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(FWD) NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #33, August 8, 2001



NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #33, August 8, 2001
by Bruce Craig <rbcraig3@juno.com> of  the National Coordinating
Committee for the Promotion of History
*****************
SPECIAL NEWS FLASH TO READERS OF THE NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE

PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Bruce Craig (202) 544-2422 ext 116; (rbcraig3@juno.com)
August 8, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                HUAC RECORDS UNSEALED - NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY

Thanks to the efforts made on behalf of a coalition of historians and
archivists, the records of the House Committee on Un-American Activities
(HUAC) are now open to the public.

In response to a letter sent to the Honorable F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.,
Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, some 1, 245 feet of HUAC
records containing correspondence, unpublished executive session transcripts,
special investigative files relating to individuals and organizations dating
from 1945-1975 (some 444 feet of records) will now be open to public
scrutiny.  Also unsealed is a unique and large collection (75 feet) of
pamphlets and other periodicals gathered over a period of thirty years that
were deemed "subversive" by the Committee. Collectively, the records are
preserved and stored by the National Archives and Records Administration's
(NARA) Center for Legislative Archives in Washington D.C.

HUAC was created in 1945 and abolished by Congressional action in 1975.
Records of the House of Representatives investigative committee that
proceeded HUAC - the Select Committee on Un-American Activities (the
so-called Dies Committee (1938-1944)) - have been open to the public for
sometime.  Some of the records of HUAC, however -- infamous for its
unrelenting pursuit of communists, espionage agents, homosexuals,
subversives, and others often deemed as  "security risks" -- have been closed
for over 50 years.

Included in the Committee records now subject to public access are hearings
into atomic espionage, previously closed transcripts and materials relating
to landmark investigations including the Alger Hiss case. The collection also
includes documents relating to the so-called Hollywood Hearings -- a nine-day
"inquisition" into of Hollywood producers, writers, actors, and others
affiliated with the movie industry who allegedly were connected with an
international communist conspiracy. Records involving investigations into the
Ku Klux Klan, American Nazis, civil rights and anti-war activists of the
1960s are also in the collection.

According to Dr. Bruce Craig, Director of the National Coordinating Committee
for the Promotion of History (NCCPH), "HUAC has a reputation and legacy
unparalleled in American history for abuse of power and disregard of
individual rights. With these records, for the first time, historians will be
able to get a much clearer picture of the internal workings of America's own
20th century inquisition." The NCCPH is a national coalition of historical
and archival organizations that filed the request that resulted in opening
the records.  The NCCPH had been seeking the release of these documents since
1998.

Dr. Arnita Jones, Executive Director of the American Historical Association
(one of the signatories to the request to open the records) said, "Historians
have been waiting for the release of these records for decades.  They are
sure to shed new light on an extraordinarily important era."

Lee Formwalt, Executive Director of the Organization of American Historians
(another signatory to the letter) stated: "The OAH has consistently advocated
a policy of openness regarding government records and sources, one that is in
accord with a free and democratic society. Public access to these particular
records pose no threat to the nation's security.  In fact, they will help us
better comprehend the forces domestic and foreign that shaped mid-twentieth
century American politics, culture, and society."

The July 26, 2001, letter received by the NCCPH and signed by Jeff Trandahl,
Clerk of the House (whose office is charged by Congress to maintain custodial
care of the HUAC records), states that public access to these records will be
governed by Rule VII of the House of Representatives
(http://clerkweb.house.gov/107/docs/rules/rule_7.html). This rule establishes
eligibility criteria for making available to the public non-current,
permanent records of the House.

According to the Clerk's letter, "some of these records are not available for
public review pursuant to the Rule; depending on the scope and category of
records that may be requested, response times could vary because of the size
and complexity of the collection." And according to NARA officials, the
records will need to be screened on a case-by case basis prior to the release
of any materials. Requests to gain access to the records should be directed
to: the National Archives, Center for
Legislative Archives, (202) 501-5350.
*************************************************************************
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