David Thomas: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2979 is an attempt at the end of this Congress, in working with the Senate, and the Senate has a bill…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2979 is an attempt at the end of this Congress, in working with the Senate, and the Senate has a bill they are attempting to move on the other side which would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to acquire on behalf of the United States Government a gift of property located in Culpeper, Virginia. This property is unique in terms of the uses that the Librarian will make of it. As my colleagues may know, in the early 20th century, the then new technology captured the American experience on film and in various forms of audio retention. Unfortunately, in the late 19th and early 20th century, the technology produced a product which, over time, can become highly volatile. Many of these early film archives are currently preserved on military bases, much as you would munitions. Our goal was to seek a facility which would allow the Librarian not only to preserve these artifacts but, in the process of preserving them, make them available for those who might wish to utilize the Library's resources, as they do with books and other artifacts that the Library of Congress now holds.”