World War II Memorial Coin Proposed By Lorain-Area Representative

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two U.S. House representatives have proposed minting a commemorative coin to support maintenance and upkeep of the National World War II Memorial. Funds generated from sales of the coin would also bolster educational programming.

Representatives Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat from Lorain, and Peter King, a Republican from New York, introduced the National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act this week. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Treasury to mint the coins. Kaptur authored legislation creating the National World War II Memorial in 1987.

Proceeds from sales of the coin will go to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial, a nonprofit founded in 2007 to maintain and repair the memorial. The group also supports education programming at the memorial. The commemorative coin has been endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Commemorative Air Force, Afikim Foundation, and the 82nd Airborne Division Association, Inc.

“I am honored to continue to play a small but important role in the continuing evolution of the National World War II Memorial,” said Kaptur. “When I first introduced legislation in 1987 to authorize a memorial on federal land, I was steadfast in my commitment to have it built and maintained by the federal government. We just celebrated the 15th anniversary of the dedication of the memorial this past spring and I am thrilled by the amount of interest and the number of visitors the memorial receives. I encourage my fellow Members of Congress to support and co-sponsor the bill.”

The World War II Memorial is among the most visited memorials in the nation.