The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT OF 2003” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1649-H1652 on March 6, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT OF 2003
The SPEAKER pro tempore. When the recess was declared, the House was considering H.R. 13 and 43\1/2\ minutes of debate remained.
The gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra) has 22\1/2\ minutes remaining and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) has 21 minutes remaining.
Prior to the recess, the gentleman from Michigan had yielded two minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Kelly), and the gentlewoman from New York had 2 minutes remaining.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 13, the sole Federal agency devoted exclusively to museums and libraries which partners with schools to educate America's young.
Museums and libraries have traditionally served us as lifelong centers of learning creating centralized locations for the dissemination of information that provides equal access for Americans of all ages.
As the availability of information increases through the use of computer technologies, it is only logical that museums and libraries expand their services in order to fully maximize their mission as reference centers, as well as to fill the public's need to acquire the necessary skills to utilize such technology and reap the benefits of this expansion of cultural and historical knowledge.
The money in this bill will be used to bring projects and resources that would not otherwise be available in our communities to our local libraries and to this Nation's fine museums.
In my district, libraries provide paid mentors that help kids and families with homework in the library, especially they try to include parents whose first language is not English. In addition to the establishment of the centers, the grant has provided for the addition of several important learning resources to participating libraries' collections.
The authorization of the MLSA is an important step to helping students and other museums and library patrons find the resources and materials that they need to successfully come together and share information about history and culture.
Passing this legislation will ensure that libraries and museums across the country continue to provide accessible, safe, dynamic places of learning for all Americans.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Filner).
Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) for his leadership on something that is so important to America, and that is, the Museum and Library Services Act.
As my colleague has pointed out, this bill authorizes $245 million in Federal assistance for museums and libraries in the coming fiscal year and additional funds all the way through the end of this decade.
A civilized society, Mr. Speaker, must include cultural enrichment, and it is one of the responsibilities of our government to support that aspect of our civilization. We get what we pay for. Thanks to our museums and libraries, our citizens become well-rounded individuals, and our children are encouraged to become the best that they can be.
Let me highlight for a few minutes, Mr. Speaker, a few of the success stories that come out from the Library Services and Technology Act, which is a part of the Museum and Library Services Act, in my home State of California.
The Infopeople project provides training and computers for local libraries, assuring public access to the Internet in 530 of our State's 765 public libraries.
The University of California in San Diego is assisting over 100 libraries and cultural institutions to recover from natural and man-
made disasters.
The County of Los Angeles Public Library is training college students to assist with the library's Summer Reading Program for Children, providing work experience for students while helping open the door to reading for over 30,000 of our children.
The Family Literacy Program provides programs and books for infants and children.
The Oceanside Public Library in San Diego County provides health information from a mobile vehicle funded through this Act.
From my own congressional district, in the city of National City, one of the poorest cities in California, but blessed with a great city librarian, Anne Campbell, this city has funded a large community computer center in the National City Public Library. Over 50,000 residents each year have access to electronic information, software programs, Internet and training. Residents are working on job resumes, e-mailing a loved one aboard a Navy ship, running a business, preparing reports for school and 1,000 other uses that we know that the Internet can provide.
Currently, a grant from this Act provides Web page design training for high school students, with real life experiences designing Web sites for local businesses and nonprofit organizations. From the first class, already two students have been hired permanently to continue to update these Web sites. So the digital divide of which we hear a lot has been narrowed in National City because of the LSTA.
We can go on for a long time about the stories. These are just a few, but they would not be possible without our investment in our Nation's libraries.
I urge support of this legislation, and I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman and my friend from Michigan for granting me the time to rise and speak in strong support of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003.
Mr. Speaker, America has a moral obligation to support its museums and libraries, and throughout our Nation, libraries are at the forefront of our reading, education and family literacy programs. Museums are the centerpiece of our history and civilization, and together, our museums and libraries form the core of democracy in America.
This year, Mr. Speaker, more than 865 million people will visit a museum in America. Millions of students will take out their first book and millions of families will gather for community literacy and learning programs.
