[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE ``NATIONAL FILM PRESERVATION ACT OF 2003''

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce the introduction 
of the National Film Preservation Act of 2003, which reauthorizes the 
National Film Preservation Act of 1996.
  We all know that motion pictures are amongst this nation's cultural 
treasures, going beyond entertainment to represent American ideals and 
values to people across the world. Unfortunately, the films on which 
many motion pictures are created are easily susceptible to physical 
deterioration; in fact, over fifty percent of movies made before 1950 
have deteriorated and over ninety percent of movies from before 1929 
have disintegrated.
  The 1996 Act was designed to ensure that we could protect the 
treasures we still have. It created the National Film Preservation 
Board and the National Film Preservation Foundation. The NFPB generates 
public awareness of a national film registry and reviews initiatives to 
ensure the preservation valued films. The NFPF issues grants to 
libraries and other institutions that can save films from degradation.
  The program has received accolades from organizations such as the 
Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and 
Sciences. Noted filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Ken Burns also have 
praised the NFPB and the NFPF.
  Unfortunately, the program officially expired October 11, 2003, and 
was not reauthorized. The legislation being introduced today would 
remedy that oversight by reauthorizing both the NFPB and the NFPF. I 
hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this valuable effort as 
we move it through the House.

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