1 234556 Spring 1988 Following is the quarterly compilation of news from the Archivist Gives "State of the Archives" Address.. Archivist Testifies at House Hearing.... House Passes NHPRC Reauthorization... Symposium on Women and the Constitution at the Carter Center Kennedy Library Announces Endowment of Research Fellowship. Truman Library Institute Receives Gift From Freightliner Harry S. Truman Award Presented to Charles Kuralt.... Exhibition on the Korean War Opens at the LBJ Library. NARA Joins Research Library Group............... Donations From Genealogical Societies......................... NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Archivist Gives "State of the Archives" Address Dr. Wilson presented his "State of the Archives" address to overflow audiences at the Archives Building and the Washington National Records Center in Suitland, MD, on Thursday, March 31. Dr. Wilson said his most pleasant surprise as Archivist "was to discover the extent of quality and dedication throughout the NARA staff at every level." He also said that he was "shocked by the working conditions and space problems of this agency, both here in Washington and in many of the regions around the country For this reason, I plan to concentrate on the successful completion of a new building, which is informally known as 'Archives II.'" "Archives II" will be the top priority in a ten point plan which he outlined in his address. The other points are: continuing to work on computerization and developing policies for machine-readable records; continuing to emphasize access to records; ensuring that the Archives remains the repository for all Federal records of enduring value; emphasizing and improving preservation efforts; expanding outreach efforts; encouraging greater creativity in utilization of our field units; offering training and other opportunities for career development among staff members; seeking a balance between research use and protection of records; and assuming a leadership role in formulating a national collection policy. Videotapes of Dr. Wilson's address was shown to Field Branch, Records Center, and Presidential Library staff. Archivist Testifies at House Hearing Dr. Don W. Wilson made his first appearance before the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Government Information, Justice, and Agriculture on February 17. The hearing was chaired by Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Glenn English (D-OK) and attended by Committee Chairman Jack Brooks (D-TX), Rep. Barney Frank (DMA), Rep. Bill Grant (D-FL), Rep. Al McCandless (R-CA), and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY). The new Archivist testified first on the reauthorization of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) on a level of $10 million annually for the next five years. Following a discussion of the possibilities of expanding private funding for publication and records projects, Dr. Wilson was questioned about the role of the National Archives in implementing the Presidential Records Act and the steps taken to carry out the recommendation of the Iran-Contra Committee that the Archivist be consulted to ensure compliance with the Act. Dr. Wilson said he could not comment directly on matters relating to Iran-Contra since it is still under investigation. He did say that implementation of the Presidential Records Act has, in the judgment of the National Archives, been "very effective" and that "we believe the Reagan Administration will be the most fully documented of any Presidential administration since the beginning." The Archivist was also questioned on the preservation of electronic records. He said the "technical, administrative, and financial aspects of preserving electronic records are extremely complicated and open to speculation." pointed out that, while the National Archives is doing extensive research on this problem, "we may need additional resources to work with agencies to ensure that they fully understand the applicability of the Federal Records Act to such records and to ensure their proper management throughout their life cycle, including their authorized disposition." He House Passes NHPRC Reauthorization On March 30, the House of Representatives passed a five-year reauthorization of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) by 363 votes. The bill authorizes spending at levels of $5 million for 1989 and 1990; $8 million for 1991 and 1992; and $10 million for 1993. The bill also calls for an expansion of the current membership of the Commission to include one representative each from the Association for Documentary Editing and the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators and a reduction from two to one representatives from the American Historical Association, the Society of American Archivists, the American Association for State and Local History and the Organization of American Historians. Nixon Papers Decision Handed Down by Court of Appeals On April 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the U.S. District Court's decision that former President Richard M. Nixon may not automatically block the disclosure of his Presidential materials by claiming they are protected by executive privilege. The Court found that Congress intended for the Archivist to make administrative determinations with respect to claims of executive privilege raised by former President Nixon under the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974. For this reason, it overruled a Department of Justice interpretation that required the Archivist to honor all claims of executive privilege asserted by the former President. The suit was brought by, among others, Public Citizen, a public interest group founded by Ralph Nader. |