All of us remember our very first library card. All of us remember our very first library experience, that first book and that first story which always means so much in our lives, and the role of libraries in American society is and will continue to be critical to our future.
I remember my hometown library, and I especially remember with great fondness and respect and admiration for her impact on my life my own hometown librarian, Martha Gould, who now serves on the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. Not only has Martha Gould provided technical and institutional knowledge held by libraries in strengthening America's homeland defense, she stands as a stalwart supporter of our library system and works diligently to ensure that our libraries keep up with the 21st century technology and maintain their core function of providing all Americans with the means and capabilities of preserving and protecting democracy.
I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 13 for our Nation, and for the future generations of America.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I thank my colleague for helping us move this bill and encourage all of our colleagues to vote in support of this reauthorization.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to offer my support of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 authorizing our federal library and museum programs under the Institute of Museum and Library Services. As a former educator and life-long supporter of the arts, I fervently believe we must reauthorize the Museum and Library Services Act, and do much more to promote libraries and literacy, and to help art in all of its forms to continue to flourish.
We must do all we can to encourage the growth of such institutions, which help to enlighten us regarding our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
We have a strong tradition of providing our citizens with world-class library services and museums. Under H.R. 13, library services nationwide will be enhanced in order to better meet the needs of all Americans by: extending access to information for citizens in all types of libraries and thus increase citizens' knowledge, and assisting libraries in more effectively sharing resources to promote the streamlined delivery of services.
In my District, the County of Los Angeles Public Library offers CHIPS, a consumer health information program located in the City of Carson. This invaluable service offers my constituents information and referrals, responds to reference questions and circulates health materials to the community. Through CHIPS, constituents in my District can become better informed about the quality of their health by gaining up-to-date medical information. The State of California also offers through our libraries:
Working with [email protected] Library, an internship program for undergraduate students tutoring children in the Summer Reading Program;
Live Homework Help, a program offering students grades 5-12 online access to tutors, or 20 minutes of one-on-one tutoring now available through the Long Beach Public Library; and
Grapes of Wrath Program in the Long Beach Public Library to promoting reading and discussion of John Steinbeck's Pulitzer-prize winning book.
Under H.R. 13, the Library Services and Technology section of the Act will provide almost $250 million in special funding to libraries and museums nationwide. In the past, my District received approximately
$410,000 to fund vitally needed programs for libraries and museums, and continued funding is required in order for ongoing community needs to be met.
By providing additional grants to states, we can offer citizens:
Greater access to utilizing information electronically;
Facilitate electronic and other linkages between all kinds of libraries;
Create public and private partnerships with external community-based groups and other agencies;
Direct library services to people of distinct cultural, geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as to persons with disabilities, and those with limited literacy skills; and
Tailor library and information services to people experiencing difficulty using libraries, including children from low-income families, and individuals living in underserved urban and rural areas.
Under H.R. 13, our museums will be better able to continue their tradition of public service by integrating all of society to the natural, cultural, historic, artistic and scientific aspects of our heritage. In my District, I am a proud advocate of the Museum of Latin American Art in the City of Long Beach, which is distinguished as the only museum in the western United States to only feature contemporary Latin American art.
By passing H.R. 13, we will help our museums by: promoting the educational roles played by museums; and extending the exchange of resources and promoting partnerships among schools, libraries, museums, and other community groups.
Because we live in an era when life-long and distance learning are essential to increasing citizens' access to education and vocational opportunities, it is critical that we provide our libraries with the maximum support necessary for them to carry out their missions. At the same time, we must assist our museums so that they may keep raising our awareness and enrich our communities through art.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of the resolution, this Member wishes to add his strong support for the Museums and Library Services Act (H.R. 13), as museums and libraries certainly are a vital part of our society.
This Member would like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Miller), the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for bringing this important resolution to the House floor today. This Member would also like to commend the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra), chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Education, for sponsoring H.R. 13.
