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(FWD) NCC Washington Update, Vol. 8, #2, January 17, 2002



Again, apologies for the formatting...

> NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 8, #2, January 17, 2002
> by Bruce Craig <rbcraig@nccph.org
> National Coordinating Committee for the Promotion of History (NCCPH)
> *****************
>
> 1.  National Museum of African American History and Culture Commission
> Signed Into Law
> 2.  NCC ACTION ITEM: Executive Order Nullification Legislation
> 3.  The Smithsonian: Two News Updates - OMB Backs Off Proposed Cuts and
> Group Urges SI Regents to Fire Secretary Small
> 4.  Bush Administration Reclassification Efforts
> 5.  House Passes Cold War Study
> 6.  Jefferson Day Advocacy Event
> 7.  News Bits and Bytes: LC Guide to Study of Women's History; Interior
> E-Mail Communications; NEH Summer Seminars and Institutes; Historical
> Editing Institute; Nuremberg Documents Online; GPO Access Report
>
> 1.   NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE COMMISSION
> SIGNED INTO LAW
> On December 28, 2001 President Bush signed legislation (P.L.107-106) to
> establish a Presidential Commission to develop a plan of action for the
> establishment of a National Museum of African American Culture in
> Washington D.C.  The bill, which sailed through both houses of Congress and
> landed on the President's desk in less than one month was introduced in the
> House on December 11, 2001 by Representative John Lewis (D-GA).  Without
> benefit of any hearings the measure was introduced and then agreed to by a
> voice vote of the House the same day the bill was introduced. A day later,
> on December 12, the House passed bill was received in the Senate where it
> promptly passed without amendment. On December 18 the measure was presented
> to the President who signed it into law on the 28th.
>
> The law establishes a Commission consisting of 23 members to be appointed
> by the President, the Speaker of the House, and Senate Majority
> leader.  Members of the Commission are to be chosen from professional
> museum associations, including the Association of African American Museums
> and African American Museum Cultural Complex, as well as academic
> institutions and groups committed to the research and study of African
> American life, art, history, and culture such as the Historically Black
> Colleges and Universities and the Joint Center for Political and Economic
> Studies.
>
> The Commission has an ambitious task, especially if their work is to be
> completed in nine months as mandated by the legislation.  To assist in
> meeting the deadline, the Commission is to be administratively staffed by
> the Secretary of the Interior (who has delegated day-to-day operations to
> the National Park Service). An appropriation of $2 million was included in
> the FY 2002 appropriations for the Institute of Museum and Library Services
> (IMLS); the NPS plans to establish a reciprocal agreement with the IMLS to
> enable the Park Service to tap these funds.
>
> One of the first tasks for the Commission is to convene a national
> conference comprised of individuals committed to the advancement of African
> American history and culture.  The Commission is then to develop a fund
> raising plan for the National Museum, and otherwise to prepare a plan of
> action for the establishment and maintenance of the museum in Washington
> D.C.  The Commission's report to the President and Congress is to address
> collection management issues; assess the impact this museum will have on
> other African American museums; suggest possible locations on or adjacent
> to the National Mall in Washington D.C.; include a cost estimate of
> converting the Smithsonian Institution's Arts and Industries Building into
> a modern museum; consider whether the new museum should even be joined with
> the Smithsonian Institution; and set parameters for governance and
> organizational structure for museum operations.
>
> While the bill did pass Congress in almost record time, it is not without
> controversy.  Some Hill critics wonder whether the creation of an African
> American Museum signals new efforts by other ethnic groups to have their
> own "national" museums.  Others believe the story of the African American
> experience should not be separated out but rather be more prominently
> integrated into exhibitions at the National Museum of American History.
>
> 2.  NCC ACTION ITEM: EXECUTIVE ORDER NULLIFICATION LEGISLATION
> In addition to the lawsuit filed by the Public Citizen that challenges
> provisions of President Bush's recent Executive Order 13233 relating to
> implementation of the Presidential Records Act (see "Lawsuit Challenges
> Bush Presidential Records Executive Order" in "NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol.
> 7, #48, November 29, 2001), Congress now is initiating its own action to
> nullify the executive order.
>
> Last November, the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, Financial
> Management and Intergovernmental Relations conducted an oversight hearing
> entitled, The Implementation of the Presidential Records Act of 1978 (see
> "Reagan Papers/New Executive Order - Topics of Congressional Hearing" in
> NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #46, November 9, 2001). During the hearing
> it became apparent that both Republicans and Democrats were critical of the
> presidential order.  In December, a number of interested parties met with
> minority Democratic Committee staff to discuss possible legislation that
> would overturn the E.O.  Given the strong bi-partisan concern over E.O.
> 13233 and its draconian effects, it seemed plausible that a bi-partisan
> legislative effort could be successful.
>
> After consultation with majority staff, it was agreed to postpone
> introduction of legislation until the full Committee on Government Reform
> holds a hearing on the issue.  That hearing - designed to give the issue
> more visibility and prominence - is expected to take place in the near
> future.  To this end, the two key legislative players, Committee Chair Dan
> Burton (R-IN) and ranking Democrat Henry Waxman (D-CA) have agreed that
> they will introduce legislation - the Access to Presidential Records Act -
> at the hearing or shortly thereafter.  The legislation will be simple and
> straightforward and will state that President Bush's Executive Order 13233
> shall have no force or effect.
>
> With Congress now swinging into action, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!  It is NOW
> time for the historical and archival community to TAKE ACTION.  Please
> contact your members of Congress and encourage them to be "original
> cosponsors" of the Burton/Waxman legislation.  A simple phone call to the
> member of the House of Representatives that represents you will do: the
> Capitol switchboard telephone number is (202) 224-3121. The message you
> need to communicate is simple: Request that your Representative become an
> original co-sponsor of Congressman Dan Burton and Henry Waxman's "Access to
> Presidential Records Act."  Request that your Representative write you a
> letter in response to your request.  Our goal is to see the legislation
> introduced with well over 100 House members as co-sponsors - the higher the
> number, the stronger the message will be to the Bush
> Administration.  PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!
>
> 3.  THE SMITHSONIAN: TWO NEWS UPDATES
> Two brief notes - an update and a news item: First, the Smithsonian
> Institution's very public effort to reverse Office of Management and Budget
> (OMB) proposals to transfer some $35 million in research funds from the
> Smithsonian to the National Science Foundation (see "Smithsonian Faces
> Budget Woes," NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7, #50, December 14, 2001)
> apparently has paid off. Due to strong protests from various members of
> Congress and the scientific community, OMB's plans to shift the funds as
> part of the President's FY 2003 budget have been withdrawn.
>
> Second, on January 16, 2002, in a letter to the Smithsonian Board of
> Regents, some 170 scholars from the nation's top universities, authors, and
> at least one former director of a major Smithsonian museum called upon the
> oversight board to fire Secretary Lawrence Small.  Since becoming Secretary
> in January 2000, Small has come under fierce attack from critics who assert
> that he is neglecting research and focusing on institutional fund-raising
> at the expense of the Institution's historical integrity.
>
> The letter, issued under the auspices of Commercial Alert, a watchdog
> organization devoted to keeping commercial culture "within its proper
> sphere," states that Small is "unwilling or unable to carry out the mission
> of the Smithsonian, or to safeguard its integrity. . .[he] is permitting
> corporations, for a fee, to burnish their corporate identities and even
> promote specific products using the Smithsonian's good name." The letter
> asserts that Small "is better suited to the promotion of SUVs or hamburgers
> than to the management of our nation's most important cultural institution.
> . .If Mr. Small is permitted to continue his agenda, the Smithsonian will
> become much like a shopping mall, with virtually every inch devoted to the
> promotion of a corporation or its products."
>
> With this latest call for his removal, Small is not without comment.
> "Maintaining the integrity of the Smithsonian and the public's trust is of
> paramount importance, and the Institution's policies reflect our commitment
> to this important principle. The Smithsonian regents and staff control,
> without limitation and question, the institution's activities."
>
> 4.  BUSH ADMINISTRATION SEEKS TO RECLASSIFY DECLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS While
> the Bush Administration continues its efforts to tighten up implementation
> procedures for the Freedom of Information Act (see "Ashcroft Orders Greater
> Caution With FOIA Releases," NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7 October 18,
> 2001) and considers "refinements" to Executive Order 12958 that governs
> national security classification and declassification policy (see "More
> Executive Orders Revisions in the Works," NCC WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol. 7,
> #46, November 9, 2001), we now learn of an effort to reclassify already
> declassified documents.
