Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1993 James Madison-Bill Of Rights - Part I

Here's another "pre-cursor" look at what led to the 1993 James Madison-Bill of Rights commemorative coin program in the 102nd United States ("US") Congress.

Following the other interim proposals I've already discussed (What If? 1991-92 Bill Of Rights Three-Coin Program and What If? 1991-92 James Madison/Bill Of Rights Silver Dollars), the commemorative coin program bills discussed here would have their own twists.

Up first is the US House of Representatives ("House") bill introduced by Norman Sisisky (D-VA) in June 1991. The bill called for the striking of a Gold Half Eagle (up to 400,000) and a Silver Dollar (up to 1,000,000) "in commemoration of James Madison and the Bill of Rights." Proof and Uncirculated versions were to be authorized. The bill had significant support, with 250+ co-sponsors.

The Issue Price of the Gold Half Eagle was to include a surcharge of $35 (per coin); the Silver Dollar price was to include a $7 per coin surcharge. Collected surcharges were to be paid to the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund (administered by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation) to be "used to encourage teaching and graduate study of the Constitution of the United States, its roots, its formation, its principles, and its development."

Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage.

The Subcommittee called a multi-coin Hearing in July 1991; the James Madison-Bill of Rights bill was included on the agenda. Representative Sisisky testified at the Hearing, as did Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) Also appearing at the Hearing was Representative A. Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Admiral Paul Yost, US Coast Guard (Retired).

Representative Sisisky was the first to testify on behalf of the coin proposal. (Sisisky was a member of the Board of Trustees of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation; he was appointed by US President George Bush.) Sisisky updated the Subcommittee on the Foundation's need for additional funds to carry out its mission (as defined by Congress), and how it was believed that the proposed coin program would enable the Foundation to be fully realized.

After a brief recess that allowed Subcommittee members to participate in a House vote...

Senators Kennedy and Hatch were next to present; each was an appointed member of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution, and each was a Senate advocate for a James Madison-Bill of Rights coin program. (Yes, the Senators appeared at a House Subcommittee Hearing.) Kennedy stated that the Constitution Commission considered the James Madison Fellowship Program to be its only "ongoing and continuing activity" (i.e., living legacy) post cessation of the Commission's active period.

Note: The James Madison Fellowship program is an education support program that provides financial support to eligible students/teachers. (The Fellowship Foundation was created by the US Congress in 1986 "to encourage graduate study of the American Constitution, its roots, its formation, its principles, and its development." It continues to be active to the present day and provides financial support to teachers (and soon-to-be teachers) of American history, American government and civics classes in which topics on the US Constitution at the secondary school level will be taught.

Senator Hatch followed Senator Kennedy, and delivered what, IMO, was the most emotionally-impactful statement of the Hearing. Regarding the coin program, he offered:

"Teachers will be helped . We have a tremendous purpose. And this coin act will enable us to move forward in a sophisticated, decent, intellectually sound, and impressive way."

Kennedy and Hatch assured the Subcommittee that, if the House moved forward with its proposed coin bill, the Senate would also support it.

The Subcommittee testimony of both Senator Kennedy and Senator Hatch was relatively brief, in deference to their Full Statements which were entered - in written form - into the record - many program details are discussed in the Statements.

Wayne Allard (R-CO) was next to testify. He was very brief (his full written Statement was entered into the record). He thanked Representative Sisisky and Senators Kennedy and Hatch for their efforts on behalf of the coin program bill and requested the Subcommittee's support on the measure.

Next up was Admiral Yost. I'll pick the story up with the testimony of Admiral Yost in Part II


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