Haley Stevens: “In 2000, Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, came to many Members of this Chamber with an urgent request.…”

“In 2000, Dr. James Billington, the Librarian of Congress, came to many Members of this Chamber with an urgent request. He wanted to begin preserving important cultural works which existed only in digital format. Soon after, Congress approved the creation of the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program, which is also referred to as 'NDIIPP.' Those of us in Congress secured $100 million over 10 years to start this program. With the Library's guidance, NDIIPP quickly became a broad-based coalition of Federal agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, and companies in the science and technology industries. Today, the NDIIPP partnership includes 67 public and private organizations nationwide. But the future of this effort is in serious jeopardy. The House-passed fiscal year 2007 continuing resolution rescinds $47 million in NDIIPP funds--effectively destroying a program essential to our increasingly digital world.”