Statement from Senator Chris Dodd on the retirement of James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2015
Statement from Senator Chris Dodd on the Retirement of James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress, announced that he will be retiring from his position effective January 1, 2016. The following is a statement from MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd:
“For the past three decades, it has been my honor to work alongside Dr. Jim Billington in his capacity as the Librarian of Congress, both as a United States Senator and now as head of an association advocating on behalf of creators of American culture. Only the 13th individual to hold this esteemed position, Dr. Billington has worked tirelessly to honor and preserve our nation’s history and cultural heritage.
Among his many accomplishments are nearly doubling the size of the Library’s collection and creating the Library’s 46-acre Packard Campus dedicated to preserving and restoring more than a century’s worth of audio-visual materials, including historic films and television series. He has also championed copyright and the 5.5 million American creators who depend on the Copyright Office, housed within the Library of Congress, for their livelihoods.
Because of Dr. Billington’s visionary leadership, the Library of Congress stands today as one of the world’s most important and innovative cultural institutions. At the Motion Picture Association of America, we look forward to working with his successor to continue his great work. On behalf of all of us at the MPAA, the studios we represent, and countless Americans all across this country, I want to thank Dr. Billington for 42 years of incredible public service to our nation. We wish him and his family all the best in the years to come.”
For the Library of Congress’ official announcement of Dr. Billington’s retirement, please click here.
About the MPAA
The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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For more information, contact:
MPAA Washington, D.C.
Kate Bedingfield
(202) 293-1966
Kate_Bedingfield@motionpictures.org