LWVUS Sends letter of Support for H.R. 1923

LWVUS sent Congresswoman Barbara Lee a formal letter supporting H.R. 1923, the Women’s History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act. LWVUS and members of the Lobby Corps have been working on a successful drive for cosponsors throughout the summer months for this legislation. A companion bill in the U.S. Senate was introduced early in August. The League is proud to support this legislation as we head toward the centennial celebration of the 19^th amendment.

August 7, 2019 

To:        Representative Barbara Lee  

From:   Chris Carson, President 

Re:        H.R. 1923, the Women’s History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act

The League of Women Voters supports H.R. 1923, the Women’s History and Nineteenth Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar Coin Program Act. This bipartisan legislation has been introduced by Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16) and has support from the U.S. Mint and coin collectors.

This bipartisan measure will honor women in every state and across the country by proposing a series of quarters, beginning in 2021, that would feature a 19th Amendment icon on one side. Each state and all U.S.  territories would select one of its outstanding women to be honored in this series. This legislation offers a great opportunity to honor the women who fought for voting equality and engage state activists, governments, and community organizations like the League of Women Voters.

This proposed program parallels the State Quarters Program that was so well received two decades ago, and the current National Parks Quarters Program which is coming to an end. For our young children and teens, this is an effective, exciting way to acquaint them with the 19th Amendment and over fifty famous women who have made vital contributions to our country.

After Congress passed the 19th Amendment in 1919, but before it was ratified in August of 1920, the same suffragists, who had fought for nearly a century to gain the right to vote for women, formed the League of Women Voters (LWV). 2020 is not only the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, it is also the 100th anniversary of the League of Women Voters. For that reason, the League has a keen interest in seeing the 19th Amendment honored with a coin, featuring women who have been influencers in our great country.

LWV strongly endorses this legislation and encourages all members of the U.S. House to support the legislation in committee and when it comes to the floor for a vote.