Hon. Michael G. Oxley: “I rise in support of H.R. 2993, the ``District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2993, the ``District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act,'' and urge its immediate passage. Mr. Speaker, we all know how fond the American people are of the 50-State quarter program that began in 1999. It has proved popular with collectors, of course, and it has caused all Americans to look at the change in their pockets or their purses in a new light. It has been an invaluable aid in teaching about the unique nature of each state. All Members salute the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. Castle, for his foresight in authoring that legislation. Today we consider a completely separate program, one that is modeled on, but is not part of the State quarter program. Instead of honoring five States a year for a decade, this program will issue six different quarters, for the District of Columbia and the five territories, all in a single year. Surely, the District of Columbia and the five territories will benefit in similar fashion as the states have. I think this program will be of particular benefit regarding the territories, which are not as well-known, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, of Guam and the United States Virgin Islands and American Samoa.”