Idaho Quarter Ceremony Attracts Cabinet Secretaries, United States Mint Director to Historic Boise Ceremony
Treasury Secretary Paulson, Interior Secretary Kempthorne, United States Mint Director Moy and State Treasurer Crane Put Idaho on the 50 State Quarters® Map
Boise, Idaho - For the first time in the history of the 50 State Quarters® Program, two Cabinet Secretaries joined the Director of the United States Mint today to celebrate a state quarter. The Idaho commemorative quarter-dollar, featuring a peregrine falcon design, was praised by Secretary of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, and Director of the United States Mint Ed Moy. State Treasurer Ron G. Crane represented the state of Idaho at the event at the Boise Depot in a ceremony that also featured Peregrine Fund President J. Peter Jenny, "Cowboy Rudy" Gonzales and KTVB-TV weatherman Larry Gebert. The peregrine falcon in profile is the prominent image on the Idaho quarter, the 43rd coin released by the United States Mint in the popular 50 State Quarters Program. Next to the peregrine falcon profile are a map of the state and the state motto, "Esto Perpetua" (May it Be Forever), and above the falcon are the inscriptions "Idaho" and "1890," representing the year Idaho entered the Union.
"Today we celebrate a distinctive state quarter and the recovery of the peregrine falcon," said Secretary of the Treasury Paulson. "Millions of Americans will have the chance to collect the Idaho quarter and learn more about this spectacular bird."
"We are proud that Idaho took the lead in the recovery of the peregrine falcon. The greatest gift we have been given is our state's natural beauty, and we have a sacred responsibility to protect and preserve it," said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. "When our children hold Idaho's quarter, it will serve as our promise to do better to conserve species." Secretary Kempthorne formerly served as mayor of Boise and U.S. Senator and Governor of Idaho.
"The Idaho quarter contains many lessons in a very small space," Director Moy said, "state geography, history, a little Latin and a big reminder of Idaho's part in the remarkable comeback of the fastest bird in the world." Moy pointed out that the "Kids & Teachers" page on the United States Mint website (http://www.usmint.gov/) features lesson plans about the Idaho quarter.
Following the ceremony, Secretary Paulson, Secretary Kempthorne, Director Moy and State Treasurer Crane handed out shiny, new Idaho quarters to the children in the crowd. Adults lined up to exchange their bills for $10 rolls of Idaho quarters.
For a SATELLITE FEED of the Idaho Quarter Launch (News media only): Friday, August 3rd, 7:00-7:30 PM ET - C Band, Galaxy 26C, Tr. 11, DL 3920V; 9:00-9:15 PM ET - C Band, Galaxy 26C, Tr. 11, DL 3920V.
Saturday, August 4th, 3:30-3:45 PM ET - C Band, Galaxy 26C, Tr. 11, DL 3920V.
