Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 96 Part 1.djvu/60

 96 STAT. 18

PUBLIC LAW 97-158—MAR. 22, 1982 Public Law 97-158 97th Congress Joint Resolution

Mar. 22, 1982 [H.J. Res. 348]

To provide for the awarding of a special gold medal to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix in recognition of the 1982 bicentennial anniversary of diplomatic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the United States.

Whereas Dutch antecedents in the United States go back to the early 1600's when a few doughty Dutch began to explore and settle Manhattan Island and the Hudson River Valley; Whereas the Netherlands became the first nation in 1776 to salute the flag of the new American Nation; Whereas John Adams, first United States Minister to the Netherlands and second President of the United States, signed a mutually advant£^eous Treaty to Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands in the decisive year of 1782; Whereas the Netherlands was the source of a series of needed loans starting in 1782, which eventually totaled the equivalent of $12 million; Whereas it is with the Netherlands that the United States has its longest peaceful and unbroken relationship; Whereas the year 1982 will mark the two hundredth anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations with the Netherlands; Whereeis these two centuries of official relations have been based on exemplary friendship, mutual trust and respect, and a perceived interest in practical forms of cooperation; Whereas the thirty-six years of vigilant peace since the end of World War II have seen a remarkable growth in the United States-Dutch relationship; and Whereas, in keeping with the spirit and content of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, the United States and the Netherlands have become active partners in defense and commerce: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Her Majesty United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the Queen Beatrix of President of the United States is authorized to present, on behalf of the Netherlands. the Congress, to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, a gold medal of approGold Medal. priate design in recognition of the two hundredth anniversary, in 1982, of the establishment of diplomatic and commercial relations between the Governments of the United States and the Netherlands. For such purpose, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to cause to be struck a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. There is authorized to be appropriated not to Appropriation authorization. exceed $22,000 after November 1, 1981, to carry out the provisions of this subsection. Duplicates. (b) The Secretary of the Treasury may cause duplicates in bronze of such medal to be coined and sold under such regulations as he may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery overhead expenses, and the gold medal. The appropriation used to carry out the provisions

