 
struck under subsection (a) at a price sufficient to cover 
the costs of the bronze medals (including labor, materials, 
dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses) and the 
cost of the gold medal. 
(f) USE OF THE UNITED STATES MINT AT WEST 
POINT, NEW YORK.—It is the sense of the Congress that 
the medals authorized under this section should be struck
at the United States Mint at West Point, New York, to 
the greatest extent possible. 
SEC. 102. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR PEOPLE 
ABOARD UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 93 WHO 
HELPED 
RESIST 
THE 
HIJACKERS 
AND 
CAUSED THE PLANE TO CRASH. 
(a) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.—The Congress finds 
as follows: 
(1) On September 11, 2001, United Airlines 
Flight 93, piloted by Captain James Dahl, departed 
from Newark International Airport at 8:01 a.m. on 
its scheduled route to San Francisco, California, 
with 7 crew members and 38 passengers on board. 
(2) Shortly after departure, United Airlines 
Flight 93 was hijacked by terrorists. 
(3) At 10:37 a.m. United Airlines Flight 93 
crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 
(4) Evidence indicates that people aboard 
United Airlines Flight 93 learned that other hi-
jacked planes had been used to attack the World 
Trade Center in New York City and resisted the ac-
tions of the hijackers on board. 
(5) The effort to resist the hijackers aboard 
United Airlines Flight 93 appears to have caused 
the plane to crash prematurely, potentially saving
hundreds or thousands of lives and preventing the 
destruction of the White House, the Capitol, or an-
other important symbol of freedom and democracy. 
(6) The leaders of the resistance aboard United 
Airlines Flight 93 demonstrated exceptional bravery, 
valor, and patriotism, and are worthy of the appre-
ciation of the people of the United States. 
(b) PRESENTATION OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MED-
ALS AUTHORIZED.—In recognition of heroic service to the 
Nation, the Speaker of the House and the President pro 
tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrange-
ments for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of 
a gold medal of appropriate design for each passenger or 
crew member on board United Airlines Flight 93 who is 
identified by the Attorney General as having aided in the 
effort to resist the hijackers on board the plane to the 
next of kin or other personal representative of each such 
individual. 
(c) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purpose of the 
presentation referred to in subsection (b), the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall strike gold medals of a single design 
with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be de-
termined by the Secretary. 
(d) DUPLICATE MEDALS.—Under such regulations 
as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe, the Sec-
retary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medals struck under subsection (b) at a price sufficient 
to cover the cost of the bronze medals (including labor, 
materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses) 
and the cost of the gold medals. 
SEC. 103. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS FOR GOVERN-
MENT WORKERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE 
ATTACKS ON THE PENTAGON AND PERISHED. 
(a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—In recognition of 
the bravery and self-sacrifice of officers, emergency work-
ers, and other employees of the United States Govern-
ment, who responded to the attacks on the Pentagon 
Washington, D.C. and perished in the tragic events of 
September 11, 2001 (including those who are missing and 
presumed dead) the Speaker of the House and the Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate 
arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Con-
gress, of a gold medal of appropriate design for each such 
officer, emergency worker, or employee to the next of kin 
or other personal representative of each such officer, emer-
gency worker, or employee. 
(b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purpose of the 
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall strike gold medals of a single design
with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be de-
termined by the Secretary. 
(c) DETERMINATION
OF RECIPIENTS.—The Sec-
retary of the Treasury shall determine the number of med-
als to be presented under this section and the appropriate 
recipients of the medals after consulting with the Sec-
retary of Defense and any other appropriate representa-
tive of Federal, State, and local officers and agencies. 
SEC. 104. NATIONAL MEDALS. 
The medals struck under this title are national med-
als for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code. 
TITLE II—SPIRIT OF AMERICA 
COMMEMORATIVE COINS 
SEC. 201. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds as follows: 
(1) On September 11, 2001, the United States 
suffered the worst act of terrorism in its history. 
