Political Quotes

“a little more than 20 years ago, Congress enacted legislation which created the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan and bicameral support. The legislation I am introducing today will provide permanent authorization for the Center so that the Center may continue its work to preserve and share the collections of traditions which exemplify the diverse heritage of millions of ordinary Americans. The collections of the American Folklife Center contain rich and varied materials from my state of Mississippi and every state in the Nation. These materials document the diversity of the folk traditions of the many people who make up our nation. The Folklife Center serves as a national repository of traditional culture and is used by scholars from around the world as well as schoolchildren, teachers, and genealogists. The Congress has charged the American Folklife Center to preserve and present American Folklife for future generations. Providing the Center with permanent authorization will give the Center the security it needs to carry on its good work, continue its educational services, and strengthen its world-class collections. Permanent authorization will also allow the Center to engage the public's support of its collections through long-range planning and fundraising.”