TheWeekInCongress

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending December 10, 2004

HR 4116 American Bald Eagle Recovery and National Emblem Commemorative Coin Act

BRIEF

The American Bald Eagle was selected as the national emblem on June 20, 1782 at the 2^nd Continental Congress. The bird was classified as endangered in 1973 and just recently is to be taken off the endangered list.

The bill authorizes the minting of three commemorative coins celebrating the recovery of the bald eagle, the 35^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and the placement of the bald eagle on the endangered species list.

To be minted would be 100,000 $5 gold coins. Those coins will be .85 inches in diameter, weigh 8.359 grams and contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.

500,000 $1 silver coins will be minted and will be 1.5 inches in diameter, weigh 26.73 grams and contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.

750,000 half dollar coins will weigh 11.34 grams, measure 1.205 inches in diameter and will be clad.

The gold coin will carry a $35.00 surcharge, the $1 dollar will carry a $10.00 surcharge and the ½ dollar will carry $3.00 surcharge per coin.

After absorbing the cost of the coins the remaining funds will go to establishing an interest bearing endowment called the American Eagle Fund as a permanent source of support for the care, monitoring, maintenance and recovery of the bald eagle and its habitats. The endowment will also produce public education activities, habitat purchases, raptor rehabilitation can captive breeding and hacking, study behavior and migration facilitate enforcement of laws protecting the bird, nest watching and creating public viewing areas. The endowment could also make annual grants to Federal, State and private eagle restoration and protection projects.

Sponsor: Rep. William L. Jenkins (R-TN-1^st)

Vote: Passed House without objection (Dec. 7, 2004); Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (Dec. 8, 2004); Signed by President Bush as Public Law 108-486 (Dec. 23, 2004)