U.S. Senators Mark Pryor (D-AR) and John Boozman (R-AR) along with Congressman Steve Womack (R-3rd) introduced legislation this week to mint coins in commemoration of the 225th anniversary of the United States Marshals Service. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the coin will go to the United States Marshals Service National Museum to be located in Fort Smith. The funds will be used for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents of the Marshals Service.

“The U.S. Marshals Service inspires others to live with justice, integrity and service,” Pryor said. "This commemorative coin and the museum in Fort Smith will honor the role and commitment of our U.S. Marshals Service.”

“The commemorative coin recognizes the influential work the men and women of the U.S. Marshals Service do for this nation,” Boozman said. “This allows us the opportunity to highlight Arkansas’s role in the development and growth of our nation."

“It is truly a privilege to introduce this legislation celebrating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service,” said Womack. “Not only will this commemorative coin be a constant reminder and symbol of justice, integrity and service, but the proceeds will help bring to life this great history for generations to come.”

The commemorative coin, as proposed by Pryor, Boozman and Womack, would be minted in 2014 to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the Marshals Service, the nation’s first law enforcement agency. It would be available in two denominations, a $5 gold coin and a $1 silver coin, and would be the first commemorative coin to honor the United States Marshals Service.

The United States Marshals Service has had major significance in the history in the United States and has directly contributed to its safety and preservation by serving as an instrument of civil authority used by all three branches of the United States Government. The first U.S. Marshals were appointed by President Washington more than 220 years ago. As Americans moved west in the 19th century, it was the U.S. Marshals that ensured federal courts’ orders and decisions were enforced and that there would be some semblance of law and order in areas like Western Arkansas which were far removed from Washington, D.C.