Resolution
In as much as the Archivist of the United States oversees an agency
central to the public's understanding of government...
In as much as the Archivist of the United States oversees an agency
central to political science research on many of the key institutions of
our government, including the Congress and the Presidency...
In as much as the current administration is actively considering
candidates for its nominee as Archivist of the United States...
Be it resolved that the Board of the Presidency Research Group, American
Political Science Association instructs the management council of the
Presidency Research Group to research the qualifications of the candidates
under consideration by the administration.
Be it resolved that the management council should report back to the board
with recommendations as the qualifications of the various candidates as
quickly as possible and no later than 31 March 1995, whereupon the Board
will prepare recommendations to forward to the White House and to the
Senate.
Be it resolved that, for considering these candidates, the Board adopts
the standards outlined in Attachment A of this resolution.
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Attachment A
Standards for considering candidates
for Archivist of the United States.
Introduction - The Presidency Research Group makes recommendations on
candidates as to their being "highly qualified," "qualified," or "not
qualified" to serve as Archivist. It makes no recommendation as to which
candidate is better suited to be the Administration's nominee or which
candidate should receive the support of the Senate. PRG makes its
recommendations on the basis of two general criteria: Does the candidate
have suitable experience? Does the candidate evidence support for public
policies the PRG feels are important to governing the National Archives
and Records Administration.
SUITABLE EXPERIENCE
The National Archives is a central management agency
in the federal government. Its mission includes management of the
nation's information resources by recommending policies on the treatment
of government records, their disposal and storage, and their accession by
the general public. Its mission includes management of the Presidential
Libraries system and the requirements of the Presidential Records Act.
Its mission includes publishing information about government activities
including the Federal Register and The Public Papers of the President.
The budget of the National Archives currently stands at $200,000,000 and
it employs thousands of federal workers spread throughout the United
States. Its mission also brings it into contact with the research
community and the general public interested in the information resources
of the National Archives.
Therefore, the PRG considers the following as important "experience" for a
proper nominee as Archivist of the United States:
- The nominee should have experience managing a large government
executive or a large non-profit organization.
- The nominee should have experience promoting the proper treatment of
government records, including their storage, preservation, dissemination,
and public access
- The nominee should have experience dealing directly with both
legislators and chief executives since these officials set policy for
government records.
- The nominee should be familiar with National Archives and Records
Administration operations.
- The nominee should have experience with the scholarly research role
NARA plays.
- The nominee should demonstrate an ability to manage the Archives without regard to partisan considerations.
SUPPORT FOR PROPER PUBLIC POLICY
The Archivist of the United States has
special responsibilities for recommending policy regarding the treatment
of public records. The PRG believes that in carrying out that
responsibility the Archivist should favor the widest dissemination of
public information with the fewest restrictions consistent with national
security. The PRG also recognizes the importance of access to
high-quality public information through advanced information services such
as the worldwide Internet and believes that NARA should lead the
government in setting policy to realize this goal.
Therefore, PRG considers the following as important "support for proper
public policy" on the part of a nominee for Archivist of the United
States:
- The nominee should have the broadest possible vision for the future
of government archives and information management, including development
and implementation of information policy and provision for the management
of electronic records.
- The nominee should support expanded participation by NARA in
developing the government's information resources, including electronic
access through the nation's information infrastructure
- The nominee should support expanded participation by users,
particularly scholars, on NARA advisory boards wherever those boards
advise the NARA on proper policies for accessing information.
- The nominee should support legislation requiring all branches of the
federal government improve their records policies reducing barriers to
public access.
- The nominee should advocate for expanded openness in treating federal
records under the Executive Order on Classified National Security
Information.