NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE (Vol. 11, #38; 6 October 2005)
1. CONGRESS PASSES CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- KEEPS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATING
2. ISSO ISSUES STATUS REPORT ON FEDERAL AGENCY MANDATORY DECLASSIFICATION
EFFORT
3. NEH KICKS OFF 40th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
4. NATIONAL HISTORY CENTER SELECTS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
5. NPS TO MOVE HAMILTON GRANGE
6. BITS AND BYTES: NARA Announces Changes in Microfilm Policies; Preserve
America Awards; History Teacher of the Year; Teaching American History Awards
7. ARTICLES OF INTEREST: “Bit by Bit, Federal Team Recoups Gulf’s
History” (Washington Post)
ATTENTION FEDERAL EMPLOYEES!!!! In October, many federal agencies will be conducting their annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) workplace donation drives. The National Coalition for History (NCH) is a member of the Conservation & Preservation Charities of America (http://www.conservenow.org) and for the first time we are participating in the CFC.
The history coalition is supported entirely by annual donations from member organizations and readers of the NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE. If you enjoy receiving your weekly posting of this electronic newsletter, please consider contributing to the National Coalition for History. Our federal agency CFC donation code is CFC # 2351. Please contribute!
1. CONGRESS PASSES CONTINUING RESOLUTION -- KEEPS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATING For the ninth time in a row, Congress has failed to complete all of its necessary appropriations work prior to the start of the federal fiscal year. Consequently, this last week, the Congressional leadership agreed to enactment of a joint resolution (H.J.Res. 68), a stopgap funding bill that enables the federal government to continue functioning until Congress completes its outstanding appropriations work. The Continuing Resolution (CR) Congress passed and President Bush signed (P.L. 109-77) runs until 18 November at which time Congress will have to have passed the pending appropriations bills or it will need to pass yet another CR.
While the House has successfully completed work on their versions of all eleven remaining spending bills, the Senate has only cleared eight of theirs. To date, only the Interior-Environment (P.L. 109-54 which includes funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Park Service, the Wilson Center and other history-related agencies) and Legislative Branch funding legislation (P.L. 109-55 which includes funding for the Library of Congress) have been signed into law.
2. ISSO ISSUES STATUS REPORT ON FEDERAL AGENCY MANDATORY DECLASSIFICATION EFFORT The National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) has released a report on the automatic declassification of 25-year-old documents of various executive branch agencies. Submitted to President Bush, the report indicates that most of the agencies are on track to meet the 31 December 2006 deadline, though a handful still remain at risk of coming up short.
The report states that an estimated 155 million pages of textual records await review by agencies for declassification, authorized exemption, or referral. In accordance with provisions of Executive Orders 12958 and 13292, with a handful of exceptions (special media, such as microfilm, audiotapes, or motion pictures, for example, are not subject to automatic declassification until 31 December 2011) any records that are not acted upon by an agency by the deadline of 31 December 2006 would be automatically declassified.
Of the 74 executive branch agencies that responded to ISOO’s survey, 28 agencies (or 38%) assert they do not to possess any 25-year-old or older historically valuable documents. Of the remaining 46 agencies (62%), 22 of them stated they anticipate being prepared for the implementation of automatic declassification at the end of next year. These 22 agencies only account for 39% of the total number of pages identified as being subject to automatic declassification. An additional 8 agencies, which account for 59% of the total volume of records, ISOO predicts most likely will be prepared to meet the deadline. However, for each of these 8 agencies there exists a large volume of material that has yet to be reviewed, with roughly 43% of their remaining records requiring some type of declassification action. ISOO is also concerned that 9 agencies may not be able to comply with the EO which represents 2-3% of the papers identified that are subject to automatic declassification.
The principle of the automatic declassification of historically valuable documents and records once they become 25 years old was originally mandated by President Clinton in his 1995 Executive Order 12958. President Bush also affirmed the principle in his 2003 Executive Order 13292, although he deferred the effective date to the end of 2006, so as to allow the agencies more time to assess their classified documents and prepare for their release. ISOO remains confident, based upon their report, that the executive branch will, for the most part, fulfill its responsibilities under the automatic declassification program when it takes effect at the end of 2006.
3. NEH KICKS OFF 40th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS On 29 September 2005, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) kicked off a year-long celebration of their 40th anniversary with a private reception at the National Gallery of Art.
Vice President Richard Cheney and Lynne Cheney attended and provided brief remarks to the estimated 500 dignitaries, donors, and supporters in attendance. NEH Chairman Bruce Cole stated that “For forty years, the NEH has strengthened our democracy by supporting the great ideas, ideals, and institutions that shaped America. Through the support of President Bush and Congress -- especially for the NEH’s “We the People” initiative -- the endowment will continue to furnish citizens with the wisdom necessary to remain both fearless and free.” Chairman Cole also announced that the NEH has received more than $1 million in new support for the programs and events planned for the upcoming year.
During the event the NEH recognized a number of gifts in which $50,000 or more was donated. Some gifts of note include one from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which will support the production and distribution of the publication “Fearless and Free: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities”; a gift from the History Channel to support a new video on the importance of the humanities; a gift from the Pew Charitable Trusts which will go to an expanded “Landmarks of American History and Culture” summer program in Philadelphia; and a gift from the McCormick Tribune Foundation for the expansion of the NEH’s “We the People Bookshelf” program, as well as funds to launch the 2006 “Heroes of History” lecture and “Idea of America Essay Contest” on the theme of the First Amendment.
