To authorize the establishment of databases.

SA 5666. Mr. WHITEHOUSE (for Mr. Lieberman) proposed an amendment to
the bill S. 3477, to amend title 44, United States Code, to authorize
grants for Presidential Centers of Historical Excellence; as follows:

At the end, add the following:

SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL DATABASE FOR RECORDS OF
SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND POST-CIVIL WAR
RECONSTRUCTION.

(a) In General.--The Archivist of the United States may
preserve relevant records and establish, as part of the
National Archives and Records Administration, an
electronically searchable national database consisting of
historic records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil
War reconstruction, including the Refugees, Freedman, and
Abandoned Land Records, Southern Claims Commission Records,
Records of the Freedmen's Bank, Slave Impressments Records,
Slave Payroll Records, Slave Manifest, and others, contained
within the agencies and departments of the Federal Government
to assist African Americans and others in conducting
genealogical and historical research.
(b) Maintenance.--Any database established under this
section shall be maintained by the National Archives and
Records Administration or an entity within the National
Archives and Records Administration designated by the
Archivist of the United States.

SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE AND LOCAL DATABASES
FOR RECORDS OF SERVITUDE, EMANCIPATION, AND
POST-CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION.

(a) In General.--The Executive Director of the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission of the
National Archives and Records Administration may make grants
to States, colleges and universities, museums, libraries, and
genealogical associations to preserve records and establish
electronically searchable databases consisting of local
records of servitude, emancipation, and post-Civil War
reconstruction.
(b) Maintenance.--Any database established using a grant
under this section shall be maintained by appropriate
agencies or institutions designated by the Executive Director
of the National Historical Publications and Records
Commission.
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