COVID-19 Oral History Project Act
This bill directs the Library of Congress to establish an oral history program in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to collect and make publicly available in a digital format individual stories of events and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The bill includes a requirement to collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of those who were affected by the pandemic.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7054 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7054
To direct the Librarian of Congress to establish a program in the
American Folklife Center to collect video and audio recordings of
personal histories and testimonials of those affected by the COVID-19
pandemic, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2022
Mr. Bera (for himself and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on House Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Librarian of Congress to establish a program in the
American Folklife Center to collect video and audio recordings of
personal histories and testimonials of those affected by the COVID-19
pandemic, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``COVID-19 Oral History Project Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM AT AMERICAN FOLKLIFE CENTER TO COLLECT
VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDING OF HISTORIES OF THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
(a) In General.--The Librarian of Congress shall establish an oral
history program in the American Folklife Center at the Library of
Congress to collect and make publicly available in a digital format
individual stories of events and experiences during the COVID-19
pandemic in the United States. In carrying out the program, the
Librarian shall--
(1) collect video and audio recordings of personal
histories and testimonials of those who were affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic, such as first responders and health care
workers, individuals who survived the disease, family members
of those who passed away from the disease, individuals who were
repatriated from other countries or from cruise ships,
individuals with major life events affected by responding to
the outbreak, as well as any other individuals whose lives were
altered;
(2) create a collection of the recordings obtained
(including a catalog and index) which will be available for
public use through the digital collections of the Library of
Congress and such other methods as the Librarian considers
appropriate to the extent feasible subject to available
resources; and
(3) solicit, collect, and make available in a digital
format written materials (such as letters and diaries) relevant
to the personal histories of health care workers and first
responders who served during the COVID-19 pandemic and to
catalog such materials in a manner the Librarian considers
appropriate, consistent with and complimentary to the efforts
described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
(b) Use of and Consultation With Other Entities.--The Librarian may
carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (3) of
subsection (a) through agreements and partnerships entered into with
other government and private entities, including through collaboration
with existing archival and oral history programs throughout the United
States, and may otherwise consult with interested persons (within the
limits of available resources) and develop appropriate guidelines and
arrangements for soliciting, acquiring, and making available recordings
under the program under this Act.
(c) Timing.--
(1) Initiation.--As soon as practicable after the enactment
of this Act, the Librarian shall begin collecting video and
audio recordings under subsection (a)(1).
(2) Sunset.--The authority of the Librarian to collect
video and audio recordings under subsection (a)(1) shall
terminate upon the expiration of the 5-year period which begins
on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. PRIVATE SUPPORT.
(a) Acceptance of Donations.--The Librarian of Congress may solicit
and accept donations of funds and in-kind contributions to carry out
the oral history program under section 2.
(b) Establishment of Separate Gift Account.--There is established
in the Treasury (among the accounts of the Library of Congress) a gift
account for the oral history program under section 2.
(c) Dedication of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law--
(1) any funds donated to the Librarian of Congress to carry
out the oral history program under section 2 shall be deposited
entirely into the gift account established under subsection
(b);
(2) the funds contained in such account shall be used
solely to carry out the oral history program under section 2;
and
(3) the Librarian may not deposit into such account any
funds donated to the Librarian which are not donated for the
exclusive purpose of carrying out the program under section 2.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act--
(1) $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding
fiscal year.
(b) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amount appropriated
pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available
until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
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