H. R. 6516
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 21, 2012
Ms. Hochul (for herself and Mr. Higgins) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Tuscarora Nation who fought to protect the residents of Lewiston, New York, from the British invasion during the War of 1812.
This Act may be cited as the
Tuscarora Nation Congressional Gold
Congress finds the following:
The Tuscarora Nation and the residents of Lewiston, New York, have enjoyed a peaceful coexistence and friendship for more than 200 years.
The year 2012 marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812, when communities across the United States banded together to defend the American freedoms that had been won in the Revolutionary War.
In a nighttime attack on December 19, 1813, British troops stationed in Canada invaded the United States and captured Fort Niagara, the keystone of American defenses on the Niagara Frontier. Later that day, approximately 35 Tuscarora warriors, situated near Lewiston, warned the residents of Lewiston of the imminent British invasion.
As the British descended on Lewiston on December 19, 1813, Tuscarora warriors, under the leadership of Chief Solomon Longboard, despite owing no obligation to the people of Lewiston nor to the American cause and, according to some accounts, being outnumbered 30 to 1, attacked the British troops, repelling the invasion long enough to buy crucial time for many residents of Lewiston to escape.
Without the vigilance and bravery of the members of the Tuscarora Nation, it is likely that the residents of Lewiston would have suffered far more casualties.
The United States has yet to formally thank and honor the members of the Tuscarora Nation who so valiantly risked their lives to protect the civilians of Lewiston.
As the United States commemorates the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, all who contributed to the American cause deserve recognition, including the Tuscarora warriors at Lewiston.
Congressional gold medal
The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of the members of the Tuscarora Nation who fought to protect the residents of Lewiston, New York, from the British invasion during the War of 1812.
Design and striking
For purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
Status of medals
The medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
Authority to use fund amounts; proceeds of sale
Authority To use fund amounts
There is authorized to be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the costs of the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
Proceeds of sale
Amounts received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.