Washington, D.C. – A Campbell County resident was recently honored by the U.S. Mint for his efforts to promote the use of a gold dollar coin bearing the image of the American Indian heroine Sacajawea.

Dick Bratton, of Gillette was presented with a certificate of appreciation by the Director of the U.S. Mint, Henrietta Fore, for his work in helping to circulate the coin. The awards presentation took place at the U.S. Mint in Washington, D.C. Also present at the ceremony was U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

In 1998 Enzi nominated Sacajawea to appear on a coin planned for issuance by the U.S. Mint in 2000. With the help of students from Kelly, Wyoming, Enzi was able to turn the idea for the coin into a reality.

Enzi said having the Sacajawea coin in circulation honors American Indians everywhere as well as saves the Department of the Treasury money. A paper dollar must be replaced every other year while a golden dollar costs about 12 cents to mint, an 88 cent profit, and lasts until it is lost.

For more information on the Sacajawea gold dollar coin, please visit Enzi's website (enzi.senate.gov) or the U.S. Mint website (www.usmint.gov).