[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 45 (Thursday, March 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DONATION REFORM ACT OF 2007

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                               speech of

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2007

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker our Nation's Presidential 
libraries are a priceless resource for researchers, historians, and the 
public. They serve as legacies to our Presidents, repositories of 
history, and a source of tremendous pride for local communities. At the 
same time, they have become elaborate institutions, housing official 
papers, museums, classrooms, conference facilities, and even gift 
shops.
  With this expansion, however, come additional costs. As the costs 
increase, so does the pressure to raise private funds. But under 
current law, those contributions do not need to be disclosed.
  The gentleman from Tennessee, Mr. Duncan, worked to close this 
loophole. He has been a leader on this issue, drafting and moving 
legislation to an overwhelming House vote.
  But we should keep politics out of this. The bill before us applies 
to the current President and future Presidents. I offered an amendment 
in Committee to make this law effective for the next elected President. 
I hope we again will resist inserting politics into a bill the House 
passed by a vote of 392 to 3.
  With this legislation we are recognizing the perception of 
impropriety that contributions to a presidential library can raise. We 
don't need to re-open old wounds or begin inflicting new ones today. 
Presidents leave their mark on our rich history, and those giving to 
presidential libraries should be proud to have their donations publicly 
disclosed.
  Mr. Speaker, our goal should be a unanimous vote on the House floor--
anything less is a step back. I know my colleagues will agree: The cost 
of building presidential libraries: millions. The value of disclosing 
contributions to those libraries: priceless.

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