President Joe Biden on Aug. 3 signed into law a bipartisan bill supported by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) that authorizes the U.S. Treasury Department to mint coins commemorating the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“I am pleased this bill was signed into law so future generations will remember and honor the courageous heroes that came before them,” Sen. Rounds said last week.
Sen. Rounds in May 2021 sponsored the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act, S. 1596, which gained 89 cosponsors. The bill was companion legislation to the identical H.R. 1057, sponsored in February 2021 by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and 145 original cosponsors. Biden signed H.R. 1057 into law last week.
“With the signing into law of the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act, we continue our bipartisan work to honor the National World War II Memorial and preserve it for years to come,” said Rep. Kaptur. “The Greatest Generation commemorative coin will stand the test of time – representing America’s enduring gratitude for the millions of brave servicemembers who answered the call to defend Liberty when our nation and the world needed them most.”
The coins will be sold to the public beginning in 2024. Proceeds from sales of up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins will go toward repairs and maintenance of the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs at no cost to taxpayers, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“The World War II Memorial recognizes the tremendous sacrifices made by our Greatest Generation,” said Sen. Rounds. “They put their ordinary lives on hold to step into numerous roles defending our country. Whether at home or abroad, their selfless efforts made an unmatched impact on our generation and generations to follow.”