[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12] [House] [Pages 16910-16911] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1646) recognizing the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the sponsorship of the National Book Festival. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 1646 Whereas the National Book Festival is a great national treasure that fosters the joy of reading; Whereas the first National Book Festival was held on September 8, 2001, and was organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by First Lady Laura Bush; Whereas the first National Book Festival, held on the grounds of the Library of Congress and the United States Capitol, was such a success that it has become an annual event; Whereas the National Book Festival has grown in popularity, in recent years bringing over 130,000 book lovers to the National Mall; Whereas the National Book Festival each year has featured more than 70 award-winning and nationally known authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers; Whereas the National Book Festival invites readers from around the Nation to celebrate books, reading, and creativity; Whereas the National Book Festival convenes representatives from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories and possessions to join the Festival's ``Pavilion of the States'', where they may discuss and distribute materials about their respective reading and literacy- promotion programs; Whereas the 2010 National Book Festival will be the 10th National Book Festival, representing a milestone for the Library of Congress and the Nation; and Whereas the 2010 National Book Festival will be held on the National Mall on September 25, 2010, and will be sponsored and organized by the Library of Congress and supported by Honorary Co-chairs President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) recognizes the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the sponsorship of the National Book Festival; (2) recognizes and emphasizes the important historic and ongoing role of the Library of Congress in organizing and running the National Book Festival; and (3) encourages all Americans to celebrate the 10th National Book Festival, ``A Decade of Words and Wonder''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California. General Leave Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks in the Record and to include extraneous matter. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from California? There was no objection. Mrs. DAVIS of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today, we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the National Book Festival. The Library of Congress' commitment to the spread of knowledge is well-known and so is their unbridled joy of books and reading. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this resolution, along with all the members of the Committee on House Administration, and would like to congratulate the Library of Congress on another highly successful National Book Festival and laud their continued efforts to spread the joy and wonder of reading. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1646. I was privileged to be the main sponsor of this, but this is one of those unique bills where every single member of the committee, Democrat and Republican, sponsored it. That is not unusual in the sense that the goal of this bill is to celebrate one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children; that is, the gift of reading. The first Library of Congress National Book Festival was held on September 8, 2001, so this year it celebrates its 10th anniversary with another highly attended, all-day event and remarkable panoply of authors. The National Book Festival has only grown in popularity over this last decade, and this year's estimate is that over 150,000 individuals attended the 2010 festival this past Saturday. The festival highlights and demonstrates the importance of literacy, creativity, and imagination in our schools, our young people, and throughout our society. The festival vividly brings to life the richness of books and fosters a lifelong love of reading. So we congratulate the Library of Congress for its achievements in hosting the festival and wish them continued success. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the actions of the House of Representatives in recognizing the commitment and efforts made by the Library of Congress to promote the joy of reading through the National Book Festival. I support the Library of Congress in its efforts to promote and foster the joy of reading. On September 25, 2010, the Library of Congress held its tenth National Book Festival on the National Mall. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama served as the honorary chairs for this event. The National Book Festival invites readers from around the nation to celebrate books, reading, and creativity. It gives attendees from across the country the opportunity to visit with more than 70 award- winning authors who will talk' about and sign their books. Over the past ten years, the National Book Festival has grown in popularity. Last year, it brought more than 130,000 book lovers, including those from my home state of Georgia, to the National Mall. As the resolution states, the National Book Festival is a national treasure that fosters the joy of reading. Even in this modern digital age, reading has a host of benefits. Reading develops our creativity, broadens our interests, and introduces us to new things and different parts of the world. I am proud that Georgia was represented at the National Book Festival, along with all 50 states and the District of Columbia, at the Pavilion of the States where representatives were able to discuss and distribute materials about Georgia's reading and literacy programs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution. Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to join with my colleague in recognizing the successful annual book festival. It did set a new attendance record, and we're delighted and we look forward to next year. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1646. The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to. [[Page 16911]] A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________