[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 57 (Tuesday, May 1, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentlewoman from 
California in paying tribute to Reverend Dr. Leon Sullivan who was one 
of the outstanding international leaders of our day. As a matter of 
fact, I recall some 25, 26 years ago when I was visiting in East 
Africa, and one of the first things I saw was an OIC center in Nairobi, 
Kenya. That is an indication of the kind of reach that Dr. Sullivan 
had.
  I rise today, Mr. Speaker, to pay tribute to an important group of 
institutions in our communities, institutions that often go 
unrecognized, and, that is, our public libraries across the United 
States of America. This institution has served as an intellectual 
playground where young people explore their dreams. And for many of us, 
this institution has served as our think tank, where we go to formulate 
master plans for personal growth and development, where we go and 
relive our hopes for success.
  Recently, I have had the opportunity to interact with three libraries 
in my congressional district, the one in Bellwood, Illinois; the one in 
Maywood, Illinois; and the Chicago library, the Harold Washington 
Library, in Chicago. Behind these walls, meticulously preserved are the 
thoughts, data, theories, and dreams that were generated by countless 
people who have greatly impacted our society. And so today I decided to 
simply recognize National Library Legislative Day.
  There are approximately 122,289 libraries in the United States. A 
significant number of these libraries are free and available for public 
use. As an American, I am proud and pleased to live in a country that 
prioritizes giving access to information and knowledge.
  We have all heard the phrase ``knowledge is power'' and yes, it is. 
It is not just the building or even the books that make the library so 
special. Day in and day out, libraries provide a smorgasbord of 
information that is needed by the general public. They provide guidance 
in a child's academic endeavors. They lend a helping hand to adults 
seeking to expand their knowledge base. And today libraries have been 
in the forefront of helping to close the digital divide by providing 
computer and Internet training to community residents. Indeed, 
libraries are multifaceted institutions.
  We salute them for their commitment. We commend their excellence. And 
we are grateful for their guidance. We praise them on this special day 
and say, long live our libraries, so that long can live freedom and 
democracy in our country.

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