Durbin: Lincoln Penny Bill Passes Congress

DURBIN: LINCOLN PENNY BILL PASSES CONGRESS

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), co-chair of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, today announced the passage of legislation which will issue a series of one-cent coins to honor the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln Commission was established by Congress in 2001 to organize the national observance of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and to recommend activities that will best pay tribute to Lincoln on the occasion.

The redesigned pennies will be issued in 2009, the year of Lincoln's bicentennial, and will feature four designs on the reverse side of the coins, each representing a different aspect of the life of Abraham Lincoln. The different designs would depict his birth and early childhood in Kentucky, his youth in Indiana, his professional life in Illinois and his Presidency in Washington, DC. The present image of Lincoln would stay on the front of the penny.

"Abraham Lincoln is a true American hero, and his life can provide inspiration to Americans of any age and background," Durbin said. "From modest Midwestern roots, Lincoln rose to the Presidency through his intelligence, integrity and commitment to the nation that he loved. To honor the 200th anniversary of his birth, this special series of coins will pay tribute to his life and work."

Issued in 1909 on the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth the "Lincoln cent" featuring Victor David Brenner's likeness of the 16th president is one of the most recognizable designs in American currency. In the nearly 100 years of production of the Lincoln cent there have been only two designs on the reverse side: the original featuring two wheat-heads, which was phased out in 1958, and the current representation of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

The Durbin bill instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue four one-cent coins during the year 2009. The designs will be chosen by the Secretary after consultation with the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. After December 31, 2009, the image on the reverse of the penny will be permanently changed to one that represents President Lincoln's preservation of the United States as a single, united nation.

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial One-Cent Coin Redesign Act (S-341) was co-sponsored by Barack Obama (D-IL), Jim Bunning (R-KY), Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Evan Bayh (D-IN). The Durbin bill was approved late last night by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a larger package of legislation.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=249719&&