Librarians, Archivists Blast Bush
Executive Order on Presidential Records
The American Association of Law Libraries, the Association of Research Libraries, the National Humanities Alliance, and the American Library Association have voiced “serious concerns” over an executive order signed by President Bush November 1 that allows incumbent or former presidents to withhold the release of their presidential papers that would otherwise be made public after 12 years.
In a November 20 letter to Rep. Stephen Horn (R-Calif.), chair of the House Subcommittee on Government Efficiency, the groups’ presidents said the order “effectively denies the public’s legitimate right of access” under the Presidential Records Act passed by Congress in 1978. The letter noted a number of specific flaws in the order that violate “the spirit and substance” of the PRA, calling them “counter to our strong commitment to an open government that is accountable to its citizenry.”
The Society of American Archivists also wrote Horn November 6 to express “grave concern” about Bush’s action. SAA President Steve Hensen said Bush’s order “violates both the spirit and letter of existing U.S. law on access to presidential papers.” He added that it “threatens to undermine one of the very foundations of our nation,” free and open access to information.
Hensen concluded by urging Congress to take immediate action to overturn Bush’s order. Horn, whose subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Presidential Records Act, had asked the Bush administration November 6 to rescind the order, the Washington Post reported November 7. Aides said Horn is considering legislation to supplant Bush’s action, which was criticized by historians, academics, and public-interest advocates at a November 6 hearing of Horn’s subcommittee.
Posted November 26, 2001.
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