Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act awaits on approval of US Senate.

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Intro:	Mark Twain's face engraved in gold and silver coins would cost taxpayers nothing if approved by the U.S. Senate.
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Wrap: Missouri Republican U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer sponsored the Mark Twain coin act to honor Mark Twain as an iconic American author as well as to generate revenue for non-profit Mark Twain sites.

The bill passed the U.S. House after a vote of 408 to 4 earlier this month.

Executive director of the Mark Twain House and Museum in Connecticut, Jeffrey Nichols says the bill has failed to gain traction in the past for ten years.

Actuality:	NICK1.WAV
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Description: "So it's by far the best attempt we've had, and the most success we've had. But we're basically the third of the way there at the moment."

Executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum Cindy Lovell says all costs associated with the manufacturing and distribution of coins would be covered by coin collectors.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.

Intro:	A Congressional Resolution will produce limited five dollar gold and dollar silver coins honoring Mark Twain only during the year of 2016.
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Wrap: The bill sponsored by Missouri Republican U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer would allow the U.S. Secretary of Treasury to mint coins to honor Mark Twain's contribution to American history and literature.

Executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Cindy Lovell says she supports the measure because coin collectors will cover all costs associated with producing and designing the coins.

Lovell says profits from the coins will be equally divided among the four non-profits dedicated to Twain's legacy.

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Description: "So it's a very big deal not just to honor Mark Twain, but to actually generate real cash for non-profit endeavors that work very hard at fundraising and especially during these type of times."

The coin bill awaits approval from the U.S. Senate.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.

Intro:	If approved by the U.S. Senate, coins honoring Mark Twain would be available in 2016.
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Wrap: The Mark Twain coin bill sponsored by Missouri Republican U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer will direct U.S. Secretary of Treasury to issue five dollar gold coins and dollar silver coins.

The legislation which would authorize commemorative coins to honor the Missouri-born writer Mark Twain passed the U.S. House by a 408 to 4 vote.

Executive director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Cindy Lovell says profits and proceeds from the coin also generate revenue for the four non-profit Mark Twain sites.

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Description: "I'm kind of shocked that they haven't done Mark Twain to tell you the truth. He's still America's most popular writer. He outheld all other American authors."

The legislation is now in the hands of the U.S. Senate.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Crystall Cho.