Sylvester Turner: “Mr. Speaker, our Nation's Presidential libraries attract millions of visitors each year, and serve as an important…”

“Mr. Speaker, our Nation's Presidential libraries attract millions of visitors each year, and serve as an important resource for researchers and historians, and provide inspiration for generations. Over time, the cost of building and maintaining these facilities has risen significantly. Presidential libraries are built with private funds, then turned over to the Archivist for operation. An endowment covers some of the cost of operating a library, usually met through the establishment of a charitable organization. Funding for construction and the endowment come from private sources. Under current law, there is no requirement to disclose the source of these contributions. There is a great deal of interest in enhancing disclosure on both sides of the aisle. Under the leadership of the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan), a Republican, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to require the disclosure of contributions to organizations that raise funds for Presidential libraries and related facilities. When we consider enhanced disclosure, it is important to treat everyone equally. We need a sensible, even-handed approach to disclosure, one that applies equally to Democrats and Republicans.”