U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Andrew Garbarino introduced the “Prime Minister Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act” to Congress, on Feb. 10.
The bill would mint coins to commemorate the Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, obm. The bill comes in honor of the 75th anniversary of the founding of Israel and celebrates the friendship between Israel and the U.S., according to a new release. The bill proposes that all sales from the Gold Meir coin would be sent to Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital which provides health services in the city of Netanya, Israel.
“Golda Meir’s story is a testament to the progress of the Jewish people, and that of Jewish women in particular,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “ I’m proud to sponsor this legislation to cement her place in history.”
Prime Minister Golda Meir was born in what is today Kyiv, Ukraine, but was raised in Milwaukee. She attended teacher’s college Milwaukee State Normal School, what is today known as the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
In 1921, Meir moved to what is now Israel. Before the creation of the State of Israel, Meir advocated for the Zionist movement by being the principal negotiator between the Jews in present-day Israel and the British Mandatory authorities and by raising over $50 million funds from American Jews for the militia. Meir was one of the 24 signers of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948. She was one of only two women who signed it. After years of involvement in Israeli politics, Golda Meir became Israel’s first female prime minister in 1969. She served until 1974. She died on December 8, 1978 in Jerusalem.