I 108th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4147 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 2, 2004 Mr. Cummings (for himself, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Ms. Carson of Indiana, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. Clay, Mr. Conyers, Mr. Fattah, Mr. Ford, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Ms. Kilpatrick, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Owens, Mr. Payne, Mr. Rush, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Towns, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, and Ms. Waters) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform A BILL To establish a servitude and emancipation archival research clearinghouse in the National Archives.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the &short-title1; or the &short-title2;.

2.

Establishment of database

(a)

In general

The Archivist of the United States shall establish, as a part of the National Archives, a national database consisting of historic records of servitude and emancipation in the United States to assist African Americans in researching their genealogy. (b)

Maintenance

The database established by this Act shall be maintained by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

3.

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated— (1)$5,000,000 to establish the national database authorized by this Act; and (2)$5,000,000 to provide grants to States and colleges and universities to preserve local records of servitude and emancipation.