[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 46 (Thursday, April 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. COCHRAN:
  S. 1971. A bill to amend the American Folklife Preservation Act to 
permanently authorize the American Folklife Center of the Library of 
Congress; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.


           The American Folklife Center Creation Act of 1998

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, a little more than 20 years ago, Congress 
enacted legislation which created the American Folklife Center at the 
Library of Congress. The legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan and 
bicameral support. The legislation I am introducing today will provide 
permanent authorization for the Center so that the Center may continue 
its work to preserve and share the collections of traditions which 
exemplify the diverse heritage of millions of ordinary Americans.
  The collections of the American Folklife Center contain rich and 
varied materials from my state of Mississippi and every state in the 
Nation. These materials document the diversity of the folk traditions 
of the many people who make up our nation. The Folklife Center serves 
as a national repository of traditional culture and is used by scholars 
from around the world as well as schoolchildren, teachers, and 
genealogists.
  The Congress has charged the American Folklife Center to preserve and 
present American Folklife for future generations. Providing the Center 
with permanent authorization will give the Center the security it needs 
to carry on its good work, continue its educational services, and 
strengthen its world-class collections. Permanent authorization will 
also allow the Center to engage the public's support of its collections 
through long-range planning and fundraising.
  American folklife is the traditional expressive culture shared within 
the many familial, ethnic, occupational, religious, and regional groups 
in the United States. It is the very basis of family and community 
life. I hope we can permanently authorize the Folklife Center so that 
these wonderful collections will be available to future generations.
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