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Presidential Library Donation Reform Act Of 2007

Date: March 14, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Arts, Entertainment, and History Government Budget and Spending


PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY DONATION REFORM ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - March 14, 2007)

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

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.

His bill, H.R. 577, from the 107th Congress passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 392-3. 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.

The gentleman from Tennessee has had the right approach, one that was supported by the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) and many others across the aisle. I think it is of utmost importance that we avoid any temptation to politicize this important issue.

An amendment offered in committee would add the reasonable step of applying the disclosure steps of this legislation to Presidents elected after the enactment of this act. It is my hope that we can take politics out of disclosure, which is an important issue.

I also commend the Chair of our subcommittee, Mr. Clay, for his leadership on our subcommittee and in this bill.

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

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