(2) The more than 6,000 people who lost their 
lives as a result of the terrorist attacks that oc-
curred in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in 
Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, will not be 
forgotten.
(3) Hundreds of emergency personnel re-
sponded heroically to the crisis and lost their lives 
as a result. 
(4) People from everywhere in the United 
States responded to the crisis with an outpouring of 
support for the victims of the terrorist attacks and 
their families. 
(5) The civilized world stands with strength and 
fortitude in opposition to the cowardly terrorist at-
tacks against the United States that occurred on 
September 11, 2001. 
(6) It is essential to remember not only the 
tragedy of the attacks, but also the strength and re-
solve demonstrated by the people of the United 
States in the aftermath of the attacks. 
(7) The minting of coins in commemoration of 
the Spirit of America will pay tribute to the count-
less heroes who risked their lives during the terrorist 
attacks and in their aftermath so that others may 
live and to a united people whose belief in freedom, 
justice, and democracy has never swayed. 
SEC. 202. COIN SPECIFICATIONS. 
(a) DENOMINATIONS.—In commemoration of the 
Spirit of America, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter
in this title referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall mint and 
issue the following coins: 
(1) $50 GOLD COINS.—Such number of 50 dol-
lar coins as the Secretary determines under sub-
section (b), which shall—
(A) weigh 1 ounce; 
(B) have a diameter of 1.287 inches; and 
(C) contain 91.67 percent gold and 8.33 
percent alloy. 
(2) $1 SILVER COINS.—Such number of 1 dollar 
coins as the Secretary determines appropriate to 
meet demand, 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.
(3) HALF DOLLAR CLAD COINS.—Such number 
of half dollar coins as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate to meet demand, 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) NUMBER OF GOLD COINS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The number of gold coins 
minted and issued under this title shall equal the 
sum of 25,000 and the number determined under 
paragraph (2). 
(2) DETERMINATION
OF
NUMBER.—The Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Attorney General of 
the United States and the Governors of New York, 
Pennsylvania, and Virginia shall determine the num-
ber of innocent individuals confirmed or presumed to 
have been killed as a result of the terrorist attacks 
against the United States that occurred on Sep-
tember 11, 2001, and shall identify such individuals. 
The Secretary, under subsection (a)(1), shall mint 
and issue a number of 50 dollar coins equal to the 
number of such individuals. 
(c) LEGAL TENDER.—The coins minted under this 
title shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of 
title 31, United States Code. 
(d) 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. 
(e) SOURCES
OF BULLION.—For the purpose of 
minting coins under this title, the Secretary may only use 
metals that are from natural deposits in the United States 
or any territory or possession of the United States.
(f) SPECIAL TREATMENT UNDER EXIGENT CIR-
CUMSTANCES.—
(1) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds as follows: 
(A) The limitations contained in para-
graphs (1) and (2)(A) of section 5112(m) of 
title 31, United States Code, and section 
5134(f)(1)(B) of such title have well served, 
and continue to serve, their purpose of bringing 
greater stability to the markets for commemo-
rative coins, maximizing demand and participa-
tion in such programs, and ensuring that such 
programs have a broad base of private support 
and are not used as the primary means of fund-
raising by organizations that are the recipients 
of surcharges. 
(B) The shocking circumstances of Sep-
tember 11, 2001, the broad base of public inter-
est in showing the Spirit of America and par-
ticipating in the raising of funds for the victims 
of the crimes committed on that date, and the 
importance of implementing this coin program 
as quickly as possible, notwithstanding the limi-
tations contained in such paragraphs, justify 
exempting the coins produced under this title 
from such limitations.
(2) EXEMPTION.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
section 5112(m) of title 31, United States Code, and 
section 5134(f)(1)(B) of such title shall not apply to 
coins authorized under this title. 
SEC. 203. DESIGN OF COINS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The design of the coins minted 
under this title shall be emblematic of the tragic events 
that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in 
Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001. 
