[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H6029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL RECORDING PRESERVATION ACT OF 2000

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, since the development of audio-recording 
technology in the 19th Century, composers, musicians, and others have 
created thousands of sound recordings that have amused, entertained, 
and enriched us individually and as a Nation. Sadly, as the 21st 
Century dawns, many of America's most precious sound recordings, 
recorded on perishable media, may soon be lost unless we act to 
preserve them for the use and enjoyment of future generations.
  Today I am delighted to join the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thomas), chairman of the Committee on House Administration, in his 
introduction of legislation similar to the bipartisan bill that I 
introduced last year to help preserve this irreplaceable aspect of our 
cultural heritage. I hope all Members will support this effort.
  In 1988, Congress wisely enacted the National Film Preservation Act, 
which established a program in the Library of Congress to support the 
work of actors, archivists and the motion-picture industry to preserve 
America's disappearing film heritage. The revised bill introduced 
today, the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, follows the 
trail blazed by the Library's successful film program.
  The measure would create a National Recording Registry at the Library 
to identify, maintain and preserve sound recordings of cultural, 
aesthetic, or historic significance. Each year the Librarian of 
Congress would select recordings for placement on the Registry, upon 
nominations made by the public, industry or archive representatives; 
recordings will be eligible for selection ten years after their 
creation.
  A National Recording Preservation Board will assist the Librarian in 
implementing a comprehensive recording preservation program, working 
with artists, archivists, educators and historians, copyright owners, 
recording-industry representatives, and others. A National Recording 
Preservation Foundation, chartered by the bill, will encourage, accept 
and administer private contributions to promote preservation of 
recordings, and public accessibility to the Nation's recording 
heritage, held at the Library and at other archives throughout the 
United States.
  The bill authorizes appropriations of up to $250,000 per year for 
seven years to fund the Library's preservation program, and amounts 
over the same period to match the non-federal funds raised by the 
Foundation for preservation purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, by enacting this modest bill and working with the 
private sector to leverage the available resources, the Congress can 
spark creation of a comprehensive, sensible and effective program to 
preserve our Nation's sound-recording heritage for our children and 
grandchildren. I urge its quick enactment.

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