Washington, DC - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay dedicated the new National Archives research facility at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. The new facility will allow the public to view the military personnel files of millions of veterans for the first time. The National Personnel Records Center is home to more than 56 million files of U.S veterans. The first batch of files opened for public view includes the records of 1.2 million veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces prior to 1939. The historic display also highlights service records and priceless artifacts from prominent American veterans including Jackie Robinson, Joe Louis, Elvis Presley, President John F. Kennedy, President Franklin Roosevelt, Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable.

Congressman Clay delivered the keynote address at the dedication ceremony on Saturday, June 11, in which he said, "This remarkable facility is dedicated to the service and sacrifice of millions of citizen soldiers who came from every city and town, and from all walks of life. They interrupted their lives, and in too many cases, gave their lives, to defend freedom. These everyday American heroes answered their country’s call, did their duty, and then went back to build a stronger nation. And for me, it is especially moving to think about the thousands and thousands of brave African Americans, Latinos and women who served their country with great courage and distinction, even though at home, they were deprived of the fundamental constitutional rights that they were fighting to protect. Their heroic service to this nation is one of the untold American stories that this center will help tell.”

Joining Congressman Clay at the historic dedication were Under Secretary of Defense, Dr. David Chu; Chief Archivist of the United States, Dr. Allen Weinstein; Ronald Hindman, Director of the National Personnel Records Center; and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley.