National Security Archive Finds Mixed Results for Obama Administration FOIA Initiative

To coincide with Sunshine Week (March 15–19, 2010), the National Security Archive at George Washington University released an audit of federal government agencies’ administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The audit was the first performed by the National Security Archive since President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder issued directives in 2009 to federal agencies mandating reform of the FOIA compliance process.


History Coalition Endorses “Faster FOIA Act”

On March 17, the National Coalition for History joined OpenTheGovernment.org and 29 other organizations on a letter in support of S. 3111, the “Faster FOIA Act.” The bill, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and John Cornyn (R-TX) would establish an advisory commission charged with presenting recommendations to Congress and the President to reduce delays in the administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).


History Coalition Submits Congressional Testimony on FY 2011 NARA & NHPRC Budgets

On March 19, the National Coalition for History submitted testimony on the President’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budgets for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to the House Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.


Posted in hot

2010 Humanities Advocacy Day

On March 8-9, the National Humanities Alliance held its 30th Annual Meeting and 11th Humanities Advocacy Day. More than 200 individuals took part in activities during the two-day period in Washington, DC. Activities included panel presentations, luncheon and keynote address, policy briefing, Capitol Hill reception, and Congressional visits. The National Coalition for History is a co-sponsor of Humanities Advocacy Day.


Historian Jonathan Spence Named 2010 Jefferson Lecturer

Jonathan Spence, one of the world’s leading experts on Chinese history and culture, will deliver the 2010 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities. The annual lecture, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), is the most prestigious honor the federal government bestows for distinguished intellectual achievement in the humanities.


National Archives Announces Relocation of its New York City Facility

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) recently announced that within the next two years the agency will move its New York City office to the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at One Bowling Green. After extensive renovation, the new space is expected to be ready in the fall of 2011. NARA has announced it will hold two public hearings on May 4th to discuss these and additional details about the move.


NEH Awards $16 Million In Grants & Offers

On March 29, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced $16 million in grant awards and offers for 286 humanities projects. New funding supports a wide variety of projects nationwide, including traveling exhibitions, research fellowships, production and development of films, documentation of endangered languages, the development and staging of major exhibitions, digital tools, and the preservation of and access to historic collections.