:thumb: Exciting News for all 4-H’ers and Numismatists Nationwide! Throughout the nation 4-H members, 4-H alumni and International 4-H Youth Exchange alumni are spearheading an effort asking members of Congress to sponsor and support legislation authorizing commemorative coins to honor the centennial in 2015 of 4-H becoming a national program. Additionally, the governing board of the American Numismatic Association (the largest coin collecting organization in the United States) unanimously endorsed the 4-H Commemorative Coin Act on Aug. 13. The legislation, which is expected to be introduced in mid September (probably Sept. 13) when members of the House and the Senate return from their August recess, authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce special collector versions of up to 500,000 silver dollars and up to 750,000 copper-nickel half dollars with designs emblematic of 4-H and its role in the diffusion of knowledge, development of young leaders and good citizens, and leading the vision of peace through understanding in our global community. “Commemorative coins are a wonderful way of focusing attention on the role 4-H has played in the lives of millions of young people,” said Michael Ellis of Georgia, a nationally known coin expert and member of the Georgia Master 4-H Club who initiated the idea for the coinage program. “These commemorative coins are legal tender (real coins) though they are worth more than their face value and are normally sold to collectors” Ellis added. He noted that up to $7.1 million could be generated in surcharges that will directly benefit national and state 4-H programs. “This is a non-partisan proposal that we believe every member of Congress can embrace. Four-H is exemplary of learning by doing and striving every day to make the best better” Ellis said. Today 4-H comprises a community of 6 million young people across the United States learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Four-H Clubs can be found in every county in every state, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and more than 80 countries around the world. The 4-H community in the United States alone includes 3,500 staff, 518,000 volunteers and 60 million alumni. Four-H members participate in hands-on learning activities supported by the latest research of the land-grant universities. “A U.S. commemorative silver dollar was issued this year honoring the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America will be honored with a commemorative silver dollar in 2013. Year after year there are more active 4-H’ers in the United States than there are members in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts combined! Additionally, 4-H is uniquely American, while both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were founded out of the United States! If the Scouts have commemorative coins, we should, too!” Ellis exclaimed. Commemorative coins honor people, places, events and significant anniversaries and are manufactured by the U.S. Mint. All commemorative coins must be authorized by legislation approved by Congress and signed into law by the president. No more than two commemorative coin programs may be authorized each year. The U.S. Mint sells the coins directly to the public. “Though it appears we will have the support of Congress we are trying to get this legislation signed into law before the end of this month (September). Therefore, all active 4-H members and supporters are encouraged to contact their Representatives and Senators to ask for their support for the act. The more who contact their legislators, the more we can be certain they will vote in favor of the bill” says Ellis. Following are guidelines to help you with this task. _______________________________ IMPORTANT INFO to know when communicating with your Representative and Senators in the U.S. Congress. 1. Approval of a 4-H commemorative coin program honoring the centennial in 2015 of 4- H becoming a national program is being sought through legislation that will be introduced when Congress reconvenes in September. Please urge your representative and senators to sign on as co-sponsors. 2. Only two commemorative coin programs can be authorized each year. Although 2015 is five years away, it is urgent to gain approval now so that the 4-H commemorative coin program can be one of the two programs authorized for 2015. 3. Your member’s co-sponsorship is critical because special rules in the committees of jurisdiction (House Financial Services and Senate Banking) require a commemorative coin bill to have 292 co-sponsors in the House and 67 co-sponsors in the Senate before any action is taken by the committees to advance the bills through the legislative process. 4. Seek an opportunity to speak directly with your representative and senators or with his or her staff. In person is always best. Phone calls are great. Another great way of communicating with your representatives is via their web sites. If you do not know who your representatives or senators are, go to http://www.congress.org . It is a non-partisan site with listings. It also has a feature that helps you compose and send a letter from the site. THOMAS is the Library of Congress web site that has information and listings of members of Congress. Go to http://thomas.loc.gov/ and you will find in the left column “House of Representatives” and “Senate.” Click on either and it will take you to an alphabetical listing. Click on the name and that will take you directly to the member’s web site, where you can send a letter electronically. 5. Once you have talked with your Senator, ask him or her to contact Senator Saxby Chambliss of Georgia’s office requesting to be a co-sponsor. A second senator will be announced soon. If you have talked with your Representative, ask him or her to contact either Representative Frank Lucas of Oklahoma or Representative Collin Peterson of Minnesota requesting to be a co-sponsor. 6. Your help is vital to spreading the word about this grassroots effort. Enlist your friends and network with other 4-H members and alumni. We have a very short window (less than 4 weeks) to accomplish our goal! (Use your personal e-mail and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word.) 7. 4-H members, 4-H advisers, 4-H alumni and IFYE alumni are spearheading this project, but everyone – family, friends, numismatists and the general public – are welcomed and encouraged to join this campaign! This is very important. Because they are government employees, all Extension staff are prohibited by law from lobbying members of Congress. Also, no mailings (newsletters) or printed items (letterhead) using government funds can be used in this effort or in lobbying or contacting a member of Congress. Use personal phone, fax, e-mail, and post at social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word. For more information or a copy of the draft of the bill email me at mikeellis2001@yahoo.com
I left a message for my Congressman and both Senators asking them to co-sponsor the bill. Good luck, Mike.
