House Proceeding on Apr 22nd, 2009 :: 2:29:00 to 2:34:10
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2:28:57 to 2:29:18( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: mr. speaker, i ask my colleagues to support this important resolution. i move to balance of my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserves his time. the gentleman from michigan. mr. ehlers: mr. speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized.

2:29:00 to 2:34:10( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Vernon J. Ehlers

2:29:19 to 2:29:40( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: . mr. eh congressman grijalva who is the majority party co-sponsor of this resolution and he is has a deep interest in libraries as well -- he has a deep interest in libraries as well. i also want to say that i'm a great fan of libraries. for a number of reasons. first of all, i have served on

2:29:41 to 2:30:01( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: a city library board, on a county library board, on the board of the state library of michigan and also through my service on the house administration committee and then on the committee governing the library of congress. but the main reason is that when i was a young child, i was quite ill and could not attend school. this gave me a lot of spare

2:30:02 to 2:30:23( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: time and i read between six and ght books a week. and i was totally dependent on the library for those books. so twice a week i would trenl down to the library, which was only -- tredge down to the library which was only open two days a week and haul out a pile books which i could read. so i fully appreciate the impoance of libraries. another factor as well, my

2:30:24 to 2:30:45( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: daughter marla is assistant director of the grand rapids public library in my home town and keeps me fully informed about library affairs. so i say all this in preface as to why introduced the resolution and why it is so important that we recognize braries. first sponsored in 1958,

2:30:46 to 2:31:06( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: national libraryeek is a national observance sponsored by the american library association and libraries across the state. this is done every year in april. it is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

2:31:07 to 2:31:27( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: the mid 1950's, research showed that americans were spending less time in books and more on radio, television and musical instruments. concerned that americans were reading less, a nonprofit citizen's organization called the national book committee formed in 1954. the committee's goals were ambitious and ranged from

2:31:28 to 2:31:48( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time, and developing a strong and happy family life. in 1957, the committee developed a plan for national library week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. with cooperation from various

2:31:49 to 2:32:11( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: organizations, the first national library week was observed in 1958 with a theme, wake up and read. this year's theme, worlds connect as your library, highlights how libraries are narrowing the digital divide by providing no-fee internet access to meet the growing

2:32:12 to 2:32:32( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: needs for access to digital and online information, including egovernment, continuing education and employment and i can vouch for the big changes in libraries. last year i visited my daughter's library and while i should say the grand rapids public library, and i was just amazedt the number of computers available to the

2:32:33 to 2:32:56( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: public at every -- and eve single computer was in use. i would say there were at least 15 there and people working on them. this has become even more important with the unemployment situation because many workers don't have their own computer and they have to go to the library to polish up their resume, look online for jobs and so forth.

2:32:57 to 2:33:17( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: so the libraries -- library's usefulness hasen ined -- continued to grow over the years. libraries play a vital role in their communities. they help us discover a world of knowledge, both in person and online. and are a key player in the national discourse on intellectual freedom. and the equity of ac he is sess.

2:33:18 to 2:33:39( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: in fact, according -- access. in fact, according to the national center for education statistics, library use was up to 1.3 billion visits last year nationwide among all types of library users. continuing a long-term trend of increased library uses. but recognizing national library week, we show our appreciation to libraries,

2:33:40 to 2:34:01( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: librarians, library workers and supporters across america. i also should mention that we should at this point recognize anmention the support that andrew carneigie gave to libraries initially. when he began giving away s fortune, much of it went across

2:34:02 to 2:34:11( Edit History Discussion )

Vernon J. Ehlers: the country and you'll find carneigie libraries all across the nation, including in my home town. i am honored to support this resolution.