“This legislation would amend the popular 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act by extending the program to include our jurisdictions,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “In other words, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, and the other insular areas, like the 50 states, would be able to choose a design for the reverse side of the quarter coin to commemorate our history.”

     “We are hopeful that the Honorable Peter King, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, will honor our request to hold a hearing on the matter so that we can move this important piece of legislation forward,” the Congressman continued.  “In a joint letter to Chairman King, Congresswoman Eleanor Norton (DC), Congressman Anibal Acevedo-Vila (PR), Congresswoman Donna Christensen (VI), Congressman Robert Underwood (Guam) and I noted that when we introduced this legislation in the 106th Congress, it was passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 377-6.  However, the session ended before the Senate could address our concerns.”

     “We also noted that if Chairman King will agree to hold a hearing on the matter during the 107th Congress, we are confident that both the House and Senate will be ready to pass this bill,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “If passed, this legislation will afford 
us the opportunity to come together and recognize the contributions that American Samoa, the District of Columbia, and the other insular areas have made to the history of 
our nation.  Simply put, this legislation will continue to inspire a sense of unity and patriotism in a time of national crisis”