[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9859-S9862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PRESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL RECORDS PRESERVATION ACT OF 2008

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 1088, S. 3477.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 3477) to amend title 44, United States Code, to 
     authorize grants for Presidential Centers of Historical 
     Excellence.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceed to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs with amendments, as follows:
  [Omit the part within boldface brackets and insert the part printed 
in italic]

                                S. 3477

       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 ``Presidential Historical 
     Records Preservation Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 2504 of title 44, United States Code, is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       [(2) amending subsection (g)(1) (as so redesignated by 
     paragraph (1))--
       [(A) in subparagraph (R), by striking ``and'';
       [(B) in subparagraph (S), by striking the period and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       [(C) by adding at the end the following:
       [``(T) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.''; and
       [(3) inserting after subsection (e), the following:]
       (2) inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Grants for Presidential Centers of Historical 
     Excellence.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Archivist, with the recommendation 
     of the Commission, [shall] may make grants, on a competitive 
     basis and in accordance with this subsection, to eligible 
     entities to promote the historical preservation of, and 
     public access to, historical records and documents relating 
     to any former President who does not have a Presidential 
     archival depository currently managed and maintained by the 
     Federal Government pursuant to section 2112 (commonly known 
     as the `Presidential Libraries Act of 1955').
       ``(2) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, an 
     eligible entity is--
       ``(A) an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of that Code; or
       ``(B) a State or local government of the United States.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Amounts received by an eligible entity 
     under paragraph (1) shall be used to promote the historical 
     preservation of, and public access to, historical records or 
     historical documents relating to any former President covered 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Prohibition on use of funds.--Amounts received by an 
     eligible entity under paragraph (1) may not be used for the 
     maintenance, operating costs, or construction of any facility 
     to house the historical records or historical documents 
     relating to any former President covered under paragraph (1).
       ``(5) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
     this subsection shall submit to the Commission an application 
     at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied 
     by such information as the Commission may require, including 
     a description of the activities for which a grant under this 
     subsection is sought.
       ``(B) Approval of application.--The Commission shall not 
     consider or recommend a grant application submitted under 
     subparagraph (A) unless an eligible entity establishes that 
     such entity--
       ``(i) possesses, with respect to any former President 
     covered under paragraph (1), historical works and collections 
     of historical sources that the Commission considers 
     appropriate for preserving, publishing, or otherwise 
     recording at the public expense;
       ``(ii) has appropriate facilities and space for 
     preservation of, and public access to, the historical works 
     and collections of historical sources;
       ``(iii) shall ensure preservation of, and public access to, 
     such historical works and collections of historical sources 
     at no charge to the public;
       ``(iv) has educational programs that make the use of such 
     documents part of the mission of such entity;
       ``(v) has raised funds from non-Federal sources in support 
     of the efforts of the entity to promote the historical 
     preservation of, and public access to, such historical works 
     and collections of historical sources in an amount equal to 
     the amount of the grant the entity seeks under this 
     subsection;
       ``(vi) shall coordinate with any relevant Federal program 
     or activity, including programs and activities relating to 
     Presidential archival depositories;
       ``(vii) shall coordinate with any relevant non-Federal 
     program or activity, including programs and activities 
     conducted by State and local governments and private 
     educational historical entities; and
       ``(viii) has a workable plan for preserving and providing 
     public access to such historical works and collections of 
     historical sources.''.

     SEC. 3. TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS; RECUSAL.

       (a) Term Limits.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2501(b)(1) of title 44, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``not more than 2'' after ``subsection (a) 
     shall be appointed for''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``a term'' and 
     inserting ``not more than 4 terms''.
       (2) Effective date.--The restrictions on the terms of 
     members of the National Historical Publications and Records 
     Commission provided in the amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply to members serving on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (b) Recusal.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2501 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Recusal.--Members of the Commission shall recuse 
     themselves from voting on any matter that poses, or could 
     potentially pose, a conflict of interest, including a matter 
     that could benefit them or an entity they represent.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The requirement of recusal provided in 
     the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to members of 
     the National Historical Publications and Records Commission 
     serving on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. ONLINE ACCESS OF FOUNDING FATHERS DOCUMENTS; TRANSFER 
                   OF FUNDS.

