[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 53 (Thursday, April 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        OBSERVING CONGRESS WEEK

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I wish to call the attention of my 
colleagues to the 227th anniversary of Congress' first quorum, which 
the House of Representatives achieved on April 1, 1789, and which the 
Senate achieved 5 days later. In the first week of April, the 
Association of Centers for the Study of Congress remembers these 
milestones by observing Congress Week--an annual celebration which 
includes commemorative events at member institutions across the 
country.
  The Association of Centers for the Study of Congress is composed of 
more than 40 universities that work to preserve the historical 
collections of Members of Congress. The organization's goal is to 
promote public understanding of the House and the Senate by focusing on 
the history of Congress and its role in our constitutional system of 
government. Having served as a member of this body for nearly four 
decades, I understand well the importance of keeping good records, 
which is why I am sincerely grateful for the Association of Centers for 
the Study of Congress and its efforts to help us in this endeavor.
  While Presidents have Presidential libraries maintained by the 
National Archives, we--the Members of Congress--are responsible for 
preserving our own personal documents. Only by archiving these records 
will historians, students, and teachers be able to appreciate the vital 
role that Congress has played in our national history.
  As President Pro Tempore, I am committed to upholding the reputation 
and dignity of this institution. Part and parcel to that effort is 
preserving the Senate's history. To this end, I strongly encourage my 
colleagues to keep comprehensive records of their work in Congress. 
Just as important as writing legislation is maintaining a thorough 
record of the bills we pass, so that future generations can appreciate 
the historical importance of our accomplishments.
  Serving as a Member of the world's greatest deliberative body is no 
small honor; it is a tremendous privilege that none of us should take 
for granted. The American people have placed their confidence in our 
ability to effect meaningful change for the good of the country. May we 
honor this sacred trust by keeping detailed archives of the work we do 
here.

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