Congressman José E. Serrano

Representing the Sixteenth District of New York

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: December 16, 2008

CONTACT: Philip Schmidt, (202) 225-4361

Serrano Applauds Quarter Design Choices for Puerto Rico, DC and the Territories

December 16, 2008 – The Bronx, NY– Today, Congressman José E. Serrano received the final design choices for the quarters representing Puerto Rico, DC, and the other territories and applauded all those involved in bringing this to fruition. Serrano had directed the Treasury Department to issue this set of representative quarters in the annual appropriations bill that he writes.

“I think the symbols, text and images that each of these territories selected are great. These quarters, when they begin circulating next year, will show the people of the 50 states that there are more Americans out there and they merit inclusion at every turn,” Serrano said. “The success of this program has exceeded what I imagined when I included the directive to the Treasury Department in my annual bill. In selecting what they wanted on their quarter, each of these jurisdictions clearly spent time thinking about what they wanted all Americans to understand about them. In that process, I’m sure they further examined who they are, and how they relate to the rest of the nation.

“In coming months, I foresee a child, who has a quarter with a territorial design on it, asking a parent or teacher to explain the relationship of that place to the U.S. In this small way, we will be teaching that there are more Americans than just those who live in the 50 states, and that all deserve respect and equality. The power of this small lesson cannot be understated.

“I applaud all those involved in making this program a reality, and look forward to completing my “territorial quarters” set.”  

For more information about the “territorial quarters” see:http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=969

Final designs can be seen at: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=Photo#2009DCTerri

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Reverse:  “Sentry Box”
Description:  Features a historic sentry box and a hibiscus flower with the inscriptions, PUERTO RICO and Isla del Encanto, which means “Isle of Enchantment.” 

Sculptor:  Joseph Menna

Line Art 
Reverse: [Hi-Res Image : 118 KB]