Hagan, Miller Introduce Coin Legislation to Commemorate Greensboro's International Civil Rights Center and Museum

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) and Representative Brad Miller (NC-13) will introduce legislation to commemorate Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Center and Museum, which will officially open on the 50th anniversary of the Sit-Ins at Woolworth’s on February 1, 2010.

“On February 1, 1960, four North Carolina A&T freshman chose to sit at the whites-only lunch counter at the F.W. Woolworth’s building,” said Hagan. “The ‘Greensboro Four’ began a wave of nonviolent protests against segregation in our country. A coin honoring these students is a fitting tribute to their bravery and will commemorate the museum’s opening, which is a much-anticipated event in the Greensboro community. I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Miller, and will be working with my colleagues to get a bill to the President’s desk.”

“The sit-in at the Woolworth’s in Greensboro was when the Civil Rights Movement became a mass movement, a movement that changed the South and changed America,” said Miller.  “I am proud to introduce legislation to celebrate the courage and conscience of the Greensboro Four.”

The “Greensboro Four” are Jibreel Khazan, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, and the late David Richmond.

The bill, titled the “International Civil Rights Center and Museum Commemorative Coin Act,” directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint one thousand $1 coins to celebrate the museum’s opening. The design of the coin will be selected by the Treasury Secretary in consultation with the International Civil Rights Center and Museum and the Commission of Fine Arts.

The legislation will be referred to the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees.