[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 36 (Thursday, March 6, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H1649-H1652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT OF 2003
The SPEAKER pro tempore. When the recess was declared, the House was
considering H.R. 13 and 43\1/2\ minutes of debate remained.
The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) has 22\1/2\ minutes
remaining and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) has 21 minutes
remaining.
Prior to the recess, the gentleman from Michigan had yielded two
minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly), and the
gentlewoman from New York had 2 minutes remaining.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 13, the sole
Federal agency devoted exclusively to museums and libraries which
partners with schools to educate America's young.
Museums and libraries have traditionally served us as lifelong
centers of learning creating centralized locations for the
dissemination of information that provides equal access for Americans
of all ages.
As the availability of information increases through the use of
computer technologies, it is only logical that museums and libraries
expand their services in order to fully maximize their mission as
reference centers, as well as to fill the public's need to acquire the
necessary skills to utilize such technology and reap the benefits of
this expansion of cultural and historical knowledge.
The money in this bill will be used to bring projects and resources
that would not otherwise be available in our communities to our local
libraries and to this Nation's fine museums.
In my district, libraries provide paid mentors that help kids and
families with homework in the library, especially they try to include
parents whose first language is not English. In addition to the
establishment of the centers, the grant has provided for the addition
of several important learning resources to participating libraries'
collections.
The authorization of the MLSA is an important step to helping
students and other museums and library patrons find the resources and
materials that they need to successfully come together and share
information about history and culture.
Passing this legislation will ensure that libraries and museums
across the country continue to provide accessible, safe, dynamic places
of learning for all Americans.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Filner).
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Hinojosa) for his leadership on something that is so important to
America, and that is, the Museum and Library Services Act.
As my colleague has pointed out, this bill authorizes $245 million in
Federal assistance for museums and libraries in the coming fiscal year
and additional funds all the way through the end of this decade.
A civilized society, Mr. Speaker, must include cultural enrichment,
and it is one of the responsibilities of our government to support that
aspect of our civilization. We get what we pay for. Thanks to our
museums and libraries, our citizens become well-rounded individuals,
and our children are encouraged to become the best that they can be.
Let me highlight for a few minutes, Mr. Speaker, a few of the success
stories that come out from the Library Services and Technology Act,
which is a part of the Museum and Library Services Act, in my home
State of California.
The Infopeople project provides training and computers for local
libraries, assuring public access to the Internet in 530 of our State's
765 public libraries.
The University of California in San Diego is assisting over 100
libraries and cultural institutions to recover from natural and man-
made disasters.
The County of Los Angeles Public Library is training college students
to assist with the library's Summer Reading Program for Children,
providing work experience for students while helping open the door to
reading for over 30,000 of our children.
The Family Literacy Program provides programs and books for infants
and children.
The Oceanside Public Library in San Diego County provides health
information from a mobile vehicle funded through this Act.
From my own congressional district, in the city of National City, one
of the poorest cities in California, but blessed with a great city
librarian, Anne Campbell, this city has funded a large community
computer center in the National City Public Library. Over 50,000
residents each year have access to electronic information, software
programs, Internet and training. Residents are working on job resumes,
e-mailing a loved one aboard a Navy ship, running a business, preparing
reports for school and 1,000 other uses that we know that the Internet
can provide.
Currently, a grant from this Act provides Web page design training
for high school students, with real life experiences designing Web
sites for local businesses and nonprofit organizations. From the first
class, already two students have been hired permanently to continue to
update these Web sites. So the digital divide of which we hear a lot
has been narrowed in National City because of the LSTA.
We can go on for a long time about the stories. These are just a few,
but they would not be possible without our investment in our Nation's
libraries.
I urge support of this legislation, and I thank the gentleman for
yielding.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman and my friend
from Michigan for granting me the time to rise and speak in strong
support of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003.
Mr. Speaker, America has a moral obligation to support its museums
and libraries, and throughout our Nation, libraries are at the
forefront of our reading, education and family literacy programs.
Museums are the centerpiece of our history and civilization, and
together, our museums and libraries form the core of democracy in
America.
[[Page H1650]]
This year, Mr. Speaker, more than 865 million people will visit a
museum in America. Millions of students will take out their first book
and millions of families will gather for community literacy and
learning programs.
All of us remember our very first library card. All of us remember
our very first library experience, that first book and that first story
which always means so much in our lives, and the role of libraries in
American society is and will continue to be critical to our future.
I remember my hometown library, and I especially remember with great
fondness and respect and admiration for her impact on my life my own
hometown librarian, Martha Gould, who now serves on the National
Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Not only has Martha
Gould provided technical and institutional knowledge held by libraries
in strengthening America's homeland defense, she stands as a stalwart
supporter of our library system and works diligently to ensure that our
libraries keep up with the 21st century technology and maintain their
core function of providing all Americans with the means and
capabilities of preserving and protecting democracy.
I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 13 for our Nation, and for
the future generations of America.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I
thank my colleague for helping us move this bill and encourage all of
our colleagues to vote in support of this reauthorization.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to
offer my support of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act of
2003 authorizing our federal library and museum programs under the
Institute of Museum and Library Services. As a former educator and
life-long supporter of the arts, I fervently believe we must
reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act, and do much more to
promote libraries and literacy, and to help art in all of its forms to
continue to flourish.
We must do all we can to encourage the growth of such institutions,
which help to enlighten us regarding our rich and diverse cultural
heritage.
We have a strong tradition of providing our citizens with world-class
library services and museums. Under H.R. 13, library services
nationwide will be enhanced in order to better meet the needs of all
Americans by: extending access to information for citizens in all types
of libraries and thus increase citizens' knowledge, and assisting
libraries in more effectively sharing resources to promote the
streamlined delivery of services.
In my District, the County of Los Angeles Public Library offers
CHIPS, a consumer health information program located in the City of
Carson. This invaluable service offers my constituents information and
referrals, responds to reference questions and circulates health
materials to the community. Through CHIPS, constituents in my District
can become better informed about the quality of their health by gaining
up-to-date medical information. The State of California also offers
through our libraries:
Working with Kids@Your Library, an internship program for
undergraduate students tutoring children in the Summer Reading Program;
Live Homework Help, a program offering students grades 5-12 online
access to tutors, or 20 minutes of one-on-one tutoring now available
through the Long Beach Public Library; and
Grapes of Wrath Program in the Long Beach Public Library to promoting
reading and discussion of John Steinbeck's Pulitzer-prize winning book.
Under H.R. 13, the Library Services and Technology section of the Act
will provide almost $250 million in special funding to libraries and
museums nationwide. In the past, my District received approximately
$410,000 to fund vitally needed programs for libraries and museums, and
continued funding is required in order for ongoing community needs to
be met.
By providing additional grants to states, we can offer citizens:
Greater access to utilizing information electronically;
Facilitate electronic and other linkages between all kinds of
libraries;
Create public and private partnerships with external community-based
groups and other agencies;
Direct library services to people of distinct cultural, geographic
and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as to persons with disabilities,
and those with limited literacy skills; and
Tailor library and information services to people experiencing
difficulty using libraries, including children from low-income
families, and individuals living in underserved urban and rural areas.
Under H.R. 13, our museums will be better able to continue their
tradition of public service by integrating all of society to the
natural, cultural, historic, artistic and scientific aspects of our
heritage. In my District, I am a proud advocate of the Museum of Latin
American Art in the City of Long Beach, which is distinguished as the
only museum in the western United States to only feature contemporary
Latin American art.
By passing H.R. 13, we will help our museums by: promoting the
educational roles played by museums; and extending the exchange of
resources and promoting partnerships among schools, libraries, museums,
and other community groups.
Because we live in an era when life-long and distance learning are
essential to increasing citizens' access to education and vocational
opportunities, it is critical that we provide our libraries with the
maximum support necessary for them to carry out their missions. At the
same time, we must assist our museums so that they may keep raising our
awareness and enrich our communities through art.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the resolution, this
Member wishes to add his strong support for the Museums and Library
Services Act (H.R. 13), as museums and libraries certainly are a vital
part of our society.
This Member would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education
and the Workforce, and the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr.
Miller), the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce for bringing this important resolution to the House floor
today. This Member would also like to commend the distinguished
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), chairman of the Subcommittee on
Select Education, for sponsoring H.R. 13.
Attendance at American museums is now at more than 865 million visits
per year. Today's 21st Century library is not just a provider of books,
as the typical American library coordinates a complete and
comprehensive approach to community development and services.
The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 authorizes Federal
assistance to museums and libraries through fiscal year 2009. The
legislation maintains the modest but essential Federal support for
museums and libraries across the country; authorizes funds for the one
Federal agency--the Institute of Museum and Library Services--devoted
exclusively to museums and libraries, which are natural partners with
our nation's schools; and encourages model cooperation between museums
and libraries.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member urges his colleagues to support
H.R. 13.
Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, this year more than 865 million people will
visit a museum in America and millions will use their local library for
books and other community services. Libraries and museums play a vital
role in educating our children and promoting communities.
Throughout our Nation, libraries are at the forefront of reading and
family literacy programs. Libraries are critical to many people with
disabilities, providing them with specialized materials and resources
that are obtainable in a single accessible location. For those persons
of limited financial resources or who live in remote areas, libraries
provide access to books and reference materials, computer services, and
other community-based services.
Museums across the country work with local schools to provide K-12
educational programming. They are an important source of cultural and
historical knowledge for people, as they learn about the history and
traditions of our country and other places around the world. In
addition, museums serve as places where people of different backgrounds
come together to share information about history, culture, and
civilization.
Under the leadership of Chairman Hoekstra in the last Congress, the
Education and the Workforce Committee worked in a bipartisan manner to
report the Museum and Library Services Act of 2002. That bill had 94
cosponsors, was supported by the Bush Administration, and had been
endorsed by the American Library Association, the Chief Officers of
State Library Agencies, and the American Association of Museums. The
Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 is very similar to last year's
bill, and with 126 cosponsors, it builds on the bipartisan bill
reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce last year.
The legislation before the House today funds the Institute of Museum
and Library Services, a federal agency devoted exclusively to museums
and libraries, which partner with our Nation's schools. It consolidates
museum
[[Page H1651]]
and library board activities to reduce unnecessary paperwork and
duplication. In addition, the reauthorization of the Museum and Library
Services Act is an important next step in ensuring that the President's
education reforms signed into law last year are properly implemented.
H.R. 13 requires that all library activities are coordinated with
activities under the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush's
landmark education reform legislation.
First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian, supports reauthorization
of the Museum and Library Services Act. Mr. Miller, the ranking
Democrat on our Committee is a cosponsor of this legislation--I would
like to thank him for his support. Mr. Hoekstra has put together a
good, bipartisan bill and I encourage my colleagues to support the
legislation and our Nation's museums and libraries.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as an educator and avid reader, it's always a
special pleasure to visit a library or a museum. Libraries safeguard
our freedom and keep democracy healthy. Museums and libraries preserve
the past and offer brighter futures to all of us. They are true
community assets. That is why I was pleased to be an original cosponsor
of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act.
Libraries are often referred to as the ``People's University.'' It is
a fitting name.
Libraries provide all of us with free access to a fabulous wealth of
information. In this increasingly technology-driven society, they speak
directly to what we call the Digital Divide. A recent survey by the
Department of Commerce found that our libraries are the No. 1 point of
access for those who do not have Internet access at home or at work.
Today, 90 percent of public libraries have some kind of Internet
connection.
Research also shows us that Americans visit libraries 3.5 billion
times each year; 1.6 billion items are borrowed annually from public
libraries; and research librarians answer 7 million questions every
week.
Clearly libraries are responding not only to the daunting challenges
of the Information Age and to the changing needs of our communities,
but they are continuing to serve all of their traditional roles as
well.
Libraries are also true community centers. They create environments
where students can do their homework, townspeople can gather, families
can interact, seniors can learn new skills, and job seekers can find
advice. They are forums building partnerships, linking with everyone
from garden clubs to Head Start programs to extend their reach
throughout our communities.
Throughout our country, libraries serve as, the catalyst for economic
revitalization, bringing together our communities civic and social
leaders. They provide reading material for people of all ages by
sending books into maternity wards, setting up reading stations in
pediatrician's offices, developing teen centers, and establishing
mobile book carts in nursing homes and senior centers.
I am currently observing the improvements at my own Princeton public
library that are traceable to this authorization bill. The library is
in the process of constructing a state of the art library security,
inventory, and circulation system that will allow library users to
automatically check in and check out books.
Let me cite some other examples of how our local libraries are
helping people all across the 12th District of New Jersey. The South
Brunswick Public Library has been fortunate to receive funding from the
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Their Computer
Training Center, established in part by these funds serves hundreds of
people each week. The center not only provides free Internet access,
but it provides the training many people need to use the Internet on
their own.
Robert Weidlich of Kendall Park, NJ, turned to the library when he
began suffering chronic back pain brought about by hunching over a
microscope all day, conducting medical research in a nearby company. He
wanted to find the internal source of his pain, which his doctors had
not been able to do. At the library, staff helped Weidlich use the
library's collections and electronic sources to tap into the medical
sources and the latest research from all over the world. He became a
regular at the computer center, spending many hours logged on the
Internet to learn about disorders of the spinal cord and back. As a
result of his research, he located the unusual source of his pain--a
damaged ligament in the lumbar region of his back. With his new
understanding of the problem, he was able to invent ways to
mechanically support his back so that he could go on with his life.
Peter Gao of Monmouth Junction, gleefully reported that he was able
to find a new job at the post office because of the assistance the
library provided in his job search when he recently lost his
programming position at Dow Jones.
Greta Ji passed the Yale law school tests with a top score, thanks to
the materials and computer access that she obtained through the
library.
