Letter to Senator Bill Frist

May 6, 2003

Honorable Bill Frist
SR-416, Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Bill:

It is my understanding that you will soon be nominating someone to serve on the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee to assist in the upcoming consideration of design changes for our coins. I hope you will consider my nomination of Dick Bratton for this post as he is very interested in the look of our nation's currency and its depiction of our nation's history.

Dick is a good friend, a constituent, and an ex-Marine who has taken the Sacajawea Golden Dollar to heart. Since it was minted, he has shared his appreciation of the history of the coin with everyone he meets. The reaction he has received to his efforts to increase its circulation have been nothing short of remarkable.

Dick has a simple but winning formula. Thinking that our coinage is a good teacher of our nation's history, we worked together to come up with the background of the coin that we printed on index cards that I signed for him. He then made up hundreds of copies of our cards that he passes around to as many people as he can, encouraging them to use the new coin which - as he says - just makes cents!

As you know, the Committee may be asked for its advice on the creation of the design of a new nickel in the months to come. The new design may recall the Louisiana Purchase or commemorate the travels of Lewis and Clark. Dick Bratton would be the perfect addition to such a committee because he understands the importance of using our nation's coinage to both celebrate and remind us all of the remarkable people, places and events that made this country what it is today.

Thank you for your consideration of my nomination of Dick Bratton for this important position. If I can offer you any additional information about Dick and his qualifications for this post I hope you do not hesitate to get in touch with me.

Sincerely,

Mike Enzi
U.S. Senator