Additional information about NEH grant programs and activities is available at www.humanities.gov .
4. NATIONAL HISTORY CENTER SELECTS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER The National History Center, an initiative of the American Historical Association, has appointed Miriam E. Hauss as its Administrative Officer effective 1 August 2005. Ms. Hauss, who hold a Master’s degree in Modern European History from the American University and a B.A. with honors in Modern European History from the University of Kentucky, has worked for the American Historical Association since October 1999, first as Special Projects Coordinator and more recently as Marketing and Development Manager. A Kentucky native, Ms. Hauss came to Washington, D.C. in 1996 and currently lives on Capitol Hill. She will retain a position at the AHA as Council Staff Associate and Public Information Officer.
Wm. Roger Louis, Chair of the National History Center and the Kerr Professor of English History and Culture at the University of Texas at Austin, stated, “She is extraordinarily competent and efficient. She will bring to the Center a unique blend of skills and experience. A strong proponent of the Center since its founding, she has a thorough understanding of the hopes and needs of the historical community as well as what it will take to build a new organization in the nation’s capital.”
“The creation of a National History Center is a key initiative of the American Historical Association, as an effort to establish a more public presence for the historical profession,” stated Arnita Jones, Executive Director of the American Historical Association. “I look forward to continuing to work with Miriam Hauss in this important effort.”
The National History Center promotes research, teaching, and learning in all fields of history. It is dedicated to the study and teaching of history as well as to the advancement of historical knowledge in government, business, and the public at large. The Center was established to help historians reach out to broader audiences by providing the historical context necessary to better understand today’s events. For further information about the Center, visit its web site: www.nationalhistorycenter.org .
5. NPS TO MOVE HAMILTON GRANGE The National Park Service (NPS) has selected a new location for the Hamilton Grange, the NPS administered New York residence of Alexander Hamilton. After existing for over one hundred years at Convent Avenue and 141st Street in New York City, Hamilton’s residence is being moved to St. Nicholas Park. By relocating the house the NPS hopes to reveal the true front and back of the structure and would permit the original porches to be reattached and enhance the visitor experience.
This is not the first time the Hamilton Grange has been moved. In 1889, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church purchased the land where the house originally stood; it was relocated a short distance away to clear space for a new road; it has stood at this location for just over 100 years.
Congress declared the house a National Memorial in 1962 and since that time had been looking for a more appropriate location for the residence of the noted American. St. Nicholas Park is just down the street from the Hamilton Grange’s original location. The move will be financed with federal funds.
6. BITS AND BYTES Item # 1 -- NARA Announces Changes in Microfilm Policies: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has announced two major changes to their microfilm policies. First, microfilm is now available for ordering online. On 12 September 2005, NARA added their microfilm publications catalog to “Order Online!” which serves as a secure way to research and request reproductions and materials. For the first time, researchers can view the microfilm catalog online to obtain full descriptions of what is offered, review and download pamphlets and roll lists, find out if an item is for sale or for rent, and purchase items with a credit card. For more information, visit here. .
Secondly, NARA has announced that in order to keep up with costs, prices for microfilm will be raised. Effective 1 October 2005, the price of National Archives black-and-white microfilm will be $65 per roll ($68 per roll for foreign orders). Color microfilm will be $82 per roll ($85 for foreign orders). Microfiche prices will not be affected. NARA currently operates 19 regional records facilities across the United States, in addition to 11 Presidential libraries. Please visit www.archives.gov for more information.
Item # 2 -- Preserve America Awards: The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is pleased to announce that nominations for the annual “Preserve America Presidential Awards” are now open. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in sustainable historic preservation and are the highest federal honor given for heritage tourism efforts and historical preservation efforts. The advisory council administers this program on behalf of the White House. The deadline for nominations is 1 November 2005. For more information, including nomination forms, instructions, and profiles of past recipients, please visit http://www.preserveamerica.gov .
Item #3 -- History Teacher of the Year: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is pleased to announce that the state recipients for the 2005 History Teacher of the Year Award have been selected. This awards are designed to promote, celebrate, and encourage the teaching of U.S. History in classrooms across the country. History teachers at all levels, from elementary to high school, are eligible for nomination. In addition, each of these state winners is a finalist for the national award, which will be announced on 14 October 2005. For the list of this year’s state winners, please visit here. .
Item #4 -- “Teaching American History” Awards: The U.S. Department of Education is pleased to announce that 129 Teaching American History Awards have been made to school districts across the country. The purpose of these grants is to support programs that raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of American history. In addition, the grants are used to promote the teaching of traditional American history in elementary and secondary schools as a separate academic subject. In order to receive a grant, local educational agencies must agree to carry out the proposed activities in partnership with an institution of higher education, a nonprofit history or humanities organization, a library, or a museum. Another grant competition will be announced in the first quarter of the 2006 fiscal year. For additional information, and a complete list of the 2005 recipients, please visit www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory .
7. ARTICLES OF INTEREST One posting this week: In “Bit by Bit, Federal Team Recoups Gulf’s History” (Washington Post; 3 October 2005) an article by Petula Dvorak highlights the efforts of historians and preservationists to salvage and preserve historical artifacts that were affected by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast region. For the article, tap into: here. .