II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 295 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 16, 2007 Ms. Landrieu (for herself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Levin, Mr. Voinovich, Mr. Durbin, and Mr. Schumer) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 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 Servitude and Emancipation Archival Research ClearingHouse Act or the SEARCH Act.

2.

Establishment of National Archives database of historic records regarding servitude and emancipation

(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 shall be maintained by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. (c)

Authorization of appropriations

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