       (a) In General.--Title 44, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after section 2119 the following:

     ``Sec. 2120. Online access of founding fathers documents

       ``The Archivist may enter into a cooperative agreement to 
     provide online access to the published volumes of the papers 
     of--
       ``(1) George Washington;
       ``(2) Alexander Hamilton;
       ``(3) Thomas Jefferson;
       ``(4) Benjamin Franklin;
       ``(5) John Adams;
       ``(6) James Madison; and
       ``(7) other prominent historical figures, as determined 
     appropriate by the Archivist of the United States.''.
       (b) Transfer of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The Archivist of the United States, in the 
     role as chairman of the National Historical Publications and 
     Records Commission may enter into cooperative agreements 
     pursuant to section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, 
     that involve the transfer of funds from the National 
     Historical Publications and Records Commission to State and 
     local governments, tribal governments, other public entities, 
     educational institutions, or private nonprofit organizations 
     for the public purpose of carrying out section 2120 of title 
     44, United States Codes.
       (2) Report.--Not later than December 31st of each year, the 
     Archivist of the United States shall submit to the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the provisions, amount, 
     and duration

[[Page S9860]]

     of each cooperative agreement entered into as authorized by 
     paragraph (1) during the preceding fiscal year.
       (c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 2119 the 
     following:

``2120. Online access of founding fathers documents.''.

     SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Archivist of the United States may 
     establish an advisory committee to--
       (1) review the progress of the Founding Fathers editorial 
     projects funded by the National Historical Publications and 
     Records Commission;
       (2) develop, in consultation with the various Founding 
     Fathers editorial projects, appropriate completion goals for 
     the projects described in paragraph (1);
       (3) annually review such goals and report to the Archivist 
     on the progress of the various projects in meeting the goals; 
     and
       (4) recommend to the Archivist measures that would aid or 
     encourage the projects in meeting such goals.
       (b) Reports to the Advisory Committee.--Each of the 
     projects described in subsection (a)(1) shall provide 
     annually to the advisory committee established under 
     subsection (a) a report on the progress of the project toward 
     accomplishing the completion goals and any assistance needed 
     to achieve such goals, including the following:
       (1) The proportion of total project funding for the funding 
     year in which the report is submitted from--
       (A) Federal, State, and local government sources;
       (B) the host institution for the project;
       (C) private or public foundations; and
       (D) individuals.
       (2) Information on all activities carried out using 
     nongovernmental funding.
       (3) Any and all information related to performance goals 
     for the funding year in which the report is submitted.
       (c) Composition; Meetings; Report; Sunset; Action.--The 
     advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) be comprised of 3 nationally recognized historians 
     appointed for not more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms;
       (2) meet not less frequently than once a year;
       (3) provide a report on the information obtained under 
     subsection (b) to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and annually thereafter;
       (4) terminate on the date that is 8 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (5) recommend legislative or executive action that would 
     facilitate completion of the performance goals for the 
     Founding Fathers editorial projects.

     SEC. 6. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ARCHIVAL 
                   DEPOSITORIES; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Provision of plan.--The Archivist of the United States 
     shall provide to the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a 10-year capital improvement plan, in 
     accordance with paragraph (2), for all Presidential archival 
     depositories (as defined in section 2101 of title 44, United 
     States Code), which shall include--
       (A) a prioritization of all capital projects at 
     Presidential archival depositories that cost more than 
     $1,000,000;
       (B) the current estimate of the cost of each capital 
     project; and
       (C) the basis upon which each cost estimate was developed.
       (2) Provided to congress.--The capital improvement plan 
     shall be provided to the committees, as described in 
     paragraph (1), at the same time as the first Budget of the 
     United States Government after the date of enactment of this 
     Act is submitted to Congress.
       (3) Annual updates and explanation of changes in cost 
     estimates.--The Archivist of the United States shall provide 
     to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives--
       (A) annual updates to the capital improvement plan 
     described in paragraph (1) at the same time as each 
     subsequent Budget of the United States Government is 
     submitted to Congress; and
       (B) an explanation for any changes in cost estimates.
       (b) Amendment to Minimum Amount of Endowment.--Section 
     2112(g)(5)(B) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``40'' and inserting ``60''.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States 
     shall provide a report to the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives, that provides 1 or more alternative models 
     for presidential archival depositories that--
       (1) reduce the financial burden on the Federal Government;
       (2) improve the preservation of presidential records; and
       (3) reduce the delay in public access to all presidential 
     records.

