House votes to mint Roberto Clemente commemorative coin

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 6751), a bipartisan initiative led by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón and Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.) that aims to commemorate the legendary Puerto Rican baseball player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente through the creation of a commemorative coin.

“As the only representative of Puerto Rico in Congress I feel proud that the House has honored one of our own by approving this law that assures us that the life and legacy of Clemente are recognized forever through this commemorative coin,” González Colón said in a written statement. “The income from this coin will benefit the Roberto Clemente Foundation and its important community work.”

Espaillat stressed the transcendence of Clemente not only as a baseball icon, but as a humanitarian committed to social justice. “From breaking barriers to giving help to the needy, the impact of Clemente goes much further than sports,” he said.