A bill written by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), which permits the minting of national park commemorative coins for fundraising purposes, was recently signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Under the new program, a $5 gold coin, a silver dollar coin and a clad half-dollar coin will be minted with special graphics commemorating the National Park System. Proceeds from the program will go directly to the National Park Foundation, the official charitable entity that supports and oversees the management of national parks.
“Our National Parks feature the very best of the beauty and history our country has to offer,” Paulsen said. “The minting of commemorative coins will raise important funds that will directly contribute to projects and programs preserving these resources without costing the taxpayers a dime.”
The legislation was included in the National Defense Authorization Act, which recently passed the U.S. House by a 300 to 199 vote and the U.S. Senate by a vote of 89 to 11.
National parks are an important part of the economy of Minnesota and the well-being of Paulsen’s constituents. The congressman said that Minnesota’s National Parks are visited by 650,000 people each year, bringing in more than $30 million to the state’s economy.