H.R. 6952: January 6th Oral History Project Act

This bill, titled the January 6th Oral History Project Act, aims to establish an oral history program at the American Folklife Center within the Library of Congress. The main goals of the bill are as follows:

Collection of Personal Histories

The program will focus on gathering video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials from individuals who were present at or impacted by the events at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. This includes:

• Members of Congress
• Congressional staff
• Capitol Police officers
• Other law enforcement personnel
• Journalists
• Other witnesses

Creation of a Collection

The collected recordings will be organized into a public collection, which will be accessible through the National Digital Library of the Library of Congress. This will include:

• A catalog and index of the recordings
• Documentation to complement personal histories, such as notes, text messages, emails, social media posts, photographs, and other relevant materials

Collaboration with Other Entities

The Director of the American Folklife Center can partner with government and private entities to implement the program. This allows for:

• Consultation with interested individuals
• Development of guidelines for recording and organizing the collected materials

Timeliness of Collection

The bill emphasizes the need to start collecting these recordings as soon as possible, prioritizing testimonials from individuals whose accounts could be lost over time or who provide critical perspectives on the events of January 6, 2021.

Donation and Funding Provisions

The Bill allows the Librarian of Congress to accept donations both in cash and in-kind to support the oral history program. Key points include:

• The establishment of a gift account specifically for the January 6 oral history program, in which all donated funds will be deposited.
• The funds in this account will be used solely for the purposes of this program.
• All donations must be dedicated explicitly to this initiative.

Authorization of Funding

The bill includes provisions for the appropriation of funds to carry out its objectives, specifying:

• Authorization of $500,000 for fiscal year 2027.
• Additional funds as needed for subsequent fiscal years.

Conclusion

The bill is designed to ensure that the personal accounts of those affected by the January 6th events are preserved and made available to the public, highlighting their importance in understanding the historical context of that day.

Relevant Companies

None found.