[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1644-H1649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H1644]]
                MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT OF 2003

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to the order of the House of 
March 4, 2003, I call up the bill (H.R. 13) to reauthorize the Museum 
and Library Services Act, and for other purposes, and ask for its 
immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of H.R. 13 is as follows:

                               H. Res. 13

       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 ``Museum and Library Services 
     Act of 2003''.

                      TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SEC. 101. GENERAL DEFINITIONS.

       Section 202 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9101) is amended--
       (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) Determined to be obscene.--The term `determined to be 
     obscene' means determined, in a final judgment of a court of 
     record and of competent jurisdiction in the United States, to 
     be obscene.'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (4);
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5);
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
       ``(3) Final judgment.--The term `final judgment' means a 
     judgment that is--
       ``(A) not reviewed by any other court that has authority to 
     review such judgment; or
       ``(B) is not reviewable by any other court.
       ``(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' means any 
     tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, 
     including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or 
     village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant 
     to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 
     et seq.)), which is recognized by the Secretary of the 
     Interior as eligible for the special programs and services 
     provided by the United States to Indians because of their 
     status as Indians.''; and
       (5) by adding after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) the 
     following:
       ``(6) Museum and library services board.--The term `Museum 
     and Library Services Board' means the National Museum and 
     Library Services Board established under section 207.
       ``(7) Obscene.--The term `obscene' means, with respect to a 
     project, that--
       ``(A) the average person, applying contemporary community 
     standards, would find that such project, when taken as a 
     whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
       ``(B) such project depicts or describes sexual conduct in a 
     patently offensive way; and
       ``(C) such project, when taken as a whole, lacks serious 
     literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.''.

     SEC. 102. INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES.

       Section 203 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9102) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b), by striking the last sentence; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Museum and Library Services Board.--There shall be a 
     National Museum and Library Services Board within the 
     Institute, as provided under section 207.''.

     SEC. 103. DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE.

       (a) Coordination of Activities.--Section 204(e) of the 
     Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9103(e)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following: ``Where 
     appropriate, the Director shall ensure that activities under 
     subtitle B are coordinated with activities under section 1251 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 6383).''.
       (b) Regulatory Authority.--Section 204 of such Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9103) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Regulatory Authority.--The Director may promulgate 
     such rules and regulations as are necessary and appropriate 
     to implement the provisions of this title.
       ``(g) Application Procedures.--
       ``(1) In general.--In order to be eligible to receive 
     financial assistance under this title, a person or agency 
     shall submit an application in accordance with procedures 
     established by the Director by regulation.
       ``(2) Review and evaluation.--The Director shall establish 
     procedures for reviewing and evaluating such applications. 
     Such procedures shall not be subject to any review outside of 
     the Institute. In establishing such procedures, the Director 
     shall ensure that the criteria by which applications are 
     evaluated are consistent with the purposes of this title, 
     taking into consideration general standards of decency and 
     respect for the diverse beliefs and values of the American 
     public.
       ``(3) Treatment of projects determined to be obscene.--
       ``(A) In general.--The procedures described in paragraph 
     (2) shall include provisions that clearly specify that 
     obscenity is without literary, artistic, political, or 
     scientific merit, and is not protected speech.
       ``(B) Prohibition.--No financial assistance may be provided 
     under this title with respect to any project that is 
     determined to be obscene.
       ``(C) Treatment of application disapproval.--The 
     disapproval of an application by the Director shall not be 
     construed to mean, and shall not be considered as evidence 
     that, the project for which the applicant requested 
     financial assistance is or is not obscene.''.

     SEC. 104. NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES BOARD.

       The Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 207 as section 208; and
       (2) by inserting after section 206 the following:

     ``SEC. 207. NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES BOARD.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Institute 
     a board to be known as the `National Museum and Library 
     Services Board'.
       ``(b) Membership.--
       ``(1) Number and appointment.--The Museum and Library 
     Services Board shall be composed of the following:
       ``(A) The Director.
       ``(B) The Deputy Director for the Office of Library 
     Services.
       ``(C) The Deputy Director for the Office of Museum 
     Services.
       ``(D) 10 members appointed by the President, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals 
     who are citizens of the United States and who are specially 
     qualified in the area of library services by virtue of their 
     education, training, or experience.
       ``(E) 10 members appointed by the President, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals 
     who are citizens of the United States and who are specially 
     qualified in the area of museum services by virtue of their 
     education, training, or experience.
       ``(2) Special qualifications.--
       ``(A) Library members.--Of the members of the Museum and 
     Library Services Board appointed under paragraph (1)(D)--
       ``(i) 5 shall be professional librarians or information 
     specialists, of whom--

       ``(I) at least 1 shall be knowledgeable about electronic 
     information and technical aspects of library and information 
     services and sciences; and
       ``(II) and at least 1 other shall be knowledgeable about 
     the library and information service needs of underserved 
     communities; and

       ``(ii) the remainder shall have special competence in, or 
     knowledge of, the needs for library and information services 
     in the United States.
       ``(B) Museum members.--Of the members of the Museum and 
     Library Services Board appointed under paragraph (1)(E)--
       ``(i) 5 shall be museum professionals who are or have been 
     affiliated with--

       ``(I) resources that, collectively, are broadly 
     representative of the curatorial, conservation, educational, 
     and cultural resources of the United States; or
       ``(II) museums that, collectively, are broadly 
     representative of various types of museums, including museums 
     relating to science, history, technology, art, zoos, 
     botanical gardens, and museums designed for children; and

       ``(ii) the remainder shall be individuals recognized for 
     their broad knowledge, expertise, or experience in museums or 
     commitment to museums.
       ``(3) Geographic and other representation.--Members of the 
     Museum and Library Services Board shall be appointed to 
     reflect persons from various geographic regions of the United 
     States. The Museum and Library Services Board may not 
     include, at any time, more than 3 appointive members from a 
     single State. In making such appointments, the President 
     shall give due regard to equitable representation of women, 
     minorities, and persons with disabilities who are involved 
     with museums and libraries.
       ``(4) Voting.--The Director, the Deputy Director of the 
     Office of Library Services, and the Deputy Director of the 
     Office of Museum Services shall be nonvoting members of the 
     Museum and Library Services Board.
       ``(c) Terms.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, each member of the Museum and Library Services 
     Board appointed under subparagraph (D) or (E) of subsection 
     (b)(1) shall serve for a term of 5 years.
       ``(2) Initial board appointments.--
       ``(A) Treatment of members serving on effective date.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (b), each individual who is a 
     member of the National Museum Services Board on the date of 
     the enactment of the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003, 
     may, at the individual's election, complete the balance of 
     the individual's term as a member of the Museum and Library 
     Services Board.
       ``(B) First appointments.--Notwithstanding subsection (b), 
     any appointive vacancy in the initial membership of the 
     Museum and Library Services Board existing after the 
     application of subparagraph (A), and any vacancy in such 
     membership subsequently created by reason of the expiration 
     of the term of an individual described in subparagraph (A), 
     shall be filled by the appointment of a member described in 
     subsection (b)(1)(D). When the Museum and Library Services 
     Board consists of an equal number of individuals who are 
     specially qualified in the area of library services and 
     individuals who are specially qualified in the area of museum 
     services, this subparagraph shall cease to be effective and 
     the board shall be appointed in accordance with subsection 
     (b).

[[Page H1645]]

       ``(C) Authority to adjust terms.--The terms of the first 
     members appointed to the Museum and Library Service Board 
     shall be adjusted by the President as necessary to ensure 
     that the terms of not more than 4 members expire in the same 
     year. Such adjustments shall be carried out through 
     designation of the adjusted term at the time of appointment.
       ``(3) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
     shall serve for the remainder of the term for which the 
     predecessor of the member was appointed.
       ``(4) Reappointment.--No appointive member of the Museum 
     and Library Services Board who has been a member for more 
     than 7 consecutive years shall be eligible for reappointment.
       ``(5) Service until successor takes office.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, an 
     appointive member of the Museum and Library Services Board 
     shall serve after the expiration of the term of the member 
     until the successor to the member takes office.
       ``(d) Duties and Powers.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Museum and Library Services Board 
     shall advise the Director on general policies with respect to 
     the duties, powers, and authority of the Institute relating 
     to museum and library services, including financial 
     assistance awarded under this title.
       ``(2) National awards.--The Museum and Library Services 
     Board shall assist the Director in making awards under 
     section 209.
       ``(e) Chairperson.--The Director shall serve as Chairperson 
     of the Museum and Library Services Board.
       ``(f) Meetings.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Museum and Library Services Board 
     shall meet not less than 2 times each year and at the call of 
     the Director.
       ``(2) Vote.--All decisions by the Museum and Library 
     Services Board with respect to the exercise of its duties and 
     powers shall be made by a majority vote of the members of the 
     Board who are present and authorized to vote.
       ``(g) Quorum.--A majority of the voting members of the 
     Museum and Library Services Board shall constitute a quorum 
     for the conduct of business at official meetings, but a 
     lesser number of members may hold hearings.
       ``(h) Compensation and Travel Expenses.--
       ``(1) Compensation.--Each member of the Museum and Library 
     Services Board who is not an officer or employee of the 
     Federal Government may be compensated at a rate to be fixed 
     by the President, but not to exceed the daily equivalent of 
     the maximum annual rate of pay authorized for a position 
     above grade GS-15 of the General Schedule under section 5108 
     of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including 
     travel time) during which such member is engaged in the 
     performance of the duties of the Museum and Library Services 
     Board. Members of the Museum and Libraries Services Board who 
     are full-time officers or employees of the Federal Government 
     may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by 
     reason of their service on the Board.
       ``(2) Travel expenses.--Each member of the Museum and 
     Library Services Board shall receive travel expenses, 
     including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
     applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of 
     title 5, United States Code.
       ``(i) Coordination.--The Director, with the advice of the 
     Museum and Library Services Board, shall take steps to ensure 
     that the policies and activities of the Institute are 
     coordinated with other activities of the Federal 
     Government.''.

     SEC. 105. AWARDS; ANALYSIS OF IMPACT OF SERVICES.

       The Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101 et 
     seq.) is amended by inserting after section 208 (as 
     redesignated by section 104 of this Act) the following:

     ``SEC. 209. AWARDS.

       ``The Director, with the advice of the Museum and Library 
     Services Board, may annually award National Awards for 
     Library Service and National Awards for Museum Service to 
     outstanding libraries and outstanding museums, respectively, 
     that have made significant contributions in service to their 
     communities.

     ``SEC. 210. ANALYSIS OF IMPACT OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY 
                   SERVICES.

       ``From amounts described in sections 214(c) and 275(b), the 
     Director shall carry out and publish analyses of the impact 
     of museum and library services. Such analyses--
       ``(1) shall be conducted in ongoing consultation with--
       ``(A) State library administrative agencies;
       ``(B) State, regional, and national library and museum 
     organizations; and
       ``(C) other relevant agencies and organizations;
       ``(2) shall identify national needs for, and trends of, 
     museum and library services provided with funds made 
     available under subtitles B and C;
       ``(3) shall report on the impact and effectiveness of 
     programs conducted with funds made available by the Institute 
     in addressing such needs; and
       ``(4) shall identify, and disseminate information on, the 
     best practices of such programs to the agencies and entities 
     described in paragraph (1).''.

               TITLE II--LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       Section 212 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9121) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) through 
     (5) and inserting the following:
       ``(2) to promote improvement in library services in all 
     types of libraries in order to better serve the people of the 
     United States;
       ``(3) to facilitate access to resources in all types of 
     libraries for the purpose of cultivating an educated and 
     informed citizenry; and
       ``(4) to encourage resource sharing among all types of 
     libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and 
     efficient delivery of library services to the public.''.

     SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 213 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9122) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (1); and
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (5), respectively.

     SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 214 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9123) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this subtitle $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 
     and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 
     through 2009.''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``3 percent'' and 
     inserting ``3.5 percent''.

     SEC. 204. RESERVATIONS AND ALLOTMENTS.

       Section 221(b)(3) of the Library Services and Technology 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 9131(b)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(3) Minimum allotments.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     minimum allotment for each State shall be $340,000, except 
     that the minimum allotment shall be $40,000 in the case of 
     the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
     Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of 
     the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
     the Republic of Palau.
       ``(B) Ratable reductions.--Notwithstanding subparagraph 
     (A), if the sum appropriated under the authority of section 
     214 and not reserved under subsection (a) for any fiscal year 
     is insufficient to fully satisfy the requirement of 
     subparagraph (A), each of the minimum allotments under such 
     subparagraph shall be reduced ratably.
       ``(C) Exception.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if the 
     sum appropriated under the authority of section 214 and not 
     reserved under subsection (a) for any fiscal year exceeds the 
     aggregate of the allotments for all States under this 
     subsection for fiscal year 2003--

       ``(I) the minimum allotment for each State otherwise 
     receiving a minimum allotment of $340,000 under subparagraph 
     (A) shall be increased to $680,000; and
       ``(II) the minimum allotment for each State otherwise 
     receiving a minimum allotment of $40,000 under subparagraph 
     (A) shall be increased to $60,000.

       ``(ii) Insufficient funds to award alternative minimum.--If 
     the sum appropriated under the authority of section 214 and 
     not reserved under subsection (a) for any fiscal year exceeds 
     the aggregate of the allotments for all States under this 
     subsection for fiscal year 2003 yet is insufficient to fully 
     satisfy the requirement of clause (i), such excess amount 
     shall first be allotted among the States described in clause 
     (i)(I) so as to increase equally the minimum allotment for 
     each such State above $340,000. After the requirement of 
     clause (i)(I) is fully satisfied for any fiscal year, any 
     remainder of such excess amount shall be allotted among the 
     States described in clause (i)(II) so as to increase 
     equally the minimum allotment for each such State above 
     $40,000.
       ``(D) Special rule.--
       ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this subsection and using funds allotted for the Republic of 
     the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and 
     the Republic of Palau under this subsection, the Director 
     shall award grants to the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, 
     American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated 
     States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau to carry out 
     activities described in this subtitle in accordance with the 
     provisions of this subtitle that the Director determines are 
     not inconsistent with this subparagraph.
       ``(ii) Award basis.--The Director shall award grants 
     pursuant to clause (i) on a competitive basis and pursuant to 
     recommendations from the Pacific Region Educational 
     Laboratory in Honolulu, Hawaii.
       ``(iii) Administrative costs.--The Director may provide not 
     more than 5 percent of the funds made available for grants 
     under this subparagraph to pay the administrative costs of 
     the Pacific Region Educational Laboratory regarding 
     activities assisted under this subparagraph.''.

     SEC. 205. STATE PLANS.

       Section 224 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9134) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``not later than 
     April 1, 1997.'' and inserting ``once every 5 years, as 
     determined by the Director.''; and
       (2) in subsection (f)--
       (A) by striking ``this Act'' each place such term appears 
     and inserting ``this subtitle'';
       (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``1934,'' and all that 
     follows through ``Act, may'' and inserting ``1934 (47 U.S.C. 
     254(h)(6)) may''; and

[[Page H1646]]

       (C) in paragraph (7)--
       (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``section:'' and inserting ``subsection:''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``given'' and 
     inserting ``applicable to''.

     SEC. 206. GRANTS TO STATES.

       Section 231 of the Library Services and Technology Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9141) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(1) expanding services for learning and access to 
     information and educational resources in a variety of 
     formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all 
     ages;
       ``(2) developing library services that provide all users 
     access to information through local, State, regional, 
     national, and international electronic networks;
       ``(3) providing electronic and other linkages among and 
     between all types of libraries;
       ``(4) developing public and private partnerships with other 
     agencies and community-based organizations;
       ``(5) targeting library services to individuals of diverse 
     geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to 
     individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with 
     limited functional literacy or information skills; and
       ``(6) targeting library and information services to persons 
     having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban 
     and rural communities, including children (from birth through 
     age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line (as 
     defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised 
     annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Community 
     Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2))) applicable to a 
     family of the size involved.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``between the two 
     purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of such 
     subsection,'' and inserting ``among such purposes,''.

     SEC. 207. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS, CONTRACTS, OR 
                   COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.

       Section 262(a)(1) of the Library Services and Technology 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 9162(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``education 
     and training'' and inserting ``education, recruitment, and 
     training''.

                       TITLE III--MUSEUM SERVICES

     SEC. 301. PURPOSE.

       Section 271 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9171) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 271. PURPOSE.

       ``It is the purpose of this subtitle--
       ``(1) to encourage and support museums in carrying out 
     their public service role of connecting the whole of society 
     to the cultural, artistic, historical, natural, and 
     scientific understandings that constitute our heritage;
       ``(2) to encourage and support museums in carrying out 
     their educational role, as core providers of learning and in 
     conjunction with schools, families, and communities;
       ``(3) to encourage leadership, innovation, and applications 
     of the most current technologies and practices to enhance 
     museum services;
       ``(4) to assist, encourage, and support museums in carrying 
     out their stewardship responsibilities to achieve the highest 
     standards in conservation and care of the cultural, historic, 
     natural, and scientific heritage of the United States to 
     benefit future generations;
       ``(5) to assist, encourage, and support museums in 
     achieving the highest standards of management and service to 
     the public, and to ease the financial burden borne by museums 
     as a result of their increasing use by the public; and
       ``(6) to support resource sharing and partnerships among 
     museums, libraries, schools, and other community 
     organizations.''.

     SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 272(1) of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9172(1)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following: ``Such term includes aquariums, arboretums, 
     botanical gardens, art museums, children's museums, general 
     museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, nature 
     centers, natural history and anthropology museums, 
     planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized 
     museums, and zoological parks.''.

     SEC. 303. MUSEUM SERVICES ACTIVITIES.

       Section 273 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9173) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 273. MUSEUM SERVICES ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director, subject to the policy 
     advice of the Museum and Library Services Board, may enter 
     into arrangements, including grants, contracts, cooperative 
     agreements, and other forms of assistance to museums and 
     other entities as the Director considers appropriate, to pay 
     for the Federal share of the cost--
       ``(1) to support museums in providing learning and access 
     to collections, information, and educational resources in a 
     variety of formats (including exhibitions, programs, 
     publications, and websites) for individuals of all ages;
       ``(2) to support museums in building learning partnerships 
     with the Nation's schools and developing museum resources and 
     programs in support of State and local school curricula;
       ``(3) to support museums in assessing, conserving, 
     researching, maintaining, and exhibiting their collections, 
     and in providing educational programs to the public through 
     the use of their collections;
       ``(4) to stimulate greater collaboration among museums, 
     libraries, schools, and other community organizations in 
     order to share resources and strengthen communities;
       ``(5) to encourage the use of new technologies and 
     broadcast media to enhance access to museum collections, 
     programs, and services;
       ``(6) to support museums in providing services to people of 
     diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds 
     and to individuals with disabilities;
       ``(7) to support museums in developing and carrying out 
     specialized programs for specific segments of the public, 
     such as programs for urban neighborhoods, rural areas, Indian 
     reservations, and State institutions;
       ``(8) to support professional development and technical 
     assistance programs to enhance museum operations at all 
     levels, in order to ensure the highest standards in all 
     aspects of museum operations;
       ``(9) to support museums in research, program evaluation, 
     and the collection and dissemination of information to museum 
     professionals and the public; and
       ``(10) to encourage, support, and disseminate model 
     programs of museum and library collaboration.
       ``(b) Federal Share.--
       ``(1) 50 percent.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
     Federal share described in subsection (a) shall be not more 
     than 50 percent.
       ``(2) Greater than 50 percent.--The Director may use not 
     more than 20 percent of the funds made available under this 
     subtitle for a fiscal year to enter into arrangements under 
     subsection (a) for which the Federal share may be greater 
     than 50 percent.
       ``(3) Operational expenses.--No funds for operational 
     expenses may be provided under this section to any entity 
     that is not a museum.
       ``(c) Review and Evaluation.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Director shall establish procedures 
     for reviewing and evaluating arrangements described in 
     subsection (a) entered into under this subtitle.
       ``(2) Applications for technical assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Director may use up to 10 percent of 
     the funds appropriated to carry out this subtitle for 
     technical assistance awards.
       ``(B) Individual museums.--Individual museums may receive 
     not more than 3 technical assistance awards under 
     subparagraph (A), but subsequent awards for technical 
     assistance shall be subject to review outside the Institute.
       ``(d) Services for Native Americans.--From amounts 
     appropriated under section 275, the Director shall reserve 
     1.75 percent to award grants to, or enter into contracts or 
     cooperative agreements with, Indian tribes and organizations 
     that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians (as 
     defined in section 7207 of the Native Hawaiian Education Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 7517)), to enable such tribes and organizations 
     to carry out the activities described in subsection 
     (a).''.

     SEC. 304. REPEALS.

       Sections 274 and 275 of the Museum and Library Services Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 9174 and 9175) are repealed.

     SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 276 of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9176)--
       (1) is redesignated as section 275 of such Act; and
       (2) is amended, in subsection (a), by striking 
     ``$28,700,000 for the fiscal year 1997, and such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 
     2002.'' and inserting ``$35,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and 
     such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2005 through 
     2009.''.

     SEC. 306. SHORT TITLE.

       Subtitle C of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 
     U.S.C. 9171 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 271 through 273 as sections 
     272 through 274, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after the subtitle heading the following:

     ``SEC. 271. SHORT TITLE.

       ``This subtitle may be cited as the `Museum Services 
     Act'.''.

        TITLE IV--TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; REPEALS; EFFECTIVE DATE

     SEC. 401. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Title Heading.--The title heading for the Museum and 
     Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101 et seq.) is amended to 
     read as follows:

               ``TITLE II--MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES''.

       (b) Subtitle A Heading.--The subtitle heading for subtitle 
     A of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101 et 
     seq.) is amended to read as follows:

                  ``Subtitle A--General Provisions''.

       (c) Subtitle B Heading.--The subtitle heading for subtitle 
     B of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9121 et 
     seq.) is amended to read as follows:

            ``Subtitle B--Library Services and Technology''.

       (d) Subtitle C Heading.--The subtitle heading for subtitle 
     C of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9171 et 
     seq.) is amended to read as follows:

                    ``Subtitle C--Museum Services''.

       (e) Contributions.--Section 208 of the Museum and Library 
     Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9106) (as redesignated by section 104 
     of this

[[Page H1647]]

     Act) is amended by striking ``property of services'' and 
     inserting ``property or services''.
       (f) State Plan Contents.--Section 224(b)(5) of the Library 
     Services and Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9134(b)(5)) is amended 
     by striking ``and'' at the end.
       (g) National Leadership Grants, Contracts, or Cooperative 
     Agreements.--Section 262(b)(1) of the Library Services and 
     Technology Act (20 U.S.C. 9162(b)(1)) is amended by striking 
     ``cooperative agreements, with,'' and inserting ``cooperative 
     agreements with,''.

     SEC. 402. REPEALS.

       (a) National Commission on Libraries and Information 
     Science Act.--Section 5 of the National Commission on 
     Libraries and Information Science Act (20 U.S.C. 1504) is 
     amended by striking subsections (b) and (c) and redesignating 
     subsections (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (b), (c), and 
     (d), respectively.
       (b) Museum and Library Services Act of 1996.--Sections 704 
     through 707 of the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 
     (20 U.S.C. 9102 note, 9103 note, and 9105 note) are repealed.

     SEC. 403. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, except that the amendments 
     made by sections 203, 204, and 305 shall take effect on 
     October 1, 2003.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) and 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).


                             General Leave

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 13.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today the House will consider H.R. 13, the Museum and 
Library Services Act of 2003, which authorizes Federal assistance to 
museums and libraries through fiscal year 2009.
  H.R. 13 maintains the modest, but essential, Federal support for 
museums and libraries across the country. It authorizes funds for the 
one Federal agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 
devoted exclusively to museums and libraries, and encourages model 
cooperation between museums and libraries.
  Last Congress, the Committee on Education and the Workforce reported 
a bipartisan authorization bill that had 94 cosponsors. It was 
supported by the administration and was endorsed by the American 
Library Association, the chief officers of State library agencies, and 
the American Association of Museums.
  To complete our work from last Congress, I introduced H.R. 13, the 
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003. H.R. 13 has 126 cosponsors, 
makes several modifications to current law to streamline and strengthen 
museum and library services, and will help build on the bipartisan 
progress made by the committee during the 107th Congress.
  Generally, this legislation authorizes the Federal Library and Museum 
program under the Institute of Museum and Library Services. More 
specifically, H.R. 13 requires the director of the Institute of Museum 
and Library Services to establish procedural standards for making 
grants available to museums and libraries which will prohibit projects 
that are determined to be obscene from receiving funding, ensures that 
library activities are coordinated with activities under the No Child 
Left Behind Act of 2001, consolidates Museum and Library Advisory Board 
activities under a single statute, authorizes the director of the 
Institute of Museum and Library Services to present national awards for 
library service and national awards for museum service, and ensures 
that administrative funds are also used to conduct annual analyses of 
the impact of museum and library services in order to evaluate and 
identify needs and trends of services provided under IMLS-funded 
programs.
  I believe there is broad support for this reauthorization 
legislation, because museums and libraries are a vital part of our 
society. Attendance at America's museums is now at more than 865 
million visits per year, and today's 21st century library is not merely 
a provider of books. Instead, the typical library coordinates a 
complete and comprehensive approach to community development and 
services.
  The Library Services and Technology subtitle is the only Federal 
program solely devoted to supporting libraries. This legislation 
assists libraries in providing crucial services to the communities they 
serve. Throughout our Nation, libraries are at the forefront of reading 
and family literacy programs; and importantly, libraries serve as 
essential links to the business community, assisting with job creation 
and training programs, and assisting with business development 
initiatives as well. They are also critical for many people with 
disabilities, providing them with specialized materials and resources 
that are obtainable in a single location.
  For older Americans, libraries provide a place to interact with 
others, use the Internet, and receive services. For those persons of 
limited resources or who live in remote areas, libraries provide access 
to books and reference materials, computers and the Internet, and 
community-based social services that are often available nowhere else.
  The Museum and Library Services Act also supports museums in their 
educational role and assists museums in modernizing their methods and 
facilities so they are better able to conserve the cultural, 
historical, and scientific heritage of the United States.
  Museums play an important role in its education of people of all 
ages. Specifically, most American museums provide K through 12 
educational programming, with most using local and State curriculum 
standards to shape their programs. Additionally, museums increasingly 
partner with libraries to offer joint educational opportunities for 
adults, as well as children.
  The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 makes commonsense reforms 
to authorize museum and library activities, includes provisions 
important to Members on both sides of the aisle, and reauthorizes a 
program that should be supported by this Congress.
  I would like to thank all those who participated in this process, 
including the ranking Democrat on the committee, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller), the Institute of Museum and Library 
Services, the American Library Association, the chief officers of State 
library agencies and the American Association of Museums. They deserve 
a great deal of the credit for this bipartisan bill before us today.
  I look forward to moving this legislation through the House and 
working with the Senate to complete an authorization bill that 
President Bush will support, so that we can ensure that our Nation's 
museums and libraries are getting the best assistance we are able to 
provide from the Federal level.
  I would also like to thank the staff that has worked on this bill.
  I look forward to working with the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Hinojosa) on other legislation that will come through the subcommittee. 
We really did not work on this, we took a lot of what we did in the 
last Congress on this bill, but I really appreciate starting off in 
such a positive way on this bill, and also on the Child Abuse 
Prevention and Treatment Act that the House will consider sometime in 
the next couple of weeks.
  I think it is a great start for this subcommittee. I look forward to 
working with my colleague on other legislation that will come before 
the subcommittee and am sure we will have the same kind of bipartisan 
effort on that legislation, especially the Corporation for National 
Community Service which our subcommittee will consider this year. I 
think this is a great start.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation that means 
so much to our Nation; and I, too, want to thank the gentleman from 
Ohio (Chairman Boehner); our ranking member, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller); and my good friend and colleague, the 
gentleman from Michigan (Chairman Hoekstra), the chairman of the 
subcommittee, for their work in bringing this bill to the floor today.
  We have experienced an economic downturn over the past 2 years; and 
as

