[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 66 (Thursday, April 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2560-S2563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mr. Leahy):
S. 2893. A bill to reauthorize the sound recording and film
preservation programs of the Library of Congress, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, today I am introducing The Library of
Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization
Act of 2016. I am pleased to have Senator Leahy as a cosponsor. This
bill would reauthorize the sound recording and film preservation
programs of the Library of Congress through fiscal year 2026. The
current authorization sunsets in September 2016. In addition to
reauthorizing the programs, the bill would increase the National
Recording Preservation Foundation's number of board members and place a
cap on Federal matching funds similar to what is currently required of
the National Film Preservation Foundation.
Congress created the National Film Preservation Board in 1988 and the
National Film Preservation Foundation in 1996 to help save historically
significant American films for the benefit of the public. In 2000,
Congress created the National Recording Preservation Board and the
National Recording Preservation Foundation to help save
[[Page S2561]]
historically important American sound recordings.
The two boards advise the Librarian of Congress on national
preservation planning policy, helping the Library develop and
disseminate preservation and production standards for at-risk works. In
addition, the Film Board selects films of importance to cinema and
America's cultural and artistic history for the National Film Registry,
while the Recording Board selects sound recordings which have been
recognized for their cultural, artistic and/or historical significance
to American society and the Nation's audio legacy for the National
Recording Registry.
The two foundations are the private sector charitable affiliates of
the Boards. They raise funds and distribute them to archives throughout
the U.S. The Library's Federal match is used for small grants to
archives, educational institutions, museums and local historical
societies with small film and sound recording collections in need of
preservation. A requirement of the grants is that recipients make these
works available to researchers, educators and the general public.
These programs have allowed the Library of Congress, in collaboration
with a wide range of industry organizations, no-profit libraries and
archives, preservation organizations, artist guilds, educators and
academics, to collect and preserve at-risk films and recordings all
over the country.
My State of Iowa has benefitted directly from these programs. For
example, the National Film Preservation Foundation has provided grants
to preserve films held in Iowa institutions, including Coe College,
Council Bluffs Public Library, Davenport Public Library, Herbert Hoover
Presidential Library-Museum, Iowa State University American Archives of
the Factual Film, and the University of Iowa. In addition, a number of
Iowa-related items are preserved in the Library of Congress Packard
Campus audio-visual collection, including copies of Iowa Public Radio
and Public Television items from the American Archive of Public
Broadcasting.
Iowa constituents have contacted my office about their support for
the reauthorization of these programs. For example, I heard from Ben
Johnson, Support Service Librarian at the Council Bluffs Public
Library, Jill Jack, Director of Library Services, College Archivist and
Associate Professor at Coe College, Tanya Zanish-Belcher, Director of
Special Collection & Archives at Wake Forest University, and David
McCartney, University Archivist at the University of Iowa, about the
value of these programs to local libraries and historical societies,
and how their organizations were in the possession of materials that
were able to be saved with the help of these programs.
According to Mr. Johnson, the Council Bluffs Public Library received
a grant to preserve a 1930s silent film entitled Man Power, which had
been created ``to boost the local economy by luring businesses to
Council Bluffs. This historic film sat in our archives for over 80
years, unwatched and deteriorating over time. With the help of the
[National Film Preservation Fund], we were able to preserve and
digitize this wonderful time capsule of our local history. Thanks to
the [National Film Preservation Foundation], this lost piece of history
has been viewed hundreds of times and is now safe from decay and
available for the public.'' Mr. Johnson wrote, ``Did you know Council
Bluffs Iowa had the first electric Streetcar system in the country? As
a result of this grant we were able to see, for the first time, real,
moving images of Council Bluffs from back when it was a major rail hub.
I have no doubt that without support from the [National Film
Preservation Foundation], vital pieces of local history would be lost
forever.''
Ms. Jack wrote, ``Coe College received grants to preserve two films
that depict campus life in the 1930s and 1960s. Once these historically
rich films were preserved more than 170 people attended a screening of
the films. Thanks to that event, the college was able to raise funds
from alumni to preserve a third campus film from 1972. The public
funding from the [National Film Preservation Foundation] helped us not
only share our history with the public but also generated financial
support from the community. Since posting the films on our website
students, faculty and the public have viewed the films using them in
academic and public history research.''
