WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) have introduced legislation directing the Treasury Department to mint a commemorative coin in honor of Golda Meir, Israel’s fourth prime minister and the first woman to lead the Jewish State. Today marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel and the singular partnership between our two nations. Prime Minister Meir helped to strengthen US-Israeli relations and chart a path for future women leaders around the world. The Senate version of the Prime Minister Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act is cosponsored by Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.).
“No recognition of Israel’s modern founding and rich 75-year history would be complete without particular mention of the outsized role of Prime Minister Golda Meir,” said Senator Cardin. “I am proud to be leading this legislation with Senator Cruz that will recognize her crucial role in building and strengthening the Jewish state and the enduring U.S.-Israel partnership.”
“Golda Meir was a towering figure and left an incredible legacy. She signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence and was its first female prime minister. She did enormous work deepening the U.S.-Israel alliance, which is critical to the national security of both our countries and the safety and security of Americans,” Senator Cruz said. “I am proud to join Senator Cardin in introducing this legislation to recognize her leadership ahead of Israel’s 75th anniversary.”
Born in Kyiv, Prime Minister Meir spent some of her childhood and young adulthood in Milwaukee, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. A teacher and activist, she would be an important figure in the lead-up to Israel’s independence and its early years, serving as ambassador, labor minister and foreign minister, before becoming prime minister in 1969.
The Prime Minister Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins honoring her place in history. The House version of this legislation honoring Prime Minister Golda Meir was introduced by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.-25) and Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.-2).
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