Supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Congressman Grijalva, who is the principal majority party cosponsor of this resolution. He has a deep interest in libraries as well.

I also wanted to say that I am a great fan of libraries for a number of reasons. First of all, I have served on a city library board, on a county library board, on the board of the State Library of Michigan, and also, through my service on the House Administration Committee, I have been on the committee governing the Library of Congress. But the main reason is that, when I was a young child, I was quite ill and could not attend school. This gave me a lot of spare time, and I read between six and eight books a week. I was totally dependent on the library for those books, so twice a week I would trudge down to the library--which was only open 2 days a week--and haul out a pile of books which I could read. So I fully appreciate the importance of libraries. There is another factor as well. My daughter, Marla, is Assistant Director of the Grand Rapids Public Library in my hometown and keeps me fully informed about library affairs. And so I say all this in preface as to why I introduced the resolution and why it is so important that we recognize libraries.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the States. This is done every year in April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our Nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

In the mid 1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less time on books and more on radio, television, and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, a nonprofit citizens' organization called the National Book Committee formed in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious and ranged from encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time, to improving incomes and health and developing a strong and happy family life.

In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With cooperation from various organizations, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme, ``Wake Up and Read!''

This year's theme, ``Worlds Connect at Your Library,'' highlights how libraries are narrowing the digital divide by providing no-fee public computer and Internet access to meet the growing needs for access to digital and online information, including e-government, continuing education and employment opportunities.

I can vouch for the big changes in libraries. Last year, I visited my daughter's library--perhaps, I should say the Grand Rapids Public Library--and I was just amazed at the number of computers available to the public, and every single computer was in use. I would say there were at least a dozen there, and people working heartily on them. This has become even more important with the unemployment situation because many workers don't have their own computer and they have to go to the library to polish up their resume, look online for jobs, and so forth. So the library's usefulness has continued to grow over the years.

Libraries truly play a vital role in supporting the quality of life in their communities. They help us discover a world of knowledge, both in person and online, and are a key player in the national discourse on intellectual freedom and the equity of access. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, library use was up to 1.3 billion visits last year nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a long-term trend of increased library usage.

By recognizing National Library Week, we show our appreciation to libraries, librarians, library workers, and supporters across America. I also should mention that we should at this point recognize and mention the support that Andrew Carnegie gave to libraries initially. When he began giving

away his fortune, much of it went to libraries across the country, and you will find Carnegie libraries throughout our Nation, including in my hometown.

I am honored to support this resolution. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the great contributions of libraries and librarians.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 336) supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials on House Resolution 336 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 336, which encourages all Americans to take advantage of the numerous resources libraries make available.

All across the country, libraries have developed communities by bringing people of all nationalities, ages and socioeconomic levels together to enjoy the pleasures of literature, media and new technology. Libraries foster national discourse on intellectual freedom and provide informational equity across our great Nation.

Not only do libraries provide free resources, but they preserve historical artifacts and information highlighting societal achievements. Today, we have over 123 libraries nationwide playing a vital role in creating vibrant, energized communities. For example, the Big Read is a national reading program designed to revitalize the role of reading in America, and 208 communities participate in the Big Read program nationwide. American libraries play a central role fostering community participation.

There is also the National Book Festival sponsored by our very own Library of Congress. Representatives from State libraries gather at the Nation's Capital to promote reading and literacy in all of our 50 States. Last September, the 8th annual National Book Festival was a huge success. Hundreds of people gathered to promote reading to children, including professional athletes, actors, and famous writers, authors and poets.

The Library of Congress is also a great resource for the public. As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress holds more than 120 million items on approximately 530 miles of book shelves. The collections include more than 18 million books, 2.5 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.5 million maps and 54 million manuscripts. The massive resource provided by this library to this country is indeed a bit of invaluable information.

National Library Week continues to commend librarians who help the public to interpret the information they need to live, to learn, and to navigate their way in today's challenging and complicated economy.

By providing free educational opportunities and a safe place for lifelong learning, libraries and librarians help people achieve the American Dream. With that said, ultimately libraries help people explore curiosities and make sense of this complex world.

I do want to thank Representative Ehlers for his leadership and bringing this important resolution forward.

Again, I want to extend my gratitude toward libraries for their important work in our communities. I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

I again want to thank Mr. Ehlers for the inspiration to pay tribute to the libraries across this country. They are, indeed, very valuable components of the education infrastructure in this country. They obviously provide tremendous opportunity to individuals throughout this country without any sort of prejudice.

I am reminded of the powerful library in my hometown of Amsterdam, New York, and the wonderful countywide system that is part of Schenectady County, with several sites within their library structure.

And so it is, indeed, very appropriate that we recognize the contribution that libraries, and more specifically, librarians, make to our society and the development of the intellectual capacity and character of our society.

With that, I encourage passage of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, from April 12-18, 2009, our nation celebrated National Library Week and the vital role that these institutions and their dedicated staff play in supporting our communities. On April 22, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H. Res. 336, supporting the goals and ideals of National Library Week and encouraging Americans to take full advantage of these wonderful public resources.

In Oregon, we pride ourselves on our strong community and a commitment to quality of life and education. Public libraries are a vital piece of this fabric and, in fact, Oregon has the second highest circulation of public library materials in the nation and the only 5- star library in the Northwest. As the economic downturn has pushed family budgets to the brink, these resources are more important than ever. In addition to public reading and visual materials, libraries offer Internet and computer access for all, free of charge. Many also serve as community spaces for gatherings and events.

Another library that deserves recognition is our very own Library of Congress. In 2008, to highlight the world-class work of this institution I formed the Library of Congress Caucus, now nearly 50 Members strong. I have the distinct honor of co-chairing this bipartisan organization with my friend Congressman Zach Wamp. Our goal is to draw further attention to the nation's library, its collections and curators, and to encourage further use by Members of Congress and the public alike.

The Library of Congress not only houses the much-appreciated Congressional Research Service, it also offers 1.6 million visitors access to 15 million primary-source documents and operates the Veteran's History Project and the Surplus Books Program. One of my favorite programs, the Surplus Books Program is an innovative book donation program, through which Members may send library materials to the schools and libraries in their home district. At a time when funding for libraries is scarce, this is a simple way to reduce book waste and distribute excess resources to our communities and schools where they are needed most.

I strongly encourage members to take advantage of these extraordinary programs and resources, and congratulate all our nation's libraries, librarians, and library-enthusiasts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to the all- American public library upon completion of National Library Week. It was a week filled with activities and celebration designed to highlight the important role libraries and librarians play in our lives.

Based on a theme of ``Worlds connect @ your library,'' libraries across the nation hosted contests and presentations to educate and entertain readers of all ages. Since 1958, National Library Week has been part of the American Library Association's goal of ``encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time.'' It was and has been an impressive goal and today we see libraries full of readers, taking on new challenges and expanding the education of their communities. This week was an opportunity to bring in new library patrons and to encourage reading as part of everyday life.

Former First Lady, Laura Bush, herself a librarian by profession, once said this of our libraries: ``Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.''

Mr. Speaker, I speak today to honor the work libraries and librarians provide not only children but all in their communities. They are more than buildings that house books and people that help us find resources. They are places to discover and imagine with neighbors gladly serving their fellow citizens in an expanding and challenging world.