Van Hollen joins Rosen and Portman in Introducing Bipartisan Legislation to Honor Harriet Tubman with Commemorative Coins

Yesterday, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in introducing the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act, bipartisan legislation honoring the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman with the creation of a series of commemorative coins bearing her image. The bill’s introduction coincided with Harriet Tubman Day, recognized each year on March 10th.  

BACKGROUND: The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (S.697) would direct the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins bearing Tubman’s image and emblematic of her legacy, all of which would be legal tender. All surcharges received by the Treasury would be paid equally to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, OH and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, NY to help fulfill their missions of telling the stories of abolitionists and inspiring the public by sharing Harriet Tubman’s core values and promoting her enormous legacy.

This legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).