Bill Overview
Title: James Weldon Johnson Commemorative Coin Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of James Weldon Johnson, an influential writer, diplomat, educator, lawyer, and civil rights activist. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Marshall-Motley Scholars Program, the Stanton College Preparatory School, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the James Weldon Johnson Foundation.
Sponsors: Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5]
Target Audience
Population: Coin collectors and beneficiaries of recipient organizations
Estimated Size: 300000
- Commemorative coins do not impact daily financial transactions for the average person, but they are of interest to collectors.
- The bill directs surcharges to several organizations, indicating that these groups and the individuals they serve are also impacted.
- The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program supports law students committed to racial justice, affecting these future attorneys.
- Stanton College Preparatory School, as a recipient, suggests that students and educators at the school, as well as their community, could be impacted.
- The NAACP, which works for the advancement of colored people, will potentially have more funds to support its programs and constituents.
- The James Weldon Johnson Foundation, focused on the legacy of the activist, will use funds to further its mission, impacting those engaged in work aligned with their goals.
Reasoning
- The act is mainly focused on symbolic commemoration and funding initiatives through surcharges. This influence is chiefly felt by collectors of commemorative coins, partly impacting their financial resources dedicated to hobbies.
- Beneficiaries from funding allocations, including students in law, especially from underrepresented groups, will experience tangible changes as these funds might offer scholarships and educational support.
- Community members associated with the recipient organizations might have indirect benefits if these organizations expand their programs due to additional funds.
- General impact on everyday Americans not engaged with coin collecting or the initiatives supported by surcharges is likely minimal, with no direct changes to their wellbeing scores expected.
Simulated Interviews
Coin Collector (New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it’s great to have a new coin to collect, especially one celebrating an important figure like James Weldon Johnson.
- The funds going to good causes make this an even better opportunity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Law Student (Atlanta)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The scholarships have been life-changing for me and my peers.
- Supporting future civil rights attorneys will ripple out into broader societal impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Teacher (Chicago)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our local NAACP is critical for community support and education.
- Any additional funding can expand our reach and programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
High School Student (Jacksonville)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The school's enhanced programs have allowed us more learning tools.
- It feels amazing to be part of a recognized institution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Graphic Designer (San Francisco)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I might buy one of these coins as a symbolic gesture.
- The cause feels more like a personal connection due to the NAACP involvement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Educator (Phoenix)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supporting the Foundation is significant for preserving Johnson's legacy.
- It helps keep his contributions alive in new generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Houston)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy seems important, but doesn't affect my daily life.
- I'm glad to see good causes get funding but it does not alter much for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Civil Rights Lawyer (Los Angeles)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy reaffirmed commitment to honoring essential historical figures.
- Additional funds may bolster legal programs I work with.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Seattle)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the historical aspects but unlikely to buy.
- These types of policies spend resources without major progress in our field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (Miami)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy to see more funding for historical acknowledgment but impacts not felt directly.
- Important work done by NAACP supported but it's removed from everyday experience for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4500000, High: $5500000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy incurs a one-time cost with annual implications primarily driven by sales and surcharge allocation.
- Potential revenue from coin sales makes the program likely self-sustaining without impacting the broader federal budget.
- Coin collector behavior and market demand critically influence the success and financial outcomes of the program.