Shaheen, Rounds Applaud Unanimous Senate Passage of Their Bipartisan Bill to Support the National WWII Memorial
**Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act Now Heads to President Biden’s Desk to Become Law**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Mike Rounds (R-SD) applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of their bipartisan bill, the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act. This legislation authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from coin sales will go toward much-needed repairs and maintenance to the Memorial at no cost to taxpayers.
The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m thrilled that our legislation to invest in the World War II memorial and ensure its structural integrity is secure for generations of Americans is now on its way to the President’s desk,” said Senator Shaheen. “This is about preserving our history and honoring the brave souls who gave their lives for a cause greater than any one person or one nation. It’s important to protect public spaces and memorials like this so that we can provide a place for loved ones and fellow Americans to reflect, appreciate and remember the heroism of those brave individuals. I look forward to the President signing this bill into law.”
“The National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., recognizes the tremendous sacrifices made by our Greatest Generation,” said Senator Rounds. “Their selfless efforts had an unmatched impact on our country. With the president’s signature, this bill will help preserve the memorial so future generations can continue to honor the courageous heroes that came before them. I am proud that the last of this storied generation, many of whom continue to visit our nation’s capital through honor flights, will set their eyes on a fully-restored memorial.”
The Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act received wide-bipartisan support and was cosponsored by 88 senators.
Click here for full bill text.
Senator Shaheen has worked across the aisle to honor and pay tribute to American fallen heroes. Shaheen successfully led bipartisan efforts in Congress to establish a memorial for the men lost aboard the USS Thresher at Arlington National Cemetery. Senator Shaheen delivered the keynote address at the dedication for the memorial. Shaheen continuously pushed administration officials to consider the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project’s submission to establish a monument, including letters and calls to then-Secretary of the Army Mark Esper. Senator Shaheen previously led the bipartisan Senate resolution that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Thresher tragedy, and has consistently worked to honor the memory of those lost aboard the Thresher. Shaheen was honored by the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation for her advocacy on behalf of the memorial.
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