United States Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) on Wednesday introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation directing the Treasury Department to mint a commemorative coin in honor of Golda Meir, Israel’s fourth prime minister and the first woman to lead the Jewish state.
"This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel and the singular partnership between our two nations. Prime Minister Meir helped to strengthen US-Israeli relations and chart a path for future women leaders around the world," the press release announcing the bill stated.
According to the bill, no more than 50,000 $5 coins that contain at least 90 percent gold, 400,000 $1 coins that contain at least 90 percent silver, and 750,000 half-dollar coins will be minted. The bill states that the coins minted under the Act shall be legal tender.
Regarding the coin's design, the bill states: "The designs of the coins 24 minted under this Act shall bear an image and the name of Prime Minister Golda Meir obverse side. On each coin minted under this Act, there shall be a designation of the value of the coin, an inscription of ‘Golda Meir’, ‘Israel 75’, and the year ‘2026', and inscriptions of the words ‘Liberty’, ‘In God We Trust’, ‘United States of America’, and ‘E Pluribus Unum’."
Proceeds from the sale of commemorative coins will benefit Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital, a not-for-profit healthcare facility in Netanya.
The Senate version of the Prime Minister Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act is cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.).
The House version of this legislation was introduced by Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-2) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.-25).
“Golda Meir was a towering figure and left an incredible legacy. She signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence and was its first female prime minister. She did enormous work deepening the U.S.-Israel alliance, which is critical to the national security of both our countries and the safety and security of Americans. I am proud to join Senator Cardin in introducing this legislation to recognize her leadership on Israel’s 75th anniversary,” Senator Cruz stated.
Senator Cardin added: "No recognition of Israel’s modern founding and rich 75-year history would be complete without particular mention of the outsized role of Prime Minister Golda Meir. I am proud to be leading this legislation with Senator Cruz that will recognize her crucial role in building and strengthening the Jewish state and the enduring U.S.-Israel partnership.”
Golda Meir moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a child, becoming a naturalized American citizen. In 1921, she moved to Mandatory Palestine, where she worked as head of the Political Department of the Jewish Agency, the chief Jewish liaison with the British, during World War II. When the State of Israel declared its independence in 1948, Meir was a signer of its declaration of independence. She served as the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel from 1969 to 1974.
The initiative will offer all Washington lawmakers, especially the seven new senators and seventy-four new house representatives the opportunity to reaffirm their support for Israel.
The initiative is being chaired by Los-Angeles based real-estate developer and philanthropist Bobby Rechnitz who sees it as an opportunity to position Israel above politics. “Golda Meir was the personification of the Israel-America relationship, raised in Milwaukee she paved her way to the Holyland and became one of the founding mothers of Israel.”
Rechnitz, chairman of the Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Committee added: “Golda smashed every single glass ceiling to become a role model for young women everywhere. She was a trailblazer for Zionism, equality, feminism and Tikkun Olam. At a time when we see so much political polarization in both countries, we should all be able to get rally behind the legacy of Golda Meir as a symbol of unity and progress.”
Lawmakers from both houses will converge on Capitol Hill next week to support and celebrate the initiative at a special Yom Ha’atzmaut event in the halls of power.