>
> The Federation of American Scientists, Project on Government Secrecy
> publication "Secrecy News" reports that according to the Department of
> Energy's interpretation of Section 142 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42
> U.S.C. 2162) nuclear weapons information, once declassified, cannot be
> reclassified.  Under President Reagan, however, officials were permitted to
> reclassify declassified information and documents under certain
> conditions.  This reclassification authority was exercised on numerous
> occasions, but was not publicly reported.  President Clinton also permitted
> reclassification of declassified information but only if information had
> not been officially released to the public. Once it was officially released
> such information could not then be reclassified.  Section 1.8 of President
> Clinton's Executive Order 12958 is the guiding language that remains in
> effect today (see http://www.fas.org/sgp/clinton/eo12958.html#reclass).
>
> Hill insiders report that a review of this executive order is currently
> underway by the Bush Administration and may include consideration of
> expanded authority to reclassify declassified information.  FAS, the NCC
> and other organizations that are monitoring developments urging
> Administration officials that any such reclassification authority be
> narrowly circumscribed and that agency proposals for reclassification
> actions be subject to independent approval or rejection by the Interagency
> Security Classification Appeals Panel.
>
> 5.  HOUSE PASSES COLD WAR STUDY
> On December 19, 2001 the House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R.
> 107) introduced by Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO) to require the
> Secretary of the Interior to conduct a National Historic Landmark theme
> study to identify sites and resources in the United States associated with
> the Cold War (1946-1989) and to recommend alternatives for commemorating
> and interpreting Cold War history.
>
> The study directs the Interior Secretary to study military and non-military
> sites and resources associated with people, events, and social aspects of
> the Cold War and assess such sites with an eye toward designation as
> National Historic Landmarks and/or National Park units reflective of the
> Cold War theme. Cold War related sites are currently under-represented in
> the National Park System.  The legislation also directs the Secretary to
> prepare and publish an interpretive handbook on the Cold War and to
> otherwise disseminate information gathered through the study.  The bill
> authorizes $300,000 to carry out the provisions of the act.
>
> Having passed the House, the bill is now pending before the Senate
> Committee on Energy and Natural Resources where a hearing has yet to be
> scheduled.  Legislation (S. 1257) similar to H.R. 107 was introduced in the
> Senate by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) on July 27, 2001 but hearings on this
> measure have also yet to be scheduled.  Senate action is expected in coming
> months.
>
> 6.  JEFFERSON DAY ADVOCACY EVENT
> The NCC is pleased to once again be a sponsor of Jefferson Day - an
> advocacy event organized by the National Humanities Alliance and
> co-sponsored by more than twenty organizations to promote support for the
> National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).  The NEH is an independent
> federal agency created by Congress to enrich American intellectual and
> cultural life. The annual Jefferson Day event provides an opportunity for
> historians and other scholars working in the humanities to communicate the
> importance of federal support for the humanities to leaders in
> Washington.  Grassroots advocacy is needed on an ongoing basis to ensure
> the continuation and vitality of the Endowment's programs.  And with
> increased pressures on state and federal budgets in FY 2003, communicating
> the scholarly community's needs to members of Congress in the upcoming
> appropriations cycle is especially critical.
>
> This year, Jefferson Day 2002 will be held on Thursday, March 21 - Friday,
> March 22 in Washington, D. C. There is no fee for registration. To
> register, please visit the online registration site at
> <http://www.nhalliance.org/jd/>.  An on-line brochure can be downloaded at
> http://www.nhalliance.org/jd/2002brochure.pdf . For additional information,
> please contact Jessica Jones, National Humanities Alliance at (202)
> 296-4994 ext.150, e-Mail at: jessica@cni.org.
>
> 7.  NEWS BITS AND BYTES:
> Item #1- Library of Congress (LC) Guide to Study of Women's History and
> Culture: The LC has published "American Women: A Library of Congress Guide
> for the Study of Women's History and Culture in the United States" in
> cooperation with University Press of New England. This latest addition to
> the Library's series of resource guides provides a blueprint for research
> in the field of American women's history and culture using the Library's
> vast collections, in various disciplines and formats.  The 456-page soft
> cover book has 12 chapters, nearly 300 illustrations, and five topical
> essays many authored by LC subject area specialists. It is available for
> $35 at major bookstores, through the University Press of New England, and
> from the Library of Congress Sales Shops (Credit card orders (202) 707-0204).