Dan Guerra, a family lawyer, regularly uses the library in his
research, and especially finds the databases helpful.
Finally, the Investments Club utilizes all our resources to keep
abreast of the latest market developments. None of the Club members
have computers at home, nor could they individually afford the
financial databases they like to check at their weekly meetings. Senior
citizens like Leona Bouthwell, can now regularly check her investments
and look up consumer information.
These are examples of how important libraries are to me and millions
of other Americans. Mr. Speaker, Carl Rowan, a noted journalist, once
said, ``The library is the temple of learning, and learning has
liberated more people than all the wars in history.''
I look forward to the passage of H.R. 13 the Museum and Library
Services Act.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House of Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the
bill is considered read for amendment and the previous question is
ordered.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was
read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
Pursuant to clauses 8 and 9 of rule XX, this 15-minute vote on
passage of H.R. 13 may be followed by a 5-minute vote, if ordered, on
approving the Journal.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 416,
nays 2, not voting 16, as follows:
[Roll No. 47]
YEAS--416
Abercrombie
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Allen
Andrews
Baca
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Baldwin
Ballance
Ballenger
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bass
Beauprez
Becerra
Bell
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bonner
Bono
Boozman
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Bradley (NH)
Brady (PA)
Brady (TX)
Brown (OH)
Brown (SC)
Brown, Corrine
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Burgess
Burns
Burr
Burton (IN)
Buyer
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Capps
Capuano
Cardin
Cardoza
Carson (IN)
Carson (OK)
Carter
Case
Castle
Chabot
Chocola
Clay
Clyburn
Coble
Cole
Collins
Combest
Cooper
Costello
Cox
Cramer
Crane
Crenshaw
Crowley
Cummings
Cunningham
Davis (AL)
Davis (CA)
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (TN)
Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
Deal (GA)
DeFazio
DeGette
Delahunt
DeLauro
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Dicks
Dingell
Doggett
Dooley (CA)
Doolittle
Doyle
Dreier
Duncan
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Emanuel
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Evans
Everett
Farr
Fattah
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Fletcher
Foley
Forbes
Ford
Fossella
Frank (MA)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gingrey
Gonzalez
Goode
Goodlatte
Gordon
Goss
Granger
Graves
Green (TX)
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Grijalva
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hall
Harman
Harris
Hart
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Hayworth
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Hill
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Holden
Holt
Honda
Hooley (OR)
Hostettler
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Israel
Issa
Istook
Jackson (IL)
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Janklow
Jefferson
Jenkins
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jones (OH)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Keller
Kelly
Kennedy (MN)
Kennedy (RI)
Kildee
Kilpatrick
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kingston
Kirk
Kleczka
Kline
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kucinich
LaHood
Lampson
Langevin
Lantos
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Latham
LaTourette
Leach
Lee
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
[[Page H1652]]
Linder
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Lynch
Majette
Maloney
Manzullo
Markey
Marshall
Matheson
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCotter
McCrery
McDermott
McGovern
McHugh
McInnis
McIntyre
McKeon
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Mica
Michaud
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Miller, Gary
Miller, George
Mollohan
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Murphy
Murtha
Musgrave
Myrick
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal (MA)
Nethercutt
Ney
Northup
Norwood
Nunes
Nussle
Oberstar
Obey
Olver
Osborne
Ose
Otter
Owens
Oxley
Pallone
Pascrell
Pastor
Payne
Pearce
Pelosi
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Putnam
Quinn
Radanovich
Rahall
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Rehberg
Renzi
Reyes
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rohrabacher
Ross
Rothman
Roybal-Allard
Royce
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan (OH)
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Sanchez, Linda T.
Sanchez, Loretta
Sanders
Sandlin
Saxton
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schrock
Scott (GA)
Scott (VA)
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherman
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simmons
Simpson
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Solis
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Stearns
Stenholm
Strickland
Sullivan
Sweeney
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Tierney
Toomey
Towns
Turner (OH)
Turner (TX)
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Upton
Velazquez
Visclosky
Vitter
Walden (OR)
Walsh
Wamp
Waters
Watson
Watt
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wolf
Woolsey
Wu
Wynn
Young (FL)
NAYS--2
Flake
Paul
NOT VOTING--16
Conyers
Cubin
Culberson
Etheridge
Gephardt
Hunter
Lucas (OK)
Millender-McDonald
Miller (NC)
Ortiz
Ros-Lehtinen
Snyder
Stupak
Van Hollen
Wexler
Young (AK)
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Calvert) (during the vote). Members are
advised that 2 minutes remain in this vote.
{time} 1135
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 47, I was
unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 47, I was
detained by a group of women constituents speaking on a panel on
Violence Against Women.'' Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 47 on March 6, 2003,
I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''
____________________