Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, it is a genuine pleasure for me to rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 279. This institution is America's national library, the oldest Federal cultural institution. It is the largest collection of information in the history of the world. We are hopeful that this event will highlight the important role that this library and all libraries play in our democratic society. The Library of Congress started with the magnificent sum of $5,000 authorized under the act, signed into law by President John Adams. But by 1812, the collection had grown to a phenomenal 3,076 books. However, during the war of 1812, the library, along with other prominent Washington buildings, was burned and the collection was lost. In 1850, Thomas Jefferson, who then had the largest personal library in America, sold his personal collection to the library for a modest sum, a few thousand more than that. It was very important not only because it helped restart the Library of Congress, but it changed the nature of the collection.”