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. I ask unanimous consent that the committee amendments 
be agreed to; the Lieberman amendment which is at the desk be agreed 
to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; the motions 
to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate; and that any statements related thereto be printed in the 
Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee amendments were agreed to.
  The amendment (No. 5666) was agreed to, as follows:

         (Purpose: To authorize the establishment of databases)

       At the end, add the following:

     SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR RECORDS OF 
                   SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND POST-CIVIL WAR 
                   RECONSTRUCTION.

       (a) In General.--The Archivist of the United States may 
     preserve relevant records and establish, as part of the 
     National Archives and Records Administration, an 
     electronically searchable national database consisting of 
     historic records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil 
     War reconstruction, including the Refugees, Freedman, and 
     Abandoned Land Records, Southern Claims Commission Records, 
     Records of the Freedmen's Bank, Slave Impressments Records, 
     Slave Payroll Records, Slave Manifest, and others, contained 
     within the agencies and departments of the Federal Government 
     to assist African Americans and others in conducting 
     genealogical and historical research.
       (b) Maintenance.--Any database established under this 
     section shall be maintained by the National Archives and 
     Records Administration or an entity within the National 
     Archives and Records Administration designated by the 
     Archivist of the United States.

     SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL DATABASES 
                   FOR RECORDS OF SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND 
                   POST-CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION.

       (a) In General.--The Executive Director of the National 
     Historical Publications and Records Commission of the 
     National Archives and Records Administration may make grants 
     to States, colleges and universities, museums, libraries, and 
     genealogical associations to preserve records and establish 
     electronically searchable databases consisting of local 
     records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War 
     reconstruction.
       (b) Maintenance.--Any database established using a grant 
     under this section shall be maintained by appropriate 
     agencies or institutions designated by the Executive Director 
     of the National Historical Publications and Records 
     Commission.

  The bill (S. 3477), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 3477

       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 ``Presidential Historical 
     Records Preservation Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. GRANT PROGRAM.

       Section 2504 of title 44, United States Code, is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (2) inserting after subsection (e) the following:
       ``(f) Grants for Presidential Centers of Historical 
     Excellence.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Archivist, with the recommendation 
     of the Commission, may make grants, on a competitive basis 
     and in accordance with this subsection, to eligible entities 
     to promote the historical preservation of, and public access 
     to, historical records and documents relating to any former 
     President who does not have a Presidential archival 
     depository currently managed and maintained by the Federal 
     Government pursuant to section 2112 (commonly known as the 
     `Presidential Libraries Act of 1955').
       ``(2) Eligible entity.--For purposes of this subsection, an 
     eligible entity is--
       ``(A) an organization described under section 501(c)(3) of 
     the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation 
     under section 501(a) of that Code; or
       ``(B) a State or local government of the United States.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Amounts received by an eligible entity 
     under paragraph (1) shall be used to promote the historical 
     preservation of, and public access to, historical records or 
     historical documents relating to any former President covered 
     under paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Prohibition on use of funds.--Amounts received by an 
     eligible entity under paragraph (1) may not be used for the 
     maintenance, operating costs, or construction of any facility 
     to house the historical records or historical documents 
     relating to any former President covered under paragraph (1).
       ``(5) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under 
     this subsection shall submit to the Commission an application 
     at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied 
     by such information as the

[[Page S9861]]

