Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1947 Utah Pioneers - Utah Legislature Resolution

I've previously posted about a failed attempt to secure a commemorative half dollar to mark the centennial of the arrival of Mormons in Utah's Salt Lake Valley. (You can read it here: What If? 1947 Utah Pioneers.)

Though the bill failed, the Utah State Legislature certainly made a push for the coin. It passed a "Joint Memorial" for the US Congress that urged the Congress and the President to authorize and approve its desired commemorative coin bill.

Here's a transcript of Utah's Resolution:

"To the Committee on Banking and Currency:

"House Joint Memorial 1

''Memorial to the President of the United States and to the Congress of the United States urging the Congress to enact, and the President to approve, legislation· authorizing and directing the Treasury of the United States to coin half dollars in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the coming of the Mormon pioneers to Salt Lake Valley.

"Whereas the State of Utah. during the year 1947, is holding a centennial exposition and celebration in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the coming of the Mormon pioneers to Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, and to portray fittingly the natural resources and scenic wonders of Utah, prehistoric culture of the west, the development of irrigation. farming, mining, forestry, transportation, culture and the arts; and

"Whereas the State of Utah has extended to all peoples of the United States and of the world an invitation to visit Utah and to participate with the people of Utah In their centennial celebration; and

"Whereas the State of Utah has provided extensively for entertainment and programs throughout the year 1947 to appropriately carry out the purposes of such centennial observance; and,

"Whereas the occasion is of such great Interest and importance to the people of the State of Utah and of the United States as to warrant the coinage of an appropriate memorial United States coin; Now, therefore, be it

"Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Utah, That the Legislature of the State of Utah does hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact, and the President of the United States to approve, legislation authorizing and directing the Treasury of the United States to coin 200,000 half dollars, having a design appropriate to the commemoration of the centenniaI observance of the coming of the Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847; that by such legislation to be enacted the United States Treasury be directed to permit the State of Utah, through the Utah Centennial Commlssion, to purchase all of said coins at their face value and to sell the same at such price as said commission shall determine proper, in furtherance of the Utah Centennial Celebration, be It further

"Resolved, That copies of this memorial be sent to the President of the United States and to all members of the congressional delegation from the State of Utah."

Note: The Memorial specified a request for 200,000 half dollars, the bills for the coin that were introduced in Congress called for 500,000 coins. As I wondered previously, "A pre-emptive bargaining chip inserted by Utah's US Representative and Senator? Ask for 500,000 but be willing to accept 200,000 if objection is raised?"

Though the Joint Memorial did not have the hoped for impact - gaining Congressional approval for the Utah Pioneers commemorative coin - the Utah Legislature can't be faulted for its effort!

For more of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.