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(FWD) NCC Washington Update, VOl 6, #13, April 20, 1000



NCC Washington Update, Vol 6, #13, April 20, 2000
   by Page Putnam Miller, Director of the National Coordinating
      Committee for the Promotion of History <pagem@capaccess.org>

1.  New Developments Regarding Historical
        Services in House of Representatives
2.  State Department Advisory Committee
        Concerned About Access to CIA Records
3.  Library of Congress to Celebrate
         200th Anniversary On April 24

1.  New Developments Regarding Historical Services in House of
Representatives - The April 16 Sunday Washington Post job section
included 3 positions, listed by the Clerk of the House, in the House's
Legislative Resource Center.  All three are related to historical
services and listed under the category of "Library."  In 1995 the House
established a Legislative Resource Center and merged the functions of
Records and Registration, the House Library, the House Document Room,
and the Office of the Historian.  The Center has not had a professional
historian on the staff for the last five years and has not had a
professional archivist for almost two years.  When the 106th Congress
convened in January, 1999, the House of Representatives recodified and
passed a revised version of its standing rules and retained the
provision for the "Office of the Historian."  Jeff Trandahl, the Clerk
of the House, told the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress
last December that he recognized the important services that had
previously been provided by the Historical Office and that he hoped to
expand the historical functions of the Legislative Resource Center.

The April 16 Washington Post listing of the position of manager of
historical services seeks a person to provide management, oversight, and
supervision of the historical and archival operations and personnel of
the Legislative Resource Center.  This position, which calls for
computer, communication, and management skills, requires a Bachelor's
degree with "proven research experience and substantive knowledge of the
history of the House" and has a starting salary up to $69,612.

The Post also listed the position of "research assistant," which also
calls for computer skills as well specialized historical reference
experience and research skills and the ability to "examine, assess, and
interpret evidence of past events and prepare materials for possible
inclusion in the official House historical files."  The position of
"research assistant" states that a Bachelor's degree in either history,
political science, library science or related experience is preferred
and lists a starting salary up to $36,916.

The position of "archival specialist," seeks an experienced individual
to provide information and consultation to Members, committees, and
congressional staff regarding the disposition of historical papers and
documents and archiving procedures.  This person would also serve as a
liaison to repositories receiving Member's papers.  The position
requires "a high degree of analytical and research skills,
problem-solving skills, and organizational expertise."  A Bachelor's
degree in history and a minimum of two years of archival experience, or
an M.L.S. Degree with a focus in archival experience is required and the
position has a starting salary of up to $48,074.

All three positions ask that a cover letter and resume be sent to: Ms.
Deborah Turner, Office of the Clerk, Legislative Resource Center, B-160
Cannon House Office Building, Washington DC 20515 or a fax to (202)
226-5204.  While it is very encouraging to see the House taking steps to
increase the staffing of its historical services, the job postings seem
to mismatch titles, responsibilities and salaries.

2.  State Department Advisory Committee Concerned About Access to CIA
Records - The State Department Advisory Committee on Historical
Diplomatic Documentation has recently forwarded to the Secretary of
State its annual report.  The report notes the significant progress of
the State Department in meeting its declassification obligations of
making historical records over 25 years old available at the National
Archives.  However, the report expresses concerns about the transfer of
electronic records to the National Archives and about continuing
problems with the declassification of crucial CIA records.

Since 1973 the State Department's Central Cable file has been kept in
electronic form.  It will soon be time to transfer the 1973-75
electronic cable records, which number approximately 4.4 million pages,
to the National Archives.  The report states that "The Committee is now
convinced, however, that the National Archives will not be in a position
to receive these files and meet the access requirements in an
appropriate time frame."  Thus the State Department will be developing
its own Internet access system for these electronic records, which are
of great interest to researchers. The report states that it anticipate
that the National Archives will not be able to accept and make available
these records for another three to five years.

On the matter of CIA records, the report acknowledges increased
cooperation from the CIA but states that significant problems remain in
CIA's declassification of documents relating to covert operations that
should be included in the Foreign Relations volumes.  Legislation passed
in 1991 states that the volumes shall be published not more than 30
years after the events recorded and "shall include all records needed to
provide a comprehensive documentation of the major foreign policy
decisions."  The report states the Committee is disappointed at "the
growing impression that State Department historians do not enjoy the
kind of access to CIA records that is necessary to compile a full and
accurate historical record of intelligence in foreign policy."

3.  Library of Congress to Celebrate 200th Anniversary - On Monday April
24 the Library of Congress holds its bicentennial birthday celebration.
The event will include the issuing of a commemorative stamp and coin and
a national birthday party with "living legends" Colin Powell, Maurice
Sendak, Isaac Stern and Big Bird and a free concert with Mickey Hart,
Pete Seeger, Tito Puente, Giovanni Hidalgo and many more.  The special
event also features the opening of the exhibit "Thomas Jefferson," which
will mark the first time since 1815 that Jefferson's library has been
reassembled in one place in his original order.  For more information on
this bicentennial birthday celebration see the Library's web site at
<http://www.loc.gov/bicentennial>

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** *  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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