Folks -
For your information. While interested in the programs of the NHPRC
generally, I am particularly concerned about the possible effect that
the cuts may have on the Council of State Archivists program, "Closest
to Home", dealing with the archives of local government. This program
is a two-year grant from the NHPRC. For those Records Officers in
localities, you may wish to ensure that local heritage groups have this
information.
For more information on "Closest to Home", see
http://www.statearchivists.org/lga/index.htm.
Cheers!
Mark
G. Mark Walsh, C.A.
Records & Information Analyst
Archival & Records Management Services
Library of Virginia
(804) 692-3650
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Vicki Walch
Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 5:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Action Alert: NHPRC 2007 Funding in Jeopardy; You Can Help
Restore It!
Action Alert:
Action Alert:
NHPRC 2007 Funding in Jeopardy; You Can Help Restore It!
March 22, 2006 - In February the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission was again "zeroed out" in the President's proposed
budget for FY 2007. No money at all for grants, no money for the
administration of NHPRC. The Society of American Archivists (SAA), the
Council of State Archivists (CoSA), and the National Association of
Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA) have discussed
how to address this latest development - and how to address it while
moving forward on a national initiative for formula-based funding
directed to states (what we have been calling the "national initiative"
and have now given the more formal name of the "Partnership for the
American Historical Record," or PAHR.) Based on our discussions, the
three organizations have agreed that we will ask for funding to both
support the full national competitive grants program and provide funds
to initiate PAHR.
We are, therefore, advocating a new funding level for NHPRC of $20
million.
(See "A Joint Statement on 2007 Funding Levels for NHPRC,"
http://savearchives.pbwiki.com/Joint%20Statement) We are asking you to
assist with the latter by writing letters, passing resolutions of
support, and visiting with your Senators and House members to ask for
their support.
We also ask that you spread the word by identifying and working with
additional groups and individuals who can help in this advocacy effort.
In the past few weeks we have gathered information and developed
materials to use in reaching out to members of Congress. While it is
beneficial to send letters to your representatives, particular effort
must be made in those states whose members of Congress are on the key
committees and subcommittees dealing with appropriations: the House and
Senate Appropriations committees and the House and Senate subcommittees
on Treasury, Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies (T-THUD).
Your letters will have the most benefit in the next few weeks. House
testimony is due by April 14, and the testimony that our organizations
submit will be strengthened immeasurably by the stories that you have to
tell. Letters should come from people who have received NHPRC grants
or
from people who have benefited from the projects - genealogists, local
government officials, historians, teachers, etc. In particular, we'd
ask you or those you know who may have connections to the member of
Congress to seek them out and encourage support for $20 million in
funding for NHPRC.
Often we think we can't reach these individuals, but if you don't have a
connection yourself, then just by asking around you may find that
someone you know or with whom you work has a connection to a key staff
member or legislator. We are all constituents ourselves - and sometimes
calling or making an appointment to visit your Congressperson or a staff
member in the home office can have surprising results. Give it a try!
Letters FAXED during the weeks of March 13 and March 20 would be
perfectly timed to get their attention. Email is not given much
credence because of the quantity that comes in, and postal mail is
irradiated, adding literally weeks of time to receipt. The mid-level Fax
technology works best for this.
We have prepared several documents to assist you with this effort:
. "Guidelines for Writing Letters to Members of Congress Regarding NHPRC
Funding for 2007" includes information to guide you in developing the
content of your letter(s).
http://savearchives.pbwiki.com/f/LettersToCongress.doc
. "A Partnership for the American Historical Record" describes the new
initiative for state-based formula grants to help preserve and make
accessible essential records.
http://savearchives.pbwiki.com/f/PAHRexplanation.doc
. A Fact Sheet on NHPRC provides more details that may be helpful for
letters, phone calls, and visits.
http://savearchives.pbwiki.com/f/NHPRCfactsheet.DOC
All of these documents and additional background information are also
available on a "wiki" that we have set up as a temporary information
distribution tool: http://savearchives.pbwiki.com/ This is a publicly
accessible site to which you can direct others who have an interest in
this issue. The wiki also includes:
. An Excel table containing contact information (including fax numbers)
for members of the House and Senate appropriations committees and for
the relevant subcommittees.
. Basic "fact sheets" from four states (Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri,
and
Texas) that you can use as models for developing one for your own state.
Our final request is that you update us on your progress. If you could
forward copies of your letters to us that would be very helpful. At the
very least, we'd like to track how many letters go to each member of
Congress and from whom so that we can be sure there is a good flow of
mail to each person.
Despite the general budget woes of the world, we have a unique
opportunity to greatly improve the resources available to all of our
institutions and all of our states. This is a crucial time for us to
help ensure that NHPRC has the appropriate funding for national grants
and for formula-based grants to our states. Please join us in taking
advantage of this opportunity to strengthen archives throughout our
nation. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of these important
programs.
Society of American Archivists
Nancy Beaumont, Executive Director
312-922-0140
[log in to unmask]
Council of State Archivists
Kathleen Roe, Chair, CoSA Advocacy Committee
518-473-4254
[log in to unmask]
National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators
[log in to unmask]
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