To revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, on the Legislative Day of September 10, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence, a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 6122, To revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes (Roll No. 557)--I vote ``Yes''; On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 2139, Lions Clubs International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act (Roll No. 558)--I vote ``Yes''; On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 6186, To require a study of voluntary community-based flood insurance options and how such options could be incorporated into the national flood insurance program (Roll No. 559)-- I vote ``Yes.''

On the Legislative Day of September 11, 2012, upon request of a leave of absence, a series of votes were held. Had I been present for these rollcall votes, I would have casted the following votes: On Ordering the Previous Question for H. Res. 773, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5544, to authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota for the public school system, and for consideration of H.R. 5949, to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for 5 years (Roll No. 560)--I vote ``No''; On Agreeing to the Resolution H. Res. 773, Providing for consideration of H.R. 5544, to authorize and expedite a land exchange involving National Forest System land in the State of Minnesota for the public school system, and for consideration of H.R. 5949, to extend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 for 5 years (Roll No. 561)--I vote ``No''; and On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act (Roll No. 562)--I vote ``Yes.''

Mr. Speaker, during the course of the week, I was absent for legislative business; had I been present, I would have cast the following votes:

Rollcall 557--H.R. 6122--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 558--H.R. 2139--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 559--H.R. 6186--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 560--H. Res. 773--On Ordering the Previous Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 561--H. Res. 773--On Agreeing to the Resolution--``yes.''

Rollcall 562--H.R. 4264--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 563--H.R. 5544--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 564--H.R. 5544--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 565--H.R. 5544--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 566--H.R. 5544--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 567--H.R. 5544--On Motion to Recommit with Instructions-- ``no.''

Rollcall 568--H.R. 5544--On Passage--``yes.''

Rollcall 569--H.R. 5949--On Passage--``yes.''

Rollcall 570--H.R. 3857--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 571--H.R. 5865--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``no.''

Rollcall 572--H. Res. 778--On Ordering the Previous Question-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 573--H. Res. 778--On Agreeing to the Resolution--``yes.''

Rollcall 574--H. Res. 779--On Agreeing to the Resolution--``yes.''

Rollcall 575--H.R. 1775--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended--``yes.''

Rollcall 580--S. 3245--On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass-- ``yes.''

Rollcall 581--H.R. 6213--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 582--H.R. 6213--On Agreeing to the Amendment--``no.''

Rollcall 583--H.R. 6213--On Motion to Recommit with Instructions-- ``no.''

Rollcall 584--H.R. 6213--On Passage--``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6122) to revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6122 to revise the authority of the Librarian of Congress to accept gifts and bequests on behalf of the Library, and for other purposes. This bill simply authorizes the Librarian of Congress to accept nonmonetary gifts of securities, personal property valued at $25,000 or less, and voluntary and uncompensated personal services. The Librarian is required to disclose a description of each gift or bequest valued at $1,000 or more in the Annual Report of the Library of Congress.

Over its history, the Library has been offered various types of donations that it has not had authority to accept. These would include donations of IT equipment, audiovisual equipment, and volunteer services outside of the American Folklife Center or the Center for the Book. While the Library is currently authorized to accept monetary gifts, this bill authorizes benevolent individuals to give back to the Library in other ways that would be beneficial to the Library's mission and therefore to this Congress and to the United States.

I would urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 6122, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask all Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, September 10, 2012 I had obligations that necessitated my attention in Champaign, Illinois and missed suspension votes on H.R. 6186, which directs FEMA to assess options, methods, and strategies for making voluntary community-based flood insurance policies available through the National Flood Insurance Program. H.R. 2139, which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue as legal tender $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the founding of the Lions Clubs International. And lastly, H.R. 6122, which directs the Librarian of Congress to accept in the interest of the Library of Congress, its collections, or its service personal property valued at $25,000 or less, nonpersonal services, or voluntary and uncompensated personal services.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the above stated bills.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of legislation to authorize the Library of Congress to accept certain gifts on behalf of the Library. Expanding the Librarian's authority to accept gifts other than money is in the best interests of the Library. Occasionally, the Library is offered gifts that would be beneficial but which the Librarian cannot today accept, such as voluntary personal services or vintage equipment needed to play old movies or audio recordings.

Further, the bill authorizes the Librarian to accept gifts of marketable securities for immediate disbursement and other personal property valued at $25,000 or less. In this budgetary era, authority to accept and make good use of such donations will serve the Library well.

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