The "Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Treasury to mint coins in 2027 honoring Roberto Clemente, with surcharges benefiting the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
Adriano Espaillat
Representative
NY-13
The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of Treasury to mint and issue gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2027 to commemorate the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente. The coins' designs will represent Clemente's life, including his baseball achievements and humanitarian work. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation, supporting their educational programs, youth sports initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and historic preservation projects. The Act ensures that the coin program will not incur any net cost to the United States government.
Roberto Clemente Coin Act: New Coins in 2027 to Fund Charity, Honor Baseball Legend
The Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act is all about creating special coins to honor the legendary baseball player and humanitarian, Roberto Clemente. This isn't just about adding to your coin collection – it's about supporting a good cause, too.
Honoring a Legend, Funding a Legacy
This bill sets up the creation of a series of commemorative coins featuring Clemente, to be released in 2027. But these aren't your everyday quarters and dimes. We're talking gold, silver, and half-dollar coins, each with specific designs highlighting Clemente's life, his activism, and his baseball career (SEC. 3 & 4). Think of them as collector's items with a purpose.
What's the Catch? (It's a Good One)
When these coins are sold, a portion of the money – a "surcharge" – goes straight to the Roberto Clemente Foundation (SEC. 7). That's $35 for every $5 gold coin, $10 for each $1 silver coin, and $5 for every half-dollar. This money will support the Foundation's work in education, youth sports, disaster relief, and preserving historical sites. So, buying a coin means contributing to these causes.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a young baseball player in Pittsburgh getting access to better training facilities thanks to the Foundation's expanded programs. Or picture a family in Puerto Rico receiving crucial aid after a hurricane, funded in part by these coin sales. These are the kinds of real-world impacts this bill aims for. The bill even mandates audits of the Foundation to make sure the money is used as intended (SEC. 7). This is like having a built-in check to ensure that the funds raised actually help people and programs.
The Fine Print (Because It Matters)
There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, the bill makes sure that creating these coins won't cost the government any money (SEC. 8). The sales and surcharges have to cover all the expenses. Second, there's a limit to how many commemorative coin programs can happen in a year. If there are too many, the surcharges for the Clemente coins might be reduced (SEC. 7), which could mean less money for the Foundation. It is also worth noting that the bill cites Clemente's service in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1958 to 1964. (SEC. 2). Finally, all coins will be minted in 2027 (SEC.5).
Bottom Line
This bill is a tribute to Roberto Clemente's legacy, both on and off the field. It uses the creation of special coins to generate funds for a cause he championed. It's a unique way to honor a legend and support important work, all while giving collectors something special to, well, collect.