Attendance at American museums is now at more than 865 million visits per year. Today's 21st Century library is not just a provider of books, as the typical American library coordinates a complete and comprehensive approach to community development and services.
The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 authorizes Federal assistance to museums and libraries through fiscal year 2009. The legislation maintains the modest but essential Federal support for museums and libraries across the country; authorizes funds for the one Federal agency--the Institute of Museum and Library Services--devoted exclusively to museums and libraries, which are natural partners with our nation's schools; and encourages model cooperation between museums and libraries.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, this Member urges his colleagues to support H.R. 13.
Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, this year more than 865 million people will visit a museum in America and millions will use their local library for books and other community services. Libraries and museums play a vital role in educating our children and promoting communities.
Throughout our Nation, libraries are at the forefront of reading and family literacy programs. Libraries are critical to many people with disabilities, providing them with specialized materials and resources that are obtainable in a single accessible location. For those persons of limited financial resources or who live in remote areas, libraries provide access to books and reference materials, computer services, and other community-based services.
Museums across the country work with local schools to provide K-12 educational programming. They are an important source of cultural and historical knowledge for people, as they learn about the history and traditions of our country and other places around the world. In addition, museums serve as places where people of different backgrounds come together to share information about history, culture, and civilization.
Under the leadership of Chairman Hoekstra in the last Congress, the Education and the Workforce Committee worked in a bipartisan manner to report the Museum and Library Services Act of 2002. That bill had 94 cosponsors, was supported by the Bush Administration, and had been endorsed by the American Library Association, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, and the American Association of Museums. The Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 is very similar to last year's bill, and with 126 cosponsors, it builds on the bipartisan bill reported by the Committee on Education and the Workforce last year.
The legislation before the House today funds the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency devoted exclusively to museums and libraries, which partner with our Nation's schools. It consolidates museum and library board activities to reduce unnecessary paperwork and duplication. In addition, the reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act is an important next step in ensuring that the President's education reforms signed into law last year are properly implemented. H.R. 13 requires that all library activities are coordinated with activities under the No Child Left Behind Act, President Bush's landmark education reform legislation.
First Lady Laura Bush, a former librarian, supports reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act. Mr. Miller, the ranking Democrat on our Committee is a cosponsor of this legislation--I would like to thank him for his support. Mr. Hoekstra has put together a good, bipartisan bill and I encourage my colleagues to support the legislation and our Nation's museums and libraries.
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, as an educator and avid reader, it's always a special pleasure to visit a library or a museum. Libraries safeguard our freedom and keep democracy healthy. Museums and libraries preserve the past and offer brighter futures to all of us. They are true community assets. That is why I was pleased to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act.
Libraries are often referred to as the ``People's University.'' It is a fitting name.
Libraries provide all of us with free access to a fabulous wealth of information. In this increasingly technology-driven society, they speak directly to what we call the Digital Divide. A recent survey by the Department of Commerce found that our libraries are the No. 1 point of access for those who do not have Internet access at home or at work. Today, 90 percent of public libraries have some kind of Internet connection.
Research also shows us that Americans visit libraries 3.5 billion times each year; 1.6 billion items are borrowed annually from public libraries; and research librarians answer 7 million questions every week.
Clearly libraries are responding not only to the daunting challenges of the Information Age and to the changing needs of our communities, but they are continuing to serve all of their traditional roles as well.
Libraries are also true community centers. They create environments where students can do their homework, townspeople can gather, families can interact, seniors can learn new skills, and job seekers can find advice. They are forums building partnerships, linking with everyone from garden clubs to Head Start programs to extend their reach throughout our communities.
Throughout our country, libraries serve as, the catalyst for economic revitalization, bringing together our communities civic and social leaders. They provide reading material for people of all ages by sending books into maternity wards, setting up reading stations in pediatrician's offices, developing teen centers, and establishing mobile book carts in nursing homes and senior centers.
I am currently observing the improvements at my own Princeton public library that are traceable to this authorization bill. The library is in the process of constructing a state of the art library security, inventory, and circulation system that will allow library users to automatically check in and check out books.
