By Chris Woodward
The Center Square

U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, has introduced a bill creating a commemorative coin honoring Charlie Kirk.

A native of Illinois, Kirk had a home in Arizona, where he also ran his Turning Point USA organization before being shot and killed Sept. 10 during a speech before thousands of people at Utah Valley University. The 22-year-old man charged with killing Kirk, Tyler James Robinson, appeared virtually at a hearing Monday in a Utah County court, where Judge Tony Graf set another hearing for Oct. 30.

Hamadeh told The Center Square that Kirk, a conservative leader, will be missed.

“I think it is important that we honor Charlie for the positive influence he had on our nation’s young people and the example he set for all of us in terms of a willingness to debate, to tackle the tough issues, to be willing to stand for basic moral truths, live a life that reflects your core principles,” said Hamadeh.

The Center Square sought comments from Turning Point USA, but did not receive a response by press time.

Officially known as the Charlie Kirk Commemorative Coin Act, Hamadeh’s bill was introduced Friday. It directs the Treasury Department to mint 400,000 silver dollar coins with the likeness of Charlie Kirk on one side and the phrase “well done, good and faithful servant” on the other.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, who’s running for governor in the state, is one of the bill’s 16 co-sponsors.

“I want to point out that if this bill passes and if it becomes law, the coins are minted at no cost to the taxpayer, which is something Charlie – as a conservative – would very much approve of, and I think he would appreciate the fact that the final design will be approved by President Trump,” said Hamadeh.

A supporter of the Department of Government Efficiency and efforts to cut wasteful spending, Kirk voiced concerns about the size and cost of government for years.

“Our debt will crush the country,” Kirk posted on X in November 2024. “We need efficiency and a balanced budget.”

Commemorative coins have been made for several Americans. Examples include abolitionist Harriet Tubman, American teacher and astronaut Christa McAuliffe, author Mark Twain, founding father Benjamin Franklin and Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson.