Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement on the retirement of Dr. James H. Billington, the 13^th Librarian of Congress:

"The nation has been truly fortunate and I am deeply grateful for the service of Dr. James H. Billington, who, since 1987, served as the 13^th Librarian of Congress.

Dr. Billington’s visionary and tireless work to bring the Library of Congress into the 21^st Century has helped preserve and expand our national treasure for this, and many more, generations of Americans. He made the Library more accessible for digital content, allowing worldwide access to documents for researchers and avid readers alike. His work at the Library’s helm has cemented its reputation as the world leader in preserving and archiving books, photographs, music, movies, and so much more.

Dr. Billington has been an innovator and a responsive leader who understood the need to inspire and engage our young people by encouraging their intellectual curiosity through the world of books. He recognized that need when he established the Young Readers Center and my three children and I participated in the opening of the Center in the Jefferson Building in 2009, a place which continues to foster some of our youngest scholars on the American story, and that day is a treasured memory in our family. 

‎I believe Dr. Billington has been as critical to the success and progress of the Library of Congress as its founder, Thomas Jefferson, and I was proud to express that to him personally.

Congratulations to Dr. Billington, his wife Marjorie, their four children, and grandchildren on his well-deserved retirement from service to our nation.”

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Contact:

Sean Bartlett, Sean.Bartlett@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931

Geoff Burgan, Geoff.Burgan@mail.house.gov, 202.225.7931