House Passes Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

Statement

The House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA) to honor the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with a commemorative coin in 2020. Congressman Barr serves as the Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade which has jurisdiction over coinage and the U.S. Mint. Additionally, several members of the basketball Hall of Fame live in Kentucky's Sixth District.

"As the Representative of central and eastern Kentucky, home to the greatest tradition in the history of college basketball and several members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, I am proud that this legislation has now passed the House," said Congressman Barr. I have enjoyed working with my colleague, Congressman Neal, as well as the Hall of Fame to build support and pass this legislation which we hope will move in the U.S. Senate soon."

"The First Congressional District of Massachusetts has many gems and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is certainly one of them," said Congressman Neal. "I have long been a supporter of the Hall of Fame and the great work that they do in the greater Springfield area. They are a terrific organization that works tirelessly to preserve the history and educate people about this truly American game. The Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin is the ideal way for the legacy of these great athletes and coaches to be remembered for decades to come and I am thankful for the hard work of Congressman Barr for helping pass this legislation in the House."

John Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame said, "The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is honored and grateful for the strong support of our commemorative coin act which will allow us to continue to educate fans worldwide about the game and its unique history. A game created in Springfield, Massachusetts has become a global phenomenon and truly a universal language of community, diversity, and sportsmanship. The Hall of Fame thanks Congressmen Richard Neal and Andy Barr for their unwavering support as we celebrate the game that has captured the imagination of fans and players around the globe."

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