According to a statement from Ms. Zanish-Belcher, who managed the
National Film Preservation Foundation film grant when she was Head of
the Special Collections Department at Iowa State University, ``[t]hanks
to the National Film Preservation Foundation, NFPF, Iowa State
University was able to preserve and make accessible an important group
of films documenting the Rath Packing Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As
the Head of the Special Collections Department at Iowa State at the
time, I oversaw the preservation of these fragile nitrate films from
the 1930s. Without support from the NFPF, these important visual
documents of Iowa History would have been lost. The NFPF continues to
help regional archives throughout the country, helping to save more
than 2,230 films and collections in all 50 states. While most film
preservation efforts focus on the Hollywood product, the NFPF is the
only agency devoted to helping organizations like Iowa State University
preserve films in their collections that would otherwise deteriorate
and go unseen. These films provide important historical documentation
depicting local and regional business, groups, and organizations of
interest to both Iowa constituents and U.S. citizens.''
According to a letter from Mr. McCartney, the University of Iowa
received funds to preserve a number of films significant to Iowa
history, including ``a set of student-produced dance films (1939)
believed to be the oldest thesis films of their type in the nation.
Another noteworthy project is Iowa State's Rath Packing Company
Collection (ca. 1933), a group of depression era films documenting the
largest meatpacking company in the country. The films show the Rath
test kitchen, packing plant operations, and advertising efforts. Thanks
to a [National Film Preservation Foundation] grant, this collection is
now available for scholars and historians.''
I appreciate the fact that these Library of Congress programs have
placed a special emphasis on assisting small and local projects that
would otherwise have been lost or overlooked. Local libraries and
historical societies have been helped by the National Film Preservation
Foundation to rescue films that, according to Mr. Johnson, Ms. Jack and
Mr. McCartney, ``aren't Hollywood features but regional films and
newsreels that document our history and culture.'' According to Ms.
Jack, ``we and other Iowa organizations have hundreds of other
culturally and historically significant films that need preservation
work to survive. These document the history of our state [of Iowa] from
its earliest years to present time.'' So the biggest value that I see
of these programs is that they boost smaller archives with few
resources to protect their collections, and they provide smaller
organizations with a path to learn about film preservation and
successful production standards. These programs are an invaluable
partner to these small and local organizations in their efforts to save
America's moving picture and sound recording heritage.
It is important to foster an environment that encourages the
preservation of our nation's cultural resources, and films and music
are a big part of the American experience. As such, vulnerable motion
pictures and sound recordings of historic and cultural significance
should be protected from disintegration and decay. I understand that
many of these works already have been lost and that others are
deteriorating rapidly. I am a history buff, so I am inspired when I see
works that depict our American heritage--and especially life in Iowa
and rural America--saved for future generations. We need to safeguard
these precious items so they are not lost and so that generations of
Americans to come can appreciate and learn about their historical and
creative roots in both film and sound recordings. Many of these works
are unique and rare, so I am pleased to support the Library of Congress
programs and their effort to assist organizations all across the 50
States to preserve these treasures for students, researchers and the
general public.
I look forward to swift action on this bill so that it can be enacted
before these programs sunset at the end of September.
[[Page S2562]]
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and
letters of support be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
S. 2893
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 ``Library of Congress Sound
Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act
of 2016''.
SEC. 2. SOUND RECORDING PRESERVATION PROGRAMS.
(a) National Recording Preservation Board.--Section 133 of
the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (2 U.S.C.
1743) is amended by striking ``through fiscal year 2016'' and
inserting ``through fiscal year 2026''.
(b) National Recording Preservation Foundation.--
(1) Reauthorization.--Section 152411(a) of title 36, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``through fiscal year
2016 an amount not to exceed'' and inserting ``through fiscal
year 2026 an amount not to exceed the lesser of $750,000
or''.
(2) Number of members of board of directors.--Section
152403(b)(2) of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``nine directors'' and
inserting ``12 directors''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``six directors'' each
place it appears and inserting ``8 directors''.
SEC. 3. FILM PRESERVATION PROGRAMS.
(a) National Film Preservation Board.--Section 112 of the
National Film Preservation Act of 1996 (2 U.S.C. 179v) is
amended by striking ``through fiscal year 2016'' and
inserting ``through fiscal year 2026''.
