Commems Collection Modern: 2005 Marine Corps Anniversary - Part I

The bill that would ultimately become the Act that authorized the 2005 230th Anniversary Commemorative Silver Dollar was introduced in the House of Representatives in October 2003. Representative John Murtha (D-PA) introduced the bill for himself and on behalf of Amory Houghton, Jr. (R-NY), Lane Allen Evans (D-IL), Wayne Thomas Gilchrest (R-MD), Victor F. Snyder (D-AR), John Kline (R-MN) and Mr. William J. Janklow (R-SD). Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, which further referred it to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.

The bill called only for a Silver Dollar - no CuNi Clad Half Dollar or Gold Half Eagle. The proposed silver dollars were to be struck "in commemoration of the 230th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, and to support construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center." Funds generated from the $10 surcharge placed on each coin sold were to be distributed "to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for the purposes of construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center." The coin's maximum mintage was set at 500,000.

The National Museum of the Marine Corps is intended to be the centerpiece of the Marine Corps Heritage Center; in addition to the Museum, the completed Heritage Center is to include parade grounds, a chapel, memorial park, hiking trails and space for a variety of outdoor recreational activities. The Heritage Center and National Museum are located in Triangle, VA, next to Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico.

The mission of the Museum is to preserve and exhibit the material history of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1775 to the present - it is intended to present world history from the perspective of the US Marine Corps. Work continues on fulfilling this mission as exhibits for 1976 to present remain under development and are not expected to be opened to the public until 2025.

The Heritage Center is a public-private cooperative effort, with the Foundation being the primary fundraiser for private sector funds; a portion of the appropriations made by Congress to the Marine Corps are also directed toward the Center/Museum.

The bill was subject to Hearings by the Financial Services Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Each of the Committees reported the bill favorably, with the Ways and Means Committee specifying an amendment that would prevent surcharges from being collected on sales of the Marine Corps Silver Dollar if, at the time of its issue, it was not one of the allowed two annual commemorative programs. So, if it were the third coin to the party, it could be issued but no surcharges could be collected. (The Silver Dollar was one of two 2005 US commemorative coin programs - its surcharges were distributed.)

The bill included a series of Findings that provided background on the Marine Corps, the Heritage Center and the proposed coin:

The Congress finds that --

(1) November 10, 2005, marks the 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps;

(2) the United States Marine Corps has, over the course of its illustrious 230-year history, fought gallantly in defense of the United States;

(3) the United States Marine Corps has, over the course of its storied history, established itself as the Nation's military leader in amphibious warfare, and will continue in that role as the United States faces the challenges of the 21st Century;

(4) the United States Marine Corps continues to exemplify the warrior ethos that has made it a fighting force of international repute;

(5) all Americans should commemorate the legacy of the United States Marine Corps so that the values embodied in the ''Corps'' are recognized for the significant contribution they have made in protecting the United States against its enemies;

(6) in 2001, the Congress authorized the construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, the purpose of which is to provide a multipurpose facility to be used for historical displays for the public viewing, curation, and storage of artifacts, research facilities, classrooms, offices, and associated activities, consistent with the mission of the Marine Corps;

(7) the Marine Corps Heritage Center is scheduled to open on November 10, 2005;

(8) the United States should pay tribute to the 230th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps by minting and issuing a commemorative silver dollar coin; and

(9) the surcharge proceeds from the sale of a commemorative coin, which would have no net costs to the taxpayers, would raise valuable funding for the construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.

After a discussion that extolled the virtues of the US Marine Corps and was fully supportive of the coin bill, the House passed the amended bill and sent it to the Senate for its consideration. The Senate passed it without issue. The bill was then sent to the President for final approval; President George W. Bush signed the coin into law in August 2004.

For more on the coin's design and distribution, see 2005 Marine Corps Anniversary - Part II

2005 Marine Corps Anniversary Silver Dollar