President Bush on Wednesday signed into law the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 5872). The act authorizes 350,000 silver dollar coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 2010.

H.R. 5872 enjoyed overwhelming support in both parties, passing in the House on April 22 and the Senate on September 27.

Congressman Pete Sessions [R-TX], who is an Eagle Scout with four generations of Boy Scouts in his family, introduced the bill and was thankful it passed.

"From conservation to character building, the Boy Scouts’ 100th Anniversary celebrates the highest Scouting ideals of helping others and making communities stronger," said Sessions.

"I believe that a commemorative coin will be an important and influential symbol for Scouts of all ages and raising awareness of the importance of Scouting programs for future generations."

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It’s been a brisk couple of weeks for newly introduced or passed coin legislation.

Five US coin bills have seen recent movement, and two have actually been presented to President Bush for his signature.

For a quick summation, here are the legislative measures that have moved in congress between September 9 and October 1:

Boy Scouts of America Silver Dollar Coin, H.R. 5872

United States Army Infantry Silver Dollar Coin, H.R. 3229

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The Senate on Saturday joined the House in passing legislation that seeks to commemorate the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) with 350,000 silver dollar coins in 2010.

The bill, named the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act or H.R. 5872, has overwhelming support and now moves to its next step — congressional packaging for the President, who is expected to sign it into law.

Congressman Pete Sessions [R-TX] introduced the legislation in April and said,

"Boy Scouts are a significant part of American culture, shaping the values, citizenship, and skills of millions of young men," Sessions stated. "As an Eagle Scout with four generations of Boy Scouts in my family, I strongly value the Boy Scouts’ history of instilling a sense of duty to God, country, and self."

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A commemorative Boy Scouts silver coin just moved closer to becoming reality. On May 15, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5872, an act "To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America, and for other purposes."

They did so with strong bipartisan support similar to their very recent passage of the palladium Saint-Gaudens double eagle coin legislation. Although 8 Democrats voted against the bill, they were easily overwhelmed with the support of 215 Democrats and 186 Republicans.

Legislation must now pass in the Senate and then get signed by the President to become law.

H.R. 5872 is officially entitled the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act and calls for 350,000 silver $1 coins to be minted in 2010. The collector coin would contain 90% silver and 10% copper.

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A new House bill recently introduced to celebrate the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) with the minting of a commemorate silver dollar has exceptionally strong bipartisan support.

Rep Pete Sessions [R-TX] introduced the new bill on April 22, 2008. The bill looks to be soundly popular with an already 296 cosponsors lined up to provide their early signature for the "100 Years of Scouting" commemorative coin.

Rep. Sessions commented,

“Boy Scouts are a significant part of American culture, shaping the values, citizenship, and skills of millions of young men,” Sessions stated. “As an Eagle Scout with four generations of Boy Scouts in my family, I strongly value the Boy Scouts’ history of instilling a sense of duty to God, country, and self.”

Not altogether surprising, in the 110th Congress, 248 members of the House of Representative and the Senate have participated in Boy Scouts of America as Scouts or adult leaders.

The bill, H.R. 5872, is entitled the Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act and calls for 350,000 silver $1 coins to be minted in 2010. The collector coin would contain 90% silver and 10% copper.

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