U.S. House Approves Roberto Clemente Coin Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. House on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill authorizing a coin to commemorate the late Pittsburgh Pirates superstar Roberto Clemente and to raise money for the Roberto Clemente Foundation.

The legislation calls for $5 gold, $1 silver and half-dollar coins all bearing Clemente's likeness, with proceeds going to cover the foundation's costs, including educational, youth sports and disaster relief historic preservation. Funding for the foundation will come via a $35 charge for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins and $5 for half-dollars.

One of the greatest Pirates players of all time, Clemente died on Dec. 31, 1972, when his plane crashed off the coast of Puerto Rico as he was attempting to transport relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was 38.

In 1973, he was posthumously inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

The coin legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.