Haley Stevens: “as Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the Library of Congress, and…”

“as Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Library, it is my great pleasure to congratulate the Library of Congress, and Dr. Billington, the Librarian on the occasion of the Library's Bicentennial. The Library is America's oldest Federal cultural institution, and was established on April 24, 1800. It houses the largest and most extensive collection in history, and is one of the nation's assets. Congress is very proud of the Library, and the role it plays in ensuring free public access to information. As we move forward into the new millennium, efforts are underway to enhance public access to the collections of the Library through the National Digital Library. The Library has planned a wonderful day of activities on Monday, April 24, in honor of Thomas Jefferson's birthday. It was Thomas Jefferson's collection of 6,487 books that first began the Library's collections. The events include the issuance of the first bimetallic commemorative coin, and a postage stamp featuring a color photograph of the interior dome and several of the arched windows in the Jefferson building. At noon there will be a birthday party and concert outside on the East Lawn of the Capitol.”