I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6615 
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 
APRIL 24, 2020 
Mr. BERA 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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘COVID–19 Oral His-
tory Project Act’’. 
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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 per-
sonal 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 in-
dividuals whose lives were altered; 
(2) create a collection of the recordings ob-
tained (including a catalog and index) which will be 
available for public use through the digital collec-
tions of the Library of Congress and such other 
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methods as the Librarian considers appropriate to 
the extent feasible subject to available resources; and 
(3) solicit, collect, and make available in a dig-
ital 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 mate-
rials in a manner the Librarian considers appro-
priate, consistent with and complimentary to the ef-
forts described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(b) USE OF AND CONSULTATION WITH OTHER ENTI-
TIES.—The Librarian may carry out the activities de-
scribed 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 pro-
grams throughout the United States, and may otherwise 
consult with interested persons (within the limits of avail-
able resources) and develop appropriate guidelines and ar-
rangements for soliciting, acquiring, and making available 
recordings under the program under this Act. 
(c) TIMING FOR AUTHORITY TO COLLECT RECORD-
INGS.— 
(1) INITIATION.—As soon as practicable after 
the enactment of this Act, the Librarian shall begin 
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collecting video and audio recordings under sub-
section (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 enact-
ment 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
AC-
COUNT.—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 to carry 
out the oral history program under section 2 shall 
be deposited entirely into the gift account estab-
lished 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 
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(3) the Librarian may not deposit into such ac-
count any funds donated to the Librarian which are 
not donated for the exclusive purpose. 
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this Act— 
(1) $7,600,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each of 
the fiscal years 2021 through 2024. 
(b) CONTINUING AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDS.—Any 
amount appropriated pursuant to the authorization under 
this section shall remain available until expended. 
Æ 
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