[[Page H1648]]

a result, the continuing vitality of our museums is in question. Many 
have had to close their doors to the public, staff has been laid off, 
budgets for curriculum materials has been reduced, and the general 
public wonders about our national priorities.
  With our present economy, we have fewer contributions from 
corporations in support of vital library and museum functions. I 
support the reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act 
because all of us realize the vital importance of these institutions 
for our national fabric.
  The bill provides modest, but essential, support for museums of all 
sizes to help them continue their operations, ensure equity of access, 
and foster culture and education for all our people.
  In addition to operating expenses, the act elevates the role of these 
institutes of lifelong learning. Libraries are essential to parents and 
community organizations as they look for innovative ways to educate our 
children, our youth, and adults. The business community also has a big 
interest in excellent libraries, since the knowledge base for job 
creation, training programs and business development is a significant 
portion of library holdings.
  In the past 5 years, libraries and museums have received hundreds of 
millions of dollars under this act to address a wide range of needs, 
including assessment of museum operations, conservation projects, staff 
training, technology upgrades, electronic linkages, resource sharing, 
and outreach programs.
  I know that my own State of Texas has benefited from this act, and 
there is a project in Weslaco in my congressional district which is 
doing very good work with the resources provided by the Federal 
Government.
  As the need for lifelong learning becomes even greater in the coming 
decades, this act will become increasingly vital. We have before us a 
good example of Federal, State, and local partnerships that deserves 
our continuing support.
  I applaud the leadership for bringing this bill to the floor and urge 
all of my colleagues to support H.R. 13.
  I also want to say that I look forward to working with our 
subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), 
because there are many things on the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce that we need to address. I hope we can work together in 
calling hearings so that we can get the input from the community 
nationwide as our States are facing big deficits in their respective 
governments and legislatures. I know that access to higher education at 
the community colleges and universities is going to be a serious 
problem because of the cuts that they have to make.
  Mr. Speaker, I look forward to looking at that, and many other issues 
that are going to be very important to us here in our Nation's capital.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Burns), a new member of the subcommittee.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 13, the Museum and 
Library Services Act of 2003.
  Museums and libraries are a fundamental part of our society. They 
remain an integral component of our education system. As has been 
noted, attendance at American museums continues to grow, and today's 
library offers critical community services for all of our citizens.
  Charlotte Rogers, the director of the Jefferson County Library System 
in the Twelfth Congressional District of Georgia, has contacted me in 
support of this bill because the people of Jefferson County, the people 
of the State of Georgia and the people of the twelfth district benefit 
from the services provided by these excellent institutions.
  With over a dozen higher-educational institutions in the twelfth 
district, this bill will ensure continued support for a key component 
of a balanced education.
  H.R. 13 provides the essential Federal support for museums and 
libraries across this country. As a new member of the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce, I was pleased to support this bill during 
its consideration. I look forward to voting for the passage of this 
bill, and I urge my colleagues to join me in that effort.

