Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1956 Booker T Washington Centennial - Phillips Memo - Part II

(You can find Part I to the memo here: What If? 1956 Booker T. Washington Centennial - Phillips Memo - Part I


Here are the remaining points of Phillips' memo and his concluding comments:

7. As a capstone to these activities extending now over a period of more than 10 years the Federal Government is now asked to extend the original legislation of 1946 (Public Law 610) to authorize the reminting of 100,000 coins of the Carver-Washington issue now in reserve in the form of a centennial halt dollar to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Booker T. Washington. This would finance a continuing program throughout the centennial year, sponsored by the Booker T. Washington Centennial Commission that will revive in the minds of all Americans the program, policies, procedures, and philosophies of Booker T. Washington, both for the continued progress of his people, who represent one-tenth of the population of our country, and for advocating his policies and philosophy of race relations at this critical time in the history of our own country and in the history o! the nations o! the world.

8. At a time when almost incalculable sums are being spent for the maintenance of peace and the promotion of understanding and goodwill among the nations and peoples of the world, it would be wise statesmanship to encourage here in our country a monument which has demonstrated over a period of 75 years its effectiveness in reducing conflicts between the races here at home and its soundness in promoting the advancement of that segment of our population that has had the longest and hardest road to travel toward the goal of American citizenship.

9. For this purpose the Government is not called upon to appropriate any funds, to set up any organization, nor to pass any new legislation. The Congress is requested only to further extend the original law that there may continue a program whose value has been proven and to which the country has given a support unequaled by any similar movement.

10. To authorize the reminting of these 100,000 coins, the premium proceeds from which shall be used in observing the centennial of Booker T. Washington, will bring to a climax a movement which honors a great American and helps to perpetuate through the media of radio, television, press, and informative literature the aims and ideals to which he dedicated his life.

11. July 4, 1956 will mark the 75th year since the commencement of Booker T. Washington's work, for on this date in 1881 he organized the Tuskegee Normal Institute which was to become the center of his activity. The favorable report by the committee and the enactment and approval of the legislation before July 4, therefore, would be an appropriate tribute on this significant anniversary.

As a feature of the year-long celebration in observing the 100th anniversary of the birth of Booker T. Washington, the Booker T. Washington Centennial Commission will sponsor, July 4, a mammoth picnic and celebration on the United States land use project near Tuskegee which more than 10,000 are expected to attend. We should like then to announce the enactment of law providing for this Booker T. Washington centennial half dollar, the premiums from the sale of which will make funds available to carry on a nationwide good will building program to assist in reducing racial tension based on the philosophy of Booker T. Washington.

Booker T. Washington

Image Credit: Public Domain.)

Though a passionate plea, the memo was not enough to sway Congress to pass any of the BTW Birth Centennial coin bills (amendments) on behalf of Phillips and the Booker T. Washington National Monument Foundation-Booker T. Washington Centennial Commission. You can read more about the effort here:

- What If? 1956 Booker T Washington Coin #3


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.