[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 97 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H6735-H6736]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS COMMISSION AUTHORIZATION

  Mr. HORN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4110) to amend title 44, United States Code, to authorize 
appropriations for the National Historical Publications and Records 
Commission for fiscal years 2002 through 2005, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4110

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL 
                   HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS COMMISSION.

       Section 2504(f)(1) of title 44, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``and'';
       (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
       ``(L) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
       ``(M) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
       ``(N) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
       ``(O) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Horn) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Turner) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Horn).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HORN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 4110.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.

[[Page H6736]]

  Mr. HORN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 4110 would allow the National Historical 
Publications and Records Commission to continue its valuable work in 
helping to preserve the records of our Nation's history.
  Since its formation in 1934, the commission, affiliated with the 
National Archives and Records Administration, has complemented National 
Archives' work in protecting vital American documents.
  Unlike the National Archives, which maintains Federal records, the 
commission assists non-Federal historical societies, nonprofit 
organizations, universities, and State and local governments.
  In 1964, the commission began funding independent archival projects 
through its grants program, which provide an invaluable service to the 
Nation through the maintenance of its historical records. These 
projects include family papers, manuscripts, and other electronic 
records. The commission has been instrumental in preserving the 
historical works of such great American leaders as George Washington, 
John Adams, Henry Clay, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Last November, the commission awarded grants for 64 projects, 
totalling $3 million. In addition, it proposed funding a 3-year, $1.8 
million initiative to help raise the level of archival expertise in the 
rapidly changing area of electronic record keeping.
  The National Historical Publications and Records Commission is the 
only national grant-making organization in the Nation whose sole focus 
is the preservation and publication of America's documentary history. 
The 15-member commission supports the professional development of 
archivists, documentary editors, and record keepers through 
fellowships, institutes, conferences, workshops, and other programs.
  In addition, the commission has undertaken a number of projects that 
focus on the records of underdocumented groups, such as Native 
Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and 
other ethnic and interest groups, such as the large Hispanic population 
in the United States, and various other social and political movements.
  H.R. 4110 would reauthorize the appropriation of $10 million, the 
same amount authorized for fiscal year 2001, for the National 
Historical Publications and Records Commission for fiscal years 2002 
through 2005.
  On April 4, 2000, the Subcommittee on Government Management, 
Information and Technology, on which the gentleman form Texas (Mr. 
Turner) and I serve, held a legislative hearing on H.R. 4110. On April 
5, 2000, the subcommittee marked up the bill by a voice vote and 
referred it to the full Committee on Government Reform. On May 18, 
2000, the Committee on Government Reform, by voice vote, ordered the 
bill favorably reported to the House for its consideration.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4110, the legislation 
to reauthorize the National Historical Publications and Records 
Commission. This commission is the grant-making arm of the National 
Archives. It is charged with a very important role of preserving non-
Federal records.
  Every year grants are made to State and local governments, 
universities, libraries, historical societies, and other nonprofit 
institutions for the purpose of preserving important historical 
documents for years to come.
  The Congress created this commission in the 1930s because it 
understood and recognized the importance of preserving American 
history, not only within the Beltway, but all across this United 
States. Proper and accurate historical documentation is essential to 
recording the history of our great democracy.
  This commission has had an important job, and I am pleased to join 
with the gentleman from California (Chairman Horn) in cosponsoring this 
legislation which will reauthorize this appropriation through the year 
2005.
  The papers, the manuscripts and other artifacts preserved by grants 
from this commission define who we are as a people and as a Nation.
  I want to commend Governor John Carlin, our National Archivist, for 
his leadership in this area. The former Governor of Kansas has done an 
outstanding job leading at the National Archives, and this grant 
program is one of the most effective tools that we have to continue the 
fine tradition of those who have worked diligently at the National 
Archives over our many years of history to be sure that we, as a 
Nation, preserve those things that are important to our heritage.
  It is a pleasure for me to join with the gentleman from California 
(Chairman Horn), and I urge the House to adopt H.R. 4110.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HORN. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Horn) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4110, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________