Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, a bill that would have the U.S. Treasury mint coins in recognition of the Hall of Fame's 60th anniversary. These unique dome-shaped coins that would come at no expense to the taxpayers is the ideal symbol for the first and only museum that honors the sport on all levels around the world.

In my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts in 1891, a young physical education teacher by the name of James Naismith introduced this simple game to his class that he called, ``basket ball.'' Since then, the world of sports has never been the same. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was founded in his honor in 1959, even though all they had was a couple of displays at Springfield College. The Hall of Fame has since grown into one of the most impressive structures on the Springfield skyline, where more than 6 million visitors a year get to see hundreds of thousands of items of memorabilia spanning the past hundred years. More than 300 people have been enshrined at the Hall of Fame since its inception. Some of the great players of all time such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Wilt Chamberlain, along with some of the legendary coaches like Pat Summit and John Wooden will forever be immortalized for their contribution to this sport. As importantly, the Hall of Fame has always been an advocate for good sportsmanship and promoting respect on and off the court.

Mr. Speaker, what began as a simple game in a gym has transformed into a worldwide sensation that attracts millions of spectators every night. It is for this reason that I ask that the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame receive this great recognition and I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

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