[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 27, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3004-S3005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PROPANE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH ACT

  Mr. FAIRCLOTH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak on behalf of the 
Propane Education and Research Act.
  Mr. President, North Carolina depends heavily on the use of propane 
as an energy source. As a matter of fact, our State ranks as the sixth 
largest consumer of propane fuel in the country--consuming over 500 
million gallons in 1994 alone.
  Propane is a low-cost energy source. For this reason, residential and 
farm use is abundant throughout our State.
  The propane industry has recognized that consumption is on a steady 
rise. To respond to the increased demand on the industry, producers and 
marketers have recognized a real need to launch a research and 
development program of their own. They know that a strong research and 
development program would increase the safety of propane, create 
greater efficiency in its use. and assist them in exploring the endless 
opportunities of new usages.

[[Page S3005]]

  But to truly understand propane, you must take a hard look at the 
makeup of the industry. The industry is only 165 producers strong with 
about 5,000 retail marketers. The resources necessary to implement a 
strong research and development program for this industry are limited.
  That's where the Propane Education and Efficiency Act comes into 
focus. PERA provides the propane industry an opportunity to establish a 
checkoff program that would collect one-tenth of one cent per gallon of 
the wholesale cost of propane. The proceeds would go toward a fund 
designed for research and development, education and safety.
  Propane is the only energy source that is not supported by Federal 
research dollars. This industry-financed program gives an industry with 
limited resources the opportunity to enhance their product without 
coming to the Federal trough for help.
  I commend the leadership of propane industry in North Carolina and 
the Nation as a whole for recognizing their needs and taking the 
initiative to find a solution that will work without an increased 
burden on taxpayers.
  As an original cosponsor of this bill, I thank Senator Domenici for 
his willingness to introduce this important piece of legislation. I 
stand ready to assist my good friend from Arizona in any way to see 
that this bill moves forward.
  I thank the Chair.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Rules and Administration, and as a proud Virginian, it is my pleasure 
to commend a fellow Virginian, Mr. John Kluge of Charlottsville, VA, 
for his contribution to the Library of Congress.
  Born in Chemnitz, Germany, Mr. Kluge came to America when he was 8 
years old and has become one of the Nation's most successful and highly 
regarded businessmen and one of its most generous humanitarians.
  In 1990, John Kluge became the first chairman of the James Madison 
Council of the Library of Congress. The Madison Council, the Library's 
first private-sector support group in its 190-year history, plays a 
vital role in raising the visibility of the Library and promoting 
awareness and use of its collections. Its members include leaders in 
business, society, and philanthropy from across the Nation who are 
known for their commitment to education and scholarship. In its short 
history the Madison Council has funded over 50 programs, including 
fellowships for young scholars, publications and television programs, 
public exhibitions, scholarly conferences, centers of excellence that 
draw top thinkers to the Library to use and enhance its collections, a 
special acquisitions fund, and much more. Just recently, the council 
reached its goal of 100 founding members, set by John Kluge 6 years 
ago.
  John Kluge has been the foremost private donor in the Library's 
history, personally giving nearly $8 million to the Library. His 
biggest single contribution was $5 million for the National Digital 
Library, which is the brainchild of the Librarian of Congress, James 
Billington. Launched in 1994 with commitments of support from the 
Congress and private donors like Mr. Kluge, the National Digital 
Library is providing free unique content for the information 
superhighway opening new gateways to education for all Americans. Other 
projects to which John Kluge has contributed generously include the 
magnificent Vatican Library exhibition, the Leadership Development 
Program, an exhibition of heretofore unseen documents from the Soviet 
state archives, and purchase of a major collection of sound recordings.
  By personally working on behalf of the Library of Congress, arranging 
meetings with potential supporters, giving of his own personal time, 
and bringing together an outstanding group of distinguished individuals 
who truly care about their national library and support it with their 
time, ideas, and financial contributions, John Kluge has made the 
Madison Council what it is today--a model of how the private sector can 
focus its resources within a public institution and make an important 
difference.
  Because of John Kluge, millions more Americans know about our 
Nation's great Library which Congress has built and supported for 
almost 200 years, and they understand its importance in the history of 
our Nation.
  John Kluge is one of the great philanthropists in America today. His 
contributions to the Library of Congress and the Nation have been 
immense. It is my privilege to commend him for his achievements.

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