WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts introduced a bill to honor the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth for its service in educating the nation’s military leaders since its founding in 1881.

Senator Roberts said, "Kansas is proud to be the home of the oldest, largest and arguably the most prestigious military staff college in the United States. The school is a first class center of excellence for leadership development and joint operational education."

The bill, The U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 100,000 five dollar gold coins; 500,000 one dollar silver coins; and 750,000 half-dollar copper-nickel clad coins. The coin design honors the College’s most famous graduates, the five five-star generals who led our forces to victory in World War II.

Numerous military officers who have become household names studied and served on Fort Leavenworth; key among them are America’s five-star Generals: George C. Marshall, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry "Hap" Arnold, and Omar N. Bradley. These generals led American and Allied forces to victory over Nazism and fascism during World War II in Europe and the Pacific.

A surcharge will be applied to each coin in the amount of $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar coin, and $5 for each half-dollar clad coin. Proceeds from the sales of these coins will be directed to the Command and General Staff College Foundation, a not for profit organization that is chartered to support innovation and creativity at the Command and General Staff College by creating programs and activities that contribute to the Margin of Excellence at the college.

"I have visited the Command and General Staff College many times over the past 28 years as a congressman and now a Senator. I led the effort to build the new Lewis and Clark Center, the new home of the college. I am constantly awed by what takes place there.

"This college on the banks of the Missouri River transforms the men and women of our country and those of numerous foreign nations around the world into first class planners, organizers and leaders who, with uncommon valor, fidelity and love of country have led the sons and daughters of their respective nations in the defense of liberty around the world."

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) is a cosponsor of the legislation.

Senator Roberts, a former Marine is an outspoken advocate for men and women in uniform.

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