[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H4597-H4601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY PROJECT ACT OF 2009

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 586) to direct the Librarian of Congress and 
the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out a joint 
project at the Library of Congress and the National Museum of African 
American History and Culture to collect video and audio recordings of 
personal histories and testimonials of individuals who participated in 
the Civil Rights movement, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 586

       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 ``Civil Rights History Project 
     Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
       (1) A fundamental principle of American democracy is that 
     individuals should stand up for their rights and beliefs and 
     fight for justice.
       (2) The actions of those who participated in the Civil 
     Rights movement from the 1950s through the 1960s are a 
     shining example of this principle in action, demonstrated in 
     events as varied as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the sit-ins, 
     the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, the drive for 
     voting rights in Mississippi, and the March to Selma.
       (3) While the Civil Rights movement had many visible 
     leaders, including Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, 
     Jr., and Rosa Parks, there were many others whose impact and 
     experience were just as important to the cause but who are 
     not as well known.
       (4) The participants in the Civil Rights movement possess 
     an invaluable resource in their first-hand memories of the 
     movement, and the recording of the retelling of their stories 
     and memories will provide a rich, detailed history of our 
     Nation during an important and tumultuous period.
       (5) It is in the Nation's interest to undertake a project 
     to collect oral histories of individuals from the Civil 
     Rights movement so future generations will be able to learn 
     of their struggle and sacrifice through primary-source, 
     eyewitness material. A coordinated Federal project would also 
     focus attention on the efforts undertaken by various public 
     and private entities to collect and interpret articles in all 
     formats relating to the Civil Rights movement, and serve as a 
     model for future projects undertaken in museums, libraries, 
     and universities throughout the Nation.
       (6) The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution 
     are appropriate repositories to collect, preserve, and make 
     available to the public a collection of these oral histories. 
     The Library and Smithsonian have expertise in the management 
     of documentation projects, and experience in the development 
     of cultural and educational programs for the public.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to create a new 
     federally sponsored, authorized, and funded project that will 
     coordinate at a national level the collection of video and 
     audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of 
     individuals who participated in the American Civil Rights 
     movement that will build upon and complement previous and 
     ongoing documentary work on this subject, and to assist and 
     encourage local efforts to preserve the memories of such 
     individuals so that Americans of all current and future 
     generations may hear from them directly and better appreciate 
     the sacrifices they made.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT PROJECT AT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
                   AND NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 
                   AND CULTURE TO COLLECT VIDEO AND AUDIO 
                   RECORDINGS OF HISTORIES OF PARTICIPANTS IN 
                   AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

       (a) Establishment of Project.--
       (1) In general.--Within the limits of available funds, the 
     Librarian of Congress (hereafter referred to as the 
     ``Librarian'') and the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
     Institution (hereafter referred to as the ``Secretary)'', 
     acting jointly, shall establish an oral history project--
       (A) to survey, during the initial phase of the project, 
     collections of audio and video recordings of the 
     reminiscences of participants in the Civil Rights movement 
     that are housed in archives, libraries, museums, and other 
     educational institutions, as well as ongoing documentary 
     work, in order to augment and complement these endeavors and 
     avoid duplication of effort;
       (B) to solicit, reproduce, and collect--
       (i) video and audio recordings of personal histories and 
     testimonials of individuals who participated in the Civil 
     Rights movement, and
       (ii) visual and written materials (such as letters, 
     diaries, photographs, and ephemera) relevant to the personal 
     histories of individuals;
       (C) to create a collection of the recordings and other 
     materials obtained, and to catalog and index the collection 
     in a manner the Librarian and the Secretary consider 
     appropriate; and
       (D) to make the collection available for public use through 
     the Library of Congress and the National Museum of African 
     American History and Culture, as well as through such other 
     methods as the Librarian and the Secretary consider 
     appropriate.
       (2) Role of director of museum.--The Secretary shall carry 
     out the Secretary's duties under this Act through the 
     Director of the National Museum of African American History 
     and Culture.
       (b) Use of and Consultation With Other Entities.--The 
     Librarian and the Secretary may carry out the activities 
     described in subsection (a)(1) through agreements and 
     partnerships entered into with other government and private 
     entities, and may otherwise consult with interested persons 
     (within the limits of available resources) and develop 
     appropriate guidelines and arrangements for soliciting, 
     acquiring, and making available recordings under the project 
     under this Act.
       (c) Services of Experts and Consultants; Acceptance of 
     Volunteer Services;