Let me cite some other examples of how our local libraries are helping people all across the 12th District of New Jersey. The South Brunswick Public Library has been fortunate to receive funding from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Their Computer Training Center, established in part by these funds serves hundreds of people each week. The center not only provides free Internet access, but it provides the training many people need to use the Internet on their own.
Robert Weidlich of Kendall Park, NJ, turned to the library when he began suffering chronic back pain brought about by hunching over a microscope all day, conducting medical research in a nearby company. He wanted to find the internal source of his pain, which his doctors had not been able to do. At the library, staff helped Weidlich use the library's collections and electronic sources to tap into the medical sources and the latest research from all over the world. He became a regular at the computer center, spending many hours logged on the Internet to learn about disorders of the spinal cord and back. As a result of his research, he located the unusual source of his pain--a damaged ligament in the lumbar region of his back. With his new understanding of the problem, he was able to invent ways to mechanically support his back so that he could go on with his life.
Peter Gao of Monmouth Junction, gleefully reported that he was able to find a new job at the post office because of the assistance the library provided in his job search when he recently lost his programming position at Dow Jones.
Greta Ji passed the Yale law school tests with a top score, thanks to the materials and computer access that she obtained through the library.
Dan Guerra, a family lawyer, regularly uses the library in his research, and especially finds the databases helpful.
Finally, the Investments Club utilizes all our resources to keep abreast of the latest market developments. None of the Club members have computers at home, nor could they individually afford the financial databases they like to check at their weekly meetings. Senior citizens like Leona Bouthwell, can now regularly check her investments and look up consumer information.
These are examples of how important libraries are to me and millions of other Americans. Mr. Speaker, Carl Rowan, a noted journalist, once said, ``The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history.''
I look forward to the passage of H.R. 13 the Museum and Library Services Act.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to the order of the House of Tuesday, March 4, 2003, the bill is considered read for amendment and the previous question is ordered.
The question is on the engrossment and third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, and was read the third time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the passage of the bill.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. HOEKSTRA. 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. Evidently a quorum is not present.
The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
Pursuant to clauses 8 and 9 of rule XX, this 15-minute vote on passage of H.R. 13 may be followed by a 5-minute vote, if ordered, on approving the Journal.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 416, nays 2, not voting 16, as follows:
YEAS--416
AbercrombieAckermanAderholtAkinAlexanderAllenAndrewsBacaBachusBairdBakerBaldwinBallanceBallengerBarrett (SC)Bartlett (MD)Barton (TX)BassBeauprezBecerraBellBereuterBerkleyBermanBerryBiggertBilirakisBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)Bishop (UT)BlackburnBlumenauerBluntBoehlertBoehnerBonillaBonnerBonoBoozmanBoswellBoucherBoydBradley (NH)Brady (PA)Brady (TX)Brown (OH)Brown (SC)Brown, CorrineBrown-Waite, GinnyBurgessBurnsBurrBurton (IN)BuyerCalvertCampCannonCantorCapitoCappsCapuanoCardinCardozaCarson (IN)Carson (OK)CarterCaseCastleChabotChocolaClayClyburnCobleColeCollinsCombestCooperCostelloCoxCramerCraneCrenshawCrowleyCummingsCunninghamDavis (AL)Davis (CA)Davis (FL)Davis (IL)Davis (TN)Davis, Jo AnnDavis, TomDeal (GA)DeFazioDeGetteDelahuntDeLauroDeLayDeMintDeutschDiaz-Balart, L.Diaz-Balart, M.DicksDingellDoggettDooley (CA)DoolittleDoyleDreierDuncanDunnEdwardsEhlersEmanuelEmersonEngelEnglishEshooEvansEverettFarrFattahFeeneyFergusonFilnerFletcherFoleyForbesFordFossellaFrank (MA)Franks (AZ)FrelinghuysenFrostGalleglyGarrett (NJ)GerlachGibbonsGilchrestGillmorGingreyGonzalezGoodeGoodlatteGordonGossGrangerGravesGreen (TX)Green (WI)GreenwoodGrijalvaGutierrezGutknechtHallHarmanHarrisHartHastings (FL)Hastings (WA)HayesHayworthHefleyHensarlingHergerHillHincheyHinojosaHobsonHoeffelHoekstraHoldenHoltHondaHooley (OR)HostettlerHoughtonHoyerHulshofHydeInsleeIsaksonIsraelIssaIstookJackson (IL)Jackson-Lee (TX)JanklowJeffersonJenkinsJohnJohnson (CT)Johnson (IL)Johnson, E. B.Johnson, SamJones (NC)Jones (OH)KanjorskiKapturKellerKellyKennedy (MN)Kennedy (RI)KildeeKilpatrickKindKing (IA)King (NY)KingstonKirkKleczkaKlineKnollenbergKolbeKucinichLaHoodLampsonLangevinLantosLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)LathamLaTouretteLeachLeeLevinLewis (CA)Lewis (GA)Lewis (KY) LinderLipinskiLoBiondoLofgrenLoweyLucas (KY)LynchMajetteMaloneyManzulloMarkeyMarshallMathesonMatsuiMcCarthy (MO)McCarthy (NY)McCollumMcCotterMcCreryMcDermottMcGovernMcHughMcInnisMcIntyreMcKeonMcNultyMeehanMeek (FL)Meeks (NY)MenendezMicaMichaudMiller (FL)Miller (MI)Miller, GaryMiller, GeorgeMollohanMooreMoran (KS)Moran (VA)MurphyMurthaMusgraveMyrickNadlerNapolitanoNeal (MA)NethercuttNeyNorthupNorwoodNunesNussleOberstarObeyOlverOsborneOseOtterOwensOxleyPallonePascrellPastorPaynePearcePelosiPencePeterson (MN)Peterson (PA)PetriPickeringPittsPlattsPomboPomeroyPorterPortmanPrice (NC)Pryce (OH)PutnamQuinnRadanovichRahallRamstadRangelRegulaRehbergRenziReyesReynoldsRodriguezRogers (AL)Rogers (KY)Rogers (MI)RohrabacherRossRothmanRoybal-AllardRoyceRuppersbergerRushRyan (OH)Ryan (WI)Ryun (KS)SaboSanchez, Linda T.Sanchez, LorettaSandersSandlinSaxtonSchakowskySchiffSchrockScott (GA)Scott (VA)SensenbrennerSerranoSessionsShadeggShawShaysShermanSherwoodShimkusShusterSimmonsSimpsonSkeltonSlaughterSmith (MI)Smith (NJ)Smith (TX)Smith (WA)SolisSouderSprattStarkStearnsStenholmStricklandSullivanSweeneyTancredoTannerTauscherTauzinTaylor (MS)Taylor (NC)TerryThomasThompson (CA)Thompson (MS)ThornberryTiahrtTiberiTierneyToomeyTownsTurner (OH)Turner (TX)Udall (CO)Udall (NM)UptonVelazquezViscloskyVitterWalden (OR)WalshWampWatersWatsonWattWaxmanWeinerWeldon (FL)Weldon (PA)WellerWhitfieldWickerWilson (NM)Wilson (SC)WolfWoolseyWuWynnYoung (FL)
NAYS--2
FlakePaul
NOT VOTING--16
ConyersCubinCulbersonEtheridgeGephardtHunterLucas (OK)Millender-McDonaldMiller (NC)OrtizRos-LehtinenSnyderStupakVan HollenWexlerYoung (AK)
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Calvert) (during the vote). Members are advised that 2 minutes remain in this vote.
{time} 1135
So the bill was passed.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Stated for:
Mr. MILLER of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 47, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea.''
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 47, I was detained by a group of women constituents speaking on a panel on Violence Against Women.'' Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''
Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 47 on March 6, 2003, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted
``yea.''
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