Bush Signs Disabled Veterans Silver Dollar Coin Act into Law

President Bush today signed legislation that will honor disabled Veterans with commemorative silver dollar coins for 2010.

The designs of the coins are to be "emblematic of the service of our disabled veterans who, having survived the ordeal of war, made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principles of our democracy."

Surcharge funds from the sale of each coin will help build a memorial for disabled veterans.

The American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 634, was introduced in January of 2007 by Rep Dennis Moore and Rep Mark Kirk.

The House in May and the Senate in June unanimously passed the bill. Rep Moore commented after the House passage,

"We can never fully communicate our gratitude for the service and sacrifice that our servicemen and women have made for our country, but this memorial is an important step.”

Rep Kirk said,

“We owe our disabled veterans a considerable debt for their sacrifices … I am proud that Congress is taking action to preserve the legacy of these heroes.”

The United States Mint will produce a maximum of 350,000 silver $1 dollar proof and uncirculated coins that will be issued only in 2010.

A surcharge of $10 per coin will go to the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise funds necessary to build the Memorial.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates at least 300,000 of the commemoratives will be sold, transferring $3 million to the memorial foundation in 2012.