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Pfluger Fly-By

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Texas Republican pushes to memorialize conservative activist Charlie Kirk on commemorative silver coin

Washington, September 25, 2025

Originally Published in the Houston Chronicle on September 25, 2025.

Two Republican congressman, including one from West Texas, have announced plans to introduce a bill this week that would direct the U.S. Treasury to mint thousands of commemorative silver dollars to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

“Charlie Kirk inspired millions of Americans, and his impact deserves permanent recognition. Proud to join (Arizona Rep. Abe Hamadeh) in his effort to honor Charlie's life with a commemorative coin that will preserve his legacy for generations to come,” Rep. August Pfluger wrote in a post on X on Wednesday.

Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 at a Utah Valley University event in Orem, Utah.

More than 50 Americans have been memorialized on currency, including presidents, members of Congress and military leaders.

President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to appear on American money in 1909, according to Biography.com. There has been a push to put Harriet Tubman on the $20, but that effort has stalled. The U.S. Treasury, however, did release a commemorative coin honoring Tubman in 2024.

 

The 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program celebrates Tubman’s bicentennial birthday, according to the United States Mint.  The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act directed the U.S. Mint to issue $5 gold coins, $ 1 silver coins and half-dollar coins as part of the program.

The U.S. Mint regularly releases special-edition coins that often feature notable Americans, according to Biography.com. In January, the mint released the American Innovation $1 coin, which honors innovation and inventors in each state, featuring naval engineer Raye Montague. Another series, American Women Quarters, honoring women, including journalist and suffragist Ida B. Wells, Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low and tennis player Althea Gibson.