Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 3.djvu/446

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Ill STAT. 2534 PUBLIC LAW 105-124 —DEC. 1, 1997 Public Law 105-124 105th Congress An Act Dec. 1, 1997 To provide for a 10-year circulating commemorative coin program to commemorate [S. 1228] ®^^ of the 50 States, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 50 States the United States of America in Congress assembled, Commemorative Coin Program SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Act 31 USC 5101 I'l^is Act may be cited as the "50 States Commemorative Coin note. Program Act". 31 USC 5112 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. °°*^- The Congress finds that— (1) it is appropriate and timely— (A) to honor the unique Federal republic of 50 States that comprise the United States; and (B) to promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of the United States about the individual States, their history and geography, and the rich diversity of the national heritage; (2) the circulating coinage of the United States has not been modernized during the 25-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act; (3) a circulating commemorative 25-cent coin program could produce earnings of $110,000,000 from the sale of silver proof coins and sets over the 10-year period of issuance, and would produce indirect earnings of an estimated $2,600,000,000 to $5,100,000,000 to the United States Treasury, money that will replace borrowing to fund the national debt to at least that extent; and (4) it is appropriate to launch a commemorative circulating coin program that encourages young people and their families to collect memorable tokens of all of the States for the face value of the coins. SEC. 3. ISSUANCE OF REDESIGNED QUARTER DOLLARS OVER 10-YEAR PERIOD COMMEMORATING EACH OF THE 50 STATES. Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after subsection (k) the following new subsection: "(1) REDESIGN AND ISSUANCE OF QUARTER DOLLAR IN COMMEMO- RATION OF EACH OF THE 50 STATES. — "(1) REDESIGN BEGINNING IN 1999.— "(A) IN GENERAL. — Notwithstanding the fourth sentence of subsection (d)(1) and subsection (d)(2), quarter dollar coins issued during the 10-year period beginning in 1999, shall have designs on the reverse side selected