Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for historical purposes, information about American Samoa's Commemorative Quarter. [Press Release, Mar. 25, 2004] House Passes Bill To Provide American Samoa…
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to include, for historical purposes, information about American Samoa's Commemorative Quarter.
[Press Release, Mar. 25, 2004]
House Passes Bill To Provide American Samoa With a Commemorative
Quarter
Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that by a vote of
411 to 14 the House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 2993, a bill
to provide for a circulating quarter dollar coin program to
commemorate American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana
Islands.
In general, this legislation would amend the popular 50
States Commemorative Coin Program Act to include 6 new
designs emblematic of the District of Columbia, American
Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the
Northern Mariana Islands. Designs on the reverse side of each
quarter dollar issued during 2009 will be selected by the
Secretary of Treasury in consultation with the chief
executive officers of these areas, Congressman Faleomavaega
said.
All five delegates are and were original co-sponsors of
this bi-partisan measure. This measure was first introduced
in the 106th Congress and passed overwhelmingly in the House
by a vote of 377-6. Unfortunately, the 106th Congress ended
before the Senate was able to consider our bill. During the
107th Congress, identical legislation (H.R. 4005) passed the
House and was received in the Senate in October of 2002. Once
again, the Senate was unable to consider this matter before
the 107th Congress adjourned.
Now, we have introduced H.R. 2993 and we are hopeful that
the House and Senate will pass this legislation before the
108th Congress adjourns. At this time, I want to thank
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for her leadership and I
also want to thank the other Delegates who have also worked
tirelessly to ensure that this legislation is considered,
Congressman Faleomavaega said.
It is only fitting for Congress to acknowledge the
Territories relationship with the United States. Speaking on
behalf of American Samoa, we have a long and proud history of
supporting the United States. The traditional leaders of the
islands of Tutuila and Aunuu ceded our islands to the United
States in 1900. Four years later, the King of Manua and his
chiefs ceded the Manua Islands.
In the early part of the century, the port village of Pago
Pago was used as a coaling station for U.S. naval ships.
During WWII, it was used as a support base for U.S. soldiers.
To this day, American Samoa serves as a refueling point for
U.S. naval ships and military aircraft.
American Samoa also has a per capita enlistment rate in the
U.S. military which is as high as any State or U.S.
Territory. Our sons and daughters have served in record
numbers in every U.S. military engagement from WWII to
present operations in Iraq. We have stood by the United
States in good times and bad and I believe this relationship
should be acknowledged with the issuance of a commemorative
coin.
H.R. 2993 affords us an opportunity to recognize the
special contributions that American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico,
the Northern Marianas and the District of Columbia have made
to the history of our Nation. I thank my colleagues for
voting in favor of this legislation and I urge the Senate to
also support our cause, the Congressman concluded.