[[Page H4598]]

     Advance Payments.--In carrying out activities described in 
     subsection (a)(1), the Librarian and the Secretary may--
       (1) procure temporary and intermittent services under 
     section 3109 of title 5, United States Code;
       (2) accept and utilize the services of volunteers and other 
     uncompensated personnel and reimburse them for travel 
     expenses, including per diem, as authorized under section 
     5703 of title 5, United States Code; and
       (3) make advances of money and payments in advance in 
     accordance with section 3324 of title 31, United States Code.
       (d) Timing.--As soon as practicable after the enactment of 
     this Act, the Librarian and the Secretary shall begin 
     collecting video and audio recordings and other materials 
     under subsection (a)(1), and shall attempt to collect the 
     first such recordings from the oldest individuals involved.
       (e) Definition.--In this Act, the term ``Civil Rights 
     movement'' means the movement to secure racial equality in 
     the United States for African Americans that, focusing on the 
     period 1954 through 1968, challenged the practice of racial 
     segregation in the Nation and achieved equal rights 
     legislation for all American citizens.

     SEC. 4. PRIVATE SUPPORT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY PROJECT.

       (a) Encouraging Solicitation and Acceptance of Donations.--
     The Librarian of Congress and the Secretary are encouraged to 
     solicit and accept donations of funds and in-kind 
     contributions to support activities under section 3.
       (b) Dedication of Funds Provided to Library of Congress.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law--
       (1) any funds donated to the Librarian of Congress to 
     support the activities of the Librarian under section 3 shall 
     be deposited entirely into an account established for such 
     purpose;
       (2) the funds contained in such account shall be used 
     solely to support such activities; and
       (3) the Librarian of Congress may not deposit into such 
     account any funds donated to the Librarian which are not 
     donated for the exclusive purpose of supporting such 
     activities.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act--
       (1) $500,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
       (2) such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal 
     years 2011 through 2014.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McCarthy) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and to include extraneous material on the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 586, which would create the 
Civil Rights History Project. The bill directs the Library of Congress 
and the Smithsonian Institution, through the Museum of African American 
History and Culture, to collaborate and establish an oral history 
project. This joint venture will collect and preserve audio and video 
recordings by participants in the civil rights movement.
  A fundamental principle of our American democracy is that individuals 
stand up for their rights and beliefs, and pursue justice through 
peaceful action. Many who participated in the civil rights movement did 
so at great personal sacrifice. Their actions were heroic and tireless 
and challenged the practice of racial segregation in the Nation. They 
challenged the status quo and won equal rights for all American 
citizens.
  Much of this history has never been written down from the perspective 
of those who were there. As these pioneers age, it is important that 
their memories of events are documented so that future generations can 
witness their testimony regarding the lives and times of that era. This 
bill would ensure that the record of this important period of our 
Nation's history is not lost.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such as much 
time as I may consume.
  I am pleased to support H.R. 586, a bill that will allow for the 
collection and preservation of eyewitness accounts of the civil rights 
movement from the people who lived through it. This investment in 
history will allow future generations to both learn and be inspired by 
the sacrifice of those that came before them.
  While some stories of prominent civil rights leaders are well-
documented, there are many lesser-known experiences and accounts just 
as important to the cause and lessons we and future generations can 
learn. Now is the time to collect the stories of those that stood up 
for their rights and fought for justice.
  I believe that this is an important piece of legislation that will 
provide future generations with the rich collection of oral accounts 
from individuals who lived through the civil rights movement, and I 
strongly urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following 
Committee report regarding H.R. 586:


                       PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

       H.R. 586, the Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009, 
     would authorize funding to create a comprehensive compilation 
     of audio and video recordings of personal histories and 
     testimonials of individuals who participated in the Civil 
     Rights movement.


                              BILL SUMMARY

       H.R. 586 would direct the Library of Congress and the 
     Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American 
     History and Culture to jointly work to collect and preserve 
     for posterity audio and video recordings of the memories and 
     stories of individuals who participated in and witnessed 
     first-hand the Civil Rights movement during the 1950s and 
     1960s.
       As participants in the Civil Rights movement continue to 
     age, it is important that memories and stories of those 
     individuals who participated in events such as the sit-ins, 
     the Freedom Rides, the drive for voting rights in 
     Mississippi, and the March to Selma are documented so that 
     future generations will be able to access original sources of 
     information regarding the lives and times of that era.
       The purpose of this Act is to coordinate at a national 
     level the collection and the preservation of oral and video 
     recordings. It will also serve to complement previous and 
     ongoing documentary work on this subject.


