[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1006]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT JULIUS JEFFERSON

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2021

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., for his service this past year as the 
national president of the American Library Association (ALA). A fourth-
generation native of Washington, D.C., Julius received his bachelor's 
degree in history from Howard University and his master's degree in 
library science from the University of Maryland. As a librarian, Mr. 
Jefferson has spent his career committed to advocacy, information 
policy, diversity, equity and inclusion and professional and leadership 
development. In recognition of his leadership and dedication to 
librarianship, the members of the ALA elected Mr. Jefferson to be their 
2020-2021 president.
  Like so many of us, libraries have had to adapt to changing 
circumstances during the pandemic, and Julius provided extraordinary 
leadership throughout this time. Mr. Jefferson began his term as ALA 
president with a virtual tour of 12 libraries. The ``Holding Space'' 
tour is what he called a series of virtual conversations that 
highlighted the innovation and impact of a diverse range of libraries 
around the nation. The ``Holding Space'' tour engaged stakeholders, 
including elected officials at every level of government, to advocate 
for libraries and the communities they serve.
  I note that many of us in Congress benefit directly from the work of 
Mr. Jefferson, who serves as a section head of the Congressional 
Research Service at the Library of Congress. Mr. Jefferson has also 
served as president of the national Freedom to Read Foundation and of 
the Washington, D.C. Library Association. As a member of several 
boards, including the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, 
Mr. Jefferson has worked to diversify the profession of librarianship 
and elevate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
  Once again, I want to congratulate Julius Jefferson on his term as 
President of the American Library Association.

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