     Commission may require, including a description of the 
     activities for which a grant under this subsection is sought.
       ``(B) Approval of application.--The Commission shall not 
     consider or recommend a grant application submitted under 
     subparagraph (A) unless an eligible entity establishes that 
     such entity--
       ``(i) possesses, with respect to any former President 
     covered under paragraph (1), historical works and collections 
     of historical sources that the Commission considers 
     appropriate for preserving, publishing, or otherwise 
     recording at the public expense;
       ``(ii) has appropriate facilities and space for 
     preservation of, and public access to, the historical works 
     and collections of historical sources;
       ``(iii) shall ensure preservation of, and public access to, 
     such historical works and collections of historical sources 
     at no charge to the public;
       ``(iv) has educational programs that make the use of such 
     documents part of the mission of such entity;
       ``(v) has raised funds from non-Federal sources in support 
     of the efforts of the entity to promote the historical 
     preservation of, and public access to, such historical works 
     and collections of historical sources in an amount equal to 
     the amount of the grant the entity seeks under this 
     subsection;
       ``(vi) shall coordinate with any relevant Federal program 
     or activity, including programs and activities relating to 
     Presidential archival depositories;
       ``(vii) shall coordinate with any relevant non-Federal 
     program or activity, including programs and activities 
     conducted by State and local governments and private 
     educational historical entities; and
       ``(viii) has a workable plan for preserving and providing 
     public access to such historical works and collections of 
     historical sources.''.

     SEC. 3. TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS; RECUSAL.

       (a) Term Limits.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2501(b)(1) of title 44, United 
     States Code, is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``not more than 2'' after ``subsection (a) 
     shall be appointed for''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``a term'' and 
     inserting ``not more than 4 terms''.
       (2) Effective date.--The restrictions on the terms of 
     members of the National Historical Publications and Records 
     Commission provided in the amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall apply to members serving on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (b) Recusal.--
       (1) In general.--Section 2501 of title 44, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Recusal.--Members of the Commission shall recuse 
     themselves from voting on any matter that poses, or could 
     potentially pose, a conflict of interest, including a matter 
     that could benefit them or an entity they represent.''.
       (2) Effective date.--The requirement of recusal provided in 
     the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to members of 
     the National Historical Publications and Records Commission 
     serving on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. ONLINE ACCESS OF FOUNDING FATHERS DOCUMENTS; TRANSFER 
                   OF FUNDS.

       (a) In General.--Title 44, United States Code, is amended 
     by inserting after section 2119 the following:

     ``Sec. 2120. Online access of founding fathers documents

       ``The Archivist may enter into a cooperative agreement to 
     provide online access to the published volumes of the papers 
     of--
       ``(1) George Washington;
       ``(2) Alexander Hamilton;
       ``(3) Thomas Jefferson;
       ``(4) Benjamin Franklin;
       ``(5) John Adams;
       ``(6) James Madison; and
       ``(7) other prominent historical figures, as determined 
     appropriate by the Archivist of the United States.''.
       (b) Transfer of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The Archivist of the United States, in the 
     role as chairman of the National Historical Publications and 
     Records Commission may enter into cooperative agreements 
     pursuant to section 6305 of title 31, United States Code, 
     that involve the transfer of funds from the National 
     Historical Publications and Records Commission to State and 
     local governments, tribal governments, other public entities, 
     educational institutions, or private nonprofit organizations 
     for the public purpose of carrying out section 2120 of title 
     44, United States Codes.
       (2) Report.--Not later than December 31st of each year, the 
     Archivist of the United States shall submit to the Committee 
     on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the 
     House of Representatives a report on the provisions, amount, 
     and duration of each cooperative agreement entered into as 
     authorized by paragraph (1) during the preceding fiscal year.
       (c) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of 
     sections for chapter 21 of title 44, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding after the item relating to section 2119 the 
     following:

``2120. Online access of founding fathers documents.''.

     SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Archivist of the United States may 
     establish an advisory committee to--
       (1) review the progress of the Founding Fathers editorial 
     projects funded by the National Historical Publications and 
     Records Commission;
       (2) develop, in consultation with the various Founding 
     Fathers editorial projects, appropriate completion goals for 
     the projects described in paragraph (1);
       (3) annually review such goals and report to the Archivist 
     on the progress of the various projects in meeting the goals; 
     and
       (4) recommend to the Archivist measures that would aid or 
     encourage the projects in meeting such goals.
       (b) Reports to the Advisory Committee.--Each of the 
     projects described in subsection (a)(1) shall provide 
     annually to the advisory committee established under 
     subsection (a) a report on the progress of the project toward 
     accomplishing the completion goals and any assistance needed 
     to achieve such goals, including the following:
       (1) The proportion of total project funding for the funding 
     year in which the report is submitted from--
       (A) Federal, State, and local government sources;
       (B) the host institution for the project;
       (C) private or public foundations; and
       (D) individuals.
       (2) Information on all activities carried out using 
     nongovernmental funding.
       (3) Any and all information related to performance goals 
     for the funding year in which the report is submitted.
       (c) Composition; Meetings; Report; Sunset; Action.--The 
     advisory committee established under subsection (a) shall--
       (1) be comprised of 3 nationally recognized historians 
     appointed for not more than 2 consecutive 4-year terms;
       (2) meet not less frequently than once a year;
       (3) provide a report on the information obtained under 
     subsection (b) to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act and annually thereafter;
       (4) terminate on the date that is 8 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act; and
       (5) recommend legislative or executive action that would 
     facilitate completion of the performance goals for the 
     Founding Fathers editorial projects.

     SEC. 6. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR PRESIDENTIAL ARCHIVAL 
                   DEPOSITORIES; REPORT.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Provision of plan.--The Archivist of the United States 
     shall provide to the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a 10-year capital improvement plan, in 
     accordance with paragraph (2), for all Presidential archival 
     depositories (as defined in section 2101 of title 44, United 
     States Code), which shall include--
       (A) a prioritization of all capital projects at 
     Presidential archival depositories that cost more than 
     $1,000,000;
       (B) the current estimate of the cost of each capital 
     project; and
       (C) the basis upon which each cost estimate was developed.
       (2) Provided to congress.--The capital improvement plan 
     shall be provided to the committees, as described in 
     paragraph (1), at the same time as the first Budget of the 
     United States Government after the date of enactment of this 
     Act is submitted to Congress.
       (3) Annual updates and explanation of changes in cost 
     estimates.--The Archivist of the United States shall provide 
     to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives--
       (A) annual updates to the capital improvement plan 
     described in paragraph (1) at the same time as each 
     subsequent Budget of the United States Government is 
     submitted to Congress; and
       (B) an explanation for any changes in cost estimates.
       (b) Amendment to Minimum Amount of Endowment.--Section 
     2112(g)(5)(B) of title 44, United States Code, is amended by 
     striking ``40'' and inserting ``60''.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Archivist of the United States 
     shall provide a report to the Committee on Homeland Security 
     and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 
     Representatives, that provides 1 or more alternative models 
     for presidential archival depositories that--
       (1) reduce the financial burden on the Federal Government;
       (2) improve the preservation of presidential records; and
       (3) reduce the delay in public access to all presidential 
     records.

     SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR RECORDS OF 
                   SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND POST-CIVIL WAR 
                   RECONSTRUCTION.

       (a) In General.--The Archivist of the United States may 
     preserve relevant records and establish, as part of the 
     National Archives and Records Administration, an 
     electronically searchable national database consisting of 
     historic records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil 
     War reconstruction, including the Refugees, Freedman, and 
     Abandoned Land Records, Southern

[[Page S9862]]

     Claims Commission Records, Records of the Freedmen's Bank, 
     Slave Impressments Records, Slave Payroll Records, Slave 
     Manifest, and others, contained within the agencies and 
     departments of the Federal Government to assist African 
     Americans and others in conducting genealogical and 
     historical research.
       (b) Maintenance.--Any database established under this 
     section shall be maintained by the National Archives and 
     Records Administration or an entity within the National 
     Archives and Records Administration designated by the 
     Archivist of the United States.

     SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL DATABASES 
                   FOR RECORDS OF SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND 
                   POST-CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION.

       (a) In General.--The Executive Director of the National 
     Historical Publications and Records Commission of the 
     National Archives and Records Administration may make grants 
     to States, colleges and universities, museums, libraries, and 
     genealogical associations to preserve records and establish 
     electronically searchable databases consisting of local 
     records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War 
     reconstruction.
       (b) Maintenance.--Any database established using a grant 
     under this section shall be maintained by appropriate 
     agencies or institutions designated by the Executive Director 
     of the National Historical Publications and Records 
     Commission.

                          ____________________