Commems Collection Classic: 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - Congress - Part I

In July 1946, during its consideration of the bill that called for a 50-cent piece to honor Booker T. Washington (BTW), multiple House Representatives rose to praise the man and his accomplishments and to voice their support for the coin bill. IMO, the remarks made by members of Congress are an interesting reflection of their time. I plan on posting a mini-series that covers these remarks.

Note: The following direct quote is from The Congressional Record and reflects its time. As such, word choices often do not match today's social preferences and sensibilities. No offense is intended by me - my only desire is to present history as it happened for educational purposes.


Thomas Granville Burch (D-VA) introduced the House version of the BTW Birthplace Memorial coin bill on May 23, 1946. Upon its introduction, it was referred to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. The Committee reported the bill back,
favorably, on July 12, 1946. Three days later, on July 15, Howard Worth Smith (D-VA) requested the reported bill be considered by the House of Representatives.

His accompanying remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, this is a bill to authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces commemorating the birth of Booker T. Washington. The object of it is to enable the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Association to obtain funds for the erection of a memorial to him at his birthplace in Franklin County, Va.

"It seems to me, Mr. Speaker, this is a very fine gesture for the Congress of the United States to make. Booker T. Washington was an outstanding American citizen and an outstanding representative of his race of people, an example that we should encourage his people to emulate. The fact is about the Negro, I believe everyone will agree, that they have made greater progress in civilization and in the ways of civilized people during their residence in this country than any other race of people ever in the history of the world. When we look back upon the fact that only 80 years ago they were in slavery and then we find today in this Nation such fine characters as Booker T. Washington, when we find the descendants of these people who were held in slavery, practicing the professions of medicine and law, prominent in the fields of education and business; sitting in the Halls of Congress and the legislatures of the States, holding offices and places of responsibility in civilian life throughout this the greatest Nation in the world, I think that race of people is to be congratulated upon the progress which it has made.

"We have in this country and in all countries of the world at this time, great distress and too much race prejudice. I think that merit is where you find it, and good citizenship is where you find it, whether it is Christian, Jew, or Negro. We have fine citizens in all our minorities in this Nation -- citizens whose services we need and whose cooperation we need in this hour of the greatest trial of the civilization of the world.

"It is a great mistake to criticize or persecute any minority race. Those who indulge in that nefarious practice sooner or later find retribution, and there is no more striking example of that retribution than what is now happening to the Nazis of Germany for their inhuman treatment of the Jewish race.

"In the Negro race we have splendid citizens who ought to be encouraged, who ought to be educated, who ought to have their opportunity, their place in the sun in this Nation.

"The Jewish people in this country, minority though they be, have furnished some of our finest citizens, some of our most useful patriots, many of them in large communities and in small communities, devoting their time and energy to the welfare of the Nation and the welfare of their communities. I believe gestures such as that contained in this bill to laud the progress of minorities in this Nation is one of the finest things this Congress can do, particularly in this time of great stress and trial."

After he completed his remarks, Representative Smith yielded time to his colleagues. In Part II of this story, I'll pick up with the statements of Representatives Carlson and Bolton.

1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar



To continue this story, click here: Part II


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the BTW commemorative coins, see: Commems Collection.