(b) National Film Preservation Foundation.--Section
151711(a)(1)(C) of title 36, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``through 2016'' and inserting ``through 2026''.
____
November 19, 2015.
Hon. Charles E. Grassley,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Grassley: I write to ask your support for
reauthorization of the National Film Preservation Foundation
(NFPF), the grant-giving public charity set up by Congress in
1996 to help save America's film heritage. I understand that
the NFPF's reauthorization comes before the Senate this
session.
In Iowa we benefit directly from the programs of the NFPF.
The University of Iowa has received funds from the foundation
to preserve several films significant to Iowa history. These
include a set of student-produced dance films (1939) believed
to be the oldest thesis films of their type in the nation.
Another noteworthy project is Iowa State's Rath Packing
Company Collection (ca. 1933), a group of depression-era
films documenting the largest meatpacking company in the
country. The films show the Rath test kitchen, packing plant
operations, and advertising efforts. Thanks to an NFPF grant,
this collection is now available for scholars and historians.
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Coe
College, Davenport Public Library, and Council Bluffs Public
Library also received grants to preserve films from the NFPF.
We and other Iowa organizations have hundreds of other
culturally and historically significant films that need
preservation work to survive. These document the history of
our state from its earliest years to present time.
Thanks to the National Film Preservation Foundation we have
made important progress on saving this important material. To
date the NFPF has helped rescue more than 2,600 films from
all 50 states and these aren't Hollywood features but
regional films and newsreels that document our history and
culture.
The NFPF has been very effective since it started
operations in 1997. I urge you to support their work. With
additional funding the National Film Preservation Foundation
can continue to work with organizations like the University
of Iowa to save America's heritage. I would be happy to speak
with your staff if you have any questions. Please phone,
email or write if I can provide additional information.
Best wishes,
David McCartney.
____
April 21, 2016.
Hon. Charles E. Grassley,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Grassley: I write to ask your support for
reauthorization of the National Film Preservation Foundation,
the grant-giving public charity set up by Congress in 1996 to
help save America's film heritage. I understand that the
NFPF's reauthorization comes before the Senate this session.
In Iowa we have benefitted directly from the programs of
the National Film Preservation Foundation. Coe College
received grants to preserve two films that depict campus life
in the 1930s and 1960s. Once these historically rich films
were preserved more than 170 people attended a screening of
the films. Thanks to that event, the college was able to
raise funds from alumni to preserve a third campus film from
1972. The public funding from the NFPF helped us not only
share our history with the public but also generated
financial support from the community. Since posting the films
on our website students, faculty and the public have viewed
the films using them in academic and public history research.
The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum,
Davenport Public Library, Council Bluffs Public Library, and
Iowa State University also received grants to preserve films
from the NFPF. We and other Iowa organizations have hundreds
of other culturally and historically significant films that
need preservation work to survive. These document the history
of our state from its earliest years to present time.
The NFPF has been very effective since it started
operations in 1997. To date the NFPF has helped rescue more
than 2,600 films from all 50 states and these aren't
Hollywood features but regional films and newsreels that
document our history and culture. I urge you to support their
work. With additional funding the National Film Preservation
Foundation can continue to work with organizations like the
University of Iowa to save America's heritage.
Best wishes,
Jill Jack.
____
November 19, 2015.
Hon. Charles E. Grassley,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Grassley: I write to ask your support for
reauthorization of the National Film Preservation Foundation
(NFPF), the grant-giving public charity set up by Congress in
1996 to help save America's film heritage. I understand that
the NFPF's reauthorization comes before the Senate this
session.
In 2012 Council Bluffs Public Library received a grant to
preserve Man Power, a 1930 silent film created to boost the
local economy by luring businesses to Council Bluffs. This
historic film sat in our archives for over 80 years,
unwatched and deteriorating over time. With the help of the
NFPF, we were able to preserve and digitize this wonderful
time capsule of our local history. Thanks to the NFPF, this
lost piece of history has been viewed hundreds of times and
is now safe from decay and available for the public.
