| The following release is in response to
the US Mint's pursuit of replacing the Reverse of the Jefferson nickel
(Monticello) with a new design commemorating the Lewis and Clark
expedition. The coin would be released in 2003 - the 200th anniversary of
Lewis and Clark. No decision is final at this time.
News Room Contact: Stacey Felzenberg/(202) 225-2815
CANTOR INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO KEEP MONTICELLO ON THE NICKEL
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WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Eric Cantor last night introduced
legislation, H.R. 4903, in the House of Representatives that would keep
the image of Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, on the U.S. nickel.
Congressman Cantor was informed late Friday afternoon of a U.S. Mint plan
to remove Monticello from the reverse side of the nickel. Mint officials
originally said the redesign plan would be made final on June 17.
“My office was notified of this decision very late in the process,
and I’m offended on behalf of the people of Virginia that we were not
given any chance to have any input on this decision, nor were the American
people,” Congressman Cantor said. “The images of Thomas Jefferson and
Monticello represent to America so much of what this nation was founded
upon - the principles of liberty, freedom, and limited government.”
The remaining ten members of Virginia’s Congressional Delegation are
original co-sponsors of Congressman Cantor’s bill.
“This is a matter of importance to me and the citizens of the
Commonwealth. I introduced the ‘Keep Monticello on the Nickel Act’ to
make sure that our heritage as Americans and Virginians is accurately
represented and that Virginians have a voice in the process,”
Congressman Cantor concluded.
A copy of Congressman Cantor’s bill is available by (link
broken)clicking here. |
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