Sometime next year, a new $1 coin will be in circulation to commemorate the life of Christa McAuliffe.
On Tuesday, the 34th anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger explosion, two of the sponsors of the legislation to create the commemorative coin in McAuliffe’s honor remembered her legacy.
“For Granite Staters, and for teachers and educators across the United States, there will always be a special place in our hearts for Christa McAuliffe,” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said. “Christa McAullife was on a mission to space, but as a teacher, she was also on a personal mission to educate and enlighten. Today, we remember and honor her bravery, her passion for teaching and her tremendous legacy.”
McAuliffe, a Concord High School teacher, and six crewmates were killed when the Challenger broke apart shortly after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986.
“Everyone in New Hampshire remembers where they were on the day of the Challenger disaster,” said Rep. Annie Kuster. “Our nation and the students who were privileged to have Christa McAuliffe as their teacher were heartbroken. Christa was an exceptional person who reached for the stars and inspired her students to do the same.”
Sens. Shaheen, Maggie Hassan, and Mike Enzi, a Republican from Wyoming, were lead sponsors of the bill. In the House, Kuster and Chris Pappas were co-sponsors.
“I was honored to join my colleagues to help pass legislation just last year to create a commemorative coin to keep Christa’s pioneering spirit alive as she continues to spark a passion for science and exploration among younger generations,” Kuster said Tuesday.
The legislation was signed into law by President Trump in October authorizing the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 of the $1 silver coins. Proceeds will go to the FIRST Robotics program.
“Christa McAuliffe demonstrated throughout her life how to make the world a better place, not only through once-in-a-lifetime feats of bravery but also through her everyday actions and interactions with those around her,” Shaheen said in a statement for the Congressional Record in October. “I hope we can all continue to look to her example for inspiration and ask ourselves ‘What would Christa do?’”