>
> Item #2 - Interior E-Mail Communications Problems Persist: Given the amount
> of press coverage given to the recent Federal court order to shut down
> Department of the Interior e-mail and web-based communications because of
> problems relating to the administration of Indian Trust Funds, most readers
> of this publication are probably aware that electronic communication with
> Department of Interior colleagues is challenging at present. The National
> Park Service (NPS), for example, has been offline since December 6, 2001
> and sent e-mail is being bounced back to senders.  Consequently, many NPS
> and other Interior based historians are using their home e-mail accounts to
> communicate.
>
> To complicate communications even more, owing to recent anthrax scares in
> Washington D.C., a recent posting by the National Humanities Alliance urges
> scholars and others in the humanities community who have made grant
> applications, filed for copyright, or made other time-sensitive requests to
> federal agencies to check on the status of these requests by e-mail,
> telephone, or communication means other than through the US Post Office.
> Most agencies, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the
> Library of Congress, have information about the problems with the mail on
> their web pages with suggested alternatives. Anyone with applications or
> other business with individuals in the employ of these agencies should make
> contact via telephone or fax.
>
> Item #3 - NEH Teachers Summer Seminars and Institutes: The NEH has
> announced this year's summer seminars and institutes for K-12 teachers and
> college/university faculty.  Some 28 residential seminars give participants
> the opportunity for intensive study of important texts and topics in the
> humanities. Designed to strengthen the quality of the humanities
> instruction available to American students, the short courses are led by
> some of the nation's outstanding scholars and take place at major colleges,
> universities, and archival facilities across the country and abroad.
> Participants receive from the NEH a stipend based on the length of the
> seminar or institute. Scholars who wish to conduct an NEH seminar or
> institute in the summer of 2003 are also urged to contact the NEH with
> proposal concepts.  Application deadline for this year's offerings is March
> 1, 2002.  For a complete list of both seminars and institutes visit the NEH
> website http://www.neh.gov/projects/si-school.html, or phone
> (202/606-8463), or e-mail (sem-inst@neh.gov)
>
> Item #4 - Institute for Editing Historical Documents: The 2002 Institute
> for the Editing of Historical Documents, an intensive seminar in all
> aspects of modern documentary editing techniques, will be conducted from
> June 17th through June 22nd. More specific information, including
> application forms for this year's Institute, is available on the National
> Historical Publications and Records Commission web site
> <http://www.nara.gov/nhprc/editing_institute.html > and the Wisconsin
> Historical Society web site
> <http://www.shsw.edu/campedit/index.html >.  The Wisconsin Historical
> Society web site also includes detailed schedule information and comments
> from past interns.  The application deadline is March 15th.  Because of the
> well-publicized problems of the postal service, applicants are urged to
> transmit their applications electronically by either FAX or e-mail, and to
> verify that their applications have reached the National Historical
> Publications and Records Commission.
>
> Item #5 - Nuremberg Documents Now Online: The Rutgers Journal of Law and
> Religion has announced the online publication of documents from the
> Nuremberg Tribunal in which Nazi officials were tried following World War
> II. The documents come from the archive of General William J. Donovan, who
> served, among other things, as special assistant to the U.S. Chief of
> Counsel during the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg. For the
> Nuremberg Project of the Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion tap into:
> <http://camlaw.rutgers.edu/publications/law-religion/nuremberg.htm>.
>
> Item #6 - GPO Access Report: The Biennial Report to Congress on the Status
> of GPO Access comprises 60 pages of text and statistics about "GPO Access,"
> an online source of free,
> official government information.  Last year, GPO Access responded to more
> than 355 million online requests for information, up more than ten fold
> from the first full year of online access in 1996. The GPO Access Biennial
> Report is an invaluable Web resource, listing URLs and other points of
> contact for its most popular electronic services and links.  For further
> information, tap into:
> <http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/biennial/index.html>.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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> backfile of these reports is maintained by H-Net on the NCC's web page at
> <http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~ncc>.
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