[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13170-S13171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Lieberman):
  S. 1791. A bill to authorize the Librarian of Congress to purchase 
papers of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, from Dr. King's estate; to 
the Committee on Rules and Administration.


         the martin luther king, junior papers preservation act

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation that 
would authorize the Librarian of Congress to acquire Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Junior's personal papers from his estate. I am pleased to be 
joined in this important initiative by my friend and colleague from 
Connecticut, Senator Joe Lieberman. This bill is a companion to H.R. 
2963, which was introduced by our colleagues in the House of 
Representatives, Congressman James Clyburn and Congressman J.C. Watts.
  Dr. King, as a minister, civil rights leader, prolific writer and 
Nobel Prize winner, was deeply committed to nonviolence in the struggle 
for civil rights. He is quite possibly the most important and 
influential black leader in American history.
  When Dr. King was tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968, he was in 
his prime, after having emerged as a true

[[Page S13171]]

national hero and a chief advocate of peacefully uniting a racially 
divided nation. He strove to build communities of hope and opportunity 
for all. He recognized that all Americans must be free if we are to 
live in a truly great nation.
  The acquisition of Dr. King's papers would permanently place them in 
the public domain. People from all over the United States, and the 
entire world, would have direct access to these important historic 
documents. Those people studying his life's work would have access to 
his messages of justice and peace, and also to reflect on the civil 
rights struggle. The Library of Congress would be the perfect place for 
these papers which already houses other great works of original 
American freedom fighters such as Frederick Douglass and Thurgood 
Marshall. It is altogether fitting that these documents be together 
under one roof.
  Dr. King was a person who wanted all people to get along regardless 
of their race, color or creed. His call to all of us, that we should 
judge by the content of one's character rather than by the color of 
one's skin, sums up the very core of how we can all peacefully live 
together as well as any other words ever spoken.
  The establishment of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a national 
holiday was the result of the work of many determined people who wanted 
to ensure that we and future generations duly honor and remember his 
legacy. In fact, our tradition of honoring Dr. King took another step 
forward when just yesterday the President signed into law S. 322, a 
bill I introduced earlier this year that authorizes the flying of the 
American flag on Martin Luther King Day, in addition to all of our 
nation's national holidays. The bill I introduce today builds on this 
work and will ensure that Dr. King's legacy is preserved for 
generations to come.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important bill. I 
ask unanimous consent that the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1791

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This act may be cited as ``The Dr. Martin Luther King, 
     Junior Papers Preservation Act''.

     SEC. 2. PURCHASE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING PAPERS BY LIBRARIAN OF 
                   CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--The Librarian of Congress is authorized to 
     acquire or purchase papers of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior, 
     from Dr. King's estate.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Librarian of Congress such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out this Act.
                                 ______