(b) DESIGNATION AND INSCRIPTIONS.—On each coin 
minted under this title there shall be—
(1) a designation of the value of the coin; 
(2) an inscription of the date ‘‘September 11, 
2001’’ (and such coin shall bear no other date); and 
(3) inscriptions of the words ‘‘Liberty’’, ‘‘In 
God We Trust’’, ‘‘United States of America’’, and 
‘‘E Pluribus Unum’’. 
(c) SELECTION.—The design for the coins minted 
under this title shall be selected—
(1) by the Secretary after consultation with the 
Commission of Fine Arts; and 
(2) reviewed by the citizens advisory committee 
established under section 5135 of title 31, United 
States Code.
SEC. 204. STRIKING AND ISSUANCE OF COINS. 
(a) QUALITY OF COINS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under 
paragraph (2), coins minted under this title shall be 
issued in uncirculated quality. 
(2) GOLD COINS.—50 dollar coins minted under 
section 202(a)(1) shall be issued only in proof qual-
ity. 
(b) MINT FACILITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under 
paragraph (2), only 1 facility of the United States 
Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of 
the coins minted under this title. 
(2) CLAD COINS.—Any number of facilities of 
the United States Mint may be used to strike the 
half dollar coins minted under section 202(a)(3). 
(c) PERIOD FOR ISSUANCE.—The Secretary—
(1) shall commence issuing coins minted under 
this title as soon as possible after the date of the en-
actment of this Act; and 
(2) shall not issue any coins after the end of 
the 1-year period beginning on the date such coins 
are first issued. 
SEC. 205. SALE OF COINS. 
(a) SALE PRICE.—The coins issued under section 
202(a) (other than the 50 dollar gold coins referred to
in subsection (d)) shall be sold by the Secretary at a price 
equal to the sum of—
(1) the face value of the coins; 
(2) the surcharges required by section 206(a) 
with respect to such coins; and 
(3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins 
(including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, 
overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping). 
(b) BULK SALES.—The Secretary shall make bulk 
sales of the coins issued under section 202(a) at a reason-
able discount. 
(c) PREPAID ORDERS.—The Secretary shall accept 
prepaid orders received before the issuance of the coins 
minted under section 202(a). The sale prices with respect 
to such prepaid orders shall be at a reasonable discount. 
(d) 
GOLD
COINS.—Notwithstanding 
section 
204(c)(2), the Secretary shall issue a 50 dollar coin mint-
ed under section 202(a)(1) for presentation free of charge 
to the next of kin or personal representative of each indi-
vidual identified under section 202(b). The Speaker of the 
House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore 
of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the 
presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of such gold coins.
SEC. 206. SURCHARGES ON SALE OF COINS. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.—Any sale by the Secretary of a 
coin minted under this title shall include a surcharge of 
an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient 
to cover the cost of the gold coins minted under section 
202(a)(1) (including labor, materials, dies, use of machin-
ery, overhead expenses, and shipping) for presentment in 
accordance with section 205(d), which charge may not be 
less than—
(1) $100 per coin for the 50 dollar gold coins; 
(2) $10 per coin for the 1 dollar coin; and 
(3) $5 per coin for the half dollar coin. 
(b) DISTRIBUTION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS.—Any pro-
ceeds from the surcharges received by the Secretary from 
the sale of coins issued under this title in excess of the 
cost of producing all coins issued under this title (includ-
ing coins issued for individuals identified pursuant to sec-
tion 202(b)(2)) shall be—
(1) used to cover the costs incurred in the pro-
duction of gold medals under title I that have not 
been recovered from the sale of duplicate bronze 
medals under such title; and 
(2) with respect to any amount remaining after 
the costs described in paragraph (1) are covered, 
transferred to any fund for victims of the tragedies 
of September 11, 2001, that the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Attorney General jointly determine 
to be appropriate.
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