Political Quotes

“since the beginning of the 104th Congress, I have been working with the entire Virginia delegation to move this important piece of legislation through Congress. With the assistance of my fellow Virginian, Congressman Jim Moran, and other cosponsors, H.R. 2062, the George Washington Commemorative Coin Act of 1996, has gained broad bipartisan support in the House. It is especially fitting that the House pass this legislation honoring George Washington on this date, for it was on September 17, 1796, 200 year ago today, that he authored his farewell address upon his retirement from government, warning our Nation of the dangers of factions or partisanship and national deficits. H.R. 2062 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue 100,000 $5 gold coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of George Washington's death in 1799. The theme of the coin, and it is going to be issued in 1999, the theme of the coin will commemorate an important national historical figure on an anniversary of great national significance. The proceeds of the coin will benefit historic Mount Vernon which welcomes over 1 million visitors annually from every State in the Union. Although George Washington's image continues to be one of the most familiar in our Nation, Americans are gradually losing touch with the accomplishments, the character and the leadership of this singularly American hero.”