WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) reintroduced the United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act, a bill that would honor the men and women of the Coast Guard and support the establishment of the National Coast Guard Museum in New London which is expected to open to the public in 2017. The United States Coast Guard plays a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response, and the maintenance of river, intra-coastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON).

“The brave men and women of the United States Coast Guard should be honored for their service and sacrifice, but to our shock and dismay, they represent the only branch of the United States military that is not yet recognized with a national museum,” said Murphy. “Our bipartisan bill will ensure that we finally have a national museum through which to share the rich history and noble contributions of the United States Coast Guard with the American public, and we urge our colleagues to support this important project.”

“This measure establishes a historic, learning landmark, recognizing the courageous and steadfast service of the Coast Guard to keep our nation and its people safe and secure,” Blumenthal said. “Uniquely among the services the Coast Guard lacks is such a museum – an unacceptable lapse.”

Under the United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act, proceeds from the sale of the Coast Guard Commemorative Coin would be used to support the development and operation of the National Coast Guard Museum via the National Coast Guard Museum Association, a nonprofit association dedicated to improving public understanding of the history, service and missions of the Coast Guard.