Title: COVID–19 Oral History Project Act
Policy area: Arts, Culture, Religion

Summary:
COVID-19 Oral History Project Act
This bill directs the Library of Congress to establish an oral history program in the American Folklife Center for the collection and public availability of 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 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6615 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 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 for Authority To Collect Recordings.--
            (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 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.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated 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.
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