Did you know Council Bluffs Iowa had the first electric
Streetcar system in the country? As a result of this grant we
were able to see, for the first time, real, moving images of
Council Bluffs from back when it was a major rail hub. I have
no doubt that without support from the NFPF, vital pieces of
local history would be lost forever.
Thanks to the National Film Preservation Foundation, we and
other local libraries and historical societies have been able
to save important films that would otherwise be overlooked.
To date the NFPF has helped rescue more than 2,600 films from
all 50 states and these aren't Hollywood features but
regional films and newsreels that document our history and
culture.
The NFPF has been very effective since it started
operations in 1997. They assist not only the largest film
archives in the country, but also provide a path for smaller
organizations to learn about film preservation and protect
their collections. I urge you to support their work. With
additional funding the National Film Preservation Foundation
can continue to work with organizations like Council Bluffs
Public Library to save America's heritage. Thank you for your
time and please be in touch if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Ben Johnson.
Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, two days ago, we recognized World IP Day,
celebrating the profound contributions that artists and inventors make
to our culture and beyond. The theme of this year's World IP Day was
Digital Creativity: Culture Reimagined, and events around the world
focused on how to promote and protect creative efforts in the digital
age. As we look forward to new and innovative digital creations we must
also be vigilant in preserving the past.
We must ensure that the films and recordings that played vital roles
in shaping and recording the American experience are preserved for
future generations. Those works, created by previous generations, tell
us who we are, and who we were, as a society. To help ensure that these
records of our history, our dreams, and our aspirations can be viewed
and appreciated by future generations, I am joining with Senator
Grassley to introduce legislation reauthorizing the Library of Congress
sound recording and film preservation programs.
Congress has long recognized the importance of cultural preservation,
creating the National Film Preservation Program in 1988 and the
National Sound Recording Preservation Program in 2000 within the
Library of Congress. Both programs help preserve historical and
cultural artifacts that would otherwise disappear or be destroyed
through the passage of time. The Library of Congress uses the programs
to advance important preservation efforts including recognizing films
[[Page S2563]]
and sound recordings on the National Film and National Recording
Registries.
The programs also created the federally chartered National Film and
National Recording Preservation Foundations. The foundations provide
grants to a wide array of educational and non-profit organizations to
preserve films and sound recordings. To date, the National Film
Preservation Foundation has given grants to organizations in all 50
States, including to Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home in Manchester,
Vermont, which used the money to preserve home movies of Robert Todd
Lincoln's descendants from the 1920s to the 1940s. Well over 2000
films, many of which can now be viewed online, have been preserved
through the Foundation's grants. Among the preserved films is the
earliest feature film shot in Vermont, ``A Vermont Romance'' from 1916.
By reauthorizing these important programs through 2027, this
legislation will allow the Library of Congress and the Foundations to
continue their important work in preserving America's fading treasures,
as well as providing grants that will help libraries, museums, and
archives preserve these works and make them available for study and
research. I urge my colleagues to act swiftly to pass this legislation.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter of support the
bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Northeast Historic Film,
Bucksport, ME, April 20, 2016.
Hon. Patrick J. Leahy,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Leahy: Founded in 1986, Northeast Historic
Film has built the largest existing collection of moving
images documenting the history and heritage of northern New
England. And since the founding of the National Film
Preservation Foundation, the NFPF has been the largest and
most important source of funds for preserving these works.
The preserved films include A Vermont Romance (1916), the
earliest feature film shot in Vermont; film documentation of
the 1927 flood; textile mill owners and workers in Maine; the
home movies of Charles Norman Shay, a Penobscot Indian elder
who is a decorated veteran of the D-Day invasion;
Provincetown, Massachusetts, in 1915; a 4-H club in 1946; a
tuberculosis sanitarium in 1934, and over two dozen other
examples of community life and activity in the region.
Communications with colleagues in archives around the
country inform us of the crucial significance of National
Film Preservation Foundation funding. Moving image
repositories from coast to coast benefit from NFPF grants.
The dedicated staff, which efficiently shepherds NFPF
financial resources, has ensured that our nation's heritage
will continue to be available for study and enjoyment.
We are grateful to you and NFPF's friends in Congress for
help in the past--and for assistance with the upcoming
reauthorization. Our film heritage depends on it.
Sincerely,
David Weiss and Karan Sheldon,
Founders, Northeast Historic Film.
______