Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1787
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:05:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 1787) aims to honor the life, baseball achievements, and humanitarian legacy of Roberto Clemente, a Puerto Rican-born Major League Baseball player known for his activism, sportsmanship, and philanthropy. It directs the U.S. Treasury to mint special coins to commemorate him, with proceeds supporting related charitable causes.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines Roberto Clemente's biography, including his birth in Puerto Rico in 1934, rise to stardom with the Pittsburgh Pirates (e.g., 3,000 hits, 12 Gold Gloves, MVP awards), encounters with racial discrimination, military service in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, philanthropy (e.g., aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua), and tragic death in a 1972 plane crash at age 38. It highlights his role as a civil rights advocate, union leader, and symbol of Latino pride, as well as MLB honors like the Roberto Clemente Award.
- Coin Specifications:
- Up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (8.359 grams, 0.850 inches diameter, 90% gold).
- Up to 400,000 $1 silver coins (26.73 grams, 1.500 inches diameter, 90% silver).
- Up to 750,000 half-dollar clad coins (11.34 grams, 1.205 inches diameter, standard composition per U.S. law).
- All coins are legal tender (acceptable for payments) but treated as numismatic items (collectibles, not for everyday circulation).
- Design Requirements: Coins must feature designs reflecting Clemente's life, human rights activism, and baseball career. At least one side (obverse) includes his image. Required inscriptions: "Roberto Clemente," coin denomination, year "2027," "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum." Designs selected by the Treasury Secretary after consulting the Roberto Clemente Foundation, Clemente's family, and the Commission of Fine Arts, with review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a public advisory group on coin designs).
- Issuance and Sale:
- Issued only in 2027 in uncirculated (new, shiny) and proof (high-quality, polished) finishes.
- Sold at face value plus surcharges ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar) and production costs.
- Bulk sales and prepaid orders available at discounts.
- Surcharges go to the Roberto Clemente Foundation for education, youth sports, disaster relief, and historic preservation, subject to audits.
- No surcharges if it would exceed the annual limit of two commemorative coin programs (a cap on such special coin issues).
- Financial Assurances: Ensures no net cost to the U.S. government; surcharges and sales cover all expenses (labor, materials, marketing) before funds are disbursed to the foundation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act introduces a new commemorative coin program under title 31 of the U.S. Code (governing money and finance), adding to existing rules for such coins without altering core statutes. It adheres to the two-program-per-year limit in section 5112(m) and audit requirements in section 5134(f), but specifies designs, minting limits, and surcharge distribution tailored to Clemente. No broader changes to coin production or legal tender laws.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint (under the Treasury Department) will handle design, production, and sales in 2027, incurring temporary costs offset by revenues. It promotes cultural education without long-term fiscal burden.
- Citizens: Provides collectors, baseball fans, and the public an opportunity to purchase limited-edition coins, fostering appreciation for Clemente's legacy. Funds support community programs, potentially benefiting youth in sports and education, especially in Latino and Puerto Rican communities.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but as Clemente was Puerto Rican and aided Latin America, the coins could enhance U.S. cultural ties with Puerto Rico (a U.S. territory) and Hispanic nations by celebrating shared history and humanitarian values.
- Broader Effects: Increases visibility of civil rights and philanthropy in U.S. history; surcharges could raise up to several million dollars for the foundation, aiding disaster relief and youth initiatives.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Treasury and Mint: Responsible for minting, designing, and selling the coins.
- Roberto Clemente Foundation and Family: Receive surcharge funds for their mission; involved in design consultations.
- Collectors and Numismatists: Primary buyers of these limited coins.
- Baseball and Latino Communities: Benefit from heightened recognition of Clemente's achievements and activism, including Puerto Ricans and Afro-Latinos.
- MLB and Sports Organizations: Indirectly supported through promotion of Clemente's enduring awards and legacy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Fully complies with federal coinage laws (e.g., 31 U.S.C. §§ 5112, 5134, 5136), ensuring accountability via audits and cost recovery. The two-program limit prevents over-issuance of commemorative coins.
- Constitutional: No major issues; Congress has authority under Article I, Section 8 to coin money and regulate its value. Surcharges avoid direct taxpayer funding, aligning with appropriations principles.
- Political: Symbolizes bipartisan support (introduced by representatives from different parties) for diversity, civil rights, and cultural heritage. It honors a figure who challenged racial discrimination and poverty, potentially advancing discussions on equity in sports and society without partisan controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]
Cosponsors (218)
Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Kelly, Mike [R-PA-16], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] and 168 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (10 pages)