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<font size=3>From: "Jenifer Burlis-Freilich"
<jbfreilich@statearchivists.org><br>
To: <archival_leaders@aall.archivists.org><br>
Subject: [AALL] February Action Alert on PAHR - Preserving the American
Historical Record<br>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:12:13 -0600<br><br>
</font><font face="arial" size=2>February Action Alert: Contact
House Members Now to Sign on to “Preserving the American Historical
Record” Legislation<br>
<br>
The Partnership for the American Historical Record Task Force is seeking
calls and letters to members of the House of Representatives to urge them
to sign on to the “Preserving the American Historical Record”
legislation, which will be introduced soon by Congressman Maurice Hinchey
(D-NY, 22nd district). The Congressman would like to have as many
co-sponsors as possible before introducing the bill. Current
sponsors are: Jerrold Nadler (D-NY 8th), John McHugh (R- NY 23rd),
Sanford Bishop (D-GA 2nd), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY 14th), and Edolphus
Towns (D-NY 10th).<br>
<br>
It is critical that we work now to enlist as many Members of Congress as
possible to sign on to the bill – and that the co-sponsors represent a
diversity of states and both parties. (The current list of sponsors
is heavily weighted to the East Coast and the Democratic party.) As
several Members of Congress have said to me, PAHR clearly represents a
non-partisan issue. I would add that it is also a nationwide issue
– and we need representation “from sea to shining sea.” <br>
<br>
Act now – as Congress reconvenes from its winter break. <br>
<br>
In the next few days Congressmen Hinchey will send a “Dear Colleague”
letter to invite his House colleagues to join him as sponsors.
Although some Members will wait to see the letter before signing on,
others will do so sooner. Notwithstanding their personal
preferences on timing, it is essential that House members know that this
bill is of concern to their constituents so that they WILL sign on. Your
efforts will ensure that your Congressperson has this bill on his or her
“radar.”<br>
<br>
Here’s how you can help:<br>
<br>
Contact the members of Congress who represent your region and tell them
how important this bill will be to your state. Please encourage
others to do so as well. Genealogists, local government officials,
researchers of all kinds, teachers, veterans, and even your favorite aunt
can make the case. <br>
<br>
To facilitate this, we have posted a number of items on the Web at<br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.archivists.org/pahr">www.archivists.org/pahr</a><br>
<br>
* A draft letter* that you can customize and then fax (preferred), email,
or send.<br>
<br>
* A draft resolution if you have an organization that is willing to
support PAHR.<br>
<br>
* The PAHR fact sheet.<br>
<br>
* A generic version of a brochure entitled ”Then, Now, Always” that you
can tailor to your own state. <br>
<br>
*There is also an Excel file (PAHR-FormulaCalculations-11-2007.xls) in
which you can find the specific amount of funding that would come to your
state if the bill is authorized and appropriated at the proposed level of
$50 million. <br>
<br>
It is particularly important that you also call or visit the Member’s
office. A visit to the regional office or the Washington office
will have considerable impact. If you contact the regional office,
ask for the regional director (the name should be on the website, but if
not, ask for the person in that position.) If you contact the
Washington office, ask for the Legislative director. <br>
<br>
I cannot stress how important it is to have a strong set of co-sponsors
for this bill. The level of support we get at this point will
demonstrate to Congress whether the bill is viable or just one of those
bills introduced to please a constituent….<br>
<br>
If you have any questions about how to proceed, I’m happy to talk you
through the steps. Feel free to contact me! If you’re a bit
hazy about PAHR and what it would do for your state or organization, I’m
happy to walk you through that as well. <br>
<br>
Please take a few minutes in the coming week to make a call, pay a visit,
or send a fax/email/letter to your Members of Congress. I’d be
grateful if you’d let me know what you’ve done; sometimes we can
encourage another person to follow up with the same Representative, and
it’s always helpful for us to understand how much “traffic” there
is.<br>
<br>
It’s time to tell Congress that what we do matters a great deal to this
country and its inhabitants. Americans need and deserve the resources to
ensure access to our heritage. We can do thiswith your help!<br>
<br>
With best regards,<br>
<br>
Kathleen Roe, Chair<br>
Joint Task Force on PAHR<br>
Council of State Archivists<br>
Society of American Archivists<br>
National Association of Government Archives and Records
Administrators<br>
<br>
<br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
______________<br>
Janet M. Carleton --- carleton@ohio.edu --- 740/597-2527
<br>
Digital Initiatives Coordinator / Women's & Gender Studies
Bibliographer<br>
Alden 235A, Ohio University Libraries, Athens,
Ohio<br>
<a href="http://www.library.ohiou.edu/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.library.ohiou.edu/</a></font></body>
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