HR 4856
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4856
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to redesign $1 Federal
reserve notes so as to incorporate the preamble to the Constitution of
the United States, a list describing the Articles of the Constitution,
and a list describing the Amendments to the Constitution, on the reverse
side of such notes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 19, 2007
Mr. CANTOR introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Financial Services
A BILL
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to redesign $1 Federal
reserve notes so as to incorporate the preamble to the Constitution of
the United States, a list describing the Articles of the Constitution,
and a list describing the Amendments to the Constitution, on the reverse
side of such notes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Liberty Bill Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) many Americans are unaware of the provisions of the Constitution
of the United States, one of the most remarkable and important documents
in world history;
(2) an abbreviated version of the Constitution, consisting of the preamble,
a list of the Articles, and a list of the Amendments, could easily be
placed on the reverse side of $1 Federal reserve notes;
(3) the placement of an abbreviated version of the Constitution on $1
Federal reserve notes would remind the American people of the historical
importance of the Constitution and its impact on their lives today;
(4) the preamble would remind Americans of the blessings of liberty;
(5) the Articles would remind Americans of the framework of the United
States Government;
(6) the Amendments would remind Americans of the historical changes
to this living document that forms the very core of the American experience;
and
(7) people throughout the world would also learn about the framework
of a republican government, the blessings of liberty, and the ideals
of human rights through the exchange of American currency.
SEC. 3. REDESIGN OF REVERSE SIDE OF FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 5114 of title 31, United States Code, is amended
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(1) IN GENERAL- In addition to the requirements of subsection (b) (relating
to the inclusion of the inscription `In God We Trust' on all United
States currency) and the 8th undesignated paragraph of section 16 of
the Federal Reserve Act, the design of the reverse side of the lowest
denomination of Federal reserve notes shall incorporate the preamble
to the Constitution of the United States, a list describing the Articles
of the Constitution, and a list describing the Amendments to the Constitution.
`(2) DESIGN- Subject to paragraph (3), the preamble to the Constitution
of the United States and lists describing the Articles and Amendments
of the Constitution shall appear on the reverse side of the $1 Federal
reserve notes in the following format:
s,d120
g: graphics S244.001
`(3) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY- The requirements of this subsection shall
not be construed as--
`(A) prohibiting the inclusion of any other inscriptions or material
on the reverse side of Federal reserve notes which the Secretary may
determine to be necessary or appropriate; or
`(B) limiting any other authority of the Secretary with regard to
the design of Federal reserve notes, including the adoption of any
design features to deter the counterfeiting of United States currency.'.
(b) DATE OF APPLICATION- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply
to the lowest denomination of Federal reserve notes which are first placed
into circulation after December 31, 2008.
(c) SUNSET PROVISION- Federal reserve notes bearing the design required
under the amendment made by subsection (a) shall only be issued during
the 2-year period beginning on the date such notes are first issued pursuant
to subsection (b).
END
