WASHINGTON — The House on Thursday approved legislation calling for a coin commemorating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The bill, authored by Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, proposes that the Treasury mint coins in 2014 to mark the 225th anniversary of the marshals Service. Sales of the coins could provide up to $5 million for the planned U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith.
“I had the pleasure and honor of being in the gallery at the time of the vote. I was elated,” said Jim Dunn, executive director of the planned U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith.
The House approved the measure, 412-1, with one voting “present” sending the bill to the Senate where Arkansas Sens. Mark Pryor, a Democrat, and John Boozman, a Republican, are feverishly rounding up support.
“I applaud the congressmen for their success. Momentum is on our side. The companion Senate bill has 52 cosponsors, and I’m optimistic we’ll cross the finish line soon,” Pryor said.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Dunn met with Womack and Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, who were able to sign on more than 300 co-sponsors to the bill securing Thursday’s victory. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., was the only member to vote against passage. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., answered “present” while 19 others were absent for the roll call.
First and foremost, the coin would honor more than 240 marshals who have died in the line of duty, Dunn said. And, the minted coin could provide up to $5 million to the museum to help preserve the history and artifacts of the nation’s oldest law enforcement agency.
“It will help us educate the American people about what all the marshals service had done for 225 years,” said Dunn, who also met with Boozman on Thursday.
Womack thanked Ross and the museum leadership for helping to see the bill through the House.
“Aside from the obvious benefit to Fort Smith—a world class museum—the real prize here is the exposure it gives to one of America’s great law enforcement institutions—the Marshals Service,” Womack said.
Ross said he was proud to help.
“I was proud to join Congressman Womack in introducing this bill, and I’m proud to have secured cosponsors to help ensure its passage so that we can recognize the work our marshals do and can honor all those within the U.S. Marshals Service who gave their lives in service to their country,” Ross said.
If approved by the Senate, the Treasury would mint coins in 2014 commemorating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service. The first $5 million in proceeds from the sale would assist the museum. Any additional revenues would go to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Law Enforcement Museum, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.