                              {time}  1030

  Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the outstanding 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens).
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank and congratulate my colleagues who 
worked on this legislation. I also thank my colleagues in general for 
appreciating the role of libraries and museums.
  I also would like to issue a new, repeated challenge to the Members 
of Congress to take a hard look at libraries and see that we have 
certainly shortchanged them or overlooked their importance as an 
institution that gives us the greatest bang for the buck. Our cost-
benefits ratio with libraries is probably greater than any institution 
that we fund anywhere.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. OWENS. I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, excuse me for interrupting, but before the 
gentleman continues with his remarks, I think it would be appropriate 
that the House recognizes that the gentleman from New York (Mr. Owens) 
is well-versed in this area, I believe being the only librarian, 
professional librarian, as a Member of the House of Representatives.
  I would like to congratulate the gentleman and make that reference 
before the gentleman continues his remarks. I thank the gentleman for 
being down here.
  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much. Now that my 
objectivity has been established, I would like to say that we have been 
slow to recognize it, but I hope that this bill will help to concretize 
in our minds the value of libraries and museums to work together.
  I happen to live across the street from one of the greatest museums 
in America, the Brooklyn Museum of Art. I also live one block away from 
one of the greatest public libraries, the Central Library of the 
Brooklyn Public Library, where I worked for 8 years as a librarian. I 
got a master's degree from the Atlanta University School of Library 
Science, and was a librarian for 8 years before I went into another 
line of work that led to politics.
  But in the history of Federal funding of libraries, everything we 
have done for libraries, of all the years there has been some kind of 
Federal assistance it would not equal the price of one aircraft 
carrier. I think that is unfortunate, because we do get a great deal of 
cost-benefits ratio, a good cost-benefit ratio from libraries.
  I am particularly interested in the library service as the technology 
section of this bill. That section recognizes that libraries are moving 
with the mainstream in terms of digitalized and computerized learning, 
and that it is probably in the forefront. Long before other 
institutions were utilizing computers, we had a cataloging system that 
came out of Ohio where we could catalog any book in the Nation and put 
it through a computer system, and that one cataloging process could 
serve all the libraries throughout the Nation.
  Cooperation among libraries of various kinds has gone on for a long, 
long time. One of the reasons libraries were able to deliver so much 
with so little is that they have always had those networks where they 
cooperate among libraries in a given system, among libraries across 
State borders, among local libraries and the Library of Congress. They 
are models of cooperation and collaboration.
  We should also realize that in times of recession when we have 
difficult economic times, the libraries are used more than ever. This 
is a pattern that started certainly in the Great Depression. It has not 
changed.
  I understand from my colleagues now in library service positions, 
especially public libraries, the use of libraries has gone up as the 
recession has set in. People go for very practical purposes: They are 
looking for books that will deal with changes in their occupations, or 
for various reasons; it is not recreational reading they go for when 
times are hard. So we should bear that in mind also, that it is an 
instrument by which people are able to change their own lives.
  We also have had demonstrated over and over again, despite the fact 
that people who make budget decisions at

[[Page H1649]]

the local level often cut libraries first, that surveys in several 
cities and localities have established the fact that if the public is 
given the choice, would you pay more taxes for a particular service, 
libraries are right at the top in terms of individuals are willing to 
pay more taxes in order to keep their libraries open and keep their 
libraries operating at a quality level. That has been proven again and 
again. So in our reluctance to fund libraries, we are running counter 
to the perception of the public in terms of an institution where we get 
our money's worth.
  Museums, of course, now serve so many different kinds of purposes. 
When we say ``museum,'' we are not necessarily talking about an art 
museum. There are museums of all kinds. I have three grandchildren, and 
my oldest grandson is 5 years old. He has dinosaur books, but when he 
went to a library and saw an exhibit, he came back and wanted to be a 
paleontologist. That big word certainly had meaning for him.
  I hope that in the future we would be more generous and would be 
willing to authorize higher sums for these institutions that have 
proven their worth over and over again.
  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
New York (Mrs. Kelly).
  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 13.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The gentlewoman will suspend.

                          ____________________