                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

       H.R. 586 was introduced on January 15, 2009 by 
     Representative Carolyn McCarthy of New York along with 
     Representative John Lewis of Georgia. On March 25, 2009, the 
     Committee considered H.R. 151 and, by voice vote, ordered the 
     bill reported favorably without amendment. No recorded votes 
     were taken during the consideration of the bill.


                    BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR H.R. 586

       It is in the best interest of the Nation to undertake the 
     Civil Rights History Project so that future generations will 
     be able to learn of the struggles and sacrifices of those who 
     participated in the Civil Rights movement. A basic principle 
     of democracy is that individuals should stand up for their 
     rights and beliefs and pursue justice. The Library of 
     Congress and the Smithsonian Institution will join forces to 
     develop an extensive collection of oral histories of those 
     participants who played a part and witnessed the American 
     Civil Rights movement.
       The Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution 
     have jointly signed a letter of intent outlining their 
     agreement to carry out identified activities related to the 
     project to the extent that funding for the project is 
     available through appropriations or donations, specifically 
     committing to create a detailed Memorandum of Understanding 
     within two months of enactment of H.R. 586. That letter is 
     appended to this report.


                   ANALYSIS OF THE BILL (AS REPORTED)

       The Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009 requires the 
     Librarian of Congress and the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
     Institution (acting through the Director of the National 
     Museum of African American History and Culture) to establish 
     an oral history project to: (1) collect video and audio 
     recordings of, and visual and written materials relevant to 
     the personal histories of participants in the Civil Rights 
     movement; and (2) make the collection available for public 
     use through the Library of Congress and the Museum.
       Section 1. Section 1 states the short title of the Act, the 
     ``Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009.''
       Section 2. Section 2 states that the participants in the 
     civil rights movement hold an invaluable resource in their 
     first-hand accounts of the era. The retelling of their 
     memories and stories will capture the real-life events and 
     actions of those who participated in the civil rights 
     movement from the 1950's through the 1960's. Much is known 
     about the lives of Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, 
     Jr., Rosa Parks and other prominent leaders of the movement; 
     however, there were many others whose impact and experience 
     were just as important to the cause but whose stories are not 
     well known or documented.
       Section 3. Section 3 establishes the joint project at the 
     Library of Congress and the National Museum of African 
     American History and Culture. The initial phase of the 
     project will be to survey the collections of audio and video 
     recordings that are housed

[[Page H4599]]

     in various archives, libraries, museums, and other education 
     institutions. The next step will be to solicit and collect 
     materials that will create an extensive collection to be made 
     available for public use through the Library of Congress and 
     the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
       Section 4. Section 4 requires private support for the Civil 
     Rights History Project. Both the Librarian of Congress and 
     the Smithsonian Secretary are encouraged to solicit and 
     accept donations of funds and in-kind contributions to 
     support the collection of materials.
       Section 5. Section 5 authorizes appropriations to carry out 
     this Act--
       1) $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2010; and
       2) Such sums as may be necessary for each of the Fiscal 
     Years 2011 through 2014.


               MATTERS REQUIRED UNDER RULES OF THE HOUSE

     Constitutional Authority
       Clause 3(d)(1) of House Rule XIII requires each committee 
     report on a public bill or joint resolution to include a 
     statement citing the specific constitutional power(s) granted 
     to the Congress on which the Committee relies for enactment 
     of the measure under consideration. The Committee cites the 
     legislative power granted to Congress in Article I, Section 
     8, Clause 18.

                            Committee Votes

       Clause 3(b) of House Rule XIII requires the results of each 
     recorded vote on an amendment or motion to report, together 
     with the names of those voting for and against, to be printed 
     in the committee report. No recorded votes were taken during 
     the Committee's consideration of H.R. 586.

                  Congressional Budget Office Estimate

       Clause 3(c)(3) of House Rules XIII requires the report of a 
     committee on a measure which has been approved by the 
     committee to include a cost estimate prepared by the Director 
     of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of 
     the CBA, if timely submitted. The Director submitted the 
     following estimate:
                                      Congressional Budget Office,


                                                U.S. Congress,

                                   Washington, DC, March 27, 2009.
     Hon. Robert A. Brady,
     Chairman, Committee on House Administration, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
     prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 586, the Civil 
     Rights History Project Act of 2009.
       If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
     pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Christina 
     Hawley Anthony, who can be reached at 226-2820.
           Sincerely,
                                         for Douglas W. Elmendorf,
                                                         Director.
       Enclosure.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

                                                   March 27, 2009.


           H.R. 586 Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009

 As ordered reported by the Committee on House Administration on March 
                                25, 2009

       H.R. 586 would direct the Librarian of Congress and the 
     Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to establish an oral 
     history project to survey, solicit, reproduce, and collect 
     audio and video recordings of participants in the Civil 
     Rights movement. The bill would permit the Librarian and 
     Secretary to solicit and accept donations of funds and in-
     kind contributions to support those activities. In addition, 
     H.R. 586 would authorize the appropriation of $500,000 for 
     fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
     years 2011 through 2014.
       Based on information from the two agencies, and assuming 
     appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that 
     enacting H.R. 586 would cost $4 million over the 2010-2014 
     period.
       Because H.R. 586 would allow the Librarian and Secretary to 
     accept and spend donations for projects, enacting H.R. 586 
     could affect direct spending, but the spending would be 
     offset by the amount of the donations, which would be 
     credited as offsetting receipts. Thus, CBO estimates that 
     enacting the provision would not have a significant net 
     effect on direct spending.
       H.R. 586 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
     mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
     would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
     governments.
       The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Christina Hawley 
     Anthony. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, 
     Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
     Federal Mandates
       Section 423 of the CBA requires a committee report on any 
     public bill or joint resolution that includes a federal 
     mandate to include specific information about such mandates. 
     The Committee states that H.R. 586 includes no federal 
     mandates.
     Preemption Clarification
       Section 423 of the CBA requires a committee report on any 
     public bill or joint resolution to include a committee 
     statement on the extent to which the measure is intended to 
     preempt state or local law. The Committee states that H.R. 
     586 is not intended to preempt any state or local law.
     Oversight Findings
       Clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII requires each committee report 
     to contain oversight findings and recommendations required 
     pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of House Rule X. The Committee has 
     general oversight responsibility of the Library of Congress 
     and the Smithsonian Institution. The Committee has included 
     the findings in the body of the report.
     Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
       Clause 3(c)(4) of House Rule XIII requires committee 
     reports to include a statement of general performance goals 
     and objectives. The Committee believes enactment of the bill 
     would enhance the collections at both the Library of Congress 
     and the Smithsonian Institution. It would gather and preserve 
     invaluable historical information, and provide additional 
     resources to scholars for research, and to the public.
     Congressional ``Earmarks''
       Clause 9 of House Rule XXI requires committee reports on 
     public bills and resolutions to contain an identification of 
     congressional ``earmarks,'' limited tax benefits, limited 
     tariff benefits, and the names of requesting Members. The 
     bill contains no such items either as introduced or as 
     reported to the House.
     Congressional Accountability Act Applicability
       Section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act 
     of 1995 (Pub.L. 104-1) (CAA) requires each report on a public 
     bill or joint resolution relating to terms and conditions of 
     employment or access to public services or accommodations to 
     describe the manner in which the legislation apply to the 
     Legislative Branch. H.R. 586 does not impact any provisions 
     covered by the CAA.
     Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
       H.R. 586 makes no changes in existing law.

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my 
legislation, H.R. 586, the Civil Rights Oral History Project.
  I want to thank Chairman Brady and the Committee on House 
Administration for moving the bill to the Floor.
  I also want to thank my lead co-sponsor on the bill, Congressman John 
Lewis of Georgia, himself a civil rights hero, for all of his help in 
developing and generating support for the bill.
  Mr. Lewis was at the forefront of the battle to end segregation and 
his contribution to ensuring equality in our country cannot be 
overstated.
  I know I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that we are 
honored to serve with him and grateful for all that he has done and 
continues to do for all Americans as a steward of justice and equal 
rights.
  We are fortunate to serve in Congress with several other influential 
civil rights leaders and I would like to extend a heartfelt ``thank 
you'' for their sacrifices and commitment to the cause of freedom.
  The fight for civil rights was one of the most significant social and 
cultural movements in our Nation's history.
  The will of a generation to right centuries of injustice changed the 
world we live in forever.
  The leaders of the civil rights movement displayed tremendous courage 
and persistence to ensure that all Americans were treated equally and 
with dignity regardless of their ethnic backgrounds, race or origins.
  Many leaders from all walks of life put their lives on the line to 
make it possible for all people to live freely and have the same 
fundamental rights.
  In my Congressional District, there are many important leaders who 
fought to ensure equal rights for all Long Islanders.
  Brave Americans like Irving C. McKnight from Roosevelt, Mr. McNeil 
from Hempstead, Mrs. Iris Johnson from Freeport, Fred Brewington and 
Sal Zaccaro from Malverne and so many others.
  We can never overstate the contributions of our Nation's civil rights 
leaders.
  Without their efforts many of the things we take for granted every 
day would not have come to pass.
  It is vital that future generations know and understand the struggles 
and challenges of those that paved the way for us to live in a free 
Nation.
  These brave Americans' stories must continue to be told to not only 
inspire future generations, but to remind people of what is possible in 
America and how far we have come.
  Unfortunately, with each passing year, our Nation loses more and more 
of the people that played major roles in the struggle to secure equal 
rights for all Americans.
  In recent years, we have lost great leaders like Mrs. Coretta Scott 
King and Mrs. Rosa Parks.
  Thankfully, their stories have been well documented in the historic 
record, but there are many others who have already passed or whose 
memories are fading.

[[Page H4600]]

  While we know so much about the lives of the leaders of the Civil 
Rights Movement, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, our colleague, 
Congressman John Lewis, and Thurgood Marshall, it is important that we 
learn about the everyday people of all races who took a stand during a 
pivotal time in our Nation's history.
  There were so many people who were crucial to the civil rights 
movement, but have not had as much recorded about their experiences for 
the public record.
  These were the people in many cases that were a part of some of the 
most significant battles in the fight for equality.
  The workers in Memphis that went on strike and marched in protest 
with Dr. King, the students that held sit-ins at lunch counters in the 
south, the thousands of people that marched on Washington and witnessed 
the ``I Have a Dream Speech'' and the millions of Americans that stood 
up and worked in their own ways to make our country a better place for 
all people.
  These people are heroes of the civil rights movement and we need to 
make sure that their stories are woven into the fabric of the American 
story.
  That's why I have introduced the Civil Rights Oral History bill.
  The purpose of the Civil Rights Oral History Bill is to catalogue and 
preserve the stories and experiences of the people who were involved 
with the civil rights movement.
  This legislation stresses the importance of capturing the memories 
and deeds of the Civil Rights generation and will give us a unique 
insight into the experiences of the people that were really on the 
frontlines of the civil rights movement.
  This bill will create a joint effort between the future National 
Museum of African American History and Culture and the Library of 
Congress to collect oral histories of the people that were involved in 
the civil rights movement and preserve their stories for future 
generations.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and take the time to 
acknowledge the contributions of those great Americans who fought to 
make our Nation a more fair and just place.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 586, 
``Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009.'' I want to thank my 
colleague Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy of New York for introducing 
this legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to support the ``Civil Rights History Project 
Act of 2009,'' which will require the Librarian of Congress and the 
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution (acting through the Director 
of the National Museum of African American History and Culture) to 
establish an oral history project to: (1) collect video and audio 
recordings of, and visual and written materials relevant to the 
personal histories of, participants in the Civil Rights movement; and 
(2) make the collection available for public use through the Library of 
Congress and the Museum.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the progress we have made in 
casting out the demons of prejudice and discrimination. I rise today in 
recognition of the steps we have taken as a nation to get closer to the 
American creed that all men were created equal.
  In the darkest days of slavery, the faith of our ancestors that one 
day their descendants would live in freedom helped them bear the 
unbearable burden of bondage. Through all the terrible years of Jim 
Crow's legalized segregation, the courage of our great-grandparents to 
provide for their children and maintain their dignity while enduring a 
hundred daily slights helped bring down the Jericho walls of de jure 
segregation. In the crucible of the Civil Rights Movement, the 
determination of our parents and grandparents to secure the full 
measure of equal treatment under law for themselves and their children 
changed America and made it better.
  From the activism of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Harriet 
Tubman during the abolitionist movement to the efforts of Rosa Parks, 
Martin King, Thurgood Marshall, and Fannie Lou Hamer during the civil 
rights movement, Americans have never lost faith in this country to 
expand democracy and provide true freedom for all Americans.
  Now is the time to come together. Now is the time to reach down to 
our roots and call upon what is important to us. Now is the time to 
talk to each of our brothers and sisters and let them know that we have 
to come together on this issue.
  The heart of what we have fought for so long is at stake now. We have 
fought and suffered to attain our place at the table of society, to 
show America and the rest of the world that diversity does work, that 
America will make good on its promise, that our society does accept 
people who are different from each other.
  I am reminded of what the late Honorable Barbara Jordan said that 
``America's mission was and still is to take diversity and mold it into 
a cohesive and coherent whole that would espouse virtues and values 
essential to the maintenance of civil order. There is nothing easy 
about that mission. But it is not mission impossible.''
  Mr. Speaker, we should not now give up on this start. We must 
remember the struggles of those freedom fighters. I am reminded of the 
words of Dr. King when he was the minister at the Dexter Avenue Baptist 
Church in Montgomery, Alabama when he told a packed house the night 
before the bus boycott set off by Rosa Parks that they were in the 
process of making America whole. He told them, ``If we are wrong, the 
Constitution of the United States is wrong. If we are wrong, Jesus of 
Nazareth was merely a utopian dreamer and never came down to earth. If 
we are wrong, justice is a lie. And we are determined to work and fight 
until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty 
stream.''
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 586, because the most valuable 
tool, history, gives us is a frame of reference, a perspective, for 
viewing our world. This Civil Rights History Project will provide us 
that magnificent perspective of our tremendous successes and failures 
in our quest for cultural freedom and acceptance. When we cut ourselves 
off from the past, either intentionally or simply through an ignorance 
of the past, we fall prey to every twist and turn, every immediate 
crisis that life brings along--with no power or stability to resolve 
those crises. If we ignore the past or are simply ignorant of what has 
happened before, we may fall prey to a sense of false security, a 
personal or cultural pride, which blinds us to possibilities all around 
us, stunting our moral and intellectual growth and limiting our options 
in every area of life.
  Mr. Speaker, this is the challenge we face today and we have to stand 
up and be understood. We have to be understood that civil rights in 
America is about opportunity and is the natural extension of Aotir Bill 
of Rights. It creates a place at the table, a place where we deserve to 
be, a place that we have earned, a place where we belong. Keep hope 
alive. Let's not turn out the lights on civil rights.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, America's Civil Rights movement 
was a great step forward for all of the citizens of this great nation. 
This movement has brought us one step closer to an America where one's 
race does not serve as a barrier against greater opportunity. This 
movement has allowed our great country to reach a point where any 
child--black or white, girl or boy, rich or poor--can dream of becoming 
President of the United States.
  The Civil Rights movement is what allowed many of us in this chamber 
to be here, myself included. We, and the rest of America, owe a debt of 
gratitude to this movement and its courageous leaders. Many lived 
through this movement and fought for it. Others grew up surrounded by 
its stories.
  Unfortunately, as the years go by, we are slowly losing some of our 
courageous Civil Rights leaders. Just recently, we have lost Civil 
Rights pioneers such as Mrs. Coretta Scott King and Mrs. Rosa Parks. It 
is vital that we preserve the stories of these heroes so that future 
generations will know of the struggles and sacrifices made on their 
behalf. For this reason, I am urging the passage of H.R. 586, the Civil 
Rights History Project Act of 2009.
  This bill provides for the collection of oral histories from those 
individuals who were involved first hand in the struggles of the Civil 
Rights movement. This collection will be organized by the National 
Museum of African American History and Culture and the Library of 
Congress.
  Now is the time for us to embark on this project. If we wait, we may 
lose this chance forever. The recorded retelling of these stories will 
provide a rich history for future generations. It will bring future 
students of this momentous era closer to the people who shaped it. The 
voices of the Civil Rights movement--voices which were lifted up in the 
cause of justice--deserve to be preserved for years to come.
  Although the Civil Rights era was a tumultuous time for our country, 
it is also a time where the nation came out stronger as a whole. The 
Civil Rights Oral History Project will celebrate this history and pave 
the way for future generations to realize what is possible when people 
come together.
  Mr. McCarthy of California.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 586.

[[Page H4601]]

  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. 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. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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