Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1999 Millennium Society - Part I - The Society

The "Millennium Society Act of 1996" was more than just a coin bill. It also established (Federally) the Millennium Society (chartered in Illinois in 1983), laid out its objectives and powers and proposed the issue of United States ("US") postage stamps.

The bill was introduced in the Senate in June 1996 by Ted Stevens (R-AK). The Title of this 1996 bill is a mouthful:

"To provide for the recognition and designation of the official society to administer and coordinate the United States of America activities to commemorate and celebrate the achievements of the second millennium, and promote even greater achievements in the millennium to come by endowing an international cross-cultural scholarship fund to further the development and education of the world's future leaders."

And part of the plan was the issuing of commemorative coins!

Senator Stevens included the following comments in his remarks that accompanyied the bill's introduction:

"This bill is a bipartisan effort to focus the Nation's attention on what may become one of the most anticipated events in history -- the beginning of the new millennium. As the new millennium nears, this bill hopes to focus our attention on the achievements of the past 1,000 years and helps to foster educational opportunities for those who may take on leadership responsibilities in the next 1,000 years."

"Since its founding in 1979 by a group of college students from around the world, The Millennium Society has worked to organize a global celebration and commemoration of humankind's achievements during this millennium and to endow a cross-cultural scholarship program to help educate future leaders. I believe it is the oldest organization in the country formed for the specific purpose of celebrating and commemorating the historical significance of the Millennium."

[...]

"Unlike the Bicentennial Commission which required Federal funding, this bill asks for no Federal funds. Title I of this bill provides the Society with the official authorization and designation to administer Millennium activities both here and abroad and ensures that charitable proceeds go to the Millennium Scholars Program. The organizers hope that this designation can operate much like the U.S. Olympic Committee trademark. Mr. President, to the best of my knowledge, there are no other organizations that are competing for this designation nor have
any indicated any specific interest in doing so."

Regarding the purposes of the Millennium Society, the bill stated:

"The objects and purposes of the Society are recognized as being the
following:

(1) To establish national goals for commemoration and celebration of the millennium in the United States and participation by the United States in such international events.

(2) To promote and support official celebrations of the millennium in the United States and to coordinate those celebrations with international commemorations and celebrations of the millennium.

(3) To exercise exclusive jurisdiction, either directly or through its constituent members or organs, over all matters pertaining to the participation of the United States in commemorations or celebrations of the millennium.

(4) To assist organizations and persons concerned with the millennium in commemorations or celebrations of the millennium.

(5) To coordinate activities and hold forums and symposiums to promote educational and cross-cultural exchange.

(6) To establish, endow, and administer the Millennium Scholars Program, an international scholarship program that provides for university level exchange for exceptional young women and men from all regions of the world and all pursuits who have proven leadership abilities, true academic superiority, and a demonstrated desire to further international understanding in order to better prepare those young leaders for greater achievements in the next millennium by furthering their education, leadership abilities, cultural understanding, and dedication to freedom and peace. "

Within the "Powers of the Society" section of the bill, potential commemorative coins and medals were introduced:

"(15) To print, create, and distribute commemorative coins and medals, edit and publish, make, display, and sell books and magazines, pictures, slides, compact discs, videos, cinemas and other commemorative items, as may be necessary or desirable for the accomplishment of the purposes of the Society.

(16) To buy, sell, and generally deal in appropriate and related souvenirs, commemorative coins, medals, curios, mementos, and publications."

I conducted several searches to determine if The Millennium Society continues operations today. While I found multiple "Millennium Society" references/sites, none of them appeared to be linked to the one discussed in this legislation. Is anyone aware of the fate of this specific organization?


To explore the details of the bill's proposed commemorative coins, read Part II - The Coins.

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