9/11 Legacy Preservation Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
Introduced
Summary
Creates a Library of Congress program to systematically collect and share oral histories and testimonials from September 11, 2001 survivors. It would gather audio and video recordings plus solicited written materials and make them publicly accessible through the Library's National Digital Library, with cataloging and indexing.
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- Families and survivors: Gives survivors a formal way to record and preserve their stories. The program directs the Director of the American Folklife Center to begin with the oldest survivors.
- Researchers and the public: Requires cataloging and indexing and aims to publish recordings so researchers, educators, and the public can search and use them.
- Library administration and funding: Places the program within the American Folklife Center, allows partnerships and agreements with other entities, accepts private donations into a separate Treasury gift account, and authorizes $250,000 for FY2026 plus such sums as necessary thereafter.
*Would authorize $250,000 for FY2026 and such sums as necessary thereafter to operate the program, increasing federal spending by those amounts.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
New Library program to record 9/11 survivors
This bill would establish an oral history program at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. It would collect audio, video, and written memories from survivors of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Director would catalog and try to make the collection publicly available through the National Digital Library and other feasible methods, and would begin collecting as soon as practicable, attempting first to record the oldest survivors. The Director could work through agreements and partnerships and accept donations. The bill would authorize $250,000 for fiscal year 2026 and such sums as may be necessary later, and would require donated funds to be deposited into a separate Treasury gift account to be used only for this program.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]
NJ • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov