U.S. Army Infantry Coin Legislation Passes House

The U.S. House passed new legislation yesterday that would create a silver dollar coin honoring the U.S. Army Infantry, and the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

The bill, H.R. 3229, entitled National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act would have the U.S. Mint issue 350,000 silver $1 coins in the year 2012.

The coin legislation has moved to the Senate. Should it pass there and then receive Presidential signature, the bill would become law. The resulting commemorative coin would then get designed to be:

"Emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the U.S. Infantry, in commemoration of the legacy of the U.S. Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center."

H.R. 3229 was introduced by Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland [R-GA] in July of 2007. It enjoyed strong support with 290 cosponsors and passed the House with a unanimous voice vote. In a statement, Rep. Westmoreland said,

"For more than 200 years, our Infantry has defended our lives and our freedom, and no tribute can repay what these soldiers have given their fellow Americans.

The Infantry coin itself is part of our continuing efforts to honor those who served on the front lines for this nation, and sales of the coin will honor them in perpetuity by creating an endowment that will fund the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning.

I’m humbled to play a role in shining a spotlight on these American heroes. The museum is a great attraction for Columbus and sales of this coin will go a long way toward its success in the future."

Westmoreland also commended and thanked his fellow Georgian, Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr. [D-GA],

"Sanford played a critical role in getting this bill to the floor and I could not have done it without him. We both represent Columbus and parts of Fort Benning. This was an example of bipartisan teamwork to deliver something positive for the base and the community and our military."

A $10 surcharge for the sale of each coin would go to the National Infantry Foundation to establish an endowment to support the maintenance of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

For a listing of other coin legislation this year, visit Coin Legislation